Summer is officially OVER :-(

So summer is officially over, at least at our house. I went back to work on Monday and Audrey is back at her babysitters. I can actually say (type) that without breaking into tears now. Audrey is doing much better with this transition then I am. I have enjoyed spending time with adults but I miss my sweet pea very much. We had a great summer. I love 2 (aside from the occasional temper tantrums) because Audrey loves to explore and play and there was so much more we could do this summer: children's museums, splash pad, swim lessons, the zoo, movies, Little Gym classes and so much more. Here are a some of the pictures I took over the summer but haven't posted.

Audrey at her Little Gym Class. We had a blast and Audrey is now a fan of bubbles and stamps for life (a treat at the end of each class that she got VERY excited about)


Audrey and her buddy Taryn enjoying a snack while running through the fountains at the Splash Pad.



Leyla and Audrey hanging out- such cool chicks!



Audrey on the slide at "the tubes". (imagine an McDonald's like playground on steroids but cleaner) Such a life saver in the 100+ degree heat in Texas.


The tubes!!!


Audrey coloring or "toloring" as she calls it.
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At the movies with her buddy Cayden. We went to several movies with Cayden and Jane and Audrey was a trooper, as long as there were plenty of snacks!


***I must apologize for this following pictures. I uploaded them from my phone and am apparently not talented enough to do it correctly so for now we have mini pictures.***

Visiting our sweet friends Nina and Lexi in Houston. Look at all those beautiful faces!


Ready for her 1st day of swim lessons. I have no pics of her in the water because I was in there too. Mommy and Me swimming was fun for everyone...


Cory and Audrey with Nate and Leyla at the zoo.



Audrey and Leyla ready for another day at the zoo.

Our brief respite from Hades...

***WARNING- This is a VERY picture heavy post***

Every summer it happens. Around the middle of June I start cursing this ridiculously HOT state and contemplate moving somewhere were you can actually spend your summer days outside. So this year we decided to spend 4th of July and the following week in Frisco, Colorado. My family has a very rustic cabin that holds so many memories of fishing trips, camping and simply enjoying the outdoors. The whole fam damily was there at different times during the week and even the Nelsons/Seemans came up for the 4th of July festivities. There was a lot to do around the cabin but we also had time to play and I'm not sure who was the most disappointed when it was time for us to leave- it was a close tie between Audrey and Shelby.



My Grandfather, Dad and Uncle built the cabin


Audrey and Riley walking to the pond- such good buddies!


Audrey "borrowed" Uncle Mikey's Rockies hat and beer


Uncle Tim, Me, Uncle Mikey and Audrey


Audrey checking out Uncle Tim's new tent and head gear


This picture was taken second before the wagon thing they are in tipped over- too funny!


Big Guy, Audrey and Suushie (we're still playing with the spelling) taking a walk around the marina


Uncle Tim and Audrey- they look like locals don't you think?


Happy Hour at the marina


Big Guy "Audrey the weather is this beautiful every day during the summer in the mountains."
Audrey " No way! Then why do my parents make me live in Texas?????"


Her "cheese" face

Audrey and Riley in the bath after a very fun and VERY dirty 4th of July.

Holland and I- lots of pictures of us in the mountains over the years:-)


She had so much fun playing in the mountains. Stickers, dirt, ice cream...you name it and Audrey got into it!


Mickey treated us all to homemade ice cream- Riley and Audrey are her little taste testers


What's more fun than digging in the dirt?


Cory and I at the Frisco 4th of July parade- he left shortly after this to put a certain red head down for a nap...she reached her limit and let us know.


Me, Audrey, Holland and Riley- the little girls were SO excited about another picture...

I love this picture of Cory and Audrey

We had a wonderful trip and as I am typing this blog inside our bat cave ( it's 105 outside right now!!!) I am asking myself why we left...

Water, water everywhere...

So it's officially summer in Texas. That means two things: 1. I get to stay home with our little sweet pea (I'm loving every minute of it) and

2. it's RIDICULOUSLY hot!!! Seriously 100 degrees outside is not fun so we head for some relief in the water.

Audrey and I took swim lessons the first 2 weeks of summer and we definitely have a fish on our hands. She even goes "kick, kick" in the bathtub now.

We met our friends Lauren and Nathan at a splash pad in Colleyville and the kids loved it. It's tucked away at the back of a park and has a covered pavilion- perfect for picnics. The best part is that it is free:-)

Finally- we have spent the last 2 Sundays in our backyard "pool". Audrey and Shelby are thoroughly enjoying it. Some day Audrey will be mortified that I posted the last picture but it was too funny. We went outside right after her nap and instead of going back inside and getting her swim suit we just stripped her down and let her swim in the nude. After a way, Cory started working in the yard and Audrey jumped out of the pool to help out...still naked:-)

Ready for swim lessons

hanging out in the backyard pool

Splash pad

Audrey spent half the time turning this handle

Splashing around

In the pool again

Full Moon in the back yard!

Home Again, Home Again

Uncle Mikey and Uncle Tim finally made it back to Texas for a visit. After their weekends in the scorching Texas heat they remembered why they left Texas and moved to Colorado in the first place:-) We had a blast visiting with everyone. Audrey loves her uncles, Mallory and Kristen and we can't wait to see you guys over 4th of July!


Kristen, Audrey and Tim hanging out


On our way to brunch at Central Market


Uncle Tim hanging out with his nieces


Audrey finally warming up to Uncle Mikey:-)


Big Guy, Shuushie and Audrey- We had a house full for Memory Day weekend


Uncle Mikey and Mallory before heading to their wedding


Audrey loves to give kisses:-)

Our Terrific Toddler

I know, I know...I am the worst blogger ever. The good news is that school is finally out and I should be able to post more often this summer:-)

Some updates on our sweet pea:
- she started swim lessons this week and loves the water. It's a Mommy and Me swim lesson and it's a toss up on who is having more fun!
-She is OBSESSED with shoes. As soon as she wakes up in the morning she wants her shoes. Sandals and PJ's are quite a look. Audrey is turning into a big girl and wants to do everything herself. She refuses to let anyone else put her shoes on for her. Most days she can even get them on the right foot.
- She is talking more and more each day and we frequently hear, "what's dat?" or "where go?"
- She LOVES our dog Shelby. Seriously, anytime we leave the house she asks for Shelby and as soon as we get home she runs to the door and loves all over our furbaby. Shelby is extremely patient with her and tolerates the hugs and kisses- she usually rewarded with bits of Audrey's dinner. She still throws shelby her leftovers at night...we may have to curb that soon.
-Audrey is an avid "reader" she will grab a basket of books, lay a blanket over her lap and read away. Wonder where she got that???hehe. Recently she has started "reading" to her babies. She pulls them into her lap and points to the pictures in her books. I love it!

The following pictures are from Audrey's 2 year pictures. My friend Kirsi took them again (she did Audrey's 1 year pics) and she is FANTASTIC! If you are interested her email is: kirsiingram@yahoo.com or check out her blog at www.kirsiingram.blogspot.com .