Territory Days 2013

Since our kids are wearing cowboy hats and riding horses around the house daily, we thought the annual Territory Days here in CO Springs would be the perfect Memorial Day experience. It is a festival in Old Colorado City taking us back to the old days....cowboys and indians.

We last ventured to Territory Days several weeks before Eli was born. We had a new double stroller to try out through major traffic and walking pregnant in the hot sun with flip flops.....this time was much more enjoyable for me. Surprisingly, Kai was the one that didn't like the loud gun shots (the one who plays with guns every day)! But he spent 15 mins detailing the inside of the tipi, Native American weapons, skins, gear, etc.

Wearing their deputy badges at the mock gun shoot out!

Peeking out of the tipi.

We sat along the street to watch and listen to a Native American band and traditional dancers. Addie loved the jingle dresses and men with head dresses, all in traditional Lakota attire. There was even a young girl about Addie's age trailing around with her mom. Addie asked to go close after the show to see her dress and say goodbye. So we did, but didn't get to talk to her.

Squeezing out a smile after hours walking in the sun!

Sitting in the back of a firetruck!

Driving the firetruck!

 The fire engines with the ladders were holding a huge american flag high in the sky in celebration of Memorial Day. It was a somber reminder of the sacrifice of soldiers leaving home and family and losing life. Feeling thankful to be part of this country.

Lunch!

We can't go the Territory Days without turkey legs and root beer! We had a little picnic in the grass listening to some good 'ole country music! My kids were diggin' it! Great day together in the sun!

Kai's preschool graduation

We went from this nervous boy last Sept 2012.....

Kai on his 1st day of preschool standing next to his coat hook.

To a strong finish here.

Kai graduating preschool May 2013 with teachers, Mrs. Roth and Mrs. Blanton.

The Rainbow class had an excellent program highlighting their whole year. It was a good recap for this mom to remember all the topics they hit on in what seemed like such a quick year.

Singing in the program. Kai tried not to look at us spectating in the 2nd row but smiled every time he did!! LOL

Proud of his Rainbow bracelet to remember his Rainbow preschool year.

Papa and MooMoo attended to celebrate Kai!

Kai and his buddy Noah being silly!

We had our encouraging and discouraging moments over the year, but overall I think Derrick and I probably took just as much away from preschool and parenting a school-aged child as Kai did! We learned a little about preparing a child to be prepared. Yeah, that one slapped me in the face. We learned in what ways Kai needs extra encouragement in his weaknesses or how to challenge him in strengths and where he is self-motivated. We are proud of his accomplishments and are looking forward to full day Kindergarten at Taylor Elementary next fall.

Addie's 4th Ballerina Princess Party

This is Addie's 1st party with a choice! And there was no question what she would chose. She has always either teamed up for parties with friends or shared with Eli. So her request was simple.....Princess/Ballerina. I'm not sure they're differentiated in her mind at this point in life. It's funny because I thought she'd never play with "girlie" stuff but after she turned 3 we just dove right in head first! So we invited all princesses and a few brothers that were suppose to act as "knights" according to Addie, but I'm not sure they fulfilled their role!?

Here's the 5 princesses in their attire! Evelyn, Madison, Addalyn, Vanessa and Vivyann

Addie in PINK feathers and "spoof."

Addie and Nessa, insta-friends through dropping their big bros at preschool!

Kai rockin' the stache!

Eli looks hippy here with a Thor hammer??? Not sure what look he was going for.

Opening gifts-THANKS everyone!

May 15 on her real birthday day. We opened gifts early.....sportin' the new My Little Pony sunglasses!

A custom gift from Uncle Kyle.... jewelry box with jewels to decorate and new necklace!

GG and Doc (great grandparents) sent the original Cinderella book! Perfect for princess theme!

This girl is sweet sweet! We are so grateful and blessed to have a little girl in our family. She is such a great middle balance between the boys. She keeps up with Kai, following his lead and adding her two sense for a girl flare in anything they play together. But she also nurtures Eli, encouraging and including him. But let's be honest, she IS a princess and she likes things her way. Thankfully she is receptive to being corrected/disciplined to grow in sharing and selflessness (a life lesson, coming from this pro). So, on to the 4th year for more tutu's, babies, purses, jewelry, nail polish, My Little Ponies, books, and new favorite things in the coming year! Love you Addie girl!

A few group fav's for the record

I was able to capture several group shots of the kids together lately. These are some of my absolute favorites!

The kids are always giving concerts....worship and country songs mostly. But Addie and Eli are catching on to alot of the words these days, making it THAT much more LOUD and interesting :)

Guitar trio. Hilarious!

New animal rimmed goggles from MooMoo; frog, crab and fish rims.

 2012 trying out new goggles in the tub

Does a year make that much of a difference? 

Bike ride on the Rock Island Trail.

 We are ALL loving our bikes! The boys have always been gun-hoe about riding their bikes, but Addie has finally jumped on the bandwagon! We started practicing and it was a slow go, but now I can barely keep up with a brisk walk. Derrick and I have been long-boarding to keep up (I'm a little rusty but it's all coming back to me!). Excited for this stuff this summer!

Luxury relaxation at 5 star Broadmoor Hotel!

We needed to get out one night a few weeks ago and ended up at a 5 star hotel! LOL funny story. But anyway, we decided to go in and walk around the lake. We saw the swan in the lake and watched the sun go down over Cheyenne Mountain. We probably appeared to be something the cat dragged in, but it was a beautiful end to a weekend together!

MOM's Day 2013

Ah, it's so refreshing to BE celebrated and soak in the grateful attitudes and help coming from my kids.......yet because they are all still young and need our help with MANY tasks each day, thank you Derrick (never under-estimate a father on mother's day)! I DO like Mother's Day!

Derrick and Eli worked up some bangin' cinnamon rolls and fruit smoothies for breakfast, but my favorite part of breakfast was each of them naming the things about their momma they were most grateful for.....including feeding them, giving snacks (can you tell they were hungry and it was in the early stages of breakfast), taking them to the park, etc....but when Eli was in doubt of a unique answer he just shyly smiled and said "love you mom." Melted my heart that kid. 

 Later in the day after herding 17- three, four and five year olds at church I got to lay on the couch and nap....it was wonderful! Usually when it's allowable to nap, I can't. Normally when I have no time or some heaven sent peace and quiet, I need need need a nap and can't take one. This was a divine nap on Mother's Day.

 Then after celebrating and eating dinner with my mother-in-law for sushi and noodles, we hiked it off at Ute Valley Park. Kai and I hiked hand in hand for most of the trail. When it got steep, he "pulled" me up with his handy-dandy walking stick (he must have mistaken me for an old woman who is not capable to hike anything steep at my age). However, he was very sweet and we chit chatted.

My little Addie girl led the hike the entire way with energy to spare......this girl is all about efficient pace and singing and talking while we move. She did stop jumping and frolicking long enough for a quick snuggle pic with her momma at the top of the ridge.

We stayed out till dark in t-shirts (ah wonderful CO evenings) and made it home to FaceTime with MY mom and hear news of the sex of our new baby cousin, expected to arrive late Sept 2013!!! (keeping in quiet until it won't be "new" news from me broadcasted publicly via blog :))

All to say, I'm one blessed momma! Life is a whirlwind with this whipper snapper's most days, but it's days like this one that make me enjoy the small moments of singing while we hike together, walking hand-in-hand behind the pack, or a sly "love you" when most unexpected. It makes my heart happy.