Pikes Peak

One of our new favorite places to go is up to Pikes Peak. There are literally hundreds of places to go exploring up there. every time we go we end up somewhere different. This day was fun because we just played in the sand, put our toes in the water (shhh... it's the drinking water... that has fish in it so I didn't feel bad about my kids putting their toes in it), and then went exploring. So FUN! I LOVE LOVE LOVE days like this. Makes me feel like our family is "normal". It was perfect!

Daddy Dearest

I have the BEST dad. Ever. Really. In the entire history of the universe. Search high and low, far and wide, and you will NEVER find a dad as great as mine. (Ok, well, Bryan ties with him.) He's AWE-SOME. He is so well rounded. He hands the credit cards over to my mom with fairly little grumbling. (Although he does run his hands through his hair when finances are brought up.) He is a very successful wealth manager. He loves his Mom and brothers. They are so important to him and I know that he's felt the responsibility to step it up since his Dad passed away almost two years ago... something he was GLAD to do. (My Grandma's freaking AWESOME! Hanging with her is hardly a chore!) He's a MASTER car-packer. Seriously, stay out of his way when he's packing it up. Talk about a man on a mission. He took us on some amazingly fun vacations. (There was one time we ran out of gas... won't lie... it's on video.)

He's silly... oh, is he ever silly. (Case in point: My nickname is "J-bird-digger-dogger". I'm so use to it that I don't even notice when he calls me that instead of Jenny.) When we were kids we use to play Slam-to-the-Turf with him. We would climb all over him and he'd grab us and tickle us and kiss us all the while we would squeal in delight. (Always right before bed time... got us all hyper. My mom, I'm sure, loved it.) He would give us Honk-n-Kisses. He'd kiss us on our cheeks with his mustache and then he'd say, "HOOOOONK" while tickling us with his mustache. (They were "in" then. Don't worry, he shaved it.) When I was in high school and played music (probably far too loud) in my room he would come in and dance around like a complete idiot. He would do this hopping backwards thing with his hands out in front of him... so goofy. (Still does it.)

My dad is also so tender-hearted. I've seen him get emotional (I won't say "cry"... it's not manly) very few times. One was when Kelly and Robby moved to AZ. I don't think he gave two craps that they were leaving, but they took those two little angels with them. I'm pretty sure his heart broke a little bit that day. He's a loyal man. He loves my mom and his family more than anything in the world. Never once did I feel like work came first. He's faithful. He loves God and our Savior with all his heart. One was when his Dad passed away. That one absolutely tore me apart. He's also let anyone who's wanted to, move in with us. I had a friend live with us while we were in high school. We have had countless cousins and friends live with us through the years. He never seems to mind feeding the extra mouths.

I always knew I wanted to marry someone like him. And I did... only slightly better looking! (That's right, Mom, I said it!) If you look at these pictures my mom took with my camera while they were out here a few weeks ago you'll see all those qualities listed above... ok, maybe not. But you'll see HIM. The "real" him. I love my dad. I'm so lucky I get to be with him forever and ever. He's such a great husband, dad, son, brother, and Papa to my sweet little ones. I love you, Dad!!!

Water!

When Brigett and Koen were here we took a little adventure down to Helen Hunts Falls. It was a beautiful day. Perfect weather to play in a stream. Brigett was in heaven having it only be in the 80s as the weather in Phoenix got up to 118, setting records. (NOT missing that!!) We knew, from previous trips up here, to come with bathing suits and flip flops in hand. The kids just played; it's not "swimming" water. They built a dam and threw rocks to make splashes. Preslee, of course, was SOAKED after about .3 seconds so we stripped her down to her diaper so her clothes could dry. That's right, it was a SUPER classy look. She is by FAR my busiest child. She can go go go all day long. But she sleeps well... :) from burning all that energy, I can only assume. It was the perfect day. Relaxing, great weather, wonderful friends, beautiful children, and a picnic. ***Side note: My poor children are the definition of pasty... poor kids. I take full responsibility for that.***

Preslee, in true form.
Chucking a rock. I can't believe she didn't hit anyone.
Building the dam. Bryan was the site manager... did a great job. ;)
I love this picture. She absolutely adores her Daddy. (So do I!)
I told the kids I would give them some gummy worms if they would sit in the water for a picture. Preslee, obviously, was great with it. Koen also did great... I'm sure he was thrilled it didn't feel like a bathtub like water in Phoenix does. Carter and Addi on the other hand... wimps.

Reunited and It Feels So Good!

Last week, Brigett brought Koen up for a surprise visit. She woke him up at 4:30am and they headed to the airport. We didn't tell Carter and Addilyn... just headed out to "run errands" and ended up at the airport to pick them up. The kids were SOOOO excited. Koen is one of Carter's best buddies and Brigett is like a mommy to all my kids... but especially Addilyn. Addilyn has been attached to Brig her entire life... to the point that she use to call her Mommy Brigett. (How cute!!) We had an absolute BLAST with them. We went exploring, played in streams, and had picnics. The boys played Legos, played the Wii, played the DS's, laughed, and got far too little sleep. Brigett and Brad will never know what it meant to us having them here. Brad has been telling me for 4 months, the minute Carter's healthy enough he'd fly Brig and Koen up for the weekend. So, for a late birthday present, up they came!

And it was an added bonus for Bryan that he got to do whatever he wanted. He got to sleep in, hang out with his buddies, and skip out on bed time because he knew I was perfectly entertained with Brigett here. And for me, Brigett's one of my closest friends so we enjoyed catching up and chatting all weekend... over frozen yogurt... twice. :)

I love Carter's face in this picture.

One morning we took the kids up to Pikes Peak to explore. We had a picnic and a lot of fun. Koen even graced us with his "I'm the King of the Mountain" dance. Loverly.

These two are such goof balls together. They laugh contantly. It's a noise I love to hear!

Side note: Preslee eats the oddest things. Example: wood. Another example: wipes (clean ones. She'll just suck on them... so strange)

I think Addilyn has a tiny crush on Koen. :) She just adores him; always has. Gotta be honest, I wouldn't fight that one in 15 years. He's such a great kid and Addilyn Martineau has a nice ring. :)
Koen took this picture. Good job, huh? I told him he could be my apprentice. :)