Colorado Trip

We just returned from our annual trip to Colorado. This year seemed especially great for several reasons. First of all, Chris was there for a lot of our 2 week stay. Usually, he has to head back to Chicago for work, but this year he was able to stay. I also found that the cousins all got along wonderfully which was FABULOUS. They would play for hours and we wouldn't even see them! Eventually they would emerge with smiles and ask for food. :) Here are a few of the highlights.

Unfortunately, this is one of the few pictures that I have of Carter. I was with the younger kids a lot and the older kids were with Chris going to baseball games, fishing, etc. But, I do have this shot of my dad getting retribution on Carter after he hit him with a water balloon. I'm glad that Carter finally realized that I wasn't kidding when I said that my dad shows no mercy.

Sammi (4), Alyssa, and Caity (9) hanging out at Garden of the Gods. We hiked around and then ate a late breakfast with my dad, grandfather, and uncles.

All of the cousins in Garden of the Gods.

All my kids with my grandfather.

We went to Santa's Workshop where the kids get to see Santa and ride a bunch of rides. Here is Alyssa's first (and only) ride of the day. She loved it. The other kids were in heaven going on all of the rides by themselves. What a great tradition.

Grant, Hailey, and Sammi with new pajamas. The older cousins had all gone to a Rockies game and we went shopping (can you tell that the moms chose the activity?). They all got new pajamas and had so much fun playing in them. They definitely did not wan to go to bed.

Playing in the pool on the deck. Sammi put soap on the slide to make sure that it was slippery enough. I saw Grant slip right out the other side several times. The boy going down is Paul (2) who is about the cutest kid EVER!

All of the cousins at Water World. So much fun! We can't wait to go back.

Tradition

We have decided to start a new family tradition-getting stitches right before we go to Colorado. Last year, Andrew started us off by falling off of a chain onto the sidewalk. He needed stitches in the back of his head the day before we left. This year, Grant volunteered by bashing his forehead on our fireplace 2 days before we left. What a trooper! He didn't cry at all. He laid there calmly while I tried not to throw up all over the place and didn't cry during the whole stitching procedure. It doesn't bother him at all, but I honestly get sick every time I have to change the band-aid!

Lauren's visit

My niece Lauren came out from Colorado to visit for a week. We had a lot of fun hanging out with her, although I don't know if she'll ever recover from the noise. We are now headed to Colorado for 2 weeks so that the fun can continue...

We had a huge rain storm and these 3 ran out to play badminton in it. They were soaked in about 20 seconds. How fun is it to be a kid?!

Alyssa playing in the water at Millennium Park in Chicago.

Hailey standing by the huge water fountains in Millennium Park.

At the Museum of Science and Industry.

Sisters Trip

Over the 4th of July weekend, I had the awesome experience of going to Orlando with my 2 fave sisters. We had so much fun going to Universal Studios (including the AWESOME new Harry Potter rides), Epcot, the beach, Cirque du Soleil, etc. It was great getting to hang out as adults and chat and get to be with just my sisters. We laughed so much and had a great time on all of the thrill rides that our kids couldn't have done. I had a wonderful time and hope that we can do it again sometime soon (if my parents will ever come and watch my kids again!).

Outside Hogwarts. It has the COOLEST ride inside. The wait to get on the ride was amazing, where you got to see the inside of the castle.

By the Hogwarts Express with the nicest English chap.

I won't bore you with all of the pictures, but we had so much fun. Thanks ladies for a wonderful experience!

Last game...

Carter had a blast playing Little League this season and we're sad to see it end. It was fun to watch him develop as a baseball player, especially since he loves the sport.

Slip n slide

An annual rite of passage...the slip n slide.

Cub Scout Camp

Andrew went to Cub Scout camp last week and had a ton of fun. I got to go with him on Monday and see what they were up to. Let me tell you-there are few things in this world scarier than seeing your 8 year old with a gun (granted, it was a BB gun, but still...).

Andrew and Noah with their "bug" glasses. The boys weren't really into the crafts. It was all about the shooting.