A Hot Day at the Zoo

Last Wednesday, we went to the zoo with my friend Katie and her daughter Emma and my other friend Kerry and her Granddaughter Kailyn. Noah is 3, Emma is 2, and Kailyn is 1, so it was interesting to watch how the kids interacted. It was super hot, like 95 or something. Kerry and Katie left after only about 2 hours because they were exhausted and couldn't take the heat anymore. I don't mind it so much as long as it's not humid, so Noah and I stayed and had lunch and rode the train and the carousel. Noah said his favorite animals at the zoo were the giraffes and the polar bears. He also said he loved "all of them, mom." Here are some pictures from our visit:

Noah riding on the train: Noah on the carousel:

Noah pulling Emma and Kailyn in the wagon:

Noah and Emma checking out the elephants:

Kailyn:

Emma:

Randi and Sophie's Visit

Last week, my friend Randi came to visit us from Phoenix with her daughter, Sophie. I am happy to say that Noah and Sophie totally hit it off. Randi is a friend from my wild days in college so it was really a trip to watch our kids playing together. And it was really cool.

They got in at 11:30 or something on Friday night. I was so excited to see her and Sophie that I really had no trouble staying awake. The next morning, we all slept in (as much as you can with 2 kids around) and then we went to the outlets so Randi could check out the Coach store. Neither one of us bought anything, but it was fun anyway.

That afternoon we went to Garden of the Gods down by Colorado Springs. Randi had never been to Colorado before and I think she was in awe of how green everything was. Here are some pics from the hike we took down there. It was a short one because of the rain that kept moving in and out, but that was probably the perfect length for Noah and Sophie anyway.

Sophie and Noah:Noah:Randi and I with the kids:Randi and I:
That night we went to the Rio for dinner (the Rio with the ridiculously strong "Limit 3" Margaritas). That was fun and Randi and I both got crocked.

On Sunday, we went to Idaho Springs and Mount Evans. We were planning on stopping at Red Rocks on the way back, but it was pouring rain. Here are some pictures from Mount Evans. We couldn't get all the way to the top because there was a massive snowstorm up there.

Noah hiking near the Mount Goliath Area: Dan and I: Randi and Sophie at nearly 13,000 feet in the snowstorm:

After our trip up Mount Evans, we had dinner at Tommyknocker Brewery. I love that place and I hadn't been there in a long time, so it was nice to have an excuse to go.

The next day was Memorial Day, and we went downtown to the Denver Fine Arts Festival. It was a great festival, but once again, it was pouring rain. We're in a drought and it has to rain constantly when Randi comes, right? Anyway, Randi said the rain was a nice change from hot, dry Phoenix. After a soggy attempt at the festival, we had brinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. I know, cliche, right? But Randi had never been to one.

All in all, it was a fun visit. I can't wait to take Noah and Dan to Phoenix to visit Randi. Not in the summer though. December would be a good time!

Happy Easter!

For Easter, we had Kate and Jason and Ethan and Marlowe over. It was just great. Noah and Marlowe and Ethan ran around like wild children, and Kate and I drank wine while Jason and Dan talked guy stuff. Dan made a turkey and it was SO GOOD!
Here are some pictures from the day:

I think Japhy wants Noah's chocolate bunny: Cheese!!!
Finding the eggs Dan hid all over the house (and he forgot to count them first...rotten egg in my future???)
The Japhy-dog: Still looking for eggs:
Noah's fave present from the Bunny:

Spoiled, much?

Sleepy head:
Noah and Marlowe:Noah, Marlowe, and Ethan:

Phoenix Trip

I recently returned from a trip to Phoenix to visit my good friend, Randi. I had not seen her in 6 years! Here are some pictures from the trip, including some of her beautiful 4-year-old daughter, Sophie. Hey Randi, let's not wait another 6 years to get together again. I had a blast!

This is a picture of the cactus ridden desert that tried to kill me. It's right behind Randi's house and it is beautiful:

This is a picture of Sophie and her good friend, Marissa:

Noah's School Pics and Other Random Things

Noah got his picture taken at school this week and they are pretty good! If you want the link to see the pics, leave a comment and I'll email it to you.

I didn't win my friend Josh's contest overall, but Dan and I won one category! Click here for the results.

We are leaving for Aspen tomorrow! Dan and Noah and I are all taking the day off and driving up. The news said fall colors are at their peak up there, so it should be beautiful.

Lyon Visit

Our friends Jen and Steve and their family are here this week from Kansas. Jen is doing the Pike's Peak Ascent on Saturday because she is a crazy person. It's a half marathon that runs up the Barr trail straight to the top of Pike's Peak. Anyway, we met them and our friend Jason and his family (we missed you, Kate) for dinner earlier this week. It was a zoo and so much fun because there were 7 kids between us! Here are the pics:

Marlowe and Noah:
Jackson and Ella:

Dan and Isaiah:
Jackson, Ella, Noah, and Ethan:
C.J.:
Jackson, Noah, and Ethan:
Isaiah:

All the kids:
Marlowe and Ethan:
Ella, CJ, Marlowe, and Noah:
Ethan and CJ:

More Pictures from Mike and Sara's visit

Sara is a pretty darned good photographer! These are some of the pics she took while she was here. These are from the Chicago Lakes Trail:

A cool car Dan saw up by Mount Evans:Downtown Castle Rock:And one more of Dan, Mike, and Noah from Garden of the Gods:

We miss you, Mike and Sara!