Spring blizzard

Okay, I am sure all of you in the Midwest enjoying the 65-70 degree temps today are thinking back about the many times I bragged about the wonderful weather in Colorado while you were having snow and negative temps and now you are sending a big "HA HA HA... look who's snowed in now?" It's okay. I can take it. :)

If you didn't realize it, we're getting dumped on out here. We're expecting 10-20" in Aurora, but we'll see how much we actually get. Jeff is supposed to be flying into Chicago tomorrow morning, so we are hoping his flight isn't cancelled.

Here's a few pics of our beautiful spring day. I honestly think the big fat snowflakes are beautiful (as long as I'm looking at them from inside!!!) Of course, it's expected to be nearly 60 degrees on Sunday, so we'll see how long this white stuff lasts!

Enjoy the warm weather!!!

Our Iowa Visit

The kids and I had a great time in the Midwest last month during our visit. Life got so crazy once we got back that I haven't had a chance to blog about our visit. Highlights of our vacation (that I can remember right now... if I leave something out that you were a part of, I apologize. I have a terrible memory!)...

* Meeting sweet baby Tyler Zachary Skahill and spending time with the Dolan's and Skahill's - I posted some pics of our visit in an earlier post.

* Spending time with Aunt Julie, Grandpa Pete & Grandma Carol in Dubuque - eating taco pizza from Happy Joe's, playing at the park and having a great time!

* Meeting sweet baby Carly Jean Bachman and spending time with the Bachman's - blowing bubbles, snuggling Carly, playing on the Bachman's backyard playset and getting pedicures!

* Spending time with Aunt Julie, Uncle Kevin & TJ - hanging out in the hot tub, playing video games, playing with Susie the lifesize doll (whom Mattea insisted on putting in PJ's and sleeping with EVERY night!) and eating Whitey's ice cream.

* Spending time with Denise, Jake, Evan & Sarah - visiting Denise at "her" scrapbook store, watching the kids play Wii & Xbox 360 & chatting with my BFF.

* Spending time at Grandma Judie & Grandpa Bob's house - a reminiscent visit to Loras College, coloring, playing with toys, playing in the huge backyard, reading books and making mac 'n cheese.

* Celebrating Joshie's birthday - Joshie's awesome birthday date with Super Aunt Julie, a super fun time at the Grand Harbor Water Park (with Greg, Jake & Nate; Tim, Katie, Jake & Justin; Aunt Julie, Uncle Kevin & TJ) and a pizza party at Happy Joe's (should have ordered medium pizzas, not larges!!!).

* Sleepovers - Alex got to reconnect with Zack F (and meet his new little brother, Cade) and Joshie got to spend time with Spencer and Mason. It's so nice that these friendships have lasted even though we moved away.

I'm sure there was much more that we did that I can't remember right now, but all I know is that we had a great time! Thanks to everyone who made time or traveled to spend time with us. We truly appreciate it.

When we left to head back to Colorado, I fully expected to break the trip up, but the boys had a different plan. They were motivated to get back home, so we plowed through and all of the kids were just awesome travelers. We made it back in one day!!! When we got back on Saturday night, Jeff had just finished painting the basement! YAY Jeff!!! The dogs were excited to see us and Cody had learned several new tricks. It was nice to sleep in on Sunday and have the rest of the day to unpack, do laundry and relax.

Feather Boa

What feather boa? I didn't see a feather boa. I'm just here chewin' on my bone. Yup... that's all.

Sweet Baby Tyler

Today, Grandma Carol, Grandpa Pete, Aunt Julie, the kids and I went over to Ryan & Michelle's for lunch. Marilyn & Steve were there, too. It was the first time the kids & I got to meet Tyler in person. I thought his pictures were cute, but he was even cuter in person!!! I got to hold him for all of 15 seconds before Mattea was negotiating how her & the boys were going to get their chance to hold him. They each took their turns and I finally got Tyler back... but, not for long. Mattea wanted to hold him again. We stood around Tyler like the paparazzi -- taking pictures, oohing & aahing and admiring him. He didn't cry the entire time we were there. He was just an angel and was so easygoing even when we kept passing him around all afternoon. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch, Skyped with Jeff for a while and then played Foosball and air hockey. We had such a great time. We got a few more snuggles with Tyler and then it was time to go. Ryan & Michelle were such gracious hosts and were so generous with Tyler. We can't wait to see them all again!!!

Family Roller Skating!

My plan for Saturday morning was to take Mattea to Skate City to teach her how to roller skate. Alex decided he'd like to learn as well. Josh already knows how to skate and he was ecstatic to go, so it turned into a family affair. Jeff wasn't thrilled about the idea, but went along with us. I was surprised when he told me he was actually going to roller skate! I thought for sure, he'd be the official photographer/videographer instead of putting on those lovely roller skates (tan w/ orange wheels - just like when we were kids!). Mattea was excited to skate, but was hesitant to do it on her own. She clung to my hands and didn't really like it when I only held one of her hands. Within an hour, she was skating along the wall by herself and even ventured away from the wall a bit. When I moved to help her, she adamantly told me she could do it herself. Little Miss Independent! Alex got his skates on and immediately got frustrated. Jeff says he is just like me. He wants to be a pro right away and if he's not, he gets mad. Yeah, I can see that. But, he was a total trooper. He practiced a bit on the carpet and then hit the skating floor. Once he got comfortable with it, he was dancing along to the music. He's got some great moves! Josh tried to hang with us while we helped Mattea & Alex learn to skate, but I knew he was pretty bored. So, I made up a game. I told him to go skate and every time he came by, he had to tell me how many times he had lapped me and give me a high five. It worked like a charm. By the time he got to 20, he was done with that game. Jeff & I traded off hanging out with Mattea. He got a little nervous about skating with Mattea hanging on to him for fear that she'd take him down with her if she fell! But, that never happened. I was impressed that Jeff didn't fall! He was pretty smooth on those roller skates! :) We all had a really fun time!

Mattea at Ballet Class

Jeff was lucky enough to attend Mattea's ballet/tap class at her preschool last week. She is very focused on holding her hands perfectly and following the teacher's instructions. She loves to practice her moves at home.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Sure is windy today!!!

Apparently, I have been bragging WAY too much lately about the wonderful weather in Colorado. It is extremely windy today. Our grill made its way all the way across our patio and was dangling off the edge of our retaining wall. One of our patio chairs is in our window well and you can see from the picture that our canopy was trying to hop the fence into our neighbor's yard!!!