Colorado Pt. 2

We had just a few days with the kids in Breckenridge after the work retreat.  We definitely filled it with fun!  No trip to Breck is complete without playing in the water by Main Street.  Thanks to Joe for exploring with them... cause that snow melt is COLD. 

This trip fell over Kamden's 5th birthday.  We let him (and of course, Brody) pick out a new toy for the occasion.  Kam picked an excavator that he has been talking about for, literally, a year when he played with the same toy in Oregon last summer.  Brody added to his ridiculous animal collection.  

The birthday morning started with DONUTS... duh.

And a ride up the gondola to the base of the ski hill.

 

We spent many hours exploring the all the activities.   Kamden and Brody are FEARLESS.  Zip-line, alpine slide, bungee trampoline, ropes course, etc.  We "maybe" had to fib a little bit about Brody's age (by about 30 days).  But there was no way that kid was missing out on all this action.  I will never forget his giggles as we went full speed down the alpine slide.  

Sidenote: I cannot say enough positive things about the staff here.  They were so patient and helpful with 2 small kids.  Especially with Brody who needed some help with shoes, a little help balancing, and all from a kid that barely talks or is hard to understand.  Every employee we encountered was just amazing.  

This picture is, probably, my favorite from the whole trip.  SO funny to me.  Kamden confused in a maze.  This kid's expressions are priceless.

 

The Big 5 Birthday ended with tacos (Kamden's request).

 

Before heading to the airport we went on a small, flat hike with the kids.

This how you think it is going to go...

 

This is how it actually goes...

 

No, really.  They did fine... just the slowest mile walk ever.  They can run and jump and play all day.  They never stop moving.  But when asked to walk on a path... nope.

Another awesome CO trip in the books.  Can't wait to go back... or move there.  

WHO'S COMING WITH ME?

Colorado Pt. 1

Joe and his business partners had a working retreat in Colorado in July.  We rented an AMAZING house in Copper Mountain.  This pretty much sums up the trip for the guys.  They sat at that kitchen table working for endless hours.  We did sneak in a little exploring to Vail and Breckenridge.  It wasn't all work :)

 

One of the other wives and myself spent about 3 hours at a glassblowing class in Frisco.  It was, absolutely, one of the coolest things ever.   The owner of the studio was a bit quirky and most likely partaking in some of Colorado's finest medicine but he was a great teacher and it was VERY hands-on. 

 Blowtorch!

 The final products:

After the retreat, Joe flew to KC and picked up the kids and flew right back.  We spent a few more days in CO as a family.  More on that later...

St. Louis Trip

Joe was working in STL for a day but the kids and I tagged along and made it a fun, family trip.

Obviously, we stopped in Columbia for some epic burgers at Booche's.  I don't think the kids are as impressed as we are.

Once we got to STL, we immediately went to The Magic House.  Brody actually threw up 1 block from the place but we (accurately) chalked it up to motion sickness from a couple hours of screen time in a moving car.  We all wished we had more time here.  They could have spent all day exploring this amazing children's museum.  Once again... KC is majorly lacking in this department.

While Joe was working, the kids and I went to the St. Louis Science Center.  It was free for us.  I can't remember if it was free because of a reciprocal agreement with some of our local memberships or it is free for everyone.  There was a great toddler age room that we hung out in for awhile.  The kids were also really excited about the dinosaurs and the huge outdoor farming exhibit.  It was a really great experience until I told the kids it was time to go and Brody was NOT ready. :)

We just happened to be in STL with the Royals.  We went to the Royals / Cardinals game and it was mostly great!  You know.... your 4 year old had been begging to go to a game for a couple of months.  We finally go and all he can talk about is swimming in the hotel pool. ::eyeroll::

Honestly... we all had fun... 

The STL Zoo is awesome! Much smaller/less animals than KC but the exhibits are amazing!  AND... it's FREE!  I was so excited to see the hippo exhibit (one of Brody's favorite animals) but they were doing the typical hippo thing... snoozing lazily in the corner out of sight.

 

 

On our way out of town and quickly before some rain came, we explored Grant's Farm (ALSO free).  It was nice.  But we had definitely packed way to much into a couple of days. 

I am positive we will be back.  Until next time St. Louis...

Random June

Awesome night with Mumford and a lot of old and new friends...

These guys ... LOVE!

A late Mother's day and early Congrats (on new business) celebration to the Royals game! We had some great Craft and Draft seats.  I highly recommend!  The night was pretty epic. 

April & May Fun

Fun day at the zoo!

Rallying for the Royals with Mom, J, and J!

We have made some pretty big changes in the house.  New roof, new gutters, and some new windows coming soon.  The boys have loved the tools/trucks/equipment involved.  

Sneak peak!  Left is the realtor picture before we bought the house.... Right is a current picture.

We picked 14 lbs of strawberries.  Couldn't have done it without hippo's help.

We had a very stormy May.  I grabbed this screenshot of the radar.  I am no meteorologist, but I can tell you that bow echo ish radar is pretty scary.  And there were lots of funnels and a brief touchdown close by.   Scroll down to the second photo to see what it looks like in person (spoiler alert: it looks like armageddon).  I have often been in the basement during storms but this is the first time I have been huddled away from windows in the unfinished area.  Scary day.... Was glad the boys were safe and sound at my parent's house. 

On a lighter note (and a cloudless day) we met Grandpa and Grammy at Powell Gardens for the dinosaur exhibit.   It was pretty great!

 My Mom has a Bluebird house and we found these very young birds just waiting for mama.  (FYI: no birds were harmed during this brief photoshoot.  Bluebirds don't abandon the nest if you disturb it briefly)

This is a terrible photo but it HAS to be noted.  This picture shows Kam breaking away from the pack and scoring his FIRST SOCCER GOAL!!!!! It was epic and he was so proud!  Wishing I wasn't socializing on the wrong end of the field :(

Pontoooooon

We enjoyed some early boating before we could swim in the cold water.  Because: WORMS!

Good Friday & Easter

I should have just titled this "Better late than never" or "#tbt"
Whatever, I'm sure all 4 of you have been really curious about our Easter! HA!!

Good Friday Saturday hot dog roast at Nana's was great!

Brody was pretty darn excited for some chocolate!

The Easter Bunny brought some goodies.  Most notable was some new sunnies for summer! (update: we have already lost them)

Easter at the farm was great, too! 

Brody found one of the golden eggs (that means $)

I'm looking fondly at this photo.  Not because the kids are adorable (they are) but mostly because they have coats on.  It is still June and it has been ridiculously hot and dry already.  Not ready for the rest of summer.... at all.