Brainard Lake Camping Trip

We had this camping trip planned since January. Brainard Lake is absolutely beautiful and camping spots fill up quickly. We had hoped to buy a camper before the trip but since we didn't, we rented one. Thank goodness we only rented because our 3 day camping trip turned into a day and a half camping trip. We did spend one night but that is all we could take. The twins could have stayed forever but Ryan and my feet hurt so bad from chasing them everywhere, that we had to get back to life with containment, i.e. our family room! There were seven families there with a total of 20 kids!! Hunter and Daddy went fishing for the very first time and he loved it.. just giggled the entire time. We went on a couple of "nature" walks so at least we had a great time while we were there! We're going camping again this weekend to Estes Park so please wish us luck!

Raisa & Hunter
Hunter deep in thought

Tyler & Raisa

She can get such an ornery face on her!

Ryan & Hunter chowing down

Long time..

I know, I know.. I haven't posted anything in a month from tomorrow! It's horrible! So much has happened this summer and we have been so busy. Please give me just a little more time and you'll be flooded with updates and pictures, I promise:-) I hope you all are enjoying your summer!!

Independence Day Weekend 2009

We had a crazy busy weekend but it was so much fun. As usual, there was alot of good food, great drinks, and tons of friends and family. Saturday morning, we decorated the wagon for the annual bike/wagon parade in Kelly's neighborhood. It was a little more difficult this year to keep the twins IN the wagon since they would much rather walk everywhere. This year, the Fessler's joined us so it was all the more fun. Saturday night, the Wadsworth's (Kelly & fam) hosted their yearly 4th of July BBQ. We were a bit concerned when a torrential downpour started precisely when the BBQ was to begin at 5pm. It was over soon though so all was good. Kelly has the best backyard for kids so we were actually able to enjoy ourselves! The kids did well and really enjoyed all the fireworks. We didn't even bother going to watch the fireworks show in town. Kelly has a couple neighbors who must spend a fortune on fireworks because some of them were better than a professional show! It was nice to just sit out on the driveway and not have to fight any crowds. Sunday we got to rest up a bit and then Ryan flew out to Virginia today. He's been home for a few weeks so I think he was really ready to leave:-)

Hunter helping Daddy with the decorations

Some of the kids from the parade
Mr. Cool Cade

Rob & Reagan

Rob, Melissa & Cade

Thanks AGAIN to Christina for her pics!!

The photo on the left KILLS me! This is a sequence of Reagan running away from her cousin Tyler who has been teasing her unmercifully lately. Can you tell??

No clue who this bike belonged to but Hunter was pretty impressed with it.
Kelly & Aryn
Ryan and I showing some "leg"

Melissa & I

Aryn's beer wagon. Is this not the coolest thing you've ever seen?!?!

Hunter & Reagan digging in the flower bed on Sunday. I saved their nice 4th of July outfits for Sunday so they wouldn't get too dirty. Of course they got WAY dirtier than then did on Saturday. Oh well....

My 30th Birthday Surprise Spa Party!!

This past Friday, Melissa picked me up for what was supposed to be just dinner out for the two of us. We were going to go to the Orchard and eat while watching the live bands. When we got in the car, Melissa told me she forgot something at her house (she just lives a couple blocks away) and needed to go there real quick. Here comes the funniest part that seriously makes me laugh every time I think about it. We pull into her driveway and she gets out of the car. Well, I just laid my head back and shut my eyes. I was just going to "rest" while she went in. She turned around and asked "are you just going to stay in the car?" Me: "yeah, I'll just wait here". HAHA!!! I can't imagine what she was thinking! So she eventually got me to come in saying that Cade (her 2 year old son) would be upset if I didn't go in to see him. Well of course that worked! So she opens the door and "SURPRISE!!" Holy crap!! I had NO idea!!! I can honestly say that! There have only been a couple of other surprises for me in my day but Ryan usually slips up to give at least part of the surprise away (sorry Ryan!). It's usually him rushing around like a mad man trying to get somewhere on time and he just never does that normally:-)

So... there they all are! My dearest friends!! All there for ME!!! Melissa, Mom, Ronda, Amy T., Amy K., Jami, Kelly, and Christina (Stacy showed up later). I was shocked! I learned later that I actually looked mad..HAHA!! I was no where near mad! I think I just stood there with my mouth open trying to figure out how in the world they all pulled it off!! But, it wasn't over yet!! The girls grabbed the food off of the counter and we all went downstairs to Melissa's basement (yes, it's finished:-) ) and there was an entire spa set up!! A manicurist, pedicurist (is that even a word?), and an esthetician for facials! Unbelievable! I was able to have a pedicure while sitting on the couch chatting it up with everyone and enjoying a margarita! The girls also treated me to a facial which I really think was the best facial I have ever had! Thank you guys SO, SO, SO much!!!

Now to the funniest part... by the end of the night, we had all purchased tickets to the Poison, Def Leppard, Cheap Trick concert in August! Classic!!

It's so awesome having a professional photog for a friend!

Melissa and I
Jami, Brecken, and I

All the sassy girls!

Father's Day on the Western Slope

For Father's Day weekend, we went to my brother & his family's place in Fruita (far west Colorado). Mom and Dad went also and stayed with them. We actually stayed at a campground near their house in Danny's camper. It was so much fun! Getting the twins to sleep in their own big beds was a bit of a chore the first night, but after that they did okay. It was a bit of a chaotic start. Reagan got sick while we were eating dinner out the first night (not from food) and projectile vomited all over the sidewalk outside. Of course, more got on me than anything. We ended up taking them to the ER the next day because Reagan's fever wouldn't break and she was pretty lathargic. Hunter had a bad cough so I just had them check him out as well. Alot of people around here have had strep so I was worried about that. Obviously I have no clue what the symptoms of strep are because the doctor said they just had a virus and should be over it within a couple days.

On Friday, we drove up to Gateway, CO. I had never heard of Gateway, but there is this amazing new resort there (http://www.gatewaycanyons.com/) that was built by the founder of the Discovery Channel. There's an auto museum there with alot of amazing antique cars. The guys were in heaven!

We're now home for awhile until our next camping trip in July. We still can't figure out if we're going to tent it or rent a popup. I'm not having a good feeling about a tent with the twins when the temps get down to around 40 at night...

Hunter sleeping just like his momma

Chasing a stinkbug! Ah.. boys.. He loves to crawl IN things.. bbq pit or otherwise.. Reagan and her daddySuch a tired girl.. The bbq crewWhat good is a camper without the whiskey tango flags flying! Can you tell he's a NASCAR fan??This isn't even the whole pole. When he's at the races, his is seriously the highest one! HA! Dirty boy! Caitlyn & the twins

Mom & Dad at Gateway

This car was OLD but check out the backseat! It has it's own windshield!

The owner of the resort paid $5 Million for this car at the Barrett Jackson auto auction. Chump change I tell ya...