Spring Break [ Topeka Visit ]

We took a day trip up to Topeka to see Ben's parents. The boys played with Legos while we were at their house, and after lunch they took us to the nearby zoo.

The sloth had recently had a baby, and she was carrying it right on her neck. The baby's face is just under the mama's face.

It was a beautiful day. Both the zoo and park close by had many things the boys loved to climb on.

After supper we headed back home. It was a full and fun day!!

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Gpa and Gma H Christmas

Ben's parents and brother came to our house to celebrate Christmas on Saturday afternoon. We had supper, then opened presents...then played with presents. After the boys were in bed, the rest of us played "Nickels" (which we just learned from Mom). We had a very good time.

Jonah checking out Daddy's new gloves

Noah got a new sleeping bag.

Jonah was much more friendly than in the past times they have visited.

Christian flying his new helicopter....he was very excited to get one that works again!

Grandpa H and Noah working on his 100 piece Toy Story puzzle he got.

Sam and Christian figuring out different knots. We had given a book of knots, that came with a rope to Sam. They were equally interested in this!

They all spent the night. The idea was that we would go down to Harper for the Hershberger gathering mid-Sunday. The weather didn't look so promising with snow/ice..so they cancelled that celebration. We had breakfast and played all morning...while staying in our warm, cozy home.

Christmas [Hershberger family]

We celebrated Christmas with Ben's family last Sunday evening. His parents, Sam, and Grandpa John came over for supper, present opening, and playing!

His parents came back for breakfast Monday morning. Afterwards, there was plenty of Lego building...and some playing outside. They had fun playing with Grandpa and Grandma H.

Colorado

We left for Colorado Thursday (8/1) at noon. The trip out went much better than I expected...following our Arkansas trip, my expectations were very low..so I'm glad it exceeded expectations! 

Not too long after we passed into CO, we saw something in the short distance that looked like a cloud of smoke or a trail of dust from a truck going down a dirt road. The closer we got, the bigger it was. It was a dust storm..that looked something like this (I took this right after we were through it).

After some minor bathroom issues (Christian...but he told us "not to worry about it")...we arrived in Woodland Park. We met Ben's parents and Sam there, and we stayed at Tim & Faith's place there. It is a very nice 4 bedroom, 5 1/2 bathroom house.

Grandpa H and Christian being silly "loft monkeys"...in the loft that was in our room.

Friday...Christian's 4th Birthday!!!

We enjoyed the beautiful day outside. We went for a mild hike..which was probably best...I was carrying Noah in the carrier, Diana just had hip surgery the beginning of June, and Christian was just done with the glamorous idea of "hiking" right after we turned around to head back. It was the perfect amount of time and length of a hike...and such a pretty day!

Noah did well..he fell asleep on the way to the trail...and stayed sleeping in the carrier for quite awhile. 

It was a pleasant surprise :)

Sam and Christian

4 fingers for Christian's birthday!

After the boys took naps..Christian got a couple presents...and we blew bubbles outside.

Christian likes to blow the bubbles on Noah's feet...it makes them both laugh!

We had spaghetti and garlic bread for supper (one of Christian's favorite meals) and then ice cream for dessert!! He had a great birthday!

The day was complete with a rainbow next to Pike's Peak...the view from the balcony. 

Truly awesome.

Saturday we went to a dinosaur museum in Woodland Park. We walked around a bit. There were alot of people in town for various types of events...so we weren't able to have a picnic like we thought. We came back to the house, ate our lunch, and then hung out inside most the day since it was rainy.

Sunday morning we ate breakfast and then got our things around to head back home. It was a nice treat to get to go spend time with Grandpa and Grandma H and Sam in such a peaceful and beautiful setting!

Random visit

During our ride home from WIchita both boys fell asleep.

We had been talking about what we would do the rest of the day. It was looking like the clouds were getting darker, and it was a little too wet to work outside...so we decided to go to Topeka and see Ben's parents. Very random.

We got there around 4:30, and met his Dad and brother at the house they are working at fixing up. It looks nice...the yard, the inside, the location....it's a good one. Then we went to their actual house..and Grandma H. was there. It turned out to be a sunny day there...beautiful actually. So we went outside for a bit.

Christian liked to look at the fish in their pond...and feed them.

Daddy and him played catch

Uncle Sam played with him....with the tow truck (he always remembers they have a tow truck at their house!) and this time there was an alligator (a large plastic one...that he REALLY liked playing with).

And Noah was happy being held by Grandma H.

I love these pictures with his hands like they are...

We went out for pizza and then had to head back. 

We had a VERY full day....but a VERY VERY good one. 

I think it was a personal day well spent indeed!