Hiking

My friend Leigh organizes hikes around Colorado and her adorable baby girl Claire loves it. The thought of joining her for one of her adventures sounded so exciting and fun! She found this place... Florrisant Fossil Beds, a national park in Florissant, Colorado (an hour away). And being our first time I wasn't sure how tired Cassidy would get. So Leigh was nice enough to find a stroller-friendly hike. Maybe we'll work up our endurance. :)

It was a pretty drive through the mountains. Cassidy was thrilled and asked lots and lots of questions. Upon arrival after potty breaks, smearing of sunscreen, decisions on what trails to take, and picture taking, we were ready for our adventure. Leigh's sweet Claire just took it all in quietly while Cassidy continued to ask her questions. She liked looking at the signs and would tell us in her own words what the signs taught us.


The trails at Florrisant Fossil Beds are all wide, relatively smooth, and have little or no elevation gain, so it was perfect for our kiddos.


We learned about petrified redwood stumps that were scattered around the park. In the one pictured above, there are still a couple rusted saw blades stuck into the stump where people once tried to move it. We came across several educational signs describing the prehistoric landscape, animals, and plants.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch. It was so refreshing to be surrounded in Nature. It made me want to go camping even more before it gets too cold. We enjoyed watching birds and a squirrel on the trails.

Cassidy helping put Claire's hat back on

Thank You Leigh and Claire for letting us hike with you!

Concerts at the Park

During the Summer there are FREE concerts at different parks. My friend Shauna told us about the Little London Orchestra in Manitou Springs. We had to go check it out!

Cassidy fell asleep on the drive there so she just cuddled in our laps for the first half of the concert. It was the perfect combination listening to AMAZING MUSIC and SNUGGLING with Cassidy.

The Orchestra pick "Themes" each week for their concert. It was our lucky night...they played music from famous Musicals: The Music Man, Les Miserables (On my own), My Fair Lady,... The Music Man is Derek's favorite musical! He sang right along with the Orchestra. I can listen to that man's voice anytime, any day!

That night they also did an auction for the Conductor's wand. Whoever was the highest bidder would have the chance to lead the band and be their conductor for a special number. Derek had the great idea to bid, so Cassidy could get that opportunity (since she likes to pretend she's conducting the music in church). But unfortunately we only had $20 and was out bid. Maybe next time.

Towards the end of the concert Cassidy found her energy and played on the playground next to the Pavilion. She also enjoyed climbing rocks. The final song they played was John Philip Sousa "Stars and Stripes Forever", it was fun to watch Cassidy march to the music around the park.

Cassidy's Cuteness

• Cassidy thinks McDonald's real name is- Old McDonald's (after the song, Old McDonlad had a farm...)

• When Derek or I drive Cassidy says: "Hold on tight!"

• Whenever she gets in trouble and we give her a "time out" or if she falls down a 2nd time she will say "Not Again!"

• We call her Angel sometimes and she will say: "But I don't have wings!"

• One night Derek drove by Dick's Sporting Store. Cassidy: "Can we go to Dick's?" Derek: "No not tonight it's bedtime." "Are you sad?" Cassidy: "No I'm not sad I'm just disappointed."

• Caught Cassidy in the Bathroom playing in the sink with a huge water mess. Mom: Cassidy, how many times did I tell you we don't play in the water in the bathroom? Cassidy: "Sometimes I get confused, Mom."

• Cassidy: I'm so Brave I don't get scared with the Lightning

• Cassidy: "Mom, where does Belle live?" (while cleaning her room) Mom: "In your toy box" Cassidy: "No, Belle lives in the Temple, the Beauty and the Beast Temple." (castles are temples)

• Cassidy: "Daddy's a Good Man!"

• After bedtime stories and prayers sometimes Cassidy will ask one of us to lay down with her for a little bit. Derek volunteered to lay down, Cassidy said with her sweet voice, she wanted me to lay with her instead and then made sure to tell Derek she still loves him and gave him a kiss on his cheek. Just to make sure she didn't hurt his feelings.

• Gets excited to use the sign language she knows to communicate with the sweet Walmart lady who's deaf. It makes the 3 of us happy!

• Loves to feed her dog, and does it all by herself! Starting her chores early while she likes it! Hopefully then it will become habit. :) She also helps with the dishes, cleaning her room, make her bed, set the table, pull weeds...

• When Cassidy gets really mad at me this is what she says: "Mom I want you to go to Heaven!" I guess it's sweeter than the alternative.

• Sometimes I lay on Cassidy's shoulder and she'll say: "Mom, please don't do that I'm not a pillow."

• If I get grumpy Cassidy will tell me: "Mom I want you to be happy!" "Be Happy!"

• Out of the blue Cassidy will say: "Mom I like hanging out with you all the time!"

• Derek will be calling me from downstairs "Hey Ange?" Cassidy: "Ange is upstairs!"

• Her newest thing with kisses is that after she gives us a kiss she will RUB it in so it won't go away and will last forever. It's the sweetest thing!
  

Swimming Lessons

(Pictures taken by my talented friend, Valeri)

Red Light/Green Light

Don't Cry Ali, it will be Okay

So as you can see we have been playing in the water A LOT this summer...the Lake, Water World, Water Fun at friends houses, and now Swimming Lessons! :)

Cassidy graduated from having her mom in the pool with her...she was all on her own for the 1st time with her swimming teacher Alicia, and with some of her preschool friends (Tyler, Chloe, Ali) and made new friends with Reese, & Jake.

It was so fun to watch her swim 5 days a week over a 2 week period. Alicia was very patient with the kiddos. By the second week Cassidy overcame her fear of going underwater all by herself and swimming to the steps. I'm so proud of her! As a parent you feel like their biggest fan to watch your child overcome their fears. Cassidy's favorite part was playing Red Light (no kicking)/Green Light (kick as fast as you can). On the last day of swimming lessons we had a big Pizza Party at the park.

We're going to take a little break from swimming lessons, but Cassidy can't wait until she gets back in the pool to learn how to swim even better!

Water World here we come!

Derek has been wanting to go to a Water Park for a looooong time, and finally we did! We invited our friends Camille, Andrew, their two cute girls Alyson and Brooklyn, and Virginia (Andrew's mom). We had it planned out to be able to take turns watching the girls so we could enjoy the adult rides too.

So Derek and I had the first shift to have 2 hours to go play together. We first went down the river ride that we loved. Then Derek talked his scared wife into going on the Zoomerang. I was nervous about this thrill ride the entire time waiting in line. I had mixed emotions: excitement, fear, and more fear...It was finally our turn and I just wanted to turn around. But too late! I sat in the front and Derek in the back. All I remember is that I closed my eyes, screamed, and felt my stomach rise in my throat. I was happy that I conquered my fear, well at least for that day! ;) Then we went on the racing slides. Derek of course was way ahead of me.

(Just to show you what the Zoomerang is)



Then it was Camille and Andrew's turn. Brooklyn fell asleep so her grandma Virginia stayed with her and so Derek and I took Cassidy and Aly on some rides. We went on the Lost River of the Pharaohs ride, played in the wave pool, and took them on the sky ride.

The last couple of hours we stayed together and went on more rides with the girls, and Derek and Andrew went down the suicide slides. :) I wasn't brave enough to go on those. :) It was so fun to play with Cassidy in the water! She LOVED the experience and splashing around with all of us. There was so much to do! We had a wonderful time! We'll be back next year.

That Face says it All!

Andrew & Aly

Camille & Brookie

Daddy & Cassidy

Girls Night Out

So Derek is a Scout Leader again...so that means overnight camping trips. Since Derek was going to be with the boys Friday afternoon-Saturday night. Cassidy and I decided to have our own fun...Girls Night Out.

Cassidy and I went to the concert at the park. We enjoyed a Pizza picnic dinner while listening to the band play some jazz music. Afterwards, Cassidy was able to put on her bathing suit and run through the water fountains. She was so happy! She just giggled all night.

Our fun wasn't over, we then changed clothes and went to an indoor volleyball gym. I was able to play volleyball with friends while Cassidy played with her friends and rode her tricycle around the gym. By 8:30pm we were both exhausted. So we went home read some stories, said our prayers, and went to bed. Well before I went to bed I watched a chick flick and ate some ice cream. Then I went to bed. :)

That's when I missed Derek the most! I didn't have my man to snuggle with or to talk to about life in general and about all the cute things Cassidy did that day. I'm so amazed how women survive without their husbands for long periods of time. My husband was only going to be gone for one night and I missed him terribly.

But I have to say I had such a good time with my little girl and look forward to more Girls Night Out!

Fun at the Lake

Our friends called us and invited us to drive to Pueblo Reservoir (1 hr away) to play at the lake. They rented a pontoon boat. It sounded so exciting and fun so Cassidy and I decided to pack our car and head out that afternoon. We ate lunch on the way. Derek was at a Scout campout. We usally plan activities like this but this was so Spontaneous! We were so glad we did it! The girls had a blast swimming in the Lake, playing on the boat, and eating lots and lots of Dorito chips. We adults also had fun jumping off the cliffs. Thank you for inviting us Camille, Andrew, and Natalee! We will have to do it again. Check out the videos!









I'm glad I did it! The 2nd Jump was even Higher as you can see below.

Welcoming Rylee Ann

My younger brother Dave and his beautiful wife Brianna are brand new parents of a darling baby girl. She was born on August 3rd at 12:05pm. She weighs 8lbs 1oz and 20 inches long. CONGRATULATIONS!!! We LOVE HER already!



Cassidy has had so much fun being the ONLY GIRL out of 16 grandchildren. As you see in the picture below (minus 4 cousins).

But now we're so EXCITED to have Rylee here!!! And in December my sister Jessica will be having a baby girl too, we just found out! Watch out Boys!

Renaissance Party

For a church activity we had a family Renaissance Party. We even had jousting. Our brave Knight put up a good fight. There was also a costume contest and we were surprised to have won. The prizes were awesome...free food from Chick Fila. Our family favorite! There was some good participation and it was a different creative way to have fun.

4th of July

The night before we invited some friends over for the Firework Show that the Sky Sox Stadium was hosting after their baseball game. It was a late night since the game wasn't over until after 10pm. The kids were in their PJ's and watching a movie waiting for the fireworks. We had fun just sitting around talking and eating chips and salsa and ice cream.



We've heard so much about the 4th of July parade in Monument we thought we would go this year. It was so much fun. It's been awhile since we went to a parade. They had great floats and passed out lots and lots of candy for the kiddos. Cassidy thought it was Halloween.

Start of Summer

Water Fun Playdates with Friends

Cassidy was involved with the Reading program at our Public Library...this is just one reward from all the books she read. She had to pick Grape/Sour Apple Sherbert with chunks of candy. Yum!

We made sure not to miss all the opportunities Chick Fila gave the public for delicious FREE food. We love it so much we eat there at least 1x a week. I know Ridiculous!

Cassidy helped Mommy and Daddy plant flowers

More Treats!

Summer Picnics at the Park. Oakley of course had to join us, he's part of the family!