Vacation time

2400 miles, 7 days, 2 small children, 4 states, countless hours of DVD watching, and only a few meltdowns - but a priceless vacation.  We saw lots of family, old friends, and even met some new ones.   We had a wonderful time but are certainly glad to be home and back in our own beds and into the swing of our normal schedule. 

We left on Monday morning the 14th and drove to Oklahoma to see Brendon, Stacy and Brady.  It was so sweet to watch all the boys play together.  Carter loved "Baby Brady", though he's the same age as Cole.  Here are some pictures from our two night stay there.

This is my nephew Brady.  Super cute isn't he :)

Uncle Brendon playing with his nephews.

Carter makes a basket from "downtown" :)

"The Three Little Pigs" eating pizza. 

Then Wednesday morning we left really early and drove to Colorado Springs.  Well, actually Woodland Park.  We met my parents and brother at a cabin in the mountains.  It was almost as gorgeous as the weather.  I definitely want to go back.  It was so refreshing to have cool weather.  We sat on the porch, looked at the mountains and grilled out.  Even got in the hot tub one night.  We took the Cog Railway up to the summit of Pikes Peak.  It was phenomenal.  What amazing views!  But holy cow, it was freezing cold.  The wind chill was 14 degrees that morning up on the mountain.  Here are some pictures from our adventure.

On the way up to the top. 

At the top of the mountain.

And on the way down, the boys were super tired.

One afternoon Mom, Dad and I took Carter to the Dinosaur Center.  He had such a good time.  This place helps make casts of dinosaurs for museums all over the country.  And it was only 5 minutes away, we were lucky.

 

This photo makes me want to enter Carter in a "Milk, it does a body good" campaign.  He was showing off his new safari outfit that Grandma and Grandpa bought him.  Cole has one too, but he was taking a nap :)

While we were up there Grandpa bought him his first fishing pole and took him to a pond to catch his first (and second) fish.  We all had a blast watching him.  He caught one in the first 5 minutes we were out there.  He had fun reeling in the fish.  He would let go and the reel would sing, and the fish would swim out, then he'd reel some more and this went on for a few minutes.  I was getting frustrated because I had the video camera and was trying to film it but only had a bout 5 minutes of battery.  I didn't end up getting video of the fish out of the water, but did get footage of Carter getting excited about reeling him in.  I hope to download that this weekend and post it.    As soon as Dad got the fish off the hook and pole, Carter turns around says "I want to catch another one."  So he did.  He caught two rainbow trouts, 14 and 15 inches each.  And about 1.75 pounds a piece.  Dad gutted them right there at the pond, and put them on ice to take to Matthews and grill for dinner.  When he tells people he caught a fish this is how the conversation goes.  "I caught a fish.  Then Grandpa cut his head off."  It's funny to listen too.  Here are some fish catching pictures.

Carter wanted to catch the fish, but he did NOT want touch it.  I think there is a picture of me when I was little doing the same thing.

The marker was 14" long.

Daddy might not be a fisherman but he loved watching his son catch a fish.

After our fishing expedition we went up to Denver to see Matt and Alli, and their new house.  It's perfect.  It has charm, character and is decorated beautifully.  The four Sheltons took over the basement.  Which is pretty big.  Here is a picture of Brian playing Matthew's (formally Mom's) guitar and the boys dancing. 

And here is Uncle Matt playing ball with the boys.  He was using Carter's head as the bat.  Carter kept telling him to bonk him on the head.  Matthew, if my child has any delays in school, I'll be sending you the therapy bills :)

On Saturday night we went south of Denver to Conifer for a wedding.  Brian's long time friend from high school, Ross, was getting married.  We left the kids, and the camera, back in Denver with Mom & Dad and Matthew.  We had a nice evening celebrating with Ross and Christy, as well as meeting some new friends.  In fact, I stole these next two pictures off Facebook  since I didn't have our camera.  Thanks Geoff! 

Not the best pic of Brian and I, but it was the only one. 

The next morning we packed up the car (again) and drove towards home.  It wasn't much of a Father's Day for Brian and Dad.  They spent all day in the car.  So we took it upon ourselves to reschedule it to this coming weekend.  Can't say I'd be so gracious about that if it were Mother's Day, but they didn't seem to mind.

We stopped in Abilene and spent 12 hours at Sissy and Rupperts.  Thanks for the dinner and breakfast Sissy.  Delicious as usual.  Oh, and sorry for barging in on your birthday Ruppert.  Happy Birthday! Wish we had more time to visit  with everyone.   Glad Nana and Papa came over as well.  Never enough time with family, but I'll take what I can get.

We got home Monday afternoon and have been readjusting ever since.  The boys were so good in the car, though Brian and I did spoil them.  We gave them whatever they wanted whenever they wanted, just so it would be a pleasant trip.  But now, we're paying for it.  Baby Boot Camp has commenced at home and it is a "No Whine Zone." Fortunately, Carter is figuring it out quickly.

Well I really must get back to my to-do list.  I hope you enjoyed the run down of our vacation.  We enjoyed the actual vacation :)

Summertime Fun

Carter has been out of school for almost a month now and we're really in a good groove.  It's been one of the hottest Mays on record, somewhere in the top ten or something.  But that won't stop us from having lots of fun.  If we aren't at Mom and Dad's pool, were we spend lots of swim time, then we're at the neighborhood pool, the splash pad, Joanna's backyard, Jen's neighborhood pool, or even the plastic baby pool in our back yard.  We aren't picky - just want to cool off.  Carter has become a really good swimmer.  Cole likes to crawl in and out and stay on the steps, but man, Carter swims EVERYWHERE.  It's wonderful.  Here are some outdoor pictures ...

The waterfall at our neighborhood pool. 

Cole interested in a cool drink instead of a cool pool.

Cole taking another snack break instead of swimming. 

Carter jumping into Joanna's pool.   

Cole at the Splash Pad. 

Carter petting Fudge and riding Trigger (Awbrey's pony and horse) at Joanna's ranch.

And we do spend plenty of time indoors.  We're making crafts, coloring, playing blocks, going to the library, watching magic shows, playing with friends, and of course we watch our fair share of movies.  Check out our indoor fun photos ...

Reading a Bugsby book with Grandma.  Cole insisted he hold the tool and point out things.  Carter just laughs along, as usual.

Cole loves to play peek-a-boo.  Here he is in Carter's bed. 

Carter loves to play dress up.  Unfortunately, the only costumes we have are 3 left over Halloween costumes.  The rooster, Handy Manny, and a King.  I need to get some more play clothes for him. I hope remember after this Halloween and get them on sale. 

And again, Carter laughing along.  They really do crack each other up.  This is such a fun stage.  They laugh so hard they give each other the hiccups. 

Big tower of blocks.  I'm surprised Cole hadn't come knock it down yet. 

Playing grocery store. 

A picture of the garden of flowers we made with egg cartons, popsicle sticks and muffin liners.  We sent a picture to Uncle Matt and Aunt Alli to celebrate their 5th anniversary.

Cole cracked me up the other night.  We had dinner and went outside so Brian and Carter could mow the lawn.  Cole came in and crawled up on the chair, stood up and started shoveling handfuls of beans in his mouth.  He's getting better at using a spoon.  He's good with a fork, as sometimes he dumps out whats in his spoon.  It's adorable.  Messy.  But adorable. 

Carter is learning how to color in the lines.  And Cole is learning how to just put crayons on paper.  We color alot and I'm really noticing a difference in Carter's capabilities. Right now he's in a line phase.  He draws lines everywhere.

I saw this photo op and took it.  He looks so funny to me.  He loves trying to play t-ball like Carter.  But here he has the bat in his hands and a sucker in his mouth.

Here is a picture of Cole at his first movie. Well, technically second movie.  I took him in a sling when he was 3 weeks old to see a movie with a friend.  He really enjoyed this one, we saw Shrek 4.  He also enjoyed the ginormous bucket of popcorn.

And here is Carter at his first 3D movie.  Mine too actually.  Mom and I took him to see How to Train Your Dragon.  We liked it.  A little dark and over his head, but we had a good time.  Again, the popcorn helped :)

I didn't realize how far behind on posting pictures I was. Mom and Dad threw a 30th surprise party for Matthew a couple weeks ago. He and Alli came in town and we had a ball. Here he is with two of his nephews. Jake and Carter.

And now to even show how long it's been.  Here's a picture of Brian, the boys and Becky from Mother's Day.  Shame on me!  I promise to get better.