My how she's grown...

Kate's starting nursery school this fall... and we just got back from her doctor's check-up appointment. That little stinker has grown 2.5 inches since her January birthday! How'd that happen? And she now weighs a whopping 25lbs (so, I'm not sure that my non-eater has gained any weight since her 2-yr bday, but she sure has gotten taller!).

She's fully potty-trained. We just went three nights in a row with just undies... no diaper!! Yay! This whole month, I was wavering - her diaper is dry in the morning (most of the time) -- so why do I want to keep dealing with diapers and washing cloth diapers and so on? I don't! I'm over it! Let's see how this "big girl" stuff goes! (yay -- I'm may be laundering a lot of bedding instead...but oh well). The good news is she's doing great...knock on wood.

She likes to put her undies and her bottoms (shorts/skirts/pants) on "all by herself" and she likes getting her sandals/shoes on BY HERSELF also. No help from mommy needed or wanted! I like this. Finally... to just say, "go put your shoes on; we're going." I go get my shoes and she goes and gets hers. Less time to get out the door! Al-le-leu-ia!

Downtown Denver with the Dandies

Kate and I got to sneak in a quick visit with my sister and her family cuz they were in Denver *on business*, so Kate and I took care of Jude for 'em! We walked ALL around and had lots of fun! Jude's walking, running, and climbing all over the place - big changes since the last time we saw him--which was a WHOLE SIX MONTHS AGO! Eek!

Boulder Hike w/Lynda

Turned out to be a rainy afternoon, but we still went tromping around Chataqua for a little bit. There were beautiful blooming sweet peas!

Carolyn's 35th BDAY!

Well, we had SO MUCH fun for my birthday this year. Started with a *skate rink* bday party, and then we all went out for pizza, and THEN the chics went to see the new Twilight movie-- OMG...loved it! Ya - secret's out -- Carolyn is a big FAN! Addicted actually. And oh yes -- I did wear pigtails to celebrate, and talked my friends into it too! ha!

Happy Father's Day!

We started the day with a round of mini golf (Kate's first time). Kate got a hole-in-one on one of the holes ... oh and she DID NOT LIKE the water obstacles. One time, mommy hit her ball into the pond, and Kate had a freak out. Oh brother.

Then we had yummy dinner with our friend Scott -- served up some cajun style, *boiling pot*, shrimp, corn, and sausage -- mmm mmm mmm!

Ay - Tiana's moving to Canada - Ay

Well, today was very sad for me. I had to say "ttfn -- ta ta for now" to the most awesome little sis I could've asked for (from Big Brothers Big Sisters) -- Tiana. We knew this was coming, but it came so quickly darnit. Tiana's stepdad is Canadian, ay, ... (hee hee) ... so ... his job required the fam to move to Ottawa. Kate is going to miss her "big sis", and I sure am gonna miss my little sis! We wish her and her family all the best! We'll be staying in touch on SKYPE and we'll DEFINITELY see each other when she comes back to visit her relatives!!

Midnight Bikeride!

For the 6th year in a row, we rode the "Starlight Spectacular" midnight bikeride, which is a fundraiser event for Trails and Open Space Coalition...a great organization! The Hellands (sans kiddos), Tiana, and our fam (including Kate) braved the cool-front, drizzle, and rain and survived the ride, and had a yummy pancake breakfast afterwards. We took the "short route" -- 14 miles -- cuz the weather just stunk. I must say, this was my least favorite year to do the ride. Cold/rainy -- no thanks. Kate stayed awake pretty much the whole time. We didn't get back home until 4am! Luckily we ALL slept in the next day!

oh yes, those girls PASSED OUT on the way home!

Rafting

Yesterday, we ditched Kate and went rafting through Brown's Canyon with our friends, the Hellands. It was Carolyn's FIRST rafting trip! How many years have we lived in Colorado?? Oh yah - SIX! About time! Check out the fun pics.. we had a blast!

(in case you can't make us out, Gene and I are in the left/top part of the photos)

Hi-FIVE Sox the Fox!

Went to a Sky Sox baseball game yesterday -- and Kate was ecstatic to get to high-five the mascot, Sox the Fox.

Shadow

Poor ole dog never gets in the blog anymore -- this is what she's up to 90% of the time these days...

Date Night Charity Event

Carolyn got dolled up and went to meet Gene at the Broadmoor, where he'd been playing a round of *fancy* golf all afternoon as a fundraiser for Jr. League. There's a pic below of Carolyn and her pal, Marne, who arranged the event.

Easter in the Mountains...

Click on the photo to see a slideshow from Walgreens site. Here are pics from our zippy trip up to Breckenridge for Easter weekend. We just HAD to check out Colorado's LARGEST egg hunt at Copper Mountain. Supposedly they throw 50,000 eggs around the mountain -- kids AND adults can go find 'em -- even out on the slopes, and there's coveted GOLDEN eggs which have ski passes and such. We didn't go skiing....just let Kate fight the under-5-year-olds for her own Easter junk.