jazz hands

 What can I say this cute girl knows how to entertain. 

It looks like she could be in some big glitzy show with those little jazz hands. :)

And what about those new teeth...pretty fancy.
I love them... they seem to suit her and her sweet smile perfectly.

Officially Summer

Summer is officially here for us. Don't let the jackets and Winter hats fool you. Canyon and Ellie got out of school so we celebrated with our first summer trip. The weather was a messy rain/snow/mud mix for the most part. But when the sunshine came to visit here and there we went out to welcome it.

Lucy loved going on rides on the 4-wheeler and chasing after Tex the dog.She has a fascination with dogs. I would like to say her first word was Ma Ma but it was "doggie" now she has ditched saying doggie and says "woof woof" funny girl. Good thing Tex is the most laid back dog in the world. He let her climb,inspect, poke and prod. She loved crawling and following him around all day.

Ellie spent her time someplace else. That someplace involved magic crowns, snow people and a beautiful kingdom filled with birds, enchanted forests, and a servant. That Servant was Shane which made the magic crowns, and snow people for her world. (what a nice dad!)

All Canyon needs is a rope swing and a couple grasshoppers for hours of entertainment. He thought it was funny to make them kiss.. and well it really was... so we took a picture. He also got to chop firewood with an ax + shoot his BB gun for hours on end all of this = one happy boy for the weekend.

I got to go on a bike ride through beautiful Aspen fields with my favorite person. I went on the rope swing to...but we won't show pictures of that. :)

I also spent what seemed like forever trying to get a good picture of one of hummingbirds flying around. I guess I enjoyed the challenge of it. Those hummers are SO fast and tricky.. and finally I won. (if you can win a bird)

Vroom Vroom Vroom

I had never been to a car race (unless a demolition derby counts) until now. Our friends invited us to the Larry H. Miller race track for good ol' car racin. It was fun. I love going someplace new and soaking up new surroundings and culture. Car racing has it's very own special culture full of all sorts of pits. Pit crews, pit girls and I am sure some sweaty man racing pits. (gross but true it was hot!) Overall the cars were fast and furious, the people watching was excellent, and everyone had a great time. Thanks Janelle and Brandon for the day out.

I took the snap shot of the kids. Ellie, Jada, Mia, Canyon.
Then relied on Shane for some real pictures which are posted below.

lucy bird

Me and Lucy had a day out. It was raining all day so everything was so vibrant, green and beautiful. I love this baby girl. I can't believe in a couple of weeks she will be blowing out the candle on her first birthday cake.

(thanks auntie allison for the cute headband)

slide

Lucy is a little slide lover. One might think a big slide for such a little lady would be frightening. But as you can see she was all smiles from top to bottom. She would get to the bottom and tumble and toss giggling and giggling. She is funny about thrills. On the swing the higher the better. And being tossed in the air...also the same. Maybe she is naturally a little thrill seeker..or maybe she is just used to all the daily thrills of life with two older siblings. That big slide probably isn't half as scary as being carried around, danced with, and dragged on a blanket by a five year old sister with a blemished record when it comes to safety. :) (how do the younger ones survive?)

birthday celebrations

This year for part of the birthday celebrations we did birthday parties for Canyon and Ellie. Shane did the invitations and they turned out pretty great. I asked him if he could quickly throw something together.. this is what he came up with. (wish I could do that!)

Ellie's party was for princesses only...and all 10 princesses looked very lovely. Ellie loved every second of it. The games, the glitter, the cuppy cakes, the pretty decorations and last but not least the presents. The party was a lot of fun but the princesses were not very refined and were faster, smarter and more energetic than planned. Good thing Ali (thanks Ali) was there to help me out. Otherwise I might have been forced to give them all sleeping potion.

Canyon's party took a little less planning and decorating but involved some driving. I have never been in a car with five 8-year olds and it was quite the experience. I got my fair dose of how crazy and goofy and loud 8 year olds can be in a very confined area. I must admit that watching and listening to them was SO funny and very entertaining at times... but I don't think that out weighed how badly I wanted a Tylenol and ear plugs for the way home. It was all worth it. Canyon had a great time.. running around the Kangaroo Zoo with all of his buddies. They played and jumped and ran like crazy. You think they would have been worn out for the ride home.. Guess again. :)

(2 parties in 3 days I think I have met my quota for a while..I know..I know.. I seem so old :( )

finally

Finally after the coldest Spring in the history of mankind these pretty things have come to say hello. I love the green that spring brings.

Canyon is 8

Happy Birthday Canyon

Canyon....this cute boy
has to be one of the sweetest boys in the world.
Is super funny. (wants his grand kids to call him grand canyon)
Loves the outdoors.
Loves being with his family.
He is the most easy going little guy.
The Best Best big brother..(scratches ellie's back at night so she can go to sleep)
Has the Biggest Heart.
Has the cutest smile (with his 3 missing teeth)

We love you Canyon!

happy 5 birthday ellie aspen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE APSEN

Little Ellie Aspen is growing up on me. 5 years old and oh so big. She looked in the mirror this morning and told me she looked different. She also measured herself up to Canyon convinced that she had grown over night. She was pretty happy about it..and me a little sad.

Things to Love...
She gives the best hugs and kisses and tells you she loves you 100 times a day.
She is a excellent compliment giver.
She gets super excited about the little things in life... its so cute.
She is so funny and can be so silly. She makes me laugh every day!


She is a lover of everything beautiful, pink, sparkly, magical....just about anything remotely girly. She also loves being outside, skiing, hiking and camping what a nice balance. :)
She absolutely Loves Loves Loves clothes. She changes outfits a zillion times a day and is getting her very own sense of style :). This makes her an excellent shopping partner.
She is so much fun... I love her more and more everyday.

WE LOVE YOU BIRTHDAY GIRL !