the rock

Steve took the Friday after the 4th of July off, so we took the kids to hike the Castle Rock "rock".  We did this when Emmy was an infant and it is a super easy hike for littles.  Emerson did so great, she had a lot of practice from Moab, and Wyatt always enjoys a ride in "backpack!"  It was a perfect way to spend our morning.

Durango

We headed southwest to Durango a few weeks ago for a family vacation....what a blast.  The kids did so well on the 7+ hour car ride....thank gosh for the dvd players and Strawberry Shortcake!  We spent four days down there relaxing, eating great food, swimming, hiking a 14'er (Steve & Adam), visiting Mesa Verde and the family hit the alpine slides while Wyatt and I snoozed.  It was a great little getaway and I look forward for many more to come!

Our condo's patio in Purgatory...beautiful views!

Mesa Verde

 

Emmy, Nana and Uncle Adam climbed down into a kiva at Mesa Verde

hiking up Mt. Sneffels

Steve at the summit with his "Which Which" bag...free sandwich for all who take a pic on top of a 14'er with their bag!  only Steve...

pools open for summer

We relaxed on Memorial Monday and my parents pool.....just what we needed after the birthday bash!

Wyatt turns 2

Our baby boy turned 2 on May 30th!  I can't believe it!  He is the greatest little guy, cute as can be, adorable curly hair, a demanding personality and a big boss with a little body!  Wyatt, we could not be more in love with your little self.  Wyatt's vocal is exploding....I can't count all the words he can say now.  I always know what he is saying, but to others....it may sound a bit gibberish.  When I say, "I love you Wyatt", he replies with "love you too, mama"--uhhh, melts me.  He has great manners with please and thank you's, but he is a screamer and a feisty little guy.  Wyatt knows where the time out stair is and he will easily put himself on it if he has been naughty, and then he fake cries.  He is too much!

We had a big party to celebrate him being TWO!  I want to say there were about 50 people here....including little ones, which probably was about 15-20!!!  It was chaotic and oh so much fun!  Wyatt had a great day running around outside with all the kiddies, eating cupcakes and opening the amazing gifts he received!  The day could not have been any better.

Emmy and Ellie

Mandy and Joe....all the way from Chicago

Grandma Karen and Uncle Randy

Wyatt and Uncle Brad

loving that cupcake!!!

Ava...cutest god daughter

sweet Tayla

Happy 2nd Birthday Wyatt

before - during - after

We had a lot of work done in May to the exterior of our home.....we are in love with the final product!  We went from drab barn red stain on our cedar siding to a beautiful, bright steel grey.  The trim color was lightened and all 4 exterior doors were painted a charcoal blue....so pretty.  Since our house was in need of a paint job we thought it was also time to re-do the back deck.  It was done with a pressure treated wood by the previous owners and was warped and looked terrible.  We replaced it with red wood which is so pretty!!!  We also added a breezeway that connects our back deck to our covered front deck....it is so functional.  To top it off we changed the spindles to black metal ones.  Our house is slowly losing it's 1986 flair....

BEFORE front view

BEFORE back view

new breezeway

railings down!

the painting begins....

AFTER beautiful!

last day of school

I have mixed emotions about this one.  I am so happy to have Emmy home for the summer, but I am schedule person.  Her being in preschool away from the home two days a week was so good for her, she never cried or complained and loved going.  She only missed one day of school all year and that was when we went to San Francisco for a family wedding.  She was bummed that school was over until August, but excited at what the summer holds!  Family trips, swimming, ice cream, play dates, parks, back yard time and summer camp!  Her school offers summer camps for 2 week sessions....so we signed Emerson up for 2 sessions and she is thrilled.  Many of her school friends are also attending.....my girl is a "social butterfly" as her teacher put it.  I love that she loves school, transitions like this can be hard and we have been very lucky thus far!!!  Cant believe one more year of preschool and she is off to kindie!!!!

Emerson and Ms. Holly

Emerson and Ms. Amber