Goodbye Colorado!

We both had a wonderful time in Colorado. I never know how much I miss my family and friends until I am there with them. The time spent there cuddling my nieces and nephews ( who are growing up way to fast), laughing with my sisters, talking with my mom, catching up with old friends means more to me than I can express. I leave Colorado with so many great memories.

Coley, Taylor and Mack on our way to the airport:You'll notice that there aren't any pictures of us on the flight back. Mackenzie had picked up a virus and was not herself at all. When she wasn't sleeping, she was fussing and it was a pretty stressful flight. We were so glad to see our Mike waiting for us when we got off the plane!

These flowers were waiting for me when I got home. It was our 7th wedding anniversary and Mike arranged these flowers and placed them on the alter in honor of our 7 years married! Aren't they gorgeous?


Wanna know what else was waiting for me? Mackenzie's virus! Here's one final picture of a dear friend of mine:

New Belgium Brewery

Mom, Mack and I made the trek to Fort Collins to the New Belgium Brewery, Mike's favorite.
Mack and Gram's playing outside the brewery ( my mom made that dress for Mackenzie!):


Side ways pic of the dress:

Then we ate lunch and headed to the Outlet Mall in Loveland to walk around! It was a very fun day!

Misc

Out of 364 pictures taken, here are a few that I couldn't pass up:

Papa and Gram's tagged up against Mack for some kisses!
Kaleb on the trampoline:
Check out that family resemblance!
Should Mack ever need glasses, these would be perfect!

Night out on the town

Mom watched Mack, Brook and Kaleb and Ben watched Taylor and Coley while my sisters and I went out to dinner! We had so much fun and laughed the night away.
You don't wanna know what they were laughing about!

No wonder she looks frustrated...

Mom tried to teach me to sew! While our project wasn't successful, I did learn a few things and hope to be able to find a ( hardy) sewing machine to practice on:
Sewing projects are best when they are started before midnight!

Samantha, Cass and the gang

I was able to meet up with my girls more this visit! Annie made the long trek from Fort Morgan ( about an hour and fifteen minutes) to come have coffee with me and hang out with Mackenzie. By the end of that visit, Mack was showing Annie all her tricks. Since Annie was taking her step daughter, Makenzie, to Disney world ( as part of their " Make a wish" gift after Makenzie's recovery from brain cancer) , we didn't get to see her again.

Mackenzie and I drove to Keenesburg to have yummy salads with Cass, Rhonda, Pops and the boys ( Brock ( 3) Malachi (19 months). Here are a few pics from that visit:

Brock was so excited to see Mackenzie. Unfortunately, with all the busyness if the napless day, Mackenzie was slightly less excited. Here he is reading her a story:
Malachi is so adorable!
Goin' for a ride!
Mackenzie and Samantha. Mackenzie was REALLY ready for bedtime:
Cass and Kenzie
The following night, Cass and I went for coffee and stayed until the coffee shop closed. So we did what all bored 20 somethings do- went to Target and tried on goofy hats!

Then Samantha and the boys met Mack and me at the park. Here she is pushing MC and MJ for the split second they'd stay in the same area:
Kenzie swinging on the big girl swing!
Brock trying to plant one on Mack:
Brock HAD to pick out snack for Kenzie, too. What a gentleman!
One more pic before parting ways:

Parks galore

During our trip to Colorado our gang visited lots of different parks. Mackenzie was glad because she loves to swing and slide. We love it because it gives us a chance to chat with out interruption and it's a fantastic outlet for the endless amounts of energy the kids have. Here are a few pictures of the kids at the park(s):

Mackenzie and Brooklyn on the Slide:
Nope, that's not Taylor on the swing. That's Nikki!
Taylor and Brooklyn:
Taylor Bug and Brooky pushing Mackenzie on the swing:
Coley and Kaleb rehydrating:

Let's Play!

Aside from roughin' it up on the farm, the kids use their very active imaginations to keep busy.

Papa and Mackenzie playing with "The Littlest Petshop"
There are always enthusiastic participants for a watermelon seed spitting contest. It's still unclear who actually won this one or if there were even actual watermelon seeds being spat.

The trampoline is so much fun. The older kids are so gentle and let Mackenzie sit on their laps while one of " the grown ups" ( as they call us) bounces her. She lovingly refers to the trampoline as " A bounce!"

A trip to Costco provides way more than just endless amounts of bulk goodies. Here, the kids are using the boxes from the trip as drums:

And later, the boxes became a stage!

Later, once everyone went home and things settled down, Mackenzie jumped at the chance to have the stage to herself. She climbed up atop the boxes and sang " Shake! Shake! Shake!" as she jubilantly shook her little hips.

Papa's Farm Girl

Mackenzie fits right in on the farm! The fact that she's a "dirt under the nails" kinda girl combined with her love of animals makes her the best farm girl! Here are a few pictures of her getting her hands dirty:

Getting the formal tour with the head farmer:

These caterpillars are all over the place and Brooklyn likes to collect them. I rescued this little guy from the pincer grasp of Mackenzie who had the " wonder what this tastes like" look on her face.
Mackenzie LOVES the chickens. She got to feed them AND collect their eggs!

And even TOUCH one!

Taylor, Brooklyn and Kaleb:


And she even got to help in the garden:

Not so fond of the hay!

The Wheels on the bus!

After a very eventful first day, some of the gang had to settle back into the daily grind. Brooklyn was one of those but she didn't seem to mind so much since she had a special helper to walk with her to the bus( plus the promise of hot dog roll up for lunch):

Mackenzie was visited by her Great Grandpa Rose and Margaret on Friday as well as Taylor, Coley and Auntie Nikki. She spent the day outside, exploring the farm.

C is for Cousins!

It didn't take long before Mackenzie was off and running in Colorado. She loves the busyness that being a part of a big family provides. I think she'll be a bit lonely at first when we get back to Michigan although she surely won't miss the Pack and Play. Here she is getting cozy with her cousins:

Mack went right to Carley at the air port and off they went! Since then, she's been off and busy with the big kids. Brooklyn and Mack seem to be inseperable . Brook spends lots of time being a mother hen or trying to make Mackenzie laugh.

Mack and Brooky having a snack:

Brook, Kaleb and Mackenzie:

Taylor and Grams:

Any activity involving Mackenzie ( apart for messy diaper changes) draws a crowd:
Now that's a lapful, Nikki!