Snakes on Sunday

Sounds like a new Magic Treehouse book, doesn’t it? Sunday was National Trails Day and the town had a couple of great programs at the local trailhead. The first was all about local raptors ( sorry no pictures) and the second and favorite was on snakes. The kids could not get enough of these guys.  They were all corn snakes.

Busy Saturday

Saturday Gavin and I headed off to Touch A Truck. I realized that all too soon he will have outgrown these types of events. Riley and Keith had a Daddy/Daughter fishing morning with her Daisy troop.  She caught her first fish and we had her trout for dinner.

Great Sand Dunes

 

We were fortunate to be able to kick off our summer vacation with two nights of camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park.  It was our first multiple night camping trip and the first time we’ve ventured more than about an hour and a half away. It was amazing!  I don’t think I can fully articulate how majestic the dunes are in front of a Rocky Mountain backdrop.  This is the perfect time of year for playing in Medano Creek,  a stream created from the snowmelt. The kids even tried some sand dune sledding. We all had a great time and can’t wait to find our next campsite!

Friends

The Little Lady and I headed down to Castle Rock for a mommy/daughter sleepover with some amazing friends. It was great to have our special visitors from Tacoma and see these five back together.

Last Day of School

I can’t believe that we are finishing up another school year! Looking forward to some unscheduled time with my loves.

I’ve been toying with the idea of blogging again. I think it would be a fabulous way to document our summer. Anyone out there?

‘Nilly bean

Riley loves to diaper Vanilla Bean (the bear) however has been struggling with the newborn diapers. I modified the pattern from skiptomylou (http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/09/19/how-to-make-a-diaper-for-a-childs-doll/) and whipped this one up during nap. Fingers crossed it will be easier to diaper ‘nilly bean:)

Water Play, books and boys :)

Since school is back in session we ventured to the playground  with friends for some water fun.  We have only been a few other times as it gets VERY crowded in the summer.  Riley thought the fountains were a lot of fun(a surprise each time)! After a quick change in the care, we went to check out the children’s section in the nearby Barnes & Noble.  Riley was not as entertained by the train table but picked out a book to look at instead.  As we were all hungry, we stopped for lunch on the way home.  Look out Daddy,  they are holding hands and waiting patiently in line to order.  So cute!

Dr. Jill

Today was Riley’s second visit to the dentist and I must say it went so much more smoothly than the first.  She relaxed at the play kitchen before we .  Keith and I had been ‘practicing’ opening wide with her and it seemed to pay off,  no crying and a fabulous report.  We stopped by to say hello to the butterflies and then lunch at Chick-fil-A.  We even squeezed in a quick car ride before nap.

Big Day

After all the excitement of yesterday,  we were planning on a morning at the Botanic Gardens with friends today.  I can’t even begin to describe how much fun it is to have all of these girls together or how difficult it is to get a picture 🙂  We strolled through the main garden before heading over to the Children’s garden for some running and water play.  Bridges are tons of fun, as is the stream and after getting properly wet Riley loves to be ‘wrapped’ up.

We kept thinking it was awfully hot,  no wonder…check out the temperature. 

Turns out all that heat and fun was so invigorating Riley didn’t want to nap but was in a great mood so she helped Keith and I pick out new shoes and we even ventured out to an early dinner.  Here she is trying on my old shoes and enjoying her first steamed mussels.  That’s my girl!!