Happy 6th Birthday Christian

Christian turned 6 years old!

We celebrated on his actual day with grilled pork chops, rice, dinner rolls, green beans (he calls pork chops=steak) and a Freddy's Frozen Custard M&M cake!

Grandpa and Grandma came over, and we gave him a new game that they played.

On Wednesday, he had over his buddy Owen. Those two can talk and talk. They cover alot of ground...sibling nap schedules, taking care of chickens, Legos, silly talk of course, food preferences, and many "actually, recognize, realize" words like that. They are funny.

I can just see these two in about 12 years as seniors in high school...yikes, that's a crazy thought!

Then that evening, Grandpa and Grandma H and Great-Grandpa and Grandma H came for supper.

Great Grandma read the Dr. Suess "Suessisms" book they gave Christian.

Proudly trying out his new jersey from Grandpa and Grandma H. He was also quite pleased to have his own tackle box and a new fishing pole. He has been talking about going fishing for quite awhile.

 Chocolate cupcakes with mocha frosting...he helped make them.

He played baseball outside with Grandpa H. and then he and Noah played on the swingset.

Grandma H. and the boys

Hard to believe you are six years old! I feel like every year, I say that..but its so true..you're growing up in size and age!

We love you Christian...all the way to space and back (your own version of 'all the way to the moon and back').

Last of Colorado

These are not in any particular order...just some random photos from Colorado.

[Rudy's...good barbeque place. Manitou Springs]

[Brothers (and Noah). Royal Gorge]

[at the cabin]

The next four pictures were taken at House Rock Kitchen in Bueno Vista. It had been a rainy evening, but ended up being really nice to sit outside on their covered patio. They had unique play things for the kids and bocce ball. It ended up being a cool, but beautiful evening.

 [Tim and Brent playing bocce ball]

[Ava and Gia building a bird house with blocks outside at House Rock Kitchen.}

[Mia, Christian, Kade, Jace, and Maddox working together to make the magnetic pvc pipe ball run]

[Aunt Carissa and Jonah]

[Icecream treat at Kay's. Bueno Vista.]

[Mia and Christian at a mexican restaurant in Bueno Vista.]

[Christian and Kade at the cabin right before leaving for KS]

We had a really good time. In the evenings, we played games in the one cabin and had a monitor that could handle the 100 ft or whatever it was in between the other cabin. It was a great location to enjoy each other and beautiful surroundings. Thanks to Mom and Dad for the good time!

We all left Wednesday morning...back to reality.

Scenic drive [Colorado]

On Tuesday, we all went out on a scenic drive with no real set agenda. 

Beautiful. 

Really, true, raw beauty all around.

An old ghost town, St Elmo, where they had a chipmunk feeding zone. Oh boy, there were alot of chipmunks..stuffing their cheeks!!

Fresh mountain air, with nature all around...it was good to soak it all in.

Water Fun [Colorado]

One of the highlights of where we stayed in Colorado was the swimming pool and water slide.

On Monday, we all went swimming for a bit in the morning. Then some went white water rafting in the afternoon, while the rest of us went back to the pool for as long as the weather cooperated (it was cloudy/raining..and then lightning which is when we called it quits). As long as we were in the water, it felt great! However, we did not stay in the water..do to the MANY rides down the waterslide. The second we would go down, we each (Ben, Alyssa, and I) had a kid asking to ride with us! 

Part of the next day we spent more time with the whole family at the pool as well...it was fun for sure.

Noah liked it all of about two times..then that was enough.

If only this was the video of Mom...it was SO funny. "That's not funny!" her line right after her ride down....oh, but it WAS...so, so funny.

The Birthday Girl!!! (We celebrated with pancakes in the morning, egg salad sandwiches and/or grilled cheese sandwiches at lunch complete with a cookie tower cake.)

The slide fun...

(Alyssa and Mia)

(Mitch and Maddox)

The walk...

(Tim and Jace)

(Brent and Kade...I think its pretty funny how nonchalant Kade is when Brent is a bit animated.)

(Grandpa and Ava....and with Christian)

 (Mia and Ava)

Everyone but Jonah tried it out at least once. It was a fun time!