Colorado...The Boys

Colorado is such a fun place in the summer because everything is done outside. Hayden has not played outside here at home really since June. It's sad! Hayden rarely naps when we travel but he did every day in Vail! Vail had some of the best parks I have ever seen, and you can literally play outside all day, every day.

The stream was a source of constant amusement and fun! Even Parker was into digging in the dirt :-)

The pirate ship park was amazing...it was right in the middle of the village and surrounded by resorts. There is always time for a swing in the mountains, too! We hit up 3 of the 5 city parks while we were there.

The Betty Ford Botanical Gardens...the highest botanical gardens in the world. Hayden had so much fun running around the bridges, looking for orange things, and watching the water features. There was of course a huge park here as well!


Hiking around Turquoise Lake.

Vail Village and Lionshead Village fun times!

Pony ride up on the mountain top!

Hayden became Caitlin's official photographer...actually took a lot of good pics once he got the hang of the camera!

Colorado..The Scenery

Of course I have a ton of pictures and one post would be a bit ridiculous, so they will split among a few! Vail was just beautiful, like you would expect. We had never been to this middle section before. We have been all around the perimeter multiple time though. The town itself was so cute, just how a little mountain town should be. I really, really want to see it in the winter now!!

This was the stream, Gore Creek, that ran along our resort and pretty much everywhere we went along I-70! The water was crystal clear but COLD!

Vail Village area.

I am standing on our balcony right now...that's how close he was. The resort was pretty much built into/on the side of the mountain.

All the slopes are missing is the snow for ski season!

We drove about 2,000 feet up the mountain to Lake Turquoise (elevation 10, 200'). It was so much cooler even than Vail was up there. It is apparently turquoise do to "stuff" left over from mining back in the day.

Looking down into the valley as we made our way back down the mountain road!

Parker: Month Six!

Well, I am only about a week and a half past due this time, so an improvement! We have reached the half birthday point, and man did the time fly. Goes much faster when there is already another one to keep up with :-) Parker is really getting a personality and beginning to act more like a baby than an infant!

Stats: 19 lbs (75%) and 27.5 in. (95%)

A few things from the past month:
* he got TWO teeth...3.5 months earlier than Hayden got one in!
* he is gathering some nicknames...Smiles, Chubs, Junior Boots, Doodlebug
* started liking to eat food
* passes toys from one hand to the other
* does not sleep through the night but has mastered napping

And in pictures:

We found our toes...this is what he is doing whenever he wakes up from sleeping in his crib!

Sits up with just a little help :-)

Working on those two teeth.

Joins us at the table for dinner...

to chew on one of his favorite toys!

Still isn't bored of Hayden!

Beach Trip!!

We spent several days with my 2 close friends and our parents in Galveston again this year. What fun....even better than last year since we rented at a resort neighborhood with pools and a beach club, in addition to just the beach! It was a super relaxing time, and the beach where we were was so nice.

Ocean time...watch out!

Parker LOVED the ocean...we had sand and seaweed in our mouth :-)

Busy in the sand creating.

Emy and Hayden with some of their sand creations!

Driving his truck up and down the beach making tracks.

Parker also loved his pool float...he could 'chew' and kick his legs as much as he wanted!

Happy Fourth of July!

Just a few pics to show we celebrated the day!

Some red, white and blue treats!!

The must have fourth of July wear :-)

Swim Lessons for Hayden

Well, to say Hayden is a swimmer would not be quite correct. While he loves the water, will play in the pool for hours, run into the ocean, don't ask him to put his head in and actually swim...not yet anyway! In June he did an intensive two week, every day session in the level one class for three year olds...he didn't pass! Needles to say he is now in a once a week for the rest of the summer. We have made great improvements and hope to be in the next level for the fall session...we can't say enough about how great Auqukids has been :-)

Parker: Month Five!

Well we are now one week from him turning 6 months but better late than never! There will just be two updates close together. Hopefully I can keep what he did when straight, at least mostly. He is growing like a weed...literally! He is huge, and muscular due to the constant 'running' we still do at all times. He still very happy and super smiley!

Stats: 18 lbs. (90%) 27 in. (95%)

A few things from this month:
* now we are too big to hoist our self and roll to the belly, so more practicing!
* still no sleeping through the night...sigh
* he loves Hayden, even if he just looks at him
* started solids right before he turned 5 months...interest is not really there :-)
* went on his first vacation to San Antonio

Puts something in his hand into his mouth...sorry it's so dark.

Hit's the pool for the first time!

Seriously, my brother is hilarious!!!

Loves to chew and make drool :-)

The inaugural day with the Exersaucer!

Testing out some always delicious rice cereal.

And last but not least we have acquired this awesome skill!!!