Summer 2013 -- Grand Adventure -- Farm Life

In the Summer of 2013 we went on a Grand Adventure (for some reason as I am typing this it sounds like the beginning of a How I Met Your Mother episode, complete with Bob Saget narrating in it in my mind...maybe because this trip was legendary....).  Kim and the kids are such a big part of our family, we wanted them to experience our other home.  So me, the boys, Kim and the kids, and my mom and day caravanned to Wisconsin.

 

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE farm life.  It is always such an amazing experience and I am so fortunate my boys (and Kim and the kids) are able to partake in it too.   These memories will stick with the kids forever and I know they will always look back at their time there with fondness.

This house and the people in it have my heart always.

The barn, although smelly is a part of my heart too.

We spent our days and night outside, really only going inside to use the bathroom (well only us girls, the boys just went and found a tree...) and not once did the kids ask to turn on the tv or say they were bored.

We explored the farm land on the Ranger.

Bondfire nights.

Tractor driving

Shucking home grown peas.

Beautiful sunsets.

Endless games of football, soccer, riding bikes, or just playing in general.

Searching for farm animals (these two are similar it is crazy..I'm proud Tucker is such a good role model for Q.)

A barn full of milking cows!

Everyone getting a lesson about fresh milk and getting to try warm fresh cow's milk

And getting to milk a cow by hand!!

Ty was not too sure about getting that close to a big old cow, so I helped!

But most of all, it was so nice to just sit and enjoy each other's company.

4th of July Fun

Despite a fire ban (again) we had a fun 4th of July.

Bunch of nerds...but I love them!

We used poppers instead of sparklers.

And Glow sticks instead of fireworks!

Big Boy Summer Baseball

The big boys had a great baseball season this past summer.  Here are a couple of pictures of them playing.

They are so stinking cute!

Me and my baseball all-stars!

Trey is 7!!!

In June my middle boy turned 7!!!  We celebrated his special day at home with a good dinner and then on the weekend we celebrated at the bowling alley.

Trey's dinner of choice..steak, shrimp cocktail, potatoes, peas, and bread

Just a little excited about presents!

Ty and his obsession with making sure the paper gets into a trash bag!

Such a cute picture of him (and I love the proud big brother next to him)

All the bowling alley junk food he could eat

He had a great day!!!

And of course his favorite homemade ice cream cake!

Memorial Day camping trip 2013

This year we spent Memorial Day weekend at Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!  We had a blast hiking, exploring, and enjoying nature. 

Our Campsite

We always have the BEST camping food!

Trey was my kid that wanted me to take his picture every time we stopped.



So beautiful....the lake was still mostly frozen 

There was still quite a bit of snow!

We drove up one of the mountains, I think we were at about 11,000 feet

Yep, still a lot of snow for the last weekend of May

Don't worry this is a fake gun, but this picture is so Ty...do not mess with this boy!

Last day of the 2012-2013 School Year

The last day of Tucker's 2nd grade year and Trey's 1st grade year was a pretty good day for both of them.  They each earned another Gold Card.  And of course I am so proud of them for all their hard work!

Mother's Day 2013

In accordance to our Mother's Day tradition, my mom and I picked going on a hike to spend our special day!  It was a pretty good hike and we all enjoyed it!

Love these boys

Me and my crazies!

This boy wants to be just like his big brothers! 

Me and My mamma!

Zoo Day

In true Colorado fashion, 5 days after the huge snow storm, all evidence of snow was gone and we had a free day, so we ended up at the zoo.  It was a little chilly, but walking around kept us warm enough to enjoy.  We got to explore the new elephant exhibit and even watch an elephant training session.  It was a pretty great day at the zoo.

Ty being brave and feeding the giraffe

The kids watching the elephant training session

The big boys in the 'Madagascar' plane

The boys with their cousins...love these cuties!

May 1st = Snow Day

May 1st brought us a huge snow storm and a snow day for the kiddos!  And of course the boys enjoyed the snow and played outside for quite a while!  Gotta love the crazy Colorado weather!

My b-day ...things are a little out of order...

I was on my phone and realized that I missed out on pictures from my b-day back in March.  Kim and my birthdays are only 3 days apart so we celebrated together with a surf and turf dinner.  It was fun and delicious!!!  Oh and just so everyone knows I'm the younger one ;P