Glenwood Springs

We went to Glenwood Springs for a short ski trip over spring break. There are several beautiful ski resorts in Colorado but we chose the cheapest one since we still had beginning skiers who wouldn't care how fancy the mountain was. We loved getting to know Glenwood Springs. The drive there was so beautiful. I'm glad I wasn't driving so I could look out the windows at some amazing, majestic mountains. 

 The kids at the hot springs. I had no idea the hot springs would look like this. I pictured something a little more natural looking. It was really warm and they had a great time.

 One of our worries about an almost 7 year gap between Nate and the babies was being able to get out  and do "older kid" activities before Ash goes off to college. So we decided to go for it and take the kids skiing. Dave took the older kids and they had such a fun day. I was so jealous when he would tell me how much fun they were having. I really wanted to watch the girls ski and Nate snowboard! I also wanted to get on some skis myself! We should have planned two days for skiing so we could eat take a turn going with the kids...next time.

 It was 68 degrees on the slopes. Beautiful spring skiing!

 The girls loved skiing and Nate loved snowboarding.

 We stayed at a really fun hotel called "Hotel Colorado". It was built in 1893. There was some really neat history that we learned about!

 Each night this older man would play on the grand piano. We sat and listened to him and then he asked if any of us play. Then he asked if our kids would each play. They all took a turn and he was so nice and listened to each of them.

 Dave and the kids were having fun, but we were having fun, too! I thought it might be a long day stuck at a hotel with two babies. I was so wrong. The day went too fast. It was so fun to laze around with the babies and let them play with no time constraint at all! They had two nice naps while I got to read...it was so relaxing!

Anna went through the suitcase a few times. She had a blast doing it.

 The big girls and little girls outside the hotel.

 One of the many fun things we did at the hotel. They loved crawling around this fun floor and exploring.

 Then we went outside and had a picnic. It was so nice to sit there and watch them play with the grass and crawl around. I loved having nothing else to do except watch and play with my babies.

 Our dinner picnic after the big kids got back from the slopes.

 Nate couldn't wait to show me the videos Dave took of their day. Here we were gathered all around to watch the little phone.

Babies were sure happy to see Dad!

Estes Park

Ash wanted to take her wonderful friend, Julia, with our family to Estes Park for her birthday. It was a beautiful spring day. The weather couldn't have been better. 

 Anna loved sitting there and taking everything in around her.

 The girls enjoying their ice-cream.

 Audrey

Audrey and Dave. I think she liked being on his shoulders.

Anna and Audrey pictures

I have many pictures to put on the blog but not enough time today. So here are a handful (or more) of the things Anna and Audrey have been up to. They are at such a fun stage! Although...we are working on spoiling them less. I can't believe I've manage to spoil twins. Then I realized that having 3 older kids makes it where there's almost always someone to hold a baby. Even two babies! If I'm doing something and can't hold them right at that moment, they let me know they aren't too happy about it! So we are working on teaching them that they are ok by themselves once in a while! 

 Anna and Audrey LOVE playing with Nate's skateboard. The other day they spent so long getting on and off and then sometimes riding it together. It was pretty fun to watch.

 They spent a lot of time opening plastic eggs. They loved it. Today Audrey spent a long time with one piece of cereal in an egg. She kept looking at the cereal, tipping it out of the egg, putting it back in, over and over. I love how easily entertained babies are!

 Sweet sleeping babies. Still loving their shared crib.

 They pushed Nate's clothes baskets out and made a tunnel to go through. They were chasing each other around and around.

 Their birth mom and dad sent them these two tops and some shoes (but they hate wearing shoes so I didn't force those on). I wanted to take a picture so I could send it to the birth mom and dad. They also wrote the sweetest note to us. I will save it forever and am so glad that someday I can show these babies what sweet birth parents they have.

 Dave having fun with his babies.

 They were mesmerized by the sand.

 Fun big brother, Nate! The girls are taking tennis lessons. With beautiful weather of late, Nate and I take the babies to the park and play while the girls are playing tennis.

 Audrey couldn't stop laughing on the see-saw.

 Their first time on swings. They loved it for about 20 seconds and then they were ready to move on.

 The ripstik and skateboard are always being used by someone.

 Anna and Audrey have recently become very interested in drawing. We have discovered that Audrey is a lefty. Pretty fun since Dave and I are lefties. And so interesting that Ash, Sadie and Nate are all right handed! Audrey especially loves to draw with a pencil. She can sit there and draw for a long time. Lately it's common to find Audrey drawing and Anna flipping through books. It's been fun to see their differences come out a bit more.

 Cute Anna and I were outside enjoying the spring weather. They LOVE being outside!

They are always so happy in their crib...until we leave! Then they often cry for about 10 seconds and then start playing with each other. I love watching their little relationship grow.

They are both taking some steps but still prefer crawling.

Happy Birthday Brie

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since we had Brie. We miss her so much!!!!!!!! 

We think about her every day. 

 I was so happy to hear that Mom was bringing flowers to Brie. She told me she picked a pretty bouquet with red, pink and yellow roses. I was on my way to the store when Mom told me this, so I grabbed the best I could find to match what Brie would have at her grave. I've enjoyed these roses all weekend and it makes me happy that Brie has these same colors to cheer up her special place.

As always, we had angel cake to celebrate our angel. Sadie helped decorate it to make it beautiful for Brie!