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Monday, October 26, 2015

August 2015

August was filled with lots of fun adventures for us. Dave officially started his new job at Memorial Hospital here in Colorado Springs, Clara experienced sand for the first time, and we made many trips to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (the zoo is literally IN the mountains - quite the workout pushing the double stroller up the mountain while wearing the baby).


You can get up close and personal with the giraffes at the zoo.


The kids were able to pet a baby wallaby in their Australian section of the zoo (the wallabies are just roaming around in the grass around the path and it was more than challenging to keep the kids from chasing them all over the place).



Cole and Lexi LOVED feeding the chickens in their farm area.






Daddy was even brave enough to take the older two on the ski lift up the mountain to the top of the zoo. They were great at staying seated and holding on tight.



Cole had been waiting all summer long for his preschool to start. He was one happy camper when it was finally time to go back to school. After a few trial and errors, we finally found one that is great for him and he's loving it!


Despite the look on her face, Lexi was thrilled to get to wear her new rain gear. We loved the summer here in Colorado. Lots of rain this year and it could not have been more beautiful.


Here's Clara trying to figure out how to crawl. Not quite there yet, but almost.


Cole loves his baby sister beyond belief and insist on picking out a hair bow for her every morning when she wakes up. He thinks she is so cute and can't get enough of her.


This is how I do my grocery shopping these days. Clara loves lounging in the cart and we can never make it through the store without getting Lexi a pink doughnut with sprinkles on it. Never mind that she usually just eats off the tops of the doughnut with the frosting and sprinkles and gives the rest to Clara.


This is how I do laundry these days. The viewing windows in our new washer and dryer have not gotten old yet and I always have an audience when I get things started.


We thought now that we have three tubs in the house that we would have our own, Cole would have his own, and Clara and Lexi would share. Instead they all want to bathe together. Space is getting a little tight during tubby time these days, but they usually have lots of fun together. Clara especially loves having company.




This is Cole waiting for our home teachers to come over for the first time. He's our little puppy dog that makes a fuss when new people come over. ;-)


He's so silly and happy a good portion of the time. I LOVE this picture of him - it captures his personality perfectly.


We also celebrated Daddy's 35th birthday. Cole insisted that we have exactly 35 candles on his trifle, and Clara could not take her eyes off of them (or keep her tongue in her mouth). I think Dave appreciated the help in blowing them out.



Saturday, October 24, 2015

July 2015

The end of June we moved from Phoenix, AZ to Colorado Springs, CO. We were sad to leave friends but more than happy to leave the heat. The Springs is pretty much Heaven on Earth. :) The very first things we did were buy a new washer and dryer and a play set for the REAL grass backyard we have in our rental (as opposed to the postage stamp of artificial turf we've had the last several years).






We also took all three kids camping for the first time in this beautiful state. Everyone had a blast before bedtime, but I don't think we'll be trying to sleep all of us (including a baby) in the same tent again for a while....









We also attempted to go fishing the next day, but this was about as much action as we saw.


Our Fourth of July weekend was filled with lots of fun visitors. Dave's brothers Mike and Joe and Joe's wife Kaela came for a visit, as well as my parents. We had a good time watching fireworks and playing games.


We also went rafting down the Colorado River with everyone (minus the kids). It was lots of fun, but next time we'll have to do the bigger rapids. :)












Friday, October 23, 2015

June 2015

June 6th, 2015 My baby sister Shantae married Brandon Shingle! It was good to see grandparents, siblings, and even some cousins and an aunt and uncle. Congrats to the happy couple.











Post wedding celebrations we did some rock climbing and hiking with the family. The kids did great and loved it.




The end of June Dave finally GRADUATED from his Cardiology Fellowship program!!!!
He has been working hard for many many years and is finally done with all of his training. We could not be more proud of him. Clara joined us at his graduation for an evening of dress up. :)
Dr. Loli didn't mind her help ordering.