Rocky Mountain National Forest

Easy hike in a meadow of the Rocky Mountains!  Elsie Anne's favorite new perch...on anyone's shoulders!  There was no real reason to bring B.O.B. along, other than to hold our picnic supplies:)

We got to explore the settler's quaters from the late 1800's.  Pretty crazy to see how they used to live.  I can't imagine these winters w/ the conditions they lived in?!  I got to teach Elsie Anne how to use the lasso (like I know how to do it, ha!).  She remembered the Rodeo we went to + was saying "yeehaaa"!

There are definitely some Graham/Strickland genes in that profile!  EA got to sit ON the table during our picnic + couldn't have been more proud of her spot:)

Some afternoon lovin' before EA + I had to drive back to Breck.  Its always hard leaving my Momma, especially when we don't have our next visit planned. 

Thank you for our wonderful visit... EA's special Memoo mornings (while I slept in), delicious home cooking, shopping sprees, wine on the deck (every evening), motherly advice, and the all around warmth I feel w/ family around!  I love you, until next time...

Water World! Denver,CO

We were so fortunate that our yearly visit to Water World was during Mom's visit!!  That meant Shawn + I got to have a whole lot more fun:)  Our best friend from Breck, Donnie, + best friend in Denver, Laurie, met us there for an action packed day!

Elsie Anne got to sport her new bathing suit!  I was excited to find this bathing shirt on sale + clearance @ the Carter's outlet!!!  I paid close to nothing for it + it looks too cute on her little hiney:)

EA enjoyed her kiddie slide w/ the "tuub" (tube)!

We didn't know there would be so much for EA to do!  I look pretty silly w/ Laurie's sunglasses on my head, but cute family pic!

EA was exhausted + fell asleep in Memoo's lap...

...we brought her pack-n-play + lovies for a cozy nap!

During her 1 1/2hr nap, Donnie, Shawn, Laurie + I ran around the park going on as many rides as we could.  We then scooped Memoo + EA up to go on a 'family ride' w/ a huge tube that went through a tunnel.  EA talked about it for days:)

Kremmling Rodeo!

Our first Rodeo as a family!  Believe it or not, after all the years we've lived here, Shawn & I had never been to a rodeo!  We were excited when it came up in the plans, & knew Elsie Anne would love seeing all the animals!

BigDaddy & EA

We had no idea there would be seperate barns for each animal!  This was EA's dream come true!  Petting the long-eared goat w/ "DeDa"!

'Oinking' w/ Daddy!

'Mooing' @ the big black cow!  It snorted & puffed out snot on them, it was hilarious to see both thier astonished looks!

Chicken Coop... I got grossed out w/ everything she was stepping on, in her new tennis shoes, so we switched her into her rain boots... she was happy w/ the decision!  She stomped around proudly the rest of the afternoon!

Watching a real rodeo was not too captivating for a 17mo old... we all took turns walking her around!

Calming down w/ BigDaddy & having her nightly milk "baba".  He taught her to rub his head (taught me the same thing), & enjoyed this sweet encounter as much as I did!!  Its his last night, so its a bitter/sweet moment.

A quick family shot before EA was off to bed.  Until September BigDaddy; EA can't wait for more 'mustache sugar'!!

Golfing w/ the Guys!

Elsie Anne & I were so happy that we got to ride along w/ the guys while they played golf @ beautiful Grand Elk Golf Course!  It was the perfect gorgeous mountain day, cool breeze w/ blazing sunshine.  EA cruised on the lush green grass & cruised in the golf cart!

She cheered the boys on while putting, & yes they were the best sports about her voice volume... :)

...and got to play in the "san baa" (sand box)!!  Mommy got the fun job of raking the entire thing!

We stayed the entire first 9 holes, then went home in perfect timing for EA's afternoon nap.  By the time the guys got home, everyone was ready for a drink on the deck!  And there was no shortage of entertainment... Shawn brought his skateboard & EA got to ride it!!

Elsie Anne enjoying some wine (not really) w/ 'Aiya' & 'Memoo'.  She liked the "hanle" (handle) of the wine glass!  'Aiya'(Susan Shelfer) is my Mom's best friend & has 4 grandchildren of her own.  Needless to say, EA was super spoiled w/ 2 grandmas around!!

Winter Park

While the men were off golfing (my parents' best friends were visiting too), us ladies went into Winter Park to ride the Alpine Slide! 

Elsie Anne loved her bird's eye view on Memoo's shoulders!

Playing on the "tain" (train)!

WEEEEE...

My Parents are Here!!!

YIPEEE!  My parents arrived on Monday, and besides a quick lunch date w/ them on Wednesday in Frisco, we had to wait until Thursday afternoon to see them in Granby!  So, Elsie Anne + I flew out of town as soon as Adeline was picked up!! 

BigDaddy and EA picked up right where they left off in May... playing with TRACTORS!!

We got EA in her jammies, but she was just NOT ready for bed!  Too much going on for EA to slow down.  I couldn't let her feeties get dirty on the deck, so we put her rain boots on + she was set!!

 Playing w/ the "cannles" (candles) and loving on Memoo w/ a gorgeous sunset to watch!

 Getting starry eyed while helping BigDaddy grill the burgers!!

Rain,Rain...Come Again!!

RAIN BOOTS...toddlerhood keeps us exploring new adventures!  And the best ones have been right out our front door:)

It has been raining almost every afternoon for the last week.  I've got to say the break from the blazing sun has been rather nice!  We have sunny weather for our park visits in the morning, then clouds up, cools down, and rains for naptime + evening play!  Elsie Anne was waiting @ the door in her pajammas + rain boots, for Daddy to get home.  Thanks to him, he convinced me to extend bedtime 30min, for an evening splash in the "pubbles"!

Elsie Anne got a second wind when she realized how fun RAIN BOOTS can be!

No more "rain,rain, go away" since we've found the bright side of the RAIN!!  I can thank my 17mo old for 'turning my frown upside-down'!!!

Busy, Busy Weekend!

Our FUN FRIDAY started w/ some yard work!  Our yard consists of rocks, dirt, dead grass + weeds, but Elsie Anne wanted to put her shovel + rake to work, so I let her...she also decided she had to wear her snow boots!

Friday night Daddy took his girls on a DATE!!  'Northside Pizza' is our new favorite... EA got to try pizza for the first time!  She loved it!

On Saturday, Daddy + Elsie Anne got to play all morning w/out Momma.  And, as usual, Daddy came up w/ a fabulous idea, something I would never think of doing, but EA was completely impressed!!  He took his little tom boy to the construction site!  Yes, he slid under a few ropes + avoided some NO TRESPASSING signs, but no one even noticed:)  He said EA was fascinated w/ the digger bucket and it's big teeth!   

On Sunday, we loaded up + were driving to Denver by 8am!  Shawn has been itching for the Zoo, and it was going to be rainy in Breck, so off we went!!  Its so nice when we can be spontaneous, even w/ a toddler!  Here is Shawn + EA looking @ the Grizzly Bears!

Each time we go to the Denver Zoo, Elsie Anne is more + more into it!!  She learns so much about the animals + talks about them for days!  As always, her favorite exhibit was the Monkeys + Gorillas.  She is so intrigued by these curious creatures and gets such a reaction from them when she is up against the glass!  So, it was no surprise when she chose this precious black monkey w/ huge brown eyes from the gift shop!  And look @ her sleepy eyes... we wore her out! 

This is how she slept for almost an hour on the way home...too cute:)