Memorable Monday

Colorado Vacation Part II: Happy Birthday Paulie!

As I said in our last Colorado update, We began our Colorado adventure on a Friday. Saturday was my amazing nephew Paul's birthday party. Since the party wasn't until about 1:oopm so we had the morning to take a nice long hike in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods is one of my favorite places. Not only is it gorgeous but has a lot of great memories for both Eric and I. Bella has been before when she was 6 months old but this was the first time she really got to climb and hike and enjoy these beautiful red rocks. As you can see below, it was incredible, beautiful landscape, beautiful family and beautiful weather!








































































































After a nice hike we needed a bit to eat before Mimi had to get back and finish up Paul's cake. We had brunch and one of Eric and my favorite places in Old Colorado City, Bon Ton. It was the same place Eric and I ate at several years, when I was pregnant with Bella, before trying our luck in Cripple Creak!

After breakfast we headed back to the house to help Mimi prepare Paul's cake. It was adorable, she is a magic woman.


















We then set out for a whale of good time at Heidi's house. The party was a blast, They had great food, a pool, water guns and balloons and wonderful family. We enjoyed seeing Chris' family as well as a lot of Heidi and Chris' dear friends. We felt right at home among great people. Here are some awesome shots of our amazing nephew Paul tearing down that 1st birthday cake.















































I was too busy having fun watching Bella, Gabe and friends that we didn't get as many pictures of the festivities! Thanks Heidi and Chris for an awesome party and Happy Birthday Paul, you are such an amazing kid and I can't wait to watch you grow!

Memorable Monday

Colorado Vacation Part I: The Lawrence Neutebooms Descend on Colorado Springs

We were lucky to have the next major event of the summer be our own Vacation out to Colorado to see the Neuteboom/Wells Clan. It was really fun to get to see Eric's family with only a month wait in between. Bella especially loved getting to see her Cousin Gabe and baby Paul so soon after their trip out to KS. Those three are going to cause a lot of trouble very soon!

With only a couple weeks of summer remaining we hit the road bright and early at 3am. Eric and I find that this is the best time to leave since Bella sleeps for the first 1/2 of our 8-9 hour trip leaving us only a few hours of time to kill in the car. The portable DVD player and a few stops help as well. Bella is an excellent road trip buddy, She enjoys movies, playing games and reading in the car. Plus Eric and I love to travel together, it's one of the first things that made me fall in love with him, how much fun he is on road trips!

We arrived in Colorado around lunchtime on a Friday. After leaving a very balmy 100+ degree KS, we were thrilled at the nice cool slightly stormy Colorado. We enjoyed playing at Mimi's and had a wonderful dinner each night OUTSIDE! With Connie and J.P. and often Heidi, Chris, Gabe and Paul.





















































A night or two into the trip, Mimi even pulled out Eric's old Leggos, I'm not sure who was more excited, Bella or Eric.


















































Connie and J.P.'s Colorado house is one of the most warm and welcoming places I've ever been to. From the first time that Eric brought me home I have always felt a part of the family and as if it was my home as well. It is such a joy to get away and spend time in Colorado with the people we love so dearly. Thanks Connie and J.P. for an amazing vacation!

Neuteboom/Wells Visit Part IV: 4th of July!

The final big event for the Neutebooms and Wells Summer Visit was our big 4th of July party. It was filled with friends and family. We bought fireworks in the morning (and of course made a fireworks run later in the evening) and then went over to Casa Averill after nap so we could begin the festivities. For all the fun we had I sadly didn't have nearly enough pictures.

Some of my favorite memories of the afternoon/evening include, hanging with Tracy, having my Aunt Lib paint our fingernails like American flags and of course, blowing things up. I think Bella would like to add her fun in the pool and sandbox with her cousins and friends. We had tons of family there and some of our closest friends. It was a blast! Literally! So here are some of the best pics we have from a small selection. We just had too much fun to interrupt it by taking pictures I suppose!

Tracy and I chillin, She looked fantastic in a super fabulous hat. Which I of course later stole.


























The kiddos LOVED the sandbox. Bella even sorta learned how to play ladderball.



























Overall the day was full of wonderful family and friends!

Memorable Monday

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Here's a Special Shout out to my Beautiful Mother!

My Mom is truly an inspiration, not only is she an amazing mom, she's also a brilliant actress and incredible teacher. We were so lucky to get to spend the evening with her on her Birthday.

Thanks Mom, for being such an inspiration to me in my life. You have inspired me to be a better mother, and a better teacher. I respect and admire everything you do and love you so much. Thanks for it all and Happy Birthday!!!

Neuteboom/Wells Visit: Part II: COUSINS!

This visit from The Wells Clan was one of the best. It was wonderful because Bella has reached the age to really play and interact with Gabe. And they are so cute. Gabe calls her "My Bella" and Bella loves it, she also loves taking care of and holding "Baby Paul."

But what made this trip extra special is we also got together with Eric's cousin Stephanie, her husband Nate, and their two boys Evan and Logan. Evan is the oldest followed by Logan and Gabe, who are only weeks apart and then Bella and Paul are the youngest. Bella is also the only girl but it doesn't phase her a bit.

We started with an excellent dinner followed by an even better impromptu photo shoot with the kids.
























Logan didn't seem too entertained by either the photo shoot, or Bella.



























Following dinner we headed over to Dairy Queen and Bella had her first Dairy Queen ice cream cone. Needless to say it was a huge hit with all the kids.























































































This has to be one of my favorite pictures of both my Mother in-law and my very adorable nephew Paul!



















It was such a treat seeing the family and we look forward to many more trips to KC to catch everyone sometime soon.

Memorable Monday

Happy Birthday Dad!

I want to give a short shout out to my awesome Dad. My Dad is one of the most amazing men I know. He is kind, funny, caring and incredible working with children of all ages. I love that I can go to him for advice and call him ANY time of day if I need something. He is and always will be there for me and that is such a joy. I love that he gets along so well with Eric and that they have developed a true friendship beyond the normal courtesies of in-laws. And of course, I couldn't ask for a better Grandpa for Bella, they are like two peas in a pod. She is so lucky to have four amazing, intuitive and kind grandparents and I know she values her time with them already. She has a different connection with each of them and it's so cool to see how she connects to her Poppy.

So where's the bread with all that cheese.

Happy Birthday Dad, You are the best. I'm such a lucky girl to have been spoiled by you for 29 years and counting. I hope you are spoiled rotten today in Italy and glad you can both celebrate your birthdays in such a magical place.

Neuteboom/Wells visit Part I and Summer Update.

Wow, What an amazing summer! I would have blogged more except we were having too much fun. Bella and I took this summer by storm. We spent every Tuesday and the Library, Most Wednesdays at Playgroup and in July Bella took an Art Class at the Lawrence Arts Center. In addition, I broke out my tap shoes again and took Tap at the Arts Center Tuesday nights.
I did have to work some this summer but it was pretty fun. I taught 4 drama camps ( a week long each) at The Arts Center and did A LOT of curriculum and professional development for the upcoming school year. It has been an action packed summer.

To begin, For our Staycation, we had Eric's family out from Colorado to visit us over the 4th of July weekend. That includes his folks, Connie (Mimi) and J.P. (Poppy Boom) and his sister Heidi with her husband Chris, and their two boys Gabe (over 3) and Paul (1yr). We were so excited to have them all out since it had been a couple of years since Heidi and the boys had been able to visit, and Paul's first trip to KS. We had so much fun in fact that I have to blog about it in three parts. so for this first post I'd like to share our fun Bowling pictures with you.

One of the first things we did on the trip was hit up Royal Crest Lanes for some bowling. It was such a blast. I have rarely had so much fun bowling since watching Gabe and Bella on their own lane with bumpers was well worth the price of admission.




































































Eric and I had a blast too although he was making pouty face in this pic. I think I told him to smile and this is what he came up with.













Paulie Bear with Poppy Boom. Paulie is watching intently so he can dominate the bowling lanes in a year or so.



















"No Kisses Daddy!!!"















It was a blast and a whole new experience now that Bella kind of gets the idea of Bowling. We'll be hitting up those lanes again soon.

~Trish