Rafting Trip

We joined our old neighbors from Bermont Drive on a rafting trip in Buena Vista.  People must think I am crazy to take two kids camping and rafting by myself - and they would be right!  I totally missed Matt, but I so badly wanted to go camping and get out of town that I just had to deal...

The drive was longer then expected but absolutely beautiful and the kids traveled GREAT - no whining, no fighting - nothing!  Once we got to the camp ground I was left to fend for myself.  I love camping, but I also LOVE camping in my trailer.  Its comfy, off the dirty ground, provides a great shelter from wind and rain...you know, way better then a 2 man tent with mesh sides to let the cold mountain air right in!  I did manage to set the tent up by myself as the wind kept blowing it off the ground repeatedly.  I finally had the kids just sit in it to keep it grounded while finished the setting up process.  Once the beds were set up, I was finally ready to pop open a beer and relax...missing my husband though.

 Sarah had to set up her tents too...while all the men just watched!  Nice...

 The kids were in absolute heaven getting to run around, explore, go on hikes, throw rocks in the river, create walking sticks, play in the dirt and climb rocks...they love to be in the mountains!

 

 Finally getting to relax - see my orange tent in the background...proof I did tent it!

 Eli enjoyed camping to the fullest and was covered in dirt before dinner...

 The kids enjoyed roasting marshmallows as usual and of course ate way to many...

 These two trouble makers kept us on our toes...

Snuggling my baby girl - it was VERY chilly that night!

We had an OK nights rest...Eli slept on top of me, while Ashtyn's bed swallowed her up as it continually lost air throughout the night and it was freezing cold with the mesh screens not giving us any type of protection.  Good thing Eli is a heater!  We made it through the night, woke up, quickly cleaned up camp, headed to breakfast and then it was off to the river to get our feet wet rafting!

I will just say there is a ton of work that goes into rafting - it took us two hours to set up and load the boat for a quick 2 hour ride down the river and then time to pack it back up and head home.  It was still fun to experience it and spend a nice afternoon floating down the river drinking beers. 

Eli was not too impressed and prefers Papa's boat, but it was a fun experience.



Thank you Todd and Sarah for inviting us on your little excursion - We had fun getting our feet wet rating.  I think I am ready for the big stuff now...class 5, maybe?

I will however not be going without my husband again - its just not the same without us being all together!  I missed my partner in crime!

But what I will do for a night away in beautiful Colorado - pure craziness!

Father's Day

 Father's Day was pretty low key and relaxing I guess you would say!

It wasn't the best Father's Day for Matt since a couple days before his truck starting blowing black smoke leading to the diagnosis that it needed some major repairs.  He was a good sport, but I could tell he was worried about how he was going to fix his beloved truck. 

To take his mind off the bad news, we headed to the lake with the family for an afternoon of playing in the water, relaxing in the sun, drinking beers and having a BBQ with the family.

 We invited Ariana and the boys out to the lake to celebrate along with us.  Robbie with no hesitation jumped into the lake - but he did get his life jacket on first - definitely a rule follower that one!

 The boys played, splashed, kicked and swam all afternoon...

 Riding in the boat...

 Robbie, Ryan and Eli were Kevin's fan club while watching him wakeboard...it was so adorable!  Everytime he would jump they would scream and clap their hands!

I wonder when Robbie and Ryan come back as teenagers if they will be wakeboarding behind my dad's boat...we will see!

 Papa Bill taking a little nap before dinner time...

 Eli is always chatting Mimi's ear off about something - I am sure he gets the attention since he is just SO cute! Mimi loves to squeeze his little cheeks!

 Uncle Steve got hot and took a dip in the lake - Eli had to join in the fun!

Papa Bill took another nap after having dinner - looks like those Rio Margaritas kicked his butt again, although he did not have to operate a vehicle in order to get dinner this time - Whew!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband, my dad, my uncles and my Papa Bill - you all make life so great - Love you!

A letter to my Hubby on Father's Day...

To my hubby,

I love you so much. I love what an amazing friend, lover and husband you are to me, but I have fallen more in love with you as I have watched you become the most amazing father to our children. I walk around minute by minute marveling at how I wound up with such an amazing husband and an amazing father to my kids - you are the whole package!

I think you deserve a bit of recognition for all that you do. You are a family man in the true sense of the word and I absolutely love that about you. I feel so lucky to be married to a man who plays such an active a role in our kids’ lives; changing diapers, picking out outfits (although sometimes we agree to disagree on the matching aspect), making bottles, giving baths, combing hair, reading books, playing games, always showering them with lots of hugs and kisses and “I love you’s.” I honestly could go on and on.

You are amazing...

Your humor is a staple in our lives; how quiet our house would be without laughter! They expect tickles with your hugs and whiskers with your kisses. You’re teaching them to smile, to find joy, and to feel happiness…

 

Your relationship with Ashtyn completely defines how dedicated of a father you are. You are so patient and loving with her. You are always telling her how beautiful she is. Our daughter will demand respect and love from whatever man enters her life, because you have shown her what a good man is. Our daughter is already growing up to be a strong independent woman who will not settle for anything less then what you've shown her. You are so good at spending quality time with her, doing whatever it is she comes up with. How many dads make a pig out of an old shoe box and some water bottles to fulfill the need of their artistic daughter? You amaze me with her...

 

Our children are better people because you spend time with them. The fact that you have hugs and kisses for them whenever they want them and sometimes when they don't, makes you a great father. The endless games of horse and "Enchilada", bike rides around Broomfield, camping trips and rides on the 4-wheeler are the best memories you could give them. There are things you can teach them that I can't and I love watching your passions trickle down into them. Our kids feel loved and secure because they have you as a father. You play the heavy when needed, putting our kids in place and ensuring they learn the lessons of respect, discipline and hard work.

 

Eli is a mini you.

He idolizes you and looks up to everything you do. You will forever be a hero in his little head and I would expect nothing less for him to follow in your footsteps in becoming an amazing man and father - you are the BEST example. You are always showing him how to fix things and leading him around the house as you change light bulbs, or batteries or fix the lawn mower. He will probably be your biggest challenge in life, but what a success he will be once we get there! His sweet spirit is completely fired by your constant love, tickles and encouragement he needs in becoming a good man. You never talk down or make him feel not good enough, and I am so thankful for your support in his life. He will always need you to be his positive reinforcement.

 

They watch how you treat me. They watch how you never leave or enter our house without kisses and hugs. You’re teaching them how to be a great partner. You’re teaching them about how important family is - it's a treasure. 

Yup, in short, I think you are pretty awesome.  I know I can drive you crazy and we both know our kids can make us both crazy, but we are doing OK!  So far, so good  Years ago, we fell in love and had each other all to ourselves.  Remember the endless date nights, the late-night movies, going out to dinner, sleeping in late?  It feels like ages ago - right?  It was easy to cuddle and make time for one another when it was just the two of us.  But now, I share you.  No longer are you just "husband", you've also earned the important title of "dad".  I can never say thank you enough for ALL that you do.  Not only how hard you work at your job, but everything else you do for us.  Motherhood would not be the same for me without your tireless help.  I am so blessed to have you as my husband and now the father of my crazy, beautiful children.  Thank you for being the most incrediable, passionate, caring and loving dad to Ashtyn and Eli.

 

We have a long parenthood journey ahead…but I am so grateful I have you as my partner!

Happy Father's Day Babe - I love you!

Bang the Drum...

 Eli woke up on June 14th and celebrated his third birthday! 

 It's funny, three years ago at that same time I was in the midst of labor in the worst, most unbearable pain of my life trying to meet that little boy and here we are three years later blowing out candles on frosted chocolate donuts!

Eli climbed right up on the table ready to start celebrating...

 Eli loves him some chocolate donuts, so I thought it would be the perfect start to his birthday!

 Eli with his chocolate donut and coffee - yummy!

 He was actually totally into opening presents this year and so excited to see what he got - FIRST time ever to show interest!

No joke - but as Eli was opening this present and began to see remnants of what it was,

 these were his comments..

"Oh, shoot!  No way..."

"Yes, I can't believe it!"

"Oh, my gosh - this is crazy"

Followed by clapping his hands and a big smile on his face when he got it all opened up!

 It was hilarious!

 F250 PowerStroke Truck - just like Daddy's with a four-wheeler in the back...

although Eli was concerned with how dirty the truck was, and continually asked for me to wash the "mud" off!  There was no way of making him understand at that moment that's just how the truck came...at least he is particular in having a clean truck!

 Next, it was a guitar! Yay!

 ...and then the grand finale - another truck with a trailer and a boat!

 He was EXTREMELY excited to get this present - a dream had come true for that little boy in that exact moment!

He also got a soccer ball and football - trying to get him interested in something other than trucks...we will see!

We spent Friday laying around the house, going for a bike ride and then went to Old Chicago's for dinner, Eli's favorite place to eat.  It was a relaxing day celebrating his birthday before the big family party on Saturday!

 Hosting a birthday party in our family is no easy task. 

It involves 40 some people with 10 of those being kids and a bunch of adults that like to drink!  So as much as I wanted to have a huge BBQ, I just couldn't handle it physically, emotionally or financially - so we just had the family over for dessert and of course drinks.  We were blessed with awesome weather, so we were able to take full advantage of our backyard and deck! 

 Eli's cake was a hit with the little boys! 

I just ordered a white cake and put a trash truck right on it!  Eli couldn't stop looking at it and wanted so bad to play with it before we cut it.  Robbie and Ryan also wanted to take the truck right off the cake - I guess it's my own fault really, to tease them with a truck and cake that they couldn't touch!

 Besides for the cake I ordered these delicious chips ahoy cupcakes from Kings! 

They were very cute and yummy!

 I wanted to put a little spin on the whole "dessert" party thing - cupcakes and ice cream get old, so I thought of Root Bear Floats!  Then to add a little bit more interest I found some Root Beer flavored Vodka and added a couple shots of those to my frosted mason jars - a party was had for sure!

They are delicious - I highly recommend them!

 My sweet nephew Robbie scoping out the cake or maybe the trash truck, or maybe both?

 Eli has no problem being the center of attention - especially when candles are involved!

 My sweet nephew Robbie now putting his finger into the icing - I think he has a thing for cake!

 As does his cousin who licked icing off Nana's fingers from his trash truck!

 Can you guess what Eli got for his birthday....?

Trucks, trucks and more trucks!

 So blessed with family...

 These boys made the party that much better!  We miss them...

Happy Birthday Eli!

I hope you enjoyed celebrating your third birthday with your big, loving, loud family!  We are so lucky to have that much love surrounding us!  Thanks to our family in helping us celebrate this sweet boy's special day!  We love you all, even if you all are drunks....just kidding!