Camp

We took the kids for their first camping trip of the season this weekend.  They had a blast!  Here are a couple pictures of them exploring the area where we camped - Guanella Pass.

When the boys went to shoot guns, Emma Rose and I stayed back to paint our nails.

Of course, the kids' favorite part of camping was roasting marshmallows and eating chocolate!

The kids were so thrilled to find out they were going on a hike!  We took them to the lake below Bierstadt.  They had so much fun!  Emma Rose skipped the entire way.

 The minute we got home, Emma Rose ran to find her baby dolls so she could paint all their nails - you know, the typical stuff kids get eager about post-camping...

Back to school, back to school.

We're back to the routine of school for Porter (and work for Mommy...)

Porter LOVES his new preschool; he is now Ben Franklin Academy.  He calls it his "big boy" school. One week in, he already had a girlfriend, Anna.  Porter refers to by her first AND middle name, "Anna Sophia," and he told me that, "none of the other kids can call her that because they don't know her like I know her..." He continues to crack me up.  

Nonetheless, with preschool in the afternoon, it's been a transition to lose naps, so this is how I often find him in late afternoons:

The kids are getting along so well.  Emma Rose is really into art, and daily asks to color or paint.

I got to run in a couple half marathons this month with some good friends.  The kids and Corey were really good about cheering me on.  After the Georgetown half, Porter, though he saw hundreds finish before me, wanted to know if I won the race, and Emma Rose told me how proud she was of me for winning the race. 

Mommy and Emma Rose, Tarrah, Jess, Andy, and Chad

Carlos and I at the finish!

"Mama, you won? I so proud of you!"

We got to spend our annual girls night painting peacocks in Golden.  So fun to see the cousins!

Jenny, Reagan, Aunt Georgie, Erin, Abby, Jackie, and Becky

My cousin, Abby's daughter turned 1!  Happy Birthday, Ava.  As much as I love my cousins, I love watching the kids get together with all of their cousins.  What a fun day!

Cousin Haley in the arms of her loving Nana

Emma Rose LOVED her rainbow

Ansley, the butterfly

Caroline, the princess

Emma Rose loved her chocolate-dipped pretzel!

Porter's a little out-numbered by all his female cousins.

And of course we're enjoying our two new additions, Daisy and Duke.  Such lovers...

Here we are before the start of the Highlands Ranch half marathon.  What a gorgeous run!  We actually ran next to buffalo for the second mile!

Andy, Reagan, Tarrah, and Jess!

Best finish ever: About 30 feet from the finish-line, this little green bug was running against all the runners, arms flailing.  It was Emma Rose!  I got to carry her across the finish line.  She was, again, convinced I won!

 I'm so blessed to have kids who think (at least for now) that I hung the moon!