New York Comes to Colorado

So my Aunt Bernice and Uncle Jack ventured out west from New York this past week. It is always great to have family visit and as usual we had a good time.

The first weekend they went over to Tracie's for the 4th of July and then everyone came over hear on Sunday to celebrate Dad's birthday. Kevin sent Dad some fish from Alaska so we enjoyed a great meal.

Mom and Dad took Bernice and Jack down to Sante Fe and Taos for most of their visit. From what I understand they had a great time and it was very relaxing for everyone.

Upon their return it was time for the Irish Festival so we spent Saturday watching Mark play football and hurling. He took a nasty whack to his arm during hurling but they won they game. We walked around the festival listening to music and looking at the vendors in between games. Luckily we were not rained out and had a great day.

On Sunday we went to the pool for a short time before the lightening came. We had a birthday party to attend for a short time but ended the day back at Mom and Dad's. Bernice and Jack got the Riverdance DVD for the girls so they are now hooked on Irish dance even more.

We so loved having them here and can't wait until the next time they come to visit. (Actually the Colorado clan is all wanting to head to NY. It's been too long so I guess we have to start saving.)

Family Day(s)

Each year we remember when Kailei joined us and completed our family. It was a magical day and one that we will never forget. We try to honor that special time by spending the day together. This year we decided to spend our time in Colorado Springs. There is so much to do and see down there.

We kicked off the morning with breakfast at Village Inn and then headed down to the Springs. Making our way to Cave of the Winds we scheduled a tour around 10am. While both girls have been before, they forgot quite a bit and really enjoyed walking through the cave.

After a nice lunch in Old Colorado Springs, we decided to head for the Royal Gorge. We figured the girls could take a nap along the way. It was just amazing. Zeb and I had been years before with Mark and while the price has certainly gone up, it was really worth it. We had a great time. We walked over the bridge, took an ariel tram across the Gorge and then took and incline tram down the Gorge to the river. Each experience was just breathtaking and we all just loved it.

We spent the night in Colorado Springs hoping to extend our Family Day celebration to two days but Kailei woke up with a stomach ache. It didn't seem to leave her and I didn't want to risk any more sight seeing so we packed up and headed home.

Naturally, after a good nap in the car she woke up and felt much better. Ugh! Nothing we could do now but extend the fun so we decided to see the movie "Up". We all really enjoyed it and ended our celebration at Mt. Fugi where the kids enjoyed dinner being grilled on the hibachi.

Family day was great. The kids were perfect and we all just had a fabulous time. Our family is truly blessed and it is nice to take some time out of our busy schedule and remember all that we have been graced with.

Big News for Our Friends!

Well, it's not our news but I just had to share that our friends the Wyman's just got matched with their baby boy. He is just adorable and we are thrilled to death for them. He is 2 1/2 and from Henan province. He is one lucky little boy to have such a great family that already love him to pieces.

Our 4th of July Celebration

We enjoyed a great 4th of July by kicking it off at the neighborhood bike parade. I didn't think we were actually going to go so I failed to get bike decorations but what can you do. Kailei said it was "super duper fun" so I know she had a good time. Keara didn't want to ride her bike without it being decorated but seemed to enjoy walking around nonetheless. They had donuts, snowcones, jumped in the blowup castles and stood in a marathon line to get their faces painted. Naturally we hooked up with the Wymans which made it even more fun.

Later that afternoon we headed over to the Wyman's for dinner. We ate yummy steaks, all kinds of deserts and lit sparklers. Luckily Scott is a fireman so we were well taken care of. We often smoked ourselves out but the girls and us grownups had a pretty darn good time.

Mommy/Daughter Dates

Occasionally I try and schedule some special time with each of the girls. Thursday was just such a day.

Kailei and I headed out in the morning. She decided she wanted to go play mini-golf for her date so we headed out. I was loving it because my first shot was a hole in one. About 12 holes into the game it got hot and Kailei was losing interest quickly but we managed to complete the course give or take a few holes.

After golf, we got a slushy to quench our thirst and went to Target to get Kailei's back-to-school supplies for her first year of kindergarden. It is so hard for me to believe she is almost five years old and ready for school. She had a great time picking out her Ni Hao Kai Lin backpack, purse and notebook. It was too cute.

I asked her if she wanted to go to Grammy's or go out to lunch and she chose Grammy's so we headed back to her house.

The afternoon was spent with Keara. She wanted to go to the mall. The girl has a major shopping gene (not sure where she picked it up from). Armed with some gift cards from her birthday she was off and running. We enjoyed a Pizza Hut lunch, shared a cookie and we walked that mall a few times over. Keara bought a new bathing suit (a bikini), a "K" pillow, and an outfit. I think she really enjoyed herself.

Keara gently held my hand the whole afternoon and Kailei was so sweet in telling me that "she wished every day was mommy/daughter day". I love my time with each of the girls. They really are such great kids.

Our Camping Adventure

Well, unfortunately I have no pictures to share because I somehow deleted them but we went camping last weekend (at least for a little while). The MWCC group headed to Golden Gate Park for our annual camping trip. Last year was miserable in terms of weather but this year was setting up to be much nicer.

I was at a technology conference last week so scrambled home Thursday evening in hopes we could head up the mountain Friday afternoon. Naturally, things didn't go as planned. For some weird reason, I just wanted to sleep all day...and I did. I just didn't have the energy to do much else. That should have been my first clue but the girls had their hearts set on this so we really wanted to make it happen. As we were attempting to get ready, Zeb showed me his eye which looked suspiciously red. I decided he needed to go to the doctor in case it was pink eye and told him we couldn't leave until that was done. At 4pm the doctor confirmed it was pink eye but said he was fine to go camping. Zeb picked up his medicine and I managed to gather enough energy to get things packed and off we went. We didn't get to leave the house until about 7pm but we made it up there in time to pitch our tent and hit the hay.

The night was cold but not as cold as I remember last year being. We woke up and our friend Scott organized a morning hike. It was just beautiful. The girls did a great job going down the mountain. Going back up was, shall we say, more difficult.

Mid-afternoon I got a horrible headache and started to feel sick. I thought it would go away. I thought maybe I just needed a nap. I thought with enough advil I could certainly make it through one more night. Alas, that was not to be. I tried. I really did but I just couldn't shake things. I decided we needed to go home. The girls were very understanding however and just requested to stay for samores. I couldn't deny them that so we stayed and headed down the mountain around 8pm.

It got worse. I got sick. I felt awful. I was happy to be in my own bed but I ached all over. I can't imagine having to deal with being sick in a tent so it was really the best decision.

The girls got to play with their friends and really had a great 24 hours.

I remained on the couch Sunday. Felt like I was recovering on Monday and was back to normal by Tuesday.

I'm not sure camping agrees with me. I remember I didn't feel well last year either. Hmmm....

Mini-golf Anyone?

Gotta love mini-golf. I know I do. Headed out for a quick game of golf and a little ice cream. Kailei wasn't so sure about hitting the ball but Keara was a great sister and helped her overcome her fear. Basically it just required Kailei being able to putt a foot from the hole and all was well. Still it was nice to see Keara being so helpful with her sister. Really the two of them get along great (most of the time).

After golf we make a stop at Baskin Robbins (I just love the fact they have 31 flavors). Anyhoo, we had a great evening.

(Zeb won at golf by the way. He is competitive and needed to keep track of our scores.)