A Day in Pictures

 

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Family Vacation: Take Two

I never blogged our first family vacation… and must remember to do so at some point. Mostly I would like to forget it ever happened. Well, not completely. It was not all bad but it did not go as planned. The quick review would be. Leavenworth, cute and hot. Ava LOVED the hotel room, fell in the pool sinking to the bottom, and then refused to actually sleep wanting only her bed at home. Our two night get away ended after one night when we left at 11pm with a screaming over tired toddler, arriving at home about 1am.

Family vacation two… MUCH, MUCH better!

“I want to go back on the plane to Colorado. Colorado is really fun.” ~Ava

This trip was not without a bump but pretty perfect otherwise.  We headed to Colorado to attend a wedding.  Here is where I could tell a long story of the airline losing our bag.  Us planning an extended and expensive trip to the mall and target only to have it show up in time for my mom to deliver it to the hotel.  I will however keep that bump as a blurb!  A girl I used to nanny for and close family friend was getting married.  So excited I got to attend.  Plus with my parents attending we had baby sitters to actually have an adult night out with Uncle Todd and Auntie Kate!

The wedding was beautiful.  Jen and her new hubby Ben seem so very happy!  The girls had a blast.  They dominated the dance floor all night and loved every minute of it!  Ava even found her first boyfriend, Otto.  They were instantly joined together.  Dancing, running, jumping and running off together all night.  He would even spin and twirl her on the dance floor it was so amazingly cute!!!

Sunday we had a blast all day with Uncle Todd and Auntie Kate.  They were so gracious to host and entertain us and my parents.  First up a family brunch at Kate’s hotel, The Four Seasons.  YUM.  A little shopping and stroll down my favorite little Denver street followed by naptime.  Here is where I have to say a two bedroom suite was a vacation saver and luxury, the kids really slept great!  We headed to Todd and Kate’s for a BBQ later that afternoon.  The girls loved their baby, ashie (a dog) and we all ate and drank well.

Overall a fabulous trip. And in Ava’s words we will have to go back to Colorado soon!

I did not bring my camera:-( So a couple of iphone snaps and lots of memories will have to do!

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A Special Visit

Over a decade ago, at a job we could easily forget, I met a friend. Over 10 years later marriage, kids, home ownerhip and cities apart I am happy we are still friends!  Yep that is you Em!!!  So glad to have you in my life!

I was thrilled when she decided to make the trek north with just the kids for some mommy time!  Two nights meant fun outings with the kids and actual finished conversations!  We all had a blast!  Science museum, beach time and brownie making. Ava and Chloe got along great and although Leo and Ella are still in a parallel play stage I know they will someday be great buddies! Thanks for making the trip up, the door and guest room is ALWAYS open!

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Strawberry Fields Forever

Auntie Sara gifted Ella an adorable strawberry dress for her birthday… SO, it had to be done! Off we went to the strawberry fields. Since I had just taken so many beautiful pictures of Ava in her field I decided this photo shoot was all about my littlest berry!  My joy, My Ella!  Those blond curls, dimple and a berry stained face seems like perfection to me!

I love that she abandoned calling me mama and larry dada.  We are now Mommy and Daddy.  A talker, the gift of gab!  “berry” she shouted the whole day.  I am pretty sure she ate her weight in berries and possibly dirt.  But who could blame her they were amazingly sweet and warm from the sun.  YUMMY just like her!

Thank you Auntie Sara for inspiring some very “sweet” pictures!

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My heart

I often refer to Ava as my heart there are is no better way to explain motherhood. My heart is hers, always. The day she was born changed my life forever in a way that only those who are parents could possible understand. I do not say that to sound superior it just is a fact.  You may share your heart with many people throughout your life.  But it only children that you give it to completely, without a thought, every minute of everyday for a lifetime.

Ava is four.  I have been saying this for three months now but it still does not seem possible.  I can remember every minute of the day she was born.  I can almost feel her in my arms as a newborn sleeping next to me.  I can see her in her moses basket dreaming.  Now she is a kid as she says.  “I was a little, tiny baby but then I turned four and now I am a kid.”  Yep!  That is my girl!

I wanted to capture four, just as she is.  To me these photos scream four year old.  She has her bright yellow boots and her favorite lovie Black Cat.  What I think I love most however, are the unicorn tattoos covering her legs and arms.  This is just how I want to remember four.

My heart,  singing songs, dancing, sleeping peacefully in a bed covered with lovies and stuffed friends.  A giggle so big that she covers it with her hands and a pout equally as disarming!  Obstinate, stubborn and sassy at times (sometimes a lot) but looks right at you and says, “I think I love you very much mom” with more sincerity than I thought possible from another person. As I said she carries with her my heart, always.

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Freedom

Happy Fourth! Thank you to all those who make this country a place I am proud to call home. May our freedoms always endure. Here is a little red, white and blue. Smiling together, miracles do happen!

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Just In Case

you needed a smile!

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