is my little girl 3 already??

It is really hard to believe she's been in our lives 3 years already and is now a girl with a mind of her own. She makes my days fun, exciting, laughable and frustrating, but at the end of the day I just want to squeeze this girl. I don't know if I've seen another little girl as excited about life as she is. Truly everything she sees and does is, as Sadie would put it..."that's amazing mom. this is so great!" She can hardly contain the excitement in her little body. Every time she sees someone walking outside. "Mom, that's my friend! can I go play". Everyone is her friend, although the other day she did tell me I'm her BEST friend. Glad to know I've made that status so early. She's quite the example of enjoying life to its fullest that's for sure.

Lately she's been showing me her serious side by giving me her serious eyes. Like the other day she comes down stairs (with her serious eyes)

Sadie: "Mom, I asked you to tie me! (she really hadn't, this was the first I was hearing of it)

Sadie: "I don't want to ask you again, Okay" - all the while keeping her serious eyes on me.

oh little Sadie...you think you're too big for yourself. Yes I have to say this way too often to her. Guess she thinks she can turn it around on me.

Sadie's little "party" with her friends. I use the word party loosely, it was really just a day at the park with friends and the added bonus of cupcakes. But really that's what makes a birthday right?? friends and cupcakes.

Having a birthday chat with her dad on the phone.

Checking out the loot

and just because she's so darn squeezable....Piper

After a long day of partying, this is how our day ended.

Love that girl!

My HERO!!!

...Danny Macaskill, I love you.

love,
Ryan


In my dreams I am Danny Macaskill. Seriously, about once a week. No kidding. Literally.
(clarification: I don't dream of Danny. In my dreams I have mad skills like Danny)

Link:
http://video.telegraph.co.uk/services/player/bcpid1137883380?bctid=21337502001

my kind of Saturday

A few Saturdays ago we went with the Eudis' and biked to downtown Denver and had such a great time. We loaded the kids in the trailers with plenty of snacks, blankets, and books to keep them entertained for the long ride. Once we got there we treated ourselves to some scrumptious ice cream, relaxing in the park, and a quick trip to REI. I love Denver so much more after this trip, I never knew downtown had so many hidden treasures. This is a ride we plan to do many many more times.

Ahhhhh! Brain FREEZE! Sadie has an allergy to dairy, so she doesn't get to eat ice cream very often. We treated her to some sorbet, but it took some getting used to.

Sadie and her buddy Drake

We didn't hear one peep out of Piper the whole trip down. She loves the trailer, whether we're running or biking, she doesn't protest one bit.

the lovely Kelli and Brandon

Brandon and Ryan having a nice teeter on the teeter totter

The downtown REI (...our FAVORITE store) is right on the Platte river where you can test kayaks and any other floatation device before buying

Hey Shorty

So I decided to go back to my roots and cut off those long locks, and am totally happy with my decision. It brings me back to my young and engaged days!

Family Reunion - Camping w/ the Allens

This post is a bit over due, as this took place over the 4th of July, but in my defense our camera has been broken the last little while so I was waiting for Annie and Dad to send me theirs. Without further ado....our family reunion! in all its glory.

This year we decided to do a camping extraveganza. We went deep, deep into the Uintas close to the Utah, WY border for 5 fabulous days. We had such a great time despite the fact that it rained probably 50% of the time we were there. Several times during the day, and quite frequently at night. It didn't slow us down too much, we'd all just hunker down in Dad's great big wall tent and wait it out. When the sun did decide to grace us with its precense we road 4 wheelers, went for hikes, played in the freezing freezing cold stream, tried to make fire with just sticks, shot some guns, and held our own olympic games.

The sun showed its face and we all ran out to play a little bad mitten. Jake and I were the champions of this show down.

Ryan's getting ready for the batting competition, whittling away the bat.

Ryan took first place in the home run competition.

The guys had to see just how strong they really were in their attempts at felling dead trees. They actually did get one.

This was one of the kids favorite past times....jumping over this tiny stream. Sadie would get so much energy and build-up into her jumps and then just barely make it over the stream. It totally made me laugh.

Phew! she made it! That was a close one.

Does this water look bone chillingly cold to you?? let me assure you it was! It sure didn't stop these kids from playing in it.

After the campout we headed back to Mom and Dad's place and played for another week.

This never happens, but Piper was so exausted she fell asleep right there in the living room with all the comotion all around her.

Out for a little nature walk with Luke and Maren, Annie's two cute little kids.

and that was our trip!! This will definately go down as one of our very favorite camping trips, we had such a great time with everyone and missed those who couldn't make it! Thanks for making it so great Mom and Dad!