Colorado Trip

We took a little trip to Colorado for 4 days this week...Augi is excited to go to the Baldwin's tomorrow, and she is very worried she is going to forget the names of her friends and the events of the trip. So, I am up late trying to get this post done so she can tell them all about it!
I was looking forward to this trip for months. These girls and I spent many good times together during grad school. They are two of my very best friends and I love them dearly. I miss not getting to have my children know them better. There was a moment when our three little girls were playing together and I got very teary. (I didn't let anyone see, though!)

Augi has been on an airplane many times, but she didn't really remember any of them. She was very excited about this one. Emmett was just happy to be hanging with his mommy and sister. He was great. We had a delay on the way out--an extra hour on the plane. Ug.

Here is Em with our wonderful hostess Brit. She really made the trip great. We stayed at her place with her four children--Noah, Macy, Sam and Ian--the twins.

On Thursday we just hung around the house anxiously awaiting Cherise's arrival and settling in. Augi was a little shy at first. Em's separation anxiety is at it's peak, so he never really warmed up until Brittany pulled out the candy. I should have given her that tip early on.

On Friday, Brit reserved a room at a nice hotel just so we could use the pool! It was great. Hardly any people had to see me in a suit, the atmosphere was wonderful and the kids had a blast. Here is either Sam or Ian. Sorry boys, you are both equally as sweet, but I haven't a clue...

Augi took this shot of the hotel and pool...aaaaa.

Augi and her new "best friend" Chloe. They are about 6 months apart and they were so cute together. They played for hours. Chloe is a talker and my favorite Chloe phrase was "stuffed up animals."

I got to spend some time cuddling Em while the other mommas entertained the gang.

Here are all of the children. Augi was not happy about having her picture taken, but her new suit sure looks cute! From left to right, Augi, Chloe, Macy, Emmett, Sam/Ian, Noah, and Sam/Ian.

Emmett enjoyed napping in the warm outdoors

Little posers

Here is the car gang. We were short one seat, so Macy rode with RD.

Saturday was zoo day. Now, Augi has been talking about going back to the Denver Zoo to see the flamingos for the last 2 years...which was the last time we went to Denver.

I'm not sure what this little creature is...Augi took the picture while I took the Lane Gang through the snake house. The other mommies were too wimpy.

Augi and the boys. They were so sweet. This morning they were playing prince and princesses. Each time I would go into the room I would hear Augi trying to convince them to kiss her. Later, at lunch, one of them said to his friend, "see that girl over there with the same white hair as me? (referring to Aug) She is my girlfriend." Woo-hoo! I'm all for that. She is betrothed already.

The flamingos...finally!

Emmett also found a little girlfriend. This cute little button belongs to Cory and Carrie--Cherise's bro and sis-in-law. Marley is six weeks older than Emmett. He kept squatting down to look at her--as if she is a baby and he is sooooo much older.

Augi holding Chloe's hand...and Taya is another cousin of Chloe's. These girls were like 3 peas in a pod later in the day. Taya and Augi were due to be born on the same day.

After the zoo we had to go to our favorite mexican restaurant--La Loma. Ron and Gail drove down from Greeley to have lunch. More BFF's of mine. It was a short visit, but great to see them.

Noah, Em, Augi, Twin A, and Macy

Back at the Lane place, Em enjoyed trying on heels. He can walk surprisingly well in them! Hmmm...

Sunday was spent hanging out, packing, and saying goodbye to our friends. We were sad to leave, but it is good to be home. We all missed Daddy.

Tomorrow it is back to work for me. OK Augi, I hope you got to show this to Tanner and Libby. I love you! You were a great travel mate.

Week in Review...

I can't believe June is almost over. The good times go by too fast!
Milestones of the week:

• Augi attended her first MusikGarten camp. She was in class for 2.5 hours for 4 days. She did great! It was sort of a preview of how preschool is going to be, and I think she is going to do just fine.
• There was a trauma at camp, though. Augi got stuck in the bathroom alone because the door was too heavy for her to open. I am not sure how long she was in there, but she managed to get out after getting completely scared. She couldn't even talk about it without sobbing. Poor kid. She dealt with it pretty well, though.
• Emmett (who is still awake BTW), said BUBBLES today!
• Chris finally got a haircut. His freakin' barber lives next door and he still looks like a hippy most of the time.
• I just about quit my job this week. Hopefully this will pass and I will be better off in the end.
• Michael Jackson died! OMG. Actually, I was never a huge MJ fan, but it is still very very weird.

Here is a sample of art from MusikKamp. I love MusikGarten. It is Montessori based so it is all about learning through movement and experience. They don't do recitals, instead they have Family Musik nights where the parents and relatives participate in singing. Augi was really into it for the first time this last family musik night. She has been in MusikGarten with Miss Amy since just after she turned one. She wasn't even walking when we started! Em gets to start this fall. He is going to love it!

This Friday Caisy had a sleepover at our place. We went down to the fire station where an old friend of mine works and he let the kids climb on the fire trucks. It was great fun for them.

After the fire station, we went for the yummiest ice cream ever at the Red Mango. Mmmm.

On Saturday we watched a little parade and played at Munch's pad. I hope they post some better pics, because this is all I got. Emmett was great at getting the candy. He would stash it in Meme's purse each time he got a handful.

Today I got adventurous and decided to let Em paint. He used his fingers and his tummy more than the brushes. He seems to have a little Jackson Pollock in him...

Updates and Save the Date

Ok. I am committing to my annual luau that was missed last year...So save the date: August 15. Fruity drinks, hawaiian music and fun for all! C-U there! Now, it is time for me to catch up. I have been busy at work, but sort of inefficient. I think it is just my eagerness for this rain to end. Last weekend we joined the Clompton Gang at Lagoon for a repeat. It was raining on our first trip, so we were able to go back for free. We stayed for a lot longer time, and the kids really seemed to enjoy it. Lagoon is way more fun with kids!

Back in the boats...and luckily Augi got the purple one!

Augi and Kaedyn looking too cool.
I get very sick in high places, but I tried to put on a non-scared face for Augi. She didn't like the ferris wheel the first time around, but then she decided she loved it. Em wasn't such a fan.

See Augi, Daddy, Tab, and Caisy...2nd and 3rd cars back

Em, contemplating some mischief.

The Family. Aren't we cute? You have to love one of Augi's classic self-chosen outfits. If it feels good, it looks good!

The Clompton 6 + 1 (Ba-ta)

Stupid Bulgy. This was too much for Emmett. Too bouncy and fast.

Augi and I took a quick run through the sprinklers.

This weekend was a little less eventful. It warmed up yesterday and the kids went out to enjoy a little of the sun.

woo-woo. Need I say more?

Hi little Mr. Dragon Fly...

Em is ready for the luau...or a senior center.

Happy Daddy's Day! Augi continued the 2nd annual Daddy's Day tradition of taking her daddy to a movie. They saw Up and had a great time. Last year was really exciting because it was Augi's first movie in a theater. Hopefully we can all go next year. Although, it is sort of a late Mommy's Day gift if the kids go with Dad and I get some peace for a few hours!

On Saturday we went with the B Bunch to the Farmer's Market. It was raining, but it was worth it. The train ride is fun and the kids were great. Nothin like fresh goodies in the rain!

Hmmm. Other news?

• I am beginning the application for an overseas job. Who knows if anything will ever come of it, or if we will ever truly consider moving--but we won't know unless I apply.
• Emmett is running and talking more now. He can say Moo, Ah-ee (Augi), Nan (Nanny), Mmmmm, and lots more jibberish. He is getting his 9th tooth!
• Augi is going to Musik Kamp this week. It is hard to believe she is almost 4. She is an amazing little girl. I am glad I don't have to take her to camp. I would be a blubbering mess. Imagine kindergarten! They are going to have to have me escorted off the premises!
• Augi had her 2nd official sleepover with grandma Meme. She talked about it and packed for it all week.
• I don't know if I have ever posted about "Bubblegum." She is Augi's imaginary friend. She talks about her all the time. Bubblegum does a lot of the same things we do--but we don't ever actually meet up with her. She will be at the library just before us, at the zoo the day before us, etc. Augi met Bubblegum in her imaginary ballet class "in Salt Lake." Bubblegum gets to do all sorts of things that Augi can't do--like drive her grandparent's car. She gives Augi recipes for food and teaches her all kinds of great dance moves. Augi loves Bubblegum. BFF!
• That's all for now. I am running on empty...

No Raining on Our Parade!

OK, so I am going to post this a little backwards. This was a jam-packed weekend. Whew. It isn't over yet--I still have work to do. I am pretty sure a tornado hit my house while we were gone. There is no way 4 people could have made this mess...
Anyway, actually, it did rain on the parade! But, it didn't rain on our fun. We attended the annual PRIDE parade and festival dowtown. It was POURING rain, but I managed to keep the kids dry and they had a blast. It was definitely a colorful parade! Augi took on her typical freaked out parade look (she loves it, but she always acts as if she is terrified to be there!) Emmett was having a blast--he was dancing in his seat. Augi and I had an interesting conversation about the festival on the way there. After thinking about it for a while, she said..."Mom, I am going to marry a boy when I grow up. But if I wanted to marry a girl, it would be ok. I don't think Emmett is going to marry anyone. He is just going to be my brother."

Staying dry in the stroller, with canopies AND the umbrella I was so busy trying to stay out of the rain that I didn't get any good pictures except this one. You get the idea.

So, if the parade wasn't enough fun for one day, we went to LAGOON for the rest of the day. I haven't been here for 16 years! OMG. We had a ton of fun. Em liked the rides if they had a bell or stearing wheel. Augi was nervous about all of them, but she loved all that she tried. Well, except for the spook house. It was a lot scarier than I remember. Hopefully I haven't scarred her for life by having her go on it. Poor thing. Good news, because of the rain, we get to use our tickets to return for free any day this month! Woo-hoo! Thanks for the fun day, Chelsie.
This is Augi and Emmett on the car-ride.

Bailee enjoying some ice cream...

Augi too...

even Emmett...

but Caisy was the best!

Aaaaa..

Self-portrait of the parents.

The girls on Dumbo

Kaedyn looking too cool.

Augi and Em sailing along

The girls

Merry go round

OK, so here is where it gets backwards. We were going to take it easy yesterday because I knew today was going to be a big day. Taking it easy isn't easy when there are so many fun things to do! The air show was going on. We met the Sarah's and Liberty's at a little parking spot to watch some of the show. It was a little lame for aircraft watching, but the picnic in the parking lot was priceless. The kids didn't care and Tanner had enough enthusiasm for the whole group. We headed back up later after running errands to watch the closing show. It wasn't as great as it has been in the past, but still worth watching.

These kids love to "drive" the car. It is only allowed on very special occasions..like waiting for the rest of the parking lot picnic crew.

So, it is almost 9 pm and I still have to write some reports. This was a great weekend for me. We had so much fun and I got to spend time with my kids and my husband.

The Ship...

Our Jolly Roger pirate flag came today, so it was added to the sail on our pirate ship. Cool, eh? I am already scheming for Augi's birthday party. She has agreed to a "Pirates and Princesses" party. I have loads of decor ideas and games and favors and snacks and on and on...OMG, I can't wait!
Augi and I worked on her dollhouse tonight. We chose wallpaper at the craft store and put it up. It is looking really cute. I'll post some pics later...too tired right now and I need to write a psych eval. Ug. Procrastination or just too busy? Maybe both...