Trip to Colorado

A week ago yesterday, we boarded a plane for the short flight to Denver to see my mom, brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew.  We spent a full 5 days there with them, and it was such a wonderful visit.  If I hadn't been so busy with back to school stuff, I would most certainly be sulking around here missing them terribly.  And I do!  I just haven't had time to sulk. ;)

JKK & I were very nervous about flying again with Syd.  It's been 7 months since the last flight with her, and a lot has changed.  I can no longer nurse her to keep her quiet; she's very independent and wants down...then lets out an ear-piercing scream when she doesn't get her way.  I loaded up the diaper bag with snacks and treats and prayed to the God of Air Travel.  She must've heard my prayers because both of our full flights ended up having empty seats next to me.  So Syd pretty much ate the whole way there and back....and sometimes looked out the window...and sometimes screamed and pulled at her ears.  It was tense, but I know it could've been so much worse.  And it was still better than riding in a car for 12-14 hours listening to her whine. :)

Nana was waiting for us!  Mills was thrilled!

You know you're on vacation when both kids are up before the sun.  Syd was up around 5am every day.  Ouch.

Saturday, we went to a butterfly pavilion!

Millie has the best time with Kendyl and Ethyn.  They are the sweetest older cousins...I'm so impressed with their patience and very thankful for their help with both girls!

KK sandwich

our group <3

Leann found a beautiful new friend

Saturday night, mom babysat the four grandkids and let B & L take us out in Boulder

my boys...Brandon was our tour guide and took us to 5 different places for a LOT of delicious beer

miss these two.  it was a pretty fabulous night.  so thankful we could chat and catch up without getting interrupted by the kiddos ;)

meanwhile, these four were enjoying their time with Nana

Right outside Nana's door every morning were several hot air balloons with a mountain backdrop

Millie loved this playground with the sand.  She made Nana sit and "fish" with her for awhile.

Nana ride with a view of the mountains

I love this pic because Syd LOVES to put her shoes on.

Sunday afternoon, we went to B & L's for a celebratory bday cookout for Nana!

Happy birthday to my sweet, beautiful, generous momma <3

kind of jealous Kendyl and Ethyn get so much time with her ;)

funny faces!

more funny faces!

Syd's face isn't very funny

my girls

Uncle Brandon showed Millie his drums.  She LOVED drumming herself, but when he drummed, she felt it was a bit too loud. :)  Who knows, maybe we'll have another drummer in the family.  Ever since, she's been using makeshift drumsticks to play on bowls and tables.

I enjoyed watching Kendyl do some gymnastics in the backyard.  Really hope I can go to one of her meets in the future...she's pretty awesome.

backflip!

Millie had to get in on the action with her own "flips"

she put this cute little hop at the beginning...always the performer

Syd has been sooooo sweet with her baby dolls lately.  She hugs them and feeds them and is the best little momma.

sometimes she reeeeeeallly hugs them

...and sometimes, just like any other momma, she forgets to feed the baby because something interesting is on TV

Monday night, we went to see Jack Johnson at Red Rocks!  My mom, me, JKK, and our friend Stevo

In my opinion, this venue is perfect.  How can it get any better than this?!  A HUMONGOUS thank you to Aunt Leann for babysitting that night after a long day of teaching 2nd grade.

Tuesday morning, mom and I took the girls to an indoor play place in Lafayette.  They both had a fabulous time!  It's getting harder to take them places like this by myself because they are both off in different directions.  It worked well that Nana and I could divide and conquer.

For instance, Nana took Millie into one of the craft rooms and they made a dinosaur together!  And Millie got to use scissors for the first time, which has been a dream of hers for awhile :)

I mostly followed this girl around exploring and seeking out stairs to climb

Tuesday afternoon, we had to say our final goodbyes to B, L, E, & K.  The girls loved every second spent with them, even if Millie's 3 year old behavior didn't convey those feelings all the time.  Millie keeps asking questions about E & K, such as "does Ethyn like orange juice?  can we call and ask him??".

Sad to leave :(

Ivory and Ebony owned those walkways at the airport.  Will I ever get to read a book at the airport again?  Or enjoy a hot cup of coffee while I wait for my plane??  Exhausting traveling with these kiddos, but I'm so so glad we made the trip.  Worth it, for sure, to see my people.  Miss you guys already!