Father's Day Hike

Happy Father's Day, 2011! Our weekend getaway continued with an early morning at the Grand Lake Lodge. We went into town for some breakfast and then out for a hike. Both Ben and Bree went on their first hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.In 2007, we took Bree on a fall hike to Nymph Lake on the east side of the park:

2007

2007

Ben's first was a summer hike to Adam's Falls on the west side of the park:

(Not the best picture, but the only one with all of us!)

As we continued on the trail, Bree said, "I love here!" and Ben fell asleep on my back. 

Jumping over the water. (She cleared it no problem.)

Bree took this picture!

weekend getaway

 For Father's Day Weekend we decided to take a last minute trip up to the mountains, and a mountain town we had never visited before, Grand Lake. Upon our arrival at the Grand Lake Lodge we were happy to find a "play park" right behind our little cabin. Bree wasted no time heading out to it and we all enjoyed a bit of leg stretching after our three hour car trip. It was at the play park where I almost stepped on a snake! Luckily it was a cute, harmless little thing and served us well in the evenings when Bree wanted to go play but we didn't. "No, honey. There might be more snakes," worked like a charm. 

Bree (and Ben!) enjoyed pushing the swing.

 That evening we hiked from the lodge down into town and had dinner at a great place which encouraged eating peanuts and throwing the shells on the floor. So anything Ben decided to add to the floor was no big deal, right? We walked through the town and down to the lake, stopping for an ice cream cone with sprinkles. Bree insisted on pushing her brother in the stroller. She also talked her daddy into buying her a new hat.

I found it charming that the town would turn out in the pavilion for Bingo night. They all seemed to be locals. Dan was a bit embarrassed by me taking the picture, but I didn't care. Wouldn't it be fun to live in a small mountain town and get together with your neighbors for Bingo in such a beautiful setting?

take me out to the ball game

Daddy took Bree to her first major league baseball game this summer. Lucky girl - she got to go with her friends Chase and Lawrence!

Dancing Debut

This year, thanks to the generosity of Bree's Grammie, she got to dance.

Bree was enrolled for the year in a tots class at The Dance Center, where once a week she would put on tights and a leotard and join her teacher Miss Toni for some ballet and tap fun. Out of all of the activities we have had her in she did the best with dance class. (She actually listened and followed directions... mostly!) We were all extremely excited when recital time came around, and Bree got to dance on a BIG stage at the Pikes Peak Center. It was her first occasion to wear make-up and it was obvious that she not only looked beautiful, but she felt beautiful too.

Daddy had to work the night of the recital, so he came to the dress rehearsal the night before. This actually worked out better because he was able to take pictures at the dress rehearsal! (No photographs or video are permitted the night of the recital. We did get professional photos and video done and will share those when they come in.)

Strike a pose!

The dancer on the top is a friend's daughter.

I just loved these costumes!

Bree on stage!

Bree loves this statue of Humpty Dumpty outside the theater.

The rehearsal night brought Grammie, Grandma, Great Aunt Carolyn, Cousin Katt and Mommy out to the theater to watch. Bree was super cute during her performance. She spent the first part of it searching the audience for us and waving. I'm sure she didn't see us - the place was packed. We brought her flowers and commended her on a job well done!

what's in a name?

When naming our children, we wanted to be sure the names we chose had a good meaning.


Brianna - Irish, from the high hill, one who ascends, virtuous, strong.

Benjamin - Hebrew, son of right hand, son of the south, wonderful boy

Welcome to the family, Mr. Bluefish!

Bree has a new pet, and she named him Mr. Bluefish! He is getting along just fine on the top of her dresser. He arrived at our house on Memorial Day and helped us to usher in summer.

Surprise Photo Shoot

 Dan and his friend Jeff decided on a surprise for Mother's Day - a photo shoot! They dressed the kids up and took them out on location.

Of course, Jessica and I are thrilled with the result! We have some darn cute kids. (But I do secretly hope Dan will surprise me again at a time when Bree hasn't recently given herself a haircut!)