Scottsdale

Last week we headed to Scottsdale, Arizona with the Ohlheisers for a week of R&R!  And that's just what happened, and of course we partied like Rock Stars!

We spent our mornings laying around the condo, headed to the pool to relax in the afternoon, took afternoon naps, enjoyed dinner with no interruptions, watched movies and slept soundly at night!

It was AMAZING!

When you are parents with busy lives and small kids you forget what a luxury it was to have no responsibilities besides for yourself!  We definitely lived it up while we were out there...

We had ALOT of drinks and ALOT of laughs and created a bunch of memories I will never forget!

Scottsdale is absolutely gorgeous and I can see why so many people choose to retire there - I might even consider it - Jason's already talking about buying a home there!

We didn't get out and explore much, but what I did see was pretty nice - we basically just went to Starbucks every afternoon for a snack and then back to the condo.  We were so LAZY!

That's why it was so AMAZING!

It of course was very HOT there in AZ and just sitting on the pool deck was a bit unbearable - so we got some tubes to float around in the pool...

 The birds were a little crazy there on the pool deck.  One day they managed to peck their way into our chip bag and kept helping themselves to a snack...

 This is pretty much what I did all week - sat in a tube, in the pool with a drink in my hand!

I miss it.

 Stacey sporting her tube named Gina...

 We did get a little carzy one night and went bowling!  I know we are complete dorks, but the simple pleasures of life without kids is what we were wanting to do.  We had a ton of fun and maybe a little bit too much beer... 

 Stacey and Matt played Twister one night - One of those moments I will forever laugh about!

Matt passed out after the crazy Twister game!

It was so funny because Matt woke up the next morning and kept complaining of how sore he was!  That Twister game really worked his body OUT!

We had so much FUN with the Ohlheisers and would go back in a second! 

Our week flew by, but I it was such the perfect break we all needed from our crazy lives.

I am not going to lie - it was so hard to get back into the swing of things and wake up at 6:30am with the kiddos after sleeping in till nine every morning!

Getting away with friends and spending quality time with my husband was SO great and I so look forward to the next vacation!

Thanks Ohlheisers for the wonderful vacation and to my husband for being so FUNNY and the life of the party!  I fell in love with you all over again this past week!

Red Rocks

Matt and I went to see Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church at Red Rocks with Shannon and Kole.  HANDS DOWN this was the best concert we have been to EVER!  Not sure what made it so great, but Matt and I definitely enjoyed ourselves.  We were a little worried we would be singing and dancing in the rain as it started pouring as we backed out of the driveway on our way to Red Rocks.  But as soon as we pulled into the parking lot the clouds cleared and the sun started shining - it couldn't have been a more perfect evening - still a little chilly, but very nice!

We kicked off the concert with a little tailgating...

Beer and Brats!

 Red Rocks is probably the best place in the world to see a concert!

Eric Church even thought so!

Although, I will say I about died hiking to my seat in Row 60!  I seem to think I am in pretty good shape with all the running I do, but after having to stop a couple times to catch my breath climbing the mountain of stairs to our seats I now think otherwise!

 The concert of course was AWESOME!  Matt and I love Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church and know all the words to all the songs, so we sang and danced the night away!

"Kickin It In the Sticks" and "Pledge Allegiance to the Hag" were are favorites to hear LIVE!

It was a GREAT concert!  A night with my honey I will NEVER forget!

Oh, how I love me some country music...

Mother's Day

Mother's Day this year was light years better then last year! 

Remember last year when I was packing up my home and moving ALL DAY LONG - not the mother's day anyone would enjoy!  But this year I got to actually do something I enjoy with the people I love the most in this entire world.  We had bought a new 4 wheeler on that Saturday before and were anxious to go try it out - I guess technically that was my mother's day present!  So we decided Mother's Day would be perfect to head up to Caribou to do some four wheeling and have a picnic. 

Of course the weather was less then desirable - but we still managed to have a great time!

We did however have to picnic in the truck while we waited out the snow storm - that's right a snow storm!  But the weather quickly cleared into the sun shining and we jumped out to play...

 Our kids absolutely LOVE 4 wheeling and exploring the mountains - they had so much fun and wore the biggest smiles on their faces the whole time.

 Ashtyn and I were riding partners...

 Going through water and mud puddles was our favorite!

I love these kids more then words can describe and I love being their Mommy!  I couldn't ask for anything better and feel so incredibly blessed with the family I have. 

I enjoyed every minute of my mother's day, spending it with my babies, my wonderful husband and doing something we all enjoy in beautiful Colorado - even if we experienced rain, snow, sub zero temperatures and then sun shine all within our 3 hour adventure!

I am one blessed Mama - that's for sure!

Tea Party

Ashtyn's preschool class hosted a "Tea Party" for Mother's Day!  It was the sweetest little get together I have ever been to.  Ms. Lynne and Ms. Heather totally out did themselves, making all kinds of homemade treats, sandwiches, popcorn, lemonade and tea.  The food was delicious and it was so fun and special to spend that time with Ashtyn and her classmates.

 Chloe and her mama, Julie!

 Kate and her mommy!

 Anna with her mommy!

 Kay-Kay with her mommy!

 Chloe and Ashtyn - they seriously have the sweetest friendship!  They play so well with each other and I love how they look out for each other.  I hope they get to stay friends for a long time...

 At the end of the "Tea Party" they all sang some songs for us mommies!  I am not going to lie, my eyes totally filled up with tears - there is just something about four years olds singing that gets me all emotional.

I felt so honored at the "Tea Party" and also to be Ashtyn's mommy!  They made us feel so special and loved.  We also got a book from the teachers filled with pictures they had taken of the kids throughout the year, more art projects, and their monthly evaluations.  Again, my eyes filled up with tears as I flipped through the several pages of art work and pictures.

It's been an amazing year to see how much Ashtyn has grown up and matured as a little lady and also how much she has learned.  Her first year of preschool has been wonderful and we are sad to see it end!  We have met some great friends along the way and we will have to make sure we set up plenty of play dates this summer, so we don't lose touch. 

Thanks again to Ms. Lynne and Ms. Heather for making her first year of preschool a success and we will see them again next year when Ashtyn starts Kinder Prep!

But for now it's off to the swimming pool...

Whistle

 It's amazing to me how much fun a two year old can have with a whistle - a simple ol' whistle!

The other night Eli found a whistle and ran around the front yard showing off his new found treasure while making us all laugh!  He is becoming quite a "show off" lately and will do tricks so people will pay attention to him - sort of like a dog!

Not sure where that whistle is now - but it made our evening fun...

 The next best thing to finding a whistle is the new idea of Ashtyn and Eli playing with each other.  Just lately they have started actually playing with one another instead of just irritating each other - having two kids is finally paying off!  Matt and I love our evenings when we can sit on the back porch after dinner and relax, watching our two babies run around, giggling, playing with each other - completely melts our hearts!

 Of course Eli's favorite thing is to tackle Ashtyn...

And she loves to swing him around until he falls down!

Oh, the love they have for each other!