Mt. Evans with Grandma & Grandpa

Well, Grandma & Grandpa Louie are back home again in Indiana now. I really miss them! We had so much fun together last week! On Sunday it was supposed to be super hot again, so after church we all drove up into the mountains. In Fact, we drove up to the top of Mount Evans, a fourteener outside of Denver. (it's called a Fourteener because it's elevation is above 14,000ft above sea level). The road goes up to 14,130 ft, and then you have to hike the rest of the way to the 14,258ft summit. And we all Made it!!! I was so proud of Mommy (23 weeks pregnant) and Grandma & Grandpa ("flat landers" as we like to call them!!) hehe. We made it to the top and took a bunch of pictures to prove it!! This was my second time up to the top - Mommy and Daddy took me when I was just a few months old. So I don't remember it at all. We also saw a herd of Mountain Goats!! Mount Evans is known for it's Mountain Goats, and we finally got to see some. Mommy and Daddy have been up three times, and only seen 1, and we got to see a whole herd!! Then on Monday we went to a MOPS park play-date. I had so much fun playing with my friends! Greg came, with Jaxon of course, and Harrison was there too. I even got to play with this girl named Makenna!! She was a lot of fun, but Mommy keeps calling her my Girlfriend. Well duh Mommy - She's a girl, and she's my friend - what else would she be! Later on on Monday, Mommy and Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa did a lot of talking. It was really boring, but Mommy said they were picking out possible middle names for the baby. Grandpa was helping them translate character qualities into Chinese so they could get some ideas. Boring!! But Mommy and Daddy said that they have narrowed it down to a couple names. We'll see if any stick!
Anywhoo - Things are getting back to a normal routine around here! Mommy is starting to clean out the spare bedroom slowly. That's going to be my room after Mommy paints me a big mural on the wall. That way the baby can have my room now. Mommy's going to paint a mural on that wall too. She said she wanted to do that for me when I was a baby but never got the chance. So I get a dragon on the wall in my new room (YAY), and the baby gets a jungle scene, or maybe just trees with Monkeys in them - Mommy's still trying to decide. I think she wants to narrow down the nursery theme from jungle to just Monkeys to make it a little more special for the new baby. She's still deciding though!
In other news - Mommy gets to work for 4 more weeks (at least they need her to work that long), but she's getting really uncomfortable and doesn't really want to work that long. She's back on the 6 am shift, so it's hard for her to get enough sleep. But the good news is Daddy may have a couple of job opportunities lined up!! One is the phone interview he had last week (he's still waiting to hear about that one) and the other is a job that he applied for earlier but didn't get. Apparently the guy they did hire isn't working out, so the posted the job again!! Daddy's just waiting to hear back on that one too. So keep you're fingers crossed!!! Talk to ya all later!!

Tie Dye & Severance Days

Grandma & Grandpa Louie are visiting!!! We are having a Blast!! They take me to the playground, and give me yummy food like Strawberries, Raspberries, Candy and Doughnuts!! And today we went to Severance days. It's a festival that the tiny town of Severance puts on every year. So this morning we went to a parade, and then we looked at all the booths and cars in the car show. (Mommy says that Unkie Rodgie should bring his cars next year!!) Then I got to ride on an old time firetruck and a train with cars made out of barrels. Then I played in the jump house and we all ate hot dogs!! Most of the time Mommy sat in the tent in the shade cuz it was just too hot for her, but I had fun with G & G and Daddy!

Me and Grandma & Grandpa at the paradeThat's me in the 2nd barrel

Also, one of Mommy's friends from work/church has his own tie dye business. He was nice enough to make some for me and my new baby brother. Here's a picture of the shirt he made me.

Isn't it good!! My New Brother has one too, it's a little smaller, but it has the same colors. Mommy says we can wear them together next summer and get more pictures. I can't wait!! Thanks Marcus!!

Tomorrow we're going to go up Mt. Evans (it's a 14er) with Grandma & Grandpa. It should be very exciting!! Mommy and Daddy took me when I was a baby, so I don't remember it. I hope I get to see a mountain goat, there are supposed to be a lot up there. More pictures and exciting events with G & G to come . . .

ANOTHER BOY!!!

Profile Shot

Face

Face and arm/hand (he was playing peek-a-boo)

Definitely a BOY!!!

Yawning or Screaming (Mommy's hoping it just yawns!!)

We're having another boy!!!  Riley gets a baby brother!  We are all so excited!!  Baby and Mommy are both very healthy, and happy.  Some little quirks from the ultrasound: Baby is laying completely horizontal in Mommy's belly, He's also laying completely folded in half with his feet up by his head, and he has his arms and hands in front of his face - like he's playing peek-a-boo!!!  This boy's got personality - just ask Mommy - she already knew that by how active he is and how much he keeps her up!!  Add that to Riley's already "Active" lifestyle and we could have one heck of a household!!! 

The tech gave Riley his very own picture of his baby brother, so we took this picture of them when we got home.  Afterwords I asked him if he was happy to have a baby brother and his reply was "I don't have a baby broder", So I tried again, yes you do - are you happy?  He Lifts up his shirt and looks at his tummy and says again "No, I don't have a baby broder, Mommy have a baby broder!!"  So I guess we're going to have to explain that to him too!! 

We have a short list of names that we're still trying to decide on, but you all will know as soon as we decide (hopefully soon!!)  And luckily we already have a bunch of "boy" stuff, so I think we are going to stick with the "safari/jungle" theme in the nursery.  At least we can save some money there!!  Speaking of which . . . Cameron has a phone interview next week for a job possibility - so keep your fingers crossed!!!

Grandma & Grandpa Louie will be here in a week!  And I think Grandpa Louie is going to help us pick out the baby's middle name.  We will stick with a Chinese name or origin for the middle name like with Riley.  So look for updates then to see what all we're doing with them!!!

MOPS Convention

What a great weekend!!  I just got back from my FABULOUS trip to Orlando to hang out with about 4000 Christian Moms!!  I had a Blast!!  I went with 3 other moms from my MOPS group, and we met up with Gillian - one of the Coordinators for MOPS at First Baptist in Fort Collins. 

Who knew that going to Orlando without any kids could be so much fun!!  I got to hear from a lot of Great Christian authors and go to some very uplifting concerts including Mandisa (YAY!!!), Richie MacDonald, Christy Knockels, and The Katinas.  I even got to Meet Mandisa!!  It was such a blast.  They had workshops all day on Friday and Saturday, so I learned a lot about different strategies for raising kids in a Christian environment.  It was so wonderful - I came home with WAY too many books!! 

We also had a little bit of spare time to hang out at Downtown Disney and do some shopping, and hang out by the pool (very exciting sans kiddos)!!  I got Riley some Mickey Ears (which he found in my bag a total of 3 seconds after I walked in the door and screamed "MICKEY MOUSE HAT!!!")  and the new baby a little Eeyore (what a bummer we didn't find out the gender before this trip - I would have loved to get a little Blue Baby Mickey or Pink Baby Minnie instead!!)

Me and my Favorite Disney Princess!! 

Me, Julie, Emily, and Mollie

Me and Mandisa

At dinner in Downtown Disney (Gillian, Emily, Julie, Mollie and Me)

Riley in his Mickey Mouse Hat!

I am already looking forward to the next trip!  Although I think it is still a couple of years out.  As much as I liked going with only other Moms, I know that Riley and the next kiddo on the way would enjoy it a ton too, so I guess we should wait until they are at least old enough to remember the trip! 

Be sure to Check back in on Wednesday evening for an update on the ultrasound and if Riley gets a brother or sister!!  That is if the baby sits still long enough for us to find out!!  I thought Riley was an active baby, but this kid is making me a little nervous!!  ;)

Where has this summer gone!!

I can't believe that's it's the end of July already!! Mommy says only a few more days of swimming weather, then it will get too cold out. That makes me sad!

Well, not a lot has happened in the last couple of weeks. Daddy's been searching for Jobs, and Mommy's been working. Daddy's not finding much out there - only a few he is qualified for and can apply for, and even less that will give him interviews or anything. But Mommy and Daddy are starting to consider other options, since Mommy's job will only last a little longer. Daddy's thinking about going back to school, either just for some certifications, or a whole second degree. It all depends on money and how many options pop up soon. We'll have to see!! Mommy's job is still going good though. She got moved back to the 6-2 shift, since a lot of people are leaving for the summer now, and she really doesn't like getting up at 4:30 in the morning to be at work!! The heat is starting to bother her too. She says by the time 1 or 2 o'clock rolls around she's ready to go home!! Hopefully things will slow down for her in the next couple weeks when school starts back up and people don't come to the parks as often.

A Lot is going on in the month of August for us though!! Next Wednesday Mommy is going to Orlando for her MOPS convention. She is so excited!! (Excited about hanging out with 4,000 other Christian Moms - not about spending 5 days in August Florida humidity while 20 weeks pregnant!!!) Then the week after that Mommy has her ultrasound for the baby!! Daddy says we get to go too, and SEE the baby!! I don't know how that works, but I can't wait to see my new baby brother or sister!! Daddy says we will find out then if it's a brother or sister too!! YAY!! Mommy says whatever this baby is (boy or girl) they are going to be a great soccer player!! The baby kicks Mommy all the time!! And it's not always comfortable! Daddy has felt it, but I can't be that patient and wait for it.
THEN - Grandma & Grandpa Louie are coming to visit!! I'm SUPER excited for that!! I love when people come and visit me!! We get to do all sorts of fun stuff!!

So look for lots of updates to come next month!! See ya'll later!!!

All in the last week!

First I have to say Happy Birthday to my Daddy! Cuz Last Friday was his birthday. For Daddy's birthday we took a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado. It's a Ski town, so there wasn't a ton for us to do, but we still had fun! They have a restaurant called Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and Mommy and Daddy thought that was so funny, but I can't figure out why! Anyways, Mommy really likes seafood, and doesn't get it that much, so we went there for dinner. My favorite part was playing with the signs - they have this sign at your table that says Stop Forrest Stop, when you want your waiter to come back!! That night we did some shopping too. I got a new winter hat (remember - it's a ski town!!) that looks really funny!! Mommy got a t-shirt and they got something for the new baby too. It's a bib with a cow on it. It says "udderly delicious". Mommy just had to get it, and I don't know why! Then on Saturday we were going to go on this hike, but that didn't last very long. I heard Mommy say that she read the hike was 2.8 miles (no problem for me cuz the Horsetooth Falls hike is 2.4), but then we got there and the sign said 3.4!! And then we looked at the map and found out that was just one way!!! So I decided I was not going on this trip - even though Mommy and Daddy said we weren't going all the way. So we went on a 4x4 trail instead. Daddy wanted to do this real easy trail (since we brought the X-terra instead of the Jeep) that used to be a old railroad line. They even had cars still up at the top!! It was really cool (and cold too). Then we could have taken the highway back to Breckenridge, or another 4x4 trail. The Trail was rated easy/moderate in the book Daddy had so we decided to take the trail. It forked about 3/4 of the way through and both forks were pretty much the same except one had a small section of "difficult" called #10 hill. Some other people called it S.O.B. hill, but I don't know what that stands for. Well, that section was no fun for me!! I had to stand outside in the mosquitoes while Mommy helped Daddy drive the X-terra down this very scary looking hill with BIG Rocks everywhere. (Note: this picture was taken in an easy section where Daddy felt comfortable stopping so Mommy could take it!) Then it got even scarier because it started raining and the car was sliding all over the place. But they got it down in one piece, with just a few scratches on the rockrails and a couple busted mudflaps - not bad for a stock vehicle!! Daddy said that the Jeep would have just crawled right down (or up) that hill with no problems!
Then on Sunday we did some more fun stuff!! We went to the Country Boy Mine. It's a gold mine, that still has gold in it! But no one can get to it anymore because it's too old and falling down that far back, and it would take more money than the gold is worth to get it out. So now they give tours of the mine, and let you pan for gold in the spring that comes out of it! It was cold and wet in there - I didn't like it too much. But then we got to pan for gold and that was fun. I also liked sitting in the carts that they used to use for hauling stuff. They also had this big hole they called the Ore Shoot, but it looked like a big slide to me! So Daddy took me down it, and then Mommy did, cuz I wanted to go again!! Then after the mine we took a Gondola ride (like in Telluride) up to the ski hills. Since you can't ski right now, they have some other stuff you can do up on the mountain. Some of it is like a mini-carnival, but you can also ride the chair lift up and either ride your bike down the ski hills, or take the alpine slide down. Daddy did it, and he wanted me to go too, but that slide looked really big and scary for me! But Mommy and I climbed the hill a little bit to where the ski jumps hadn't melted yet and played in the snow while we waited for Daddy to come flying by us on the slide!! It was a long day!! Mommy and Daddy said that it was good they got to go, but we probably won't be going back. Well, Maybe once to do that slide again when I'm bigger!!!

In other news! It's been SUPER HOT here!! We almost hit 100 a couple of times already. Daddy and I went to Spring Canyon park one day to play in the fountains. And today Mommy took me to City Park Pool. That was SO MUCH FUN!! She didn't want to get her camera wet though, so we don't have any pictures. They have a big kiddie area that's only 2 feet deep at most with fountains and slides everywhere!! Mommy laid in the zero entry part half in the water to keep cool while I ran all over playing with the water fountains. Then I got to jump off the side while she caught me (well, not really, cuz it was only 2 feet, so I didn't have to worry about going under. It was so much fun!! I can't wait to go back there!! Maybe we'll get to go next weekend too!! And maybe Daddy will come too!! Talk to ya later!!

2 4th of July's

We got to celebrate the 4th of July twice this year!!! It was a crazy couple of days!!! We just hung out and were lazy on the 4th, we went to church and just relaxed. Mommy took a nap in the afternoon and when she woke up we decided we better start dinner (the sky was looking kinda yucky!). So Daddy went out and fired up the grill and put some brats on to cook. about 5 minutes later, the sky opened up and just poured on us!!! It rained so hard - we had rivers in our street!! it hasn't rained that hard in a long time! So Daddy decided we better bring the brats inside and cook them on the griddle instead. So our 4th of July cookout, turned out to be a cook-in!! We were also planning to go to Loveland's Firework show because we haven't been there and heard it was pretty good. But with all the rain (it was still raining late into the night), we didn't want to drive all the way into Loveland and have it get canceled - so we just went to Windsor (where we went last year). We parked in a pretty good spot where we could see from the car, and waited. And waited, and waited!! They didn't start the fireworks until 9:45!!! (So I got to stay up REALLY late!!!) In fact, it was so late I could barely watch the fireworks I was so tired!! Here's a picture of me and Mommy near the end of the show. Boy are we tired!Then on Monday morning Daddy and I were watching the news and they said that Loveland (and a bunch of other places) had canceled their shows and were having them Monday night!! I was so excited - I told Daddy we just had to go!!! So he called Mommy at work and she said we should go too, so we got to see more fireworks on Monday!!! We drove into Loveland and found a spot along the lake to watch. I even got to throw some of my "snap-pop" fireworks while we waited for them to start. The fireworks were so cool!!! We were so close some were right over our head!! Mommy got some really cool pictures of them. But it was another late night!! Even though the Loveland show started 30 minutes before Windsor's and was about 20 minutes shorter, we still got home at the same time as the night before. Traffic was AWFUL trying to get out of Loveland (and then we still had the 25 min. drive back home!) So Mommy and Daddy decided that we will stick with Windsor's Fireworks Show! It may not be as fancy or well-timed, but it's longer and easier to get in and out of, even if it does start super late. That's good enough for us!! I hope everyone had a good time this holiday weekend, and was safe!! (oh yeah, and all that rain created some real bad flooding in Masonville, just west of where Mommy works - so that should tell you how bad it was!!!) Next update - Breckenridge!!!

Grandma & Aunt Anna Visit

Hey everybody!!! I had so much fun this week with my Grandma Wilson and Aunt Anna!!! They came late last Saturday night. Mommy and Daddy let me stay up to see them get here. They kept telling me they were coming, so I kept watch out the window and let Mommy and Daddy know when they were here! Sunday we just hung out together, we went to church and then played outside in the back yard. Aunt Anna is so much fun to play with!!! She chases me around the yard, Mommy and Daddy don't do that!! And she played sidewalk chalk with me, and bubbles, and everything!! I think Mommy & Daddy like the break too!
Then on Monday, we went to a MOPS playdate at the Spring Canyon Park. It's the best place!!! The playground is all handicap accessible, so Grandma go to go on the play equipment too!! I liked being able to chase her around on the jungle gym!! They also have water fountains to play in. I liked those the best. Aunt Anna played in those with me! I got so wet that I had to go play on the jungle gym again just to get warm!!

Mommy had to work on Tuesday, so we went to Rocky Mountain National Park on Wednesday. It was so fun doing that too!! I got to run around again with Aunt Anna! She saw how much I like the chipmunks there, so she bought me a little stuffed chipmunk!!! Daddy named him Rocky (cuz we got him at Rocky, and he's technically a Golden Mantle Ground Squirrel (says Mommy) - as in Rocky & Bullwinkle!!) Anna also got me a cool Park Ranger Vest!!! Just like Mommy!! We haven't gotten a picture of me in it yet, so you'll have to wait on that! That was my late birthday present. Since it was easier to buy it here when they came rather than ship it out to me on my birthday. Grandma did that too - She got me a BIKE!!! It's so Cool!! It's Hot Wheels - just like the hat Unkie Rodgie and Auntie Kathie got me, but I can't wear the hat when I ride the bike - Mommy and Daddy say I have to wear my helmet. But that's ok - cuz it's a Lightning McQueen Race Car helmet!! Thank you so much Grandma & Aunt Anna for my birthday presents!! Other than that we just hung around the house and played outside. Mommy, Aunt Anna, and Grandma had a Girls' Night Out last night and went and saw the new Twilight Movie: Eclipse. Mommy and Anna really liked it, But Grandma said it was a little weird - she didn't quite understand it. Daddy was just happy that he didn't have to go with Mommy to see it!!
Anyways, things are quiet again in our house. I'm gonna be so bored without Aunt Anna to play with!! I hope she comes out to visit me again soon!! I like when people come visit me!! I hear that Grandma and Grandpa Louie are coming soon too - YAY!!! I can't wait for that!
Well, now we just have to figure out Which Fireworks show we want to go see tomorrow night!! There's Windsor, Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Denver, The Rockies Game . . . so many choices!!! Have a Happy 4th of July Everyone!!! Look for pictures in the next couple weeks from our trip to Breckenridge for Daddy's Birthday (he's turning 30!!!)

Father's Day and more!

I hope Daddy had a great Father's Day!!! I love my Daddy! We didn't do a whole lot of special stuff, but Daddy did get some new BBQ things - like a basket for veggies, and a new fancy spatula. Mommy and I made Daddy French toast for breakfast, cuz that's what he wanted, then we just played bums the rest of the day! It was fun. On Saturday we were really busy. We spent almost the whole day cleaning carpets. We cleaned the carpets and the futon downstairs. Now Mommy has the futon mattress leaning up against the wall (like a tent) so that the doggies won't lay on it and get it all stinky before Gran Wilson comes. I like playing in it!! Saturday night we went to Olive Garden for Dinner. It was Mommy and Daddy's Anniversary. Mommy said they have been married for 9 years. I don't know how long that is, but it must be a very long time, cuz I'm only 3 years, and that seems like forever!
Mommy and Daddy got some good news today! They still have insurance - the same insurance that they had before, and it's even gonna be cheaper than when Daddy did have a job! They said that the government is subsidizing it (whatever that means) so it's really good, because that frees up a lot of money for other stuff!! YAY!! Daddy's still looking for a new job. He's got a possible one in sales, but he won't find out if he gets it until next week at the latest. Mommy's not sure if its a good job or not, there's good things and not so good things (like Daddy will have to buy a new car since he doesn't get a company one to drive) . Oh well, we'll see.
Gran Wilson and Aunt Anna are coming this week!!! I'm so excited!! I can't wait to see them!! We are going to have so much fun together I just know it!! Well, not much else going on right now. Here are some pictures from recently:

Piper Getting brushed: Mommy always says we could make a whole 'nother doggie with all her hair!!

Mommy giving me a haircut (we coulda made a whole 'nother Riley too)

The after shot- nice and short for summer!!!

Have a good week everyone - I'll update you later with all that's going on with Grandma and Aunt Anna

Rain Rain Go Away!

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't kept up, but things have been kinda boring around here! Mommy works all the time, Daddy stays home with me since he lost his job, and the weekends we play lazy family! We've had some really hot days, like in the 90's, and some really cold days, only in the 60's. Last week was really hot, and the mountain snow has been melting really fast. Then this passed weekend it rained a bunch too, so there's lots of flooding going on around here. The Poudre River (that runs through Ft. Collins) is the highest it's been in a long time, and the Reservoir where Mommy works is already FULL!!! It's at Maximum Capacity - which means that they can't let any more water in, and that hasn't happened in 30 years!!! So yesterday we went up to Rocky Mountain National Park to see the Big Thompson River and all the wildlife. It was snowing and The road up to the top was closed, but we still got to see all the waterfalls, and a lot of animals. We saw big horn sheep, lots of elk, a marmot, and lots of chipmunks and ground squirrels. Here's some pictures from our trip:

Me and Mommy at the Alluvial Fan

A Waterfall up by Rainbow Curve

Me at Bear Lake
I've also been able to play in the sprinklers some on the hot days. Greg got me a big beach ball that squirts water - it is so much fun!! I like chasing the doggies with the big ball. We haven't been swimming yet, but it's suppose to be back in the 90's by Wednesday, so maybe Daddy will take me to the lake then and Mommy can come over after work. That would be fun! I think Mommy's going to give me a haircut this weekend. She wants me to be clean cut for when Gran Wilson and Aunt Anna come in a couple of weeks. I'm so excited for that!! Mommy says we've lots of fun stuff planned!! Well, have a good week everyone! See ya all later!

Happy Birthday Riley!

Tomorrow is my Birthday!!! I turn three years old.  But since we had a Race Car Birthday, and the Indy 500 was today, we had my party today during the race!  It was lots of fun!!  The DiBenedetto's came (that's my Friend Jack and his family) and we ate lots of yummy food (like hotdogs and watermelon and corn on the cob!!)  They also sang Happy Birthday to me so I could blow out the candles on my cake.  (as you can tell in the video I was a little impatient though!!)  Jack and Evan -Jack's big brother - and I played Frisbee Golf on Daddy's basket, and raced our race cars that Mommy got.  We had so much fun!!  Then we opened presents!!  Jack got me a BIG toy tractor from Sprig (remember the recycled toys), and I got a Kitchen set from Mommy and Daddy!!  Grandma & Grandpa Louie got me some cookware and food for my Kitchen set - So I can make sandwiches now for everyone!!  And the Sandwiches stick together too - just like real ones!!!  What a great Birthday!!  Mommy says I should say Thank You to Grandma & Grandpa, and to Unkie Rodgie & Auntie Kathie for getting the decorations at last minute and shipping them to us!!  Thank you everyone for making this such a Fun Birthday!!

"Daddy Drives Upsidedown!"

We've been back from our Moab Vacation for a few days now, but we've been having computer issues with trying to get all the pictures and videos uploaded.  So I apologize for the delay, and thought I would let you know how the trip went, and try and get the pictures and videos up later. 

We had an Awesome time!!!  Everyone had a blast!!  Cam got the Jeep all fixed up in time (literally putting in new drive shafts the night before we left!!) and it performed GREAT!!!  (with the exception of one radiator hose that caused us to lose all of our coolant the first day).  Aliy took a TON of pictures and video (her favorite part) and even got over some of her fears of "going down" in the Jeep - some - not all!!!  Riley had fun just playing in the Jeep, and seeing all the other ones!  We got him a little toy Jeep (red like Daddy's) that he played with ALL THE TIME!!!  One of our favorite quotes of his from the trip was one afternoon he fell asleep in the Jeep, and woke up right as we were going down a steep hill.  We were nearly vertical (which happens often in Moab), and he says "Daddy Driving Upsidedown!!"  It was hilarious!!  We laughed the rest of the trip about that one!  I wish we could have gotten it on video! 

We spent Wednesday driving to Moab.  It took us a good 9 1/2 - 10 hours, with all the potty breaks we had to take for toddlers and pregnant Mommies!!  Set up camp late that night and went to sleep!  The next day we met a bunch of the other Jeepers there for the trip and decided to take a family drive on the La Sal Mountain Loop.  The La Sal's are a small Mountain range just east of Moab - and very pretty.  But while on this drive that darn radiator hose decided to blow, and we lost all of the coolant just as Cam stopped to let me take a few pictures.  We were able to let it cool and fill it back up with water from our nalgenes and cooler to make it back to camp.  Got everything fixed up and headed out to finish the other half off the loop! 

Friday was the first "official" day of the trip for everyone, so all the Jeepers got together and did the trail called Hell's Revenge.  We did this trail in 2005 when we went with some friends from Indy, but skipped a lot of the obstacles that time around.  So Cam wanted to do as many as possible, mostly Hell's Gate and Tip Over Challenge, now that the Jeep was "geared up" to handle it - and it did!!!  He discovered an issue with the power steering during Hell's Gate, but that was remedied later that night with all the tools and experienced Jeep mechanics in the campground!!  It was so fabulous to see the Jeep perform so easily over these tougher challenges!!

Saturday was our last day there, and Cam was itching to do the Tri-fecta.  A group of 3 trails that make a long loop and a Full Day of Jeeping!  We started REALLY early with a small group (only 7 instead of the 17 from the previous day), so that we wouldn't be on the trail into the dark.  First is the Poison Spider Trail.  This is just the first section of trails, but houses many obstacles (that aren't always optional) like the Launch Pad, The Waterfalls, and one called Wedgie!  Look for all of these in the pictures when I get them finished!  Next is the Golden Spike trail.  This section of the trail is the hardest with the most concentration of obstacles, like the Golden Crack, Commando Hill, And Double Whammy just to name a few.  The last section of trail is the Gold Bar Rim trail, an easier section with a few obstacles, most of which we skipped.  Cam had quite an experience right before this trail on the Double Whammy, so he took it easy most of the rest of the way!  (thankfully ;)  Then we drove home Sunday, and spent all day Monday catching up on stuff at home (like mowing and laundry) and trying to upload pictures and videos!

Overall it was a great trip!  We made some good friends, and good memories.  And Everyone (including the big red metal monster) survived!!!  We did learn that this may be our last trip to Moab for a while at least.  It was a tight fit for 3 of us with camping gear and tools for wheelin'.  So with the new one on the way our next trip will most likely have to be in two vehicles if Daddy still wants to take the Jeep!!  I'll try to get the pictures and video links up in the next couple of days, so keep checking back in!!  Next up: Riley's Birthday!!!  (And a special THANK YOU to Unkie Rodgie and Auntie Kathie for helping us get the decorations - Heaven forbid Colorado have anything race related in May!!!) 

Howdy All!!! Man Have I got a lot to talk about today!! So I guess you all got to see the video I made for my Grandmas huh!?!?! Isn't it cute! Mommy and Daddy made me do it over and over and over again. Mommy says I should tell you some about the new baby. She says she's about 9 weeks along now, and is due on December 19th. She went to her first Doctor's appointment this week and everything looks good so far. She even got to hear the baby's heart beat for a tiny blip! I don't know what all this hoopla is about, Mommy just seems really sick to me! She sleeps all the time, and has to run to the bathroom a lot!!

Mommy also started working her boat inspector job this week (which may have something to do with why she's so tired!!) She wakes up very early, and even leaves the house before I wake up!! Daddy says when I wake up at 6:30, Mommy's already been at work for a half hour!! That's crazy!! But she picks me up from the babysitters house at my nap time, then we go home and take naps together!! I like that, cuz sometimes Mommy let's me sleep in her bed with her!!

We also went and got our pictures taken by Mommy's friend Cathy (Tanner & Jackson's Mommy). She took really good pictures, but I tricked her!! She kept trying to get me to smile, but I wouldn't!! Hahaha!!! She kept saying how serious I am! hehehe!! You can see the pictures here, just use Mommy's email address (aliylujah@yahoo.com) and the password riley. Mommy ordered some already to send to the family, so let her know if you want any, or any more and she can order them from Cathy.

Well, that's about it for now! We are planning our trip to Moab for next week. We leave on Wednesday and get back on Sunday, so Look for pictures after that!! I bet it's going to be so much fun!!! And then after that is my Birthday!!! (I heard Mommy talking about having a racecar birthday, and watching the Indy 500 at my party - woohoo!!!) Talk to ya later!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Surprise!!!

May already!

Where has this year gone!  I sat down the other day and decided I had better start planning for Riley's Birthday . . . I can't believe he will be three years old in just a few short weeks!  Since his birthday falls on Memorial Day this year, and the child is OBSESSED with racecars (or any kind of cars for that matter!), we are going to hold his party on Race Day (for those of you Non-Hoosiers - that's the Indy 500 Race!!) and make it race car themed.  It should be fun - kids playing with cars in the backyard, adults eating good food and watching the race! 

I also wanted to share some funny sayings of Riley's at this age!  He's finally getting to say entire sentences, like I gotta go potty, instead of just whining "Potty!!!"  Some of the funny words are: cratch=couch, trucker=tiger, and poken= penguin.  Some funny things he's said recently includes "Uh-oh Mommy - Snowmans are coming!" when it started snowing, "oh shup-up" to the dogs when they are barking, and "Mark, Set, Go!!" over and over again until the red light we are sitting at turns green!!  We are working with him on a special Mother's Day Video, so hopefully it will all come together, - check back in on Sunday morning for that video!

In other news, I start my Boat Inspector Job on Friday, which means that Riley also starts at the babysitters again!  I'm kinda bummed to be working Monday-Friday (and terrified to be working a 6 am shift!!), but I guess I'll take it if it means I can get the weekends off.  I'm not sure if many of you understand exactly what I'm doing, or inspecting boats for, so here's a video put out by the Colorado Division of Wildlife that explains what exactly I'm looking for: Zebra Mussels Since all the water in Horsetooth Reservoir is piped in from the western slope (across the continental divide), these little buggers could competely clog our pipes and cut off the water supply to 3 cities and thousands of farmers - so we REALLY need to keep them out! 

We are still trying to get some pictures of Riley taken for his birthday, but the weather out here has been cold and crummy the past couple weeks.  So hopefully we'll get some sent out to everyone around the time of his birthday.  Also, in a couple weeks we will be taking another trip to Moab, UT!!  Cam's been working VERY hard to get the jeep ready for this trip, and it sounds like it's going to be a lot of Fun - with a lot of other Jeepers joining us.  Cam's got a whole list of trails he wants to do, so hopefully we won't break anything along the way and he can do everything he wants too!  I'm just happy that the highs are only supposed to be in the 80's this time of year - not in the triple digits like the first time we went!!  So lot's of pictures to come after that trip!

Well, that's about it for this time!  Hope everyone is enjoying spring time!  And Happy Mother's Day to all the other Mommies out there!!

April 29th = Snow day!

So the other day Mommy finally got some pictures of her pretty tulips!

And then Daddy woke Mommy up this morning and said - Look Outside! It was snowing!!! So this is what Mommy's tulips looked like this morning!!

Poor things - Mommy even covered them up a couple of nights ago because it was going to frost, but I guess no one was expecting snow this morning!!! But the sun is already out so it won't stick around for long.

Rain rain Go Away!!

Hi there people!! How are you all doing? Me I’m Great!! I’ve been so busy the last couple weeks, Mommy says she’s exhausted!! But not Me! Let’s see, where did I leave off last . . .

Oh I got a haircut Finally!!!

Last week on Thursday Mommy had a Girls Night Out. They went to Horsetooth Falls, the same Hike I did too! Only 4 girls went cuz there was another church meeting going on, so Mommy says she’s gonna do it again over the summer. Then on Friday we went to Harrison’s house to play. Harrison’s Daddy got a new job, so they needed a babysitter on Monday afternoons and Fridays, so Mommy said she would help them out until her job starts full time. I had so much fun!! Henri (Harrison’s big brother) was home from school so we all played together a bunch! We went again today and I got to play swords with Harrison!! He has ones that light up!! Mommy took a picture on her phone, so she has to figure out how to get it off before we can show you.

Then on Saturday Mommy went to Denver for a Conference with MOPS. She got to talk to other people in MOPS groups and get ideas for the stuff she’s doing next year. On Monday she went to her first meeting for steering committee for MOPS, and they needed someone to help out with fundraising so now she’s doing crafts AND Fundraising!! But Bonnie’s gonna help her with the fundraising part. She is so excited to help out next year. She’s going on a planning retreat in June, and another convention in Nashville in August.

This week has been raining a LOT!!! But Mommy's tulips are blooming!!! She says she'll get some pictures when it stops raining so she can go outside. Yesterday I went to Open Gym with Greg to "burn off some energy" (at least that's what Mommy said). Open gym is for 2 hours at the Community Rec Center, and it's only $2. (Mommys says we are going to take advantage of that more often!!) They have cars to play in, big foam blocks to play on, a jump castle, and tons of balls/bats/ and even Hockey sticks (all soft kid versions)!!! I didn't want to leave!! Naturally Mommy forgot her camera again, so we don't have any pictures of that either!

Next week is busy too. We have MOPS again on Monday, and Jaime and Trevor (my old babysitter) are coming, and so are Greg and Lacey and Jaxon!! It will be so much fun! Then on Thursday Mommy's Friend Cathy is going to take some pictures for my Birthday coming up. Can you believe I'm gonna be 3 years old!!! I'm such a big boy!!

Well that's about it for us, I'll leave you with a funny picture that Mommy took of me last week. I was being really quiet so she came to check on me and this is what she found. I got daddy's radio and turned it on all by myself, put the ear buds in and listened to the radio while watching TV. Mommy thought it was hilarious!! Silly Mommy!!

Easter and Birthdays

Hey Everyone!! Boy have I got a lot to catch up on this week!! The Easter bunny came to see me!! He left me an Easter Basket with lots of goodies!! I got lots of candy, the chocolate was my favorite! Then when Mommy came home from work we had an Easter Egg Hunt! Mommy said that the Easter Bunny hid all the eggs, but I’m not so sure about that, cuz she knew exactly where they all were! One was even a golden egg:
Then last week we spent a lot of time over at Greg’s house. Greg has a new baby brother named Jaxon, he was born on March 31. I got to play with Greg a lot while Mommy held Jaxon and talked with Lacey about mommy stuff (boring!!) On Friday Greg even came over and ate lunch with us to give his Mommy and Nana a break! We ate Hot dogs and strawberries!! My favorite! Then on Friday night Mommy and Daddy went out on a date to celebrate Mommy’s birthday and I went to the church nursery. They had a “Parents Night Out” babysitting thing, so I got to play with all my friends there! Mommy and Daddy went to Bisetti’s, a really nice Italian restaurant in old town. They said it was a lot of fun, cuz they got all dressed up – Mommy even curled her hair!!

Then yesterday we celebrated Mommy’s birthday again with me too. We gave her presents and Daddy made a cake again!! I gave her a curved shower curtain rod to make the bathtub seem bigger, and Daddy got her an art table for her to do her scrapbooking on. She was so happy – cuz now she doesn’t have to hide in the other room and sit on the floor!! We also got her a gag gift – a pooper scooper to help clean up the doggie run. She didn’t think it was too funny though! I don’t think I like it either – cuz I stepped on it and cut my leg really bad! It hurts a lot but Mommy put the owie medicine on it, and a big sticker that she called a band-aid so it’s getting better. Also yesterday we went and got me a dresser and desk! Since I’m potty trained now I don’t need the changing table from Grandpa Louie, and Mommy said it was time to clean out the closet and get a place to put my clothes. So they bought me a dresser and got a desk that matches it! It’s from a lady who was moving and didn’t want to take them, so Mommy and Daddy got a really good deal!

Today Mommy and I went and got our hair cut! I’m so happy, cuz I can see now without my hair in my eyes!! Mommy’s happy too!! And tomorrow we get to go visit some people that might be my babysitter. Mommy decided that she wouldn’t stay home with me during the week – we could use the extra money too much. But she also got a new job that will make things better!!! Instead of being a Ranger now, she’s an ANS Boat Inspector. That means she has to inspect the boats before they get on Horsetooth Reservoir to make sure they don’t have any Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) like Zebra Mussels on them. The good thing about this job is that she doesn’t have to work weekends anymore, and she gets a $1 raise!! The bad part is that now she’s working Monday – Friday, so I have to go to a babysitter for the whole week. But Mommy says that it’s only for this summer, and then she’ll be done! I hope so! Well that’s about it for all of us! I hope everyone is enjoying springtime – the weather has been very nice here too!

Hike To Horsetooth Falls

Hi Everyone!! Happy April!! The weather this week has been really nice, very spring-like. So yesterday Mommy and I went on a Hike! We went to Horsetooth Falls. It's a short hike, only a little over 2 miles round trip, and Mommy thought I would be able to make it after my snowshoeing advernture!! And I did!!! I hiked the whole thing by myself! Mommy brought the backpack to carry me in just in case, but she didn't need it. It was such a pretty day, even though the wind was a little chilly! I loved hiking and seeing all the rocks and footprints (the trails had been pretty muddy with all the snow, so the dried mud had lots of footprints in them). Mommy's teaching me about boys and girls (I'm a boy, Greg's a boy, Daddy's a boy, but Mommy and Lacey and Piper are girls). So I kept trying to explain to her that the footprints were Girl Footprints, but she wouldn't listen!! She kept saying "how do you know that they aren't boy footprints?" and I would tell her "Cuz they're GIRL FOOTPRINTS!!!" Silly Mommy!! Here's me in front of Horsetooth Falls:

Mommy let me carry my backpack. It has a camelbak in it for water just like Mommy and Daddy's backpacks. I also carried my snack - some cuties and a granola bar. You can see in the picture that there is actually water in the waterfall this time! Mommy says that usually it only has water in late April and May, then it becomes just a trickle for the rest of the summer. But with the heavy wet snows we've had every 2 days lately, there's more water than usual!!!

I also had my first experience with going potty outside. I didn't like it too much. Mommy said that some boys are potty trained by pee-peeing in the grass, but she didn't want me to go there all the time so she didn't do that. I've seen Greg pee-pee in the grass though, so I thought I could do it. But when it came time to go it was just scary (and cold with the wind). So Mommy tried to help hold me up like I was sitting on the potty - but mostly I just peed on my shorts!! So Mommy told Daddy that's his job this weekend, is to help me learn how to pee-pee standing up, and maybe even outside!!

It was such a fun hike with Mommy! She said that we'll have to do a lot more hikes this summer since I can hike by myself now. She already has plans to hike The Wild Loop at Devil's Backbone, The Three Bar Trail at Eagle's Nest, and the Bent Rock Trail at Red Mountain. This is going to be such a fun summer!!!

Mommy also told me about the Easter Bunny coming this weekend!! I don't really know what that means, but it sounds like fun!!! Mommy has to work on Easter, though. She said that it snuck right up on her and she forgot to ask it off. But she doesn't have to work until 9, so maybe we can still go to a Son-rise Service at church. And I heard Daddy talking about doing an egg hunt in the backyard after Mommy gets home (but SHHHHH - I'm not suppose to know about it)!! So look for more pictures to come!! I have a feeling that Mommy's going to be taking a lot this summer!!