Family trip to Colorado

Bob and I started planning this family trip about 12 months before we left....since the last time Bob and I were in Colorado (for our 10 year anniversary). We knew we needed to take the kids and see if they loved it out there as much as we did. Bob's parents joined us after hearing about our plans and seeing how much fun we had the last time we went.

We rented a beautiful 3 bedroom condo in Frisco which is very close to Breckenridge. It is a cute Colorado town but not near as busy as some of the ski villages. Bob's parents flew to Colorado and met us there and Bob and I and the kids took our first long road trip (our longest trip before was about a 7 hour drive to Wisconsin Dells). We stopped for the night in Kansas and drove the other half the next day (we drove straight thru on the way home...the kids were amazing in the car both ways).

Love this welcome sign!!!

On our first full day (Sunday) we went on a hike. The weather was very iffy and we were a little worried about getting caught in a storm (yikes) but we stuck it out, only got a little wet, and ended up having a really great hike.



After our hike we went to Bacon Fest in Keystone (the kids love bacon just like their dad - especially Addison). Then we got some Cajun food for dinner at this cute restaurant in Frisco.

On Monday we went on our whitewater rafting adventure on the Colorado River. I have to admit it though...we were a little less impressed considering we had to take it down quite a notch since Bob and I went last year (we didn't want to freak the kids out and there was age limits we had to deal with). We did get to see a few class II and III rapids but the rest of it was very tame but we still of course had a great time. Next time we will have to try a more adventurous trip and I think the kids will be ready for it. 

Tuesday was one of my favorite days. We got bussed by a bike shop to Vail Pass and rode down hill (nothing too crazy but we did have to give the kids a big lesson in using their hand breaks and taking it slow on turns). We rode down hill for 14 breathtaking miles!!!! We took a break for lunch and then added a little crazy to the end of our bike ride....we rode an additional 6 miles from Frisco to the Dillon Marina. The hills were a little challenging for the kids but what made it more intense was the fact that it got really windy and it looked like a crazy storm was about to come down on us. It was freaky but somehow we made it to our destination in time and then celebrated 20 miles biked...a great accomplishment for the kids.

After our bike ride, Bob and I ended a great day with a date night in Breckenridge.



More adventure on Wednesday. On our way to the Cardinal game in Denver we took a side trip to Mount Evans. It is the highest paved road in North America. It took 28 miles to get to the top....a very slow and very scary 28 miles. No guard rails, very steep cliffs and it doesn't help that I am prone to getting a little car sick (nothing too bad but I am not shy to admit that I had to sit in the front seat for this car ride).

It is as scary as it looks. 

We FINALLY got to the top. The kids just loved the mountain goats...especially this mom and baby. :)

After I recovered from Mount Evans, we had a really great time at the Cardinal game.

The Cardinals won!!!





We didn't run out of things to do on Thursday. I really wish I had more pictures of our fun day but I left my phone in a locker so that I was sure to have fun!!!! We went to the Breckenridge Fun Park (a fun park/amusement park up in the mountains). We spent all day on the alpine slide, roller coaster, climbing wall, trampoline (see Bob in action below), and maze. We had way more fun than we imagined!!!!

We ended our vacation just how we started it....with a hike. We only made it half way up the mountain but it was a tough one (and Bob's mom's asthma was not really up for the climb). 

 

We rewarded ourselves with an amazing brunch and ended the trip with shopping to pick up a few things to remind us of our trip.

It was really hard to say goodbye to the mountains and Colorado. We fell more in love and the kids appreciated the mountains, beautiful views and all the adventure we got to experience.

It was a great trip and we can't wait to go back.



I can't give up on my blog!!!

I started my blog back in 2006 and I hate that I have not been posting much but I refuse to give up on it. I post lots of stuff and pics on Facebook and instagram and the blog has taken a back seat especially since our laptop is out of commission.  So here I am trying to post from my phone.

Well I have not posted since april. The school year ended and summer started....weeks ago. Obviously lots have happened and I am not sure if I want to touch upon even half of our happenings. I will share just a few highlights.

At the end of april bob and I went to San Antonio. Bob had a conference there and we used it as an excuse to get away.

Addison performed in her dance recital in may.

We enjoyed our annual mother's day bike ride on the katy trail!

We went to chicago and met my friend Pam's adorable baby.....Parker! 

Fathers day was tons of fun on our float trip!

We had an amazing vacation in colorado but that deserves its own post so i will get to that later. We are having a fun summer with lots of swimming, a couple camps for the kids and trying to get house projects done. Someday i will post some basement after pics. We still have lots of fun ahead during the rest of the summer.....and i have a feeling it is going to fly by!!!!

April has been busy...and it is not over yet!

I keep thinking things are going to slow down but wow...April has been a busy month. I look ahead to the summer and it is not going to slow down but of course there will be lots of fun too!

 

 

We have been spending lots of time at the baseball fields now that the season has started. Lucas LOVES baseball and has gotten some pretty good hits, has enjoyed playing catcher a few times, already participated in a 4-game tournament and just loves his friends on his team (most of them are on his soccer team too).

 

I just love him in his uniform!

 

 

I was in Chicago a few weekends ago for a very special occasion...for my dear friend Pam's baby shower. We were so excited to throw her a beautiful shower and I know she loved it and appreciated it....just as much as we love her and can't wait for this next chapter in her life!!! She is due next month and I can't wait!!!!

 

Me, Marina, Pam (the mommy-to-be), Becky and Venessa

 

The next weekend I had to switch from baby shower mode to birthday mode. I can't believe it but Lucas, my baby, turned 7!!!!!! Sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago that he was a baby and sometimes it feels like just yesterday. Lucas is growing into such a great little guy (full of lots of energy and crazy of course). He seems to LOVE school, is becoming an amazing reader and loves sports, legos and playing with his kindle. A few months ago Lucas started going to CCL (Center for Creative Learning). It is the school district's gifted program. He goes to this school just one day a week and he loves it and we can tell it is so good for him. We are very proud of him.

 

 

We celebrated his birthday with a big party at Vetta (indoor soccer/inflatable).

It was a really fun party and he had a great time!

 

The NHL playoffs started this month and we have been cheering on the Blues.

Go BLUES!!!



 

It was a beautiful day on Easter...the weather seriously could not have been any better. We celebrated with Bob's family on Saturday and mine on Sunday. Spent as much time outside as possible, of course the kids had an easter egg hunt, and just spent some great time together. It was a great day.

Hope everyone had a great Easter!



Late winter/early spring highlights

Honestly, we haven't had the most exciting end to the winter and early spring. We have been using just about every spare minute to finish our basement and upgrade the kitchen a bit. I can finally say that we are just about done. All we need to do is get some things on the walls in the basement and it is done. I know, I know....after pics. Not sure I really want to share after pics just yet since I would love to show it off in person a bit first.

 

Here are a few highlights from when we took a break from all the work....

 

Addison and Bella (Addison's BFF) at the 2nd grade musical

 

Lucas and I after the 1st grade musical

 

The sweetheart dance. Doesn't Addison look so grown up!!!!

 

Addison scored her first goal a few weeks ago. I know there are lots of kids out there that score goals every game but Addison is just in her 2nd season and is still learning the game. She was very happy when she scored....Lucas was very jealous because he has not scored yet. Lucas has a lot more skills on the field and runs hard and has come close many times...hopefully it will happen for him soon.

 

The kids just had spring break. I wish we would have gone on a vacation but since we just went to the Dells the month before, it just didn't make sense. I worked too much in the basement and we got our counters installed during their break and it didn't leave us a ton of time to have fun.

 

 

We did get a chance to go to the zoo with Linda, Molly and Katy (my sister-in-law and nieces). 

 

And here is a pic of the kids and I at Purina Farms...that was a nice day.

Now that we are really into spring and done with the basement I am hoping we get out more and have some fun. Lucas has started baseball and has his first game this weekend. We will be at the baseball fields a lot in the next few months. Addison is getting ready for her dance recital next month. Oh, and Lucas turns 7 next weekend...how can that be???

Winter so far.

 Well like many areas we have had quite the interesting winter this year. We got a lot more snow than we normally get and that turned into a lot more snow days (9 total) and a lot of time stuck inside...oh and really cold temps! We managed though and are finally getting some warmer temps this week.

We managed to get out with friends a few times this winter. 

We went out for dinner and drinks with friends to a great new restaurant and had a fun night. 

A pic of the girls...me, Bridget and Lisa

Indoor soccer has started. Lucas had his first game and they won! 

The team went out for breakfast afterwards to celebrate. 

(Addison has her first game coming up this weekend).

This past weekend is the highlight of our winter. We drove 6+ hours to the Wisconsin Dells over President's day weekend and spent 4 great nights at the Wilderness Territory (Glacier Canyon) with 4 of my best friends since junior high and their families. We spent some great quality time together, acting like kids along with our kids in the waterpark and just had a great time. If you have not been to the Dells with your family....I totally recommend it. 

Here are a few pics from our trip...

The wave pool....one of 3 indoor waterparks that we had access to during our stay. I haven't laughed that hard in so long.

Bob had the opportunity to take Lucas skiing for the first time. He loved it. 

These kids are such good buddies.

Crazy kids going tubing. 

We went out for dinner to celebrate Becky's birthday. I can't believe how many birthdays we have celebrated with each other. It was a great trip and I hope we do it again!!!

(Marina, me, Pam, Becky, Venessa)

The other highlight of our winter....after almost 6 years in our house we have finally decided to finish the basement. We are hiring out some of the work and doing some of it on our own. I can't believe how many decisions have to be made and how much is involved....and how much dust there is all over my house and the mess! It will be all worth it though! Stayed tuned. 

Here is a pic from early in the construction. 

We already have walls up and are ready to start painting and putting in floors soon!!!

Top 13 of 2013

1. We had lots of visits from the tooth fairy for both of the kids.

2. We joined the subdivision pool. (it cost a pretty penny to join but we are so glad we did).

3. Lucas learned to ride his bike without training wheels which then led to a lot of family bike rides.

4. Addison and I went to the Taylor Swift concert in Chicago with friends and had an amazing night.

5. Bob ran a personal best half marathon in 1:38!

6. We bought some new furniture for the house and made some much needed improvements to the exterior of our house. (can't wait to see what improvements we make to the house in 2014).

7. Lucas had his first season of baseball and loved it (as well as soccer) and Addison started soccer too.

8. A very wonderful friend became pregnant for the first time and is due in May. :)

9. Bob and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary and we had an amazing vacation in Colorado. We went whitewater rafting for the first time!

10. I ran the Chicago marathon (my 3rd marathon) and finished in 4:09.

11. Addison got her ears pierced.

12. Bob completed his first full year at Stinson which has been an amazing career move for him and it is a great and growing law firm.

13. We had a happy and healthy 2013...what more can you ask for!

Thanksgiving, Christmas and a few things inbetween.

I have become really lazy with the pictures that I use on the blog. I use the ones I already posted on facebook because I am too lazy to upload other pics from my phone. BUT, I am just glad I am still posting on the blog!!!

 

 

Thanksgiving family pic.

Not the best but I am just glad that I got a picture from the day. It was a normal Thanksgiving spent with family.

 

 

Right after Thanksgiving the kids and I went on a quick adventure to Springfield, IL. We met Marina, Hendrix and Maddox (they drove from Chicago). We went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum which was really amazing. We spent the night in a great hotel and had a chance to check out a few other sites. It was fun but a really quick trip!

 

 

I love this pic of the kids outside of the library.

 

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas was consumed with shopping, list making, class parties, family parties. Lots and lots going on and very little pics taken.

 

 

Christmas Eve family pic.

The party was at my parents house with lots of family members and lots of fun!

Christmas morning.

 

Addison's favorite Santa gifts...monster high dolls (as if she didn't have enough), shirt/earrings from Justice, legos, soccer ball, jacket, AG doll clothes.

 

Lucas' favorite gifts....legos, legos, legos, magformers, baseball glove, batting glove, hexbugs, Blues hockey shirt, football

 



 

Nana and Papa topped Santa this year....they got each of the kids a kindle fire. It has been a huge hit! They love them!!!

 

Christmas day pic.

Dinner, cousin time and great family time at Bob's parents house.

 



 

The day after Christmas we met up with our friends Steve and Sarah (in from Florida) and went ice skating. It was so much fun. We haven't taken the kids skating in a few years. Lucas was so excited to skate as fast as he could and didn't care if he fell. Addison took it slow at first and was a little pro by the time we left. 

So Christmas is over and I am super sad about it. I am not ready to take the tree down and move on to boring January. We have some fun things coming up in February and the kids start soccer soon....so we will be plenty busy.