Backyard

We haven't gone camping since Aubrey was born...that I remember, anyway. We have been saying that it's time, and we intended to go during the spring but ended up with home projects when the weather was ideal.  Our Thursday storm brought milder temperatures. So, since it was a bit last minute to go on a camping trip, I set up the tent in the backyard.

The kids enjoyed playing inside for quite awhile while it was still light out.  Aubrey was most interested in the flashlight. (The extension cord allowed us to run a fan. I figured we might as well enjoy this since we're so close to the house).

Closer to dark, Wayne made a fire in the fire pit. We made S'Mores and relaxed for awhile in front of the fire.

Wayne, Aubrey and I slept in the tent until the middle of the night when Aubrey woke up and asked to come inside. We all came in and finished the night inside.

But, we had a good time and we'll have to go camping for real now!

Freeze!

I'm having one of those days, maybe weeks, when I just want to freeze time. Aubrey and Tyler are at the age that they (generally) enjoy doing things with us. I hope they don't outgrow that, but we will see...Summer days (apart from going to work) might see us going to the library, the pool, the grocery store. We watch movies, play hide and seek, cook together (or don't cook at all), and play with friends. Nothing that big or different than anyone else is up to in the summer. And I love it. I get kind of sentimental as I imagine the future as an empty-nester, with a quiet house and no little ones giving hugs and kisses and running around making messes. We are certainly not perfect. We have our fair share of lost tempers and days we're short on patience. But that's just part of it. We also have our fair share of talks, snuggles (or wrestling matches depending which child we're talking about), and learning to navigate each day together. And I love it. So, we'll try to make the most of each day...and keep making memories. And that makes my heart happy and content.

Knock Knock

We just got home from running errands, including a trip to the library. On the way, home, this is what I heard. (This is after what seemed like 20+ knock knock jokes in a row...).  Aubrey had her (encouraging) response down! Sorry to Tyler that he mostly wasn't on the screen...I guess that's what happens when you record while driving.

Happy Father's Day!

Breckenridge

This past weekend, Wayne and I enjoyed the brisk mountain air of Breckenridge, Colorado. Thankfully, Ted and Sue were able to watch Tyler and Aubrey. Between finishing home projects, the Showalter visit, all of us getting sick, and getting ready for Extended School Year (the program I work during the summer) we weren't sure whether we could make it work...with both kids running fevers through Wednesday, we weren't sure whether we'd be able to go on Thursday. Finally, we ran into car issues on our way to drop the kids off in Hesston. But, I'm so glad we were able to go. We had a great time away. Other than visiting my sister last year, I haven't left Aubrey overnight before. My mom said "it was about time!"

We enjoyed carpooling on the way there with Matt and Michelle.

 

The first night, we drove to Limon, Colorado and stopped for a quick sleep and breakfast before continuing on.

Friday, we enjoyed shopping then lunch in Breckenridge.

The house we stayed in was amazing. It was right outside of Breckenridge, but felt secluded and was right next to the mountain with a little stream running by. We had a nice kitchen were we prepared several meals, a nice living area, a large deck with a hot tub, and a fire pit in the back. A.Maz.Ing!

The view off the deck to the back.

The view of the mountains from the deck.

Both evenings, the guys built a nice big fire in the fire pit. It was pretty chilly, and we appreciated the warmth. The second evening, Pedro the fox visited our fire.

The first evening, Wayne, Michelle and I hiked a bit of the way up the mountain behind the house.

 

Day two's highlight was McCullough Gulch Hike. Here are the ladies at the start of the hike.

Jill, Michelle, Tina, and me.

 

Silly boys.

 

 

All the guys

Dave, Joe, Wayne and Matt

 

 

 

Since we had only been there one day, we needed lots of breaks to catch our breaths. The altitude difference was pretty easy to detect.

The hike was gorgeous. The trail was often a bit difficult to follow, and there were a lot of trees, streams, and snow plains to negotiate.

There were lots of little streams to cross. Several times there were nice logs, like this one, to help us across.

 

Snow!

 

 

At the top!

 

 

The lake at the top. Not so gorgeous, definitely cold!

 

Several of us found our way down right next to the beautiful falls.

 

We returned to the house and Joe, Tina and Wayne relaxed in the hot tub before getting ready for dinner.

 

 

 

Soaking in the sun.

 

 

 

We had a delicious dinner and walked around in town, then returned to a gorgeous sunset.

 

 

And enjoyed relaxing on the deck.

 

 

 

It was nice to just relax, be able to meet new friends and hang out.

 

Sunday morning was beautiful.

 

 

Of course, we missed our kids, but we are so glad we went. We had a great time!

Showalter Visit 2013

Hollins, Rachel, Jillian and Reid came to visit from May 28-June 2. We had been anxiously anticipating their arrival. I made the mistake of telling Aubrey more than a week in advance. So, every day after that, she woke up convinced that this was the day of Jillian's visit. We made a paper chain to count the days, which seemed to help her understand a little better, but did not make a dent in her excited anticipation.

 

Unfortunately, they arrived feeling under the weather. However, they rallied and did quite a bit, considering how icky they felt.

 

So, here are some highlights...

 

Aubrey and Grandma Sue enjoying cookies at the end of an evening.

 

 

Playing at Sedgwick County Park's Playscape

 

 

 

Our annual trek to Red Lobster, and second annual chance to pet the lobsters.

Relaxing

A day at the zoo.

Baby geese (wild, but in the yard at the zoo)

Admiring the grizzly.

We didn't think this gorilla was terribly impressed with us.

He perked up a bit...

 

One evening we roasted S'Mores over the fire pit. The girls were cute sitting together while they waited.

Hollins and I took the kids to a playground one morning.

In Hesston, we enjoyed a walk to the Arboretum.

That day/evening, Wayne and I got sick, so we weren't able to join the family for the last day of their visit. :( I'm so grateful for the time together. However, we still miss you guys! That night, Tyler sobbed because he was so sad that the visit was over. And Aubrey asks on nearly a daily basis to see Jillian, especially if I show her pictures that Rachel has posted of Jillian. I'm so glad they have bonded since we don't live close by. :)