Aquarium

Here are a few pictures from the Denver Aquarium. I thought this place would be a hit with the ladies - they thought otherwise. Mattea was afraid to go in and only peeked her way in when a lovely old grandmother invited her to walk behind her. And they were bored by the fish, sharks were of no interest, Paloma was scared of the big fake monkey, and the real live tiger they had was an interesting as a rock to the girls. So I think they spent more time staring at the silly sponge bob cartoon outside than they did of the attractions inside. Oh well, live and learn....

Reliving Denver - Part 2

Since David was consumed with his conference in Denver, the girls and I spent the day cruising around together looking for fun things to do. We chose the aquarium and the Children's museum. Aquarium pics to follow soon, but both girls seemed to really enjoy the Children's museum. We were running short on time so they only got about an hour to play, but they utilized every single minute of that hour. Here are some of the pics to prove it....



The firetruck was a huge hit. They loved playing dress up and calling 911. Paloma thought it was so stinkin funny to pull the rope that initiated the siren inside of the truck. Over and over again, she pulled that rope. My head was throbbing a bit after that.







After the fire station, we moved on to shopping. Both of my girls love to go pretend shopping and both love being the check out lady. Since it was later in the day, we had basically the entire run of the place. So they could shop till they dropped. I had fun being the "checkout lady" while they enjoyed pushing their carts shopping for tofu and chicken.









The closest I came to an oven all week.



The cutest little bunny that I have ever seen.



Took me awhile to figure out what Paloma was dressed as but finally I caught on - she's an ant. Can't you tell.



We had a fabulous time and can't wait to hit up the Children's museum in LaCrosse when we head home this winter.

Reliving Denver - Part 1

Well, I have all of about 15 min. before I need to jump in the shower and begin preparing for our "anniversary date," but thought I would try and get a post or two in of our travels last week. I have soooooo many pics to post that I just thought I would break it up into several posts. So, if you aren't that interested in what we did and what we saw while we were away last week, hang tight, new material will come next week.

Now onto Denver.....



Truly - it's all about friends - right?



I sure think so and that is why I considered this trip to be such a blessing. We were able to connect with two very good sets of friends that we haven't had the chance of seeing in years. One happened to be a good friend of mine and the other a very good friend of Dave's. Yeah!

I began working with Dena back in New Mexico when we both had finished up nursing school and took on our very first nursing job in Labor and Delivery. What a flippin nightmare that job was but looking back - it makes for some really good stories to reminisce over while pounding a bottle of wine. Yikes. Our kids hung out a lot before we both decided to leave New Mexico. In fact, Mattea and her youngest daughter Kayleigh were supposed to be born on the same day - coincidental?



Anyways. We were excited at the opportunity to hang out and even spend the night. The kids played, the adults talked. It was great. Good friends are hard to come by and we were very sad to say good bye again to this great set. Thanks again for opening your home and let our family bust right on in. We love you!



The following evening we traveled to Firestone to visit Dave's old friend Curt and his family - who since the last time we have seen them added two kids to their family. Issac and Mattea were hilarious and played so well with each other. Not being able to spend a lot of time with them was a bummer but it certainly was nice to catch up and hear about their lives and the changes that have occurred since our last encounter. They have a lovely family whom we'd love to get to know more - it is just that distance thing.



We miss you guys and hope that we will be able to rendezvous again soon....

Where in the world is????

I can't believe I've been so disconnected from email, facebook, twitter, blogger. Wow, I have to say that I love my technology but I have loved my free flow, hang with friends, eat at fun deli's, tour beautiful Colorado life that I have been living for the last couple days. I must have at least 100 pictures but failed to bring the adaptor (divine intervention) which means I'll have quite a few posts to do when I get back. But to catch everyone up...

Travel day went well. My kids did great. I even had a gentleman stand up after the flight to come over to me and tell me my kids were "a hoot." They laughed and giggled for the entire flight from Salt Lake City to Denver. They have been troopers and stuck with this crazy whirlwind travel itinerary that we had planned.
The second day meant running daddy to and from meetings in downtown Denver. During that time, the girls and I visited the aquarium and Children's Museum. They had fun but man they were tired.
As the day was coming to a close, we packed up the car and made the drive to Boulder to visit my long time friend Dena and her family. I have a ton of pictures to post but of course the adaptor is sitting at my house....

It was so nice to see her and her family again. When we lived in New Mexico we saw each other several times a week, attended weight watchers together, had many a play dates, frequented Starbucks together and swapped babysitting on more than one occasion. I met Dena while starting out my first nursing job in Labor and Delivery at University of New Mexico Hospital. Since then, we have became friends, despite each leaving New Mexico for other states. Her girls are growing so fast and become quite a bunch of young ladies (4 to be exact).

After spending the night and all day yesterday with the Nichols family, we are now back in Arvada running around the condo - laying low today. The girls desperately want to go back to the Children's Museum today, but Dave and I simply want to sleep - so we'll see. This evening we are headed to Firestone to visit another set of friends that we haven't seen in awhile. We are excited to see them and meet their two new children.

We are having fun - kids included. The older they get the easier travel becomes. I have packed no diapers, bottles, sippy cups, special snacks, etc. The girls each packed a backpack of toys, books, dolls etc. I'll hopefully update soon and load some pictures as soon as I can. Can't wait to share our travels. Adios!

What Do I Know Of Holy

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Beautiful You

Does God Like You?

Last night, I overheard a conversation between Mattea and Paloma. Mattea was upset that Paloma wasn't sharing a certain book with her. Paloma was frustrated because Mattea was bugging her and trying to bully her.

I tried to tell the girls to calm down, back up and use their words to communicate their feelings rather than get frustrated with each other and then eventually have someone bit or hit.

Out of Mattea's mouth I hear "Ahhhhh, God doesn't like you" to Paloma.

After I stepped out of the room to chuckle, I then proceeded to explain to Mattea that God still likes/loves us even when we don't do things right or share, or we make mistakes. It is sad to think that it is not just 4 year old minds that believe that God may not like us due to different situations.

Nipples

Here is my darling Mattea modeling an outfit she had picked out to wear the other night. I was busily trying to prepare supper but did turn around to admire. It didn't take me long to notice that something about the outfit was not quite right.

Can you spot what is so wrong with this picture?

Nope. Well then maybe you need to ask Mattea to lift up her shirt.





Because it won't take you long to realize the absolutely funny absurdity that was going on at my house. Yes, Mattea had gotten into my "nipples" and thought she needed a pair to wear to the park. So she put them on thinking no one would notice. She apparently didn't get the memo that so clearly stated "Note to toddlers. Bras are overrated. Do not begin wearing before you absolutely have to!" We had a little chat after that.

Mattea Moment

At the dinner table last night

Mattea: Dear God, Thank you for everything in my whole life AND.......... (insert long pause)

~after quite a long time has passed and Paloma has already gone back to eating her food, Mattea continues.

Mattea: AND Amen!

Wordless Wednesday

Kudos!

Look at the two newest members of the "No Cavity Club!"

Congratulations girls!

~ Aveda ~

Join Aveda's Birthday Program

If you have some time, hop on over to the above link. Download a coupon & Voila! I am now eligible for a free foot lotion. See how easy that is........ You don't have to buy the products.... but they are simply amazing huh?

Date Night

Recently I have seen some changes in Mattea's behavior that I'm not so happy with. Spending time trying to figure out what has been going on led me to the conclusion that Mattea's love language is time/attention. She loves one on one time with mom or dad and craves focused attention. Lately, she's been coming up short on both. For various reasons, my plan that was devised before Paloma was born about how I was going to spend concentrated one on one time with each child each week has ummmmm, failed!

So the other day at work I was sitting around thinking about ways that I could make Mattea feel special this week and "fill her love tank." I decided that I would take her to the theater to see the movie UP. Hearing and reading good reviews, I decided that is what we would do.

Once I told her, she couldn't stop talking about it nor could she stop rubbing it in sister's face. That's OK, a date night with my little polly rae is in the works as we speak.

So, after dinner on Friday, Mattea and I headed over to the theater. Was a rather amusing time I might say. Not liking or recommending the movie at all, I did my best to explain to Mattea the moral of the story. She didn't get any of the movie nor did she understand any of the jokes. She kept asking me "mama, why's everyone laughing?" But, in the end, I don't think she really cared. She was so stoked that she could drink "soda" (sprite) and eat M & M's (a whole bag) and spend time with mommy, AND stay up past her bedtime.

We will have to do this again soon. This did remind me though of why I have only been to one movie in the last 9 years.

In Case You Were Wondering

On the off chance that you guys were wondering why we don't get out of the house anymore before 10:30 am every morning, look no further......



I am no longer responsible for myself and two girls, we have about 4-6 babies that need to be fed, diapered, burped, bathed, and changed before either of my children think that we can leave the house. Quite the setup we have going on here huh?



And please do pardon the counters - we are getting ready to travel next week and I'm saving all of my energy for my "pre-travel clean" on Saturday. I haven't done an ounce of cleaning this week and believe it or not, only vacuumed once today. Ye haw!

Friday Follies

Hawaiian Hula

A little late with this post but "better late than never" right?

So a weekend or so ago, David's work hosted their annual "Power Outage." Last year the company sponsored a rafting trip but this year the events included a Hawaiian themed luau complete with hula dancers. It was close to our home, at a local park that we frequent often and so we thought why not go and check out the festivities. The girls were a bit under the weather but that didn't stop them from having a good time.



Paloma was in awe the minute she got there. And do you see how closely she is clutching her bag. She has become our official "hoarder." She takes things and puts them into bags, and then she transfers them from one bag to the next. She was loving the fact that the company gave her a big bag filled with junk - or er cool hawaiian stuff.



Mattea was a enjoying herself as well.














The hula dancers put on a great performance. Mattea was so into it that she got up from where she was sitting and began shaking her hips as well. That girl can move!












And finally, a photo of Mattea taking a shot at riding the waves. She did pretty good. The controller was nice enough to start off slow but once he realized she got the hang of it, he did speed it up quite a bit. She did great. Of course, Paloma (being the chicken that she is) did not want to try but instead ran away from Dave and I and was caught "hoarding" other people's gift bags while we weren't looking. Nice!
The day was fun and the food was good. Roasted pig??? Not completely sure but since we don't' eat pork we are hoping that wasn't what it was - but if it was, it was good!

**Camden, we sure wish you could have joined us - you would have learned some great moves!**

Mattea Moment & Paloma Plug all in one

This morning after scolding Paloma (the first of many for the day) she got angry and said to me
Paloma: "I'm never playing with you again."

*This is her new favorite line. She uses it a lot these days.

Mattea quickly stood up for me and replied

Mattea: "I'll play with you mommy cause your my best friend."

How sweet is that?


If that isn't enough. Today after making a quick trip to the doctor I was pulling the girls out of the truck to drop off my prescription. I noticed that the back seat was a mess already. After all, I just spent a good portion of time cleaning it this weekend since messy cars drive me nuts and I can't stand to drive a messy car. I took the opportunity to scold them about being respectful of other people's property and how they need to do a better job of cleaning up after themselves.
When I was finished, Paloma (no joke) batted her eyes and said to me

Paloma: "Do you still love me?"

Oh that girl is so working it. At first I was dumbfounded. Of course I love you Paloma but girl you are so more advanced than what I give you credit for. Seriously???

Hard Work

Have you ever wondered how Dave and I get our kids to act so incredibly good? How they are so well mannered - never forgetting a please or thank you. How they respect adults so well - never back talking or acting disrespectfully. We have found a secret to help us raise perfect kids. It is called....

SLAVE LABOR



This is hard work.



This is very hard work.



Such hard, hard work.





Try it - the results are amazing. Again, just look at us - grin!

Meet Plumber Polly