Celebrate:)

As we have for the last 6years, we went to A-Basin for Shawn's Birthday Celebration!  However, there were other plans in store for us!  As we got closer to the Basin we noticed people were parking on the curb, over a mile away - uuhhoohh!  We knew we couldn't carry all of our gear, plus Elsie Anne, if we had to park that far away, but we drove up to the front just to see if we might get lucky & land a good spot.  Nope, it wasn't in the cards today?!  Shawn came up with a better plan & we tried something different!

We drove to Keystone, which has already closed (along with Breckenridge), parked right up front & huffed-it up the hill - so that EA could have her first ski day, as we'd promised!!!

{Let me clarify...Shawn huffed-it up the hill!}  That is them, the little dot at the top.  EA made it about half way before Shawn had to scoop her up:)

After that first long run, Shawn got smart and 'groomed' a shorter run with his skis.  Here they are getting ready for the shorter run!!  Elsie Anne couldn't get enough!

Each time she got to the bottom, she was ready for more!  Shawn didn't complain, he picked her right up and trekked back up!  He was so happy that she loved it:)

We were both glowing as her abilities shined!  She's a natural!  She had to be just like Daddy, holding his skis, as we walked back to the car...

We'll be doing this a few more times before we're Florida bound!!

Happy 33!

As it dumped another few inches of SNOW, we were warm and cozy at Northside Pizza for Shawn's Birthday!  Elsie Anne has been so excited for Daddy! 

She's practiced the 'Bday Song' for him over and over!  And of course she got to blow the candle out for him!

Another fun, family evening!  We love you Shawn - thanks for being the man that you are, the most amazing Daddy & absolutely perfect husband I could ever dream of!

Hooters!

Shawn chose Hooters for his Ohio Birthday Dinner - he said it would be 'an event', since no one ever goes there with their family!  Leave it to my Delightfully Tacky, Yet Unrefined {the Hooters shirts say this on the back} husband to choose this venue, out of all the restaraunts in Cincinnati, for our Family Dinner!

Shawn's best friend, Rodney & his girlfriend Annie, came to join us!!

This little Angel said, "she has a bootie Daddy!"  Yes, my two year old noticed the awful attire these women were wearing!!

And somehow they thought we were celebrating EA's birthday & brought her this balloon and cake!  It wasn't until they asked her name that we realized!!!  We all had a good laugh on that one & made sure they knew it was Shawn's!!! 

By the end of dinner, Shawn had acquired too much Hooters paraphernalia for my liking!  Somehow they talked me into letting my daughter wear this shirt??!  Don't miss the "boobies coozie" as EA calls it:)

Rain, Rain...

...Go Away, Come Again Another Day Stay as long as you want - we love you!!!  How refreshing this humid rain has been!  A little chill in the air, drizzle falling down... nothing more this Colorado Girl could want!  Elsie Anne had a ball wearing her cousin's Rain Coat & Boots!!

This picture doesn't even need a caption...Green Grass, Mud Puddle, Rain Clothes = Big Smile!!

Elsie Anne & Brady playing on Papa's tractors!

EA not too happy, at first... but she soon warmed up to the tractor's loud noises!!!

She loved this little 'skid-steer' - it was just her size, so she said! :)

We thoroughly enjoyed the rainy weather in Ohio!  EA learned about thunder & lightning, and got to wear her Crocs almost every day!!!  I'm not joking, we LOVED it!

Mr.&Mrs.Ball

The whole reason we were in Cincinnati, and I didn't get one picture with my camera at the wedding!  I guess that just shows how much fun I was having:) 

Dana was the most beautiful bride, threw a perfect vintage wedding with green & purple as her accent colors, delicious food & flowers, & had the most amazing photographer - I'll post some pics once I get them from her!!

Love you Adam & Dana - CONGRATS!!

Go Reds!

We flew into Cincinnati on Tuesday afternoon and had a chill evening with the Fam at Casa Fraser!  Wednesday, we were ready to party!!  The Dads (Shawn, Brad, Adam) took the kids to the Reds Game & the Moms (Me, Melissa, Dana) had a well needed primping day!!  We had mani/pedis and a fun Hibatchi lunch:)

Elsie Anne & Shawn at her first Home Reds Game!!!  Us Moms were terrified after finding out they were in prime 'Home-Run Zone'!!

Uncle Adam, groom to be, and Liam!

Uncle Brad, Logan (lft), and Brady all decked out in their Reds gear!!

Once home, they enjoyed the weather - flew kites, and played on the swing set & slide.

Elsie Anne and Liam enjoyed the new doll-house and all its little furniture & characters!

It was a sweet reunion when Dana & I got home - it was a long day without my Princess!! 

Check out my new nail polish & iPhone...yes, it was an expensive day!!  But to my defense, my phone broke & this was the best option!!!  Yay for iPhones, they rock:)

Just Dreaming...

...of Flip-Flops & Outdoor Pools!!
Until then, freezing cold toes, in new pairs of flip-flops...

...sidewalk chalk next to piles of snow...

...and indoor pool parties with friends...

...will have to do!!  I'm not complaining, just dreaming:)  I love my life!!

Haircut!!

I've given Elsie Anne a few trims myself, but she's never been to the 'Salon'!!  I thought it was fitting for her to come with me this time, since we were going to her Aunt Dana's wedding the following weekend!

She was absolutely incredible as she sat completely still, watched what 'Ms.Robyn' was doing in the mirror, played with the pink comb, and sucked on her lollipop!! 

Her first 'blow-dry' was hilarious!  She didn't know what to think - I'm sure she would have told me to stop, but she let Ms.Robyn keep on going! 

The result... a perfect little 'bob-cut'!  She was really proud to show it off:)

Wishing...

...and Hoping, and Praying...for Spring!  Dressed in her favorite new dress, Elsie Anne put on a show for the entire restaraunt us, with her spins, hops & twinkle toes:)  The snow is melting, but we still have a month left of snowy conditions!

I love this child's 'mane' of hair!!

Wailer's Adventure!

The Wailer's performed on the Mountain at Peak 8...and we weren't going to miss it!  Shawn went skiing, while I put Elsie Anne down for an early nap.  When she woke up, we had 20min before the next bus came.  I had most of the back-pack together, we just had to get our snow gear on & walk across the street!  And we made it, with a few minutes to spare! 

**EA's head is so big we have to buy 4T hats...but they sure don't fit her hands, hehehe!!**

We took the Gondola up to Peak 8, from the bus station, and met Daddy at the base of 'the Park' all before the concert started at 3pm!!  EA was lucky to have a bird's eye view of the stage!

We met our buds, Ms.Taneil and Nadia, and found a great spot off to the side that wasn't too crowded.  The girls could be silly in the snow & we wouldn't have to worry about them being trampled over!  

Our happy family enjoying the outdoor entertainment!  You couldn't help but bounce and sway to the Reggae Music & Bongo Drums!!

Nadia & Elsie Anne loved doing 'knee drops' in the snow, then sliding down the hill on their bellies!!  They also showed us some of their best hip shaking:)

Pure Fun. Pure Joy. Pure Love.

The venue was up the Mountain, so where ever you stood you could see the stage, pretty cool!  One of those guys up there has been with {Bob Marley} & the Wailer's since 1967!

Another hug before we had to leave - these girls truly enjoy each other's company - I love it!!

Thank goodness for my huge stash of snacks in the back-pack!  EA ate continuously throughout the concert!  Back on the bus for a fun trip home! 

We are really hoping they'll do Summer concerts on Peak 8 - couldn't ask for a better venue!!

On Hold?!

I never knew I'd have to buy STORAGE for my blog?!  I guess I just went over the maximum pics!  Just bought 20GB (10,000pics) storage for $5/year - pretty good deal, eh?!!  I'm down for 24hrs, but come back for more new posts!!

Buddy Love!

Our calendar stays pretty full with nannying, play-dates, and gym classes - but one thing is for sure, when we don't see our best bud Henry, I'm not the only one missing him!!  For the past few weeks I've been listening to Elsie Anne telling stories about Henry & saying "Henewy come my houuse, Momma???" {I love that she adds an extra syllable to his name: Hen.e.ry}  So I finally broke down and asked begged 'Mrs. Anna' if we could have Henry over for a few hours!

Our little buddy showed up in his new surf board swim suit (he was leaving that afternoon for a Mexico Spring Break w/ his older siblings), snow boots & a sweat shirt - we call this 'Summit County Spring Style'!!  They both loved shovelling the snow onto our pathway & stomping on it! 

After a delicious lunch, we went upstairs to show Henry, Elsie Anne's new 'Big Girl' room!  His excitement was so sweet.  They rummaged through all the bins, dressed up with tiaras, beads & wands, then started jumping onto their bellies on her bean-bag.  From the moment they started, I knew it would end in tears...

...wouldn't you know - after forgetting who's turn it was, they both jumped at the same time & slammed their heads together!  I had to scoop them both up as they wailed big crocodile tears, plop them on my bed, run downstairs to get ice, run back to my room, & sooth both of their poor little ouchies:(  I couldn't resist this precious pic of them!

Once they pepped back up, it was time for a WAGON RIDE!!  Henry loved it just as much as EA:)  He also loved getting to wear Shawn's beanie hat!!

Once back from our Neighborhood Ride, we had snack & relaxed in the beautiful sunshine!  From the looks of this sweet pic, I think Henry's been missing EA too:)

What are we going to do when we have to leave our best buddy?!  I get teary everytime I think about it!

Super Girl!!!

..."No, I Supuu Boooyyy!"  Yes, my Princess likes to pretend to be a BOY - just like her best buddy Henry!!  And this is what I caught her doing, all on her own, as we were getting ready to go outside!!

Jumping off the step & flying into the Mud Room!

Adeline doesn't know what to think of this crazy girl!!

Oh, my girl never ceases to amaze me:)

Radio Flyer!

GeeGee and Papa (in-laws) got Elsie Anne this awesome Radio Flyer Wagon!!  Until now, its been in the box, in our mud room, just waiting for the snow to melt!  EA had been giving the children on the box high-fives for a month, and been talking about, "wiide in wagon with Adiiline"!  The snow is nowhere close to being all gone, but we decided it was time for Daddy to build the wagon!

When the girls woke up from their naps (I nanny a little girl 2mo younger than EA) yesterday, they got to help with the screws, screw-driver, wheels, etc, until it was time to take it for a spin!!

They both love looking over the railings at the wheels...which prompted our new song!!  "The wheels on the wagon go 'round and 'round - all through the neighborhood!  The girls in the wagon go bumpety, bump - all through the neighborhood!"  They absolutely LOVE everything about the WAGON!!

Of course, Shawn had to show EA and Adeline they could go 'off-roading' since the wheels are so big!  Elsie Anne saw a big truck drive by and said, "dat tuuck has big weeels, liike my wagon!!!"  Her comparisons are always so funny!  She also busted out with "dats simiilar" the other day, and I about died.  She is really picking up on EVERYTHING we say these days!

And EA had to try her hand at "puull my waagon in paaking lott!"  Thankfully during mid-morning our parking lot is not busy!  She went up and down, back and forth, and even on some of the narrow pathways!  In this pic, the girls are talking about their pockets!

After many rides around our neighborhood, the girls hung out with Shawn on the patio and had their snack!  As you can see, if you venture too far off the beatin' path, there is mud and slush everywhere.  We're happy this part of our 'yard' gets a lot of sun-light, because right behind me (from where I'm taking the pic), its still 3ft deep in snow!

Thank you GeeGee and Papa for another wonderful gift!  We can already tell it will be well-used this summer, and for years after!!