Grandad and Gammie

We love when Grandad and Gammie make the trip up from Oklahoma to come visit. They were here last week and, despite EJ fighting the stomach flu and Hope coming down with a sinus/cold type thing, we had a great time! We shared many yummy meals, they took the kids toy shopping, played at Aunt Jill's and, since they were not here on a weekend day at all, Hope and Jared even got to take an afternoon off from school so they could go with Grandad and Gammie to see Hotel for Dogs! Ellis and I had to skip out on that outing. Sitting still and being one just aren't a good match. I only wish I'd taken more pictures! Thanks for the fun trip, guys!

Gammie, Hope, EJ and Grandad

Also this week, we had a too brief visit with our friends - Adam, Katy, and Reagan - who stopped by on their way home from a vacation in Winter Park. Katy and I used to teach together and even job-shared in full-day kindergarten. Woo hoo! It was sad when they moved away to Indiana, but I'm holding out hope that they'll be back one day! Here's a cute pic of EJ and Reagan:

EJ - 12 months and Reagan - 21 months

Bad Parenting?

One of the girls' favorite things to do together right now is this:

Hope loves pushing, EJ loves riding. Sometimes it gets a little crazy, and Hope goes "a little" too fast. But, it keeps them entertained. I mean, look how much fun she's having:

I can make dinner. Or clean the bathroom. Or (more likely) check my e-mail. Anything I need or want to do without anyone pulling on my leg to be held, or begging for a snack, or asking me to come buy something from her pretend store. Relative peace, for at least 10 - 15 minutes. I really enjoy that. Which may be why I choose to ignore this:

Does that make me a bad parent??

It's not easy being the youngest . . .

As I was making dinner tonight and Hope and Ellis were playing in the living room:

Hope: "Sit, Ellis. Good job! Okay, stand up . . . now walk. Good job! Okay, stay there, Ellis. Don't move. That's a good girl!"

Me: "Hope, she's not a dog."

Hope: "I know."

Me: "So don't treat her like a dog."

Hope: "I'm not treating her like a dog. I'm just training her, so she'll come to us when we tell her to, and go where we a want her to go."

Fun in the Sun

This time last week, I was posting about snow angels and snow balls. Today, about hiking and picnicing. You've gotta love Colorado! Hope and Brandon were both off school today for MLK Day. Since it was supposed to be in the mid 60s, we decided to go to Chautauqua Park in Boulder and go for a hike and have a picnic. Jill and the boys came along for the hike. The big kids had a great time exploring and EJ enjoyed her ride in the backpack - thanks Daddy! The weather was perfect. We even got hot as we were hiking. Notice how Hope is gradually in less clothing as the pictures go on! I'm posting quite a few pictures, but I couldn't stop taking them on such a beautiful day. It was hard for me to get it down to only this many!


Ready to go!

Jared, Justin (I'm not sure what he's doing), Hope and Jill

Pausing for a picture (and a drink break)

Jared, Justin, and Hope - climbing

Checking out the trail map

That's a heavy picnic basket!

Lunch!

At the park after lunch

Hope - flipping out!

Big Girl

When EJ was born I had hoped that I could nurse her for a year and skip the whole formula thing, but said I would be happy if we got through six months. Well, here we are at 1 year, two weeks and we are officially DONE!
It's very liberating to know I don't always need to be around at bedtime, or get up with her at 5:30 in the morning, or be the only one she reaches for when she feels hungry, or lug the big, heavy pump around everytime I'm going to be gone for more than 4 hours.
But, still . . . tears come to my eyes when I realize that I don't need to be around at bedtime or get up with her at 5:30 in the morning, or that I won't be the only one she reaches for when she feels hungry. There's nothing I'll miss about the big, heavy pump.
I guess this is what they're supposed to do . . . grow up. Sometimes I just wish it didn't have to happen so fast.

Fun in the Snow

It snowed enough last night (and stayed cold enough today so it didn't all melt away) for us to go play in the snow after Hope got home from school. It wasn't good "snowman snow", but the girls had a blast anyway. Hope made snow angels and threw snowballs for Sam to catch, but her highlight was teaching Ellis how to eat snow. With mittens on, Ellis was unable top pick up snow to "feed" herself, so she chose to bend down and pick it up with her mouth. I spent the rest of the time trying to get her to keep her face out of the snow!

Sam LOVES snowballs!

Snowboots and Snow make walking difficult

YUM!

Snow Angel

My first "real" post

So I'll start off by posting pics of my WONDERFUL family. I am truly blessed to have each one of them in my life.

Brandon

love of my life

puts up with me

amazing

does dishes

perfect!!!

Hope

6 going on 16

beautiful

strong

smart, smart, smart

gives me a run for my money. everyday!

Ellis (EJ)

1 going on, well, 1

always smiling

loves hugs

so adorable I could eat her up

into everything!

Sam

10 years old

loves to "lean" on everyone

gassy

sheds

sweetest, stinkiest dog in the world!

So here goes . . .

I've been thinking about starting a blog for awhile now, and actually signed up for a blogspot account months ago. But, for some reason, could never get myself to actually start it. Well, it's a new year, so here's my resolution:

Blog. . . as often as I can. This may not be too often for any number of the following reasons: lack of time, lack of interesting things going on in my life, laziness.

Shouldn't be a tough resolution to keep. So, for posterity, here goes . . .