Manitou

   This past Saturday, we decided to venture out of the house for a bit.  This winter and spring has been so long and cold.  We are so over snow and cold it's not even funny.  The worst part is there has only been a handful of decent days, so we have spent a lot of time indoors.  On Saturday, we decided that we were going to go do something outside even if it was not that warm of a day.  We decided on the Penny Arcade in Manitou.  The kids always have a good time there and it is pretty inexpensive. 
      When we arrived, we realized that it was not yet open.  They were still operating on "winter" hours and it doesn't open until 11:00.  The rides were working which is the kids favorite part.  The only problem was that the change machines were in the closed buildings and we didn't have much change.  The kids were able to ride a few rides.  We want to go back again in a few weeks with Ella and Jameson and hopefully get some more play time in.
    Since we couldn't do a whole lot, we walked around a bit.  We discovered a neat park near the arcade that the kids had a great time playing at.  We also walked to another part.  We had a very nice day even though it didn't go as planed.  It was nice to get out of the house even if it was only for a short time.  We are so looking forward to summer and all the fun that comes with it.  The weather this weekend is supposed to be beautiful and I'm hoping it continues!
    

Dawson insisted on riding the train right away.

He liked the train

Cute conductor

Ashlyn riding in the spaceship.

Getting to be a race car driver. 

This pink elephant was Ashlyn's favorite.

Waiting for it to start.

Having fun

Dawson also got to ride in a Jeep. 

Ashlyn and I posing on a rock.

Ashlyn had great fun sliding down this rock.

We thought this swing was so neat.

Dawson wanted a ride too.

Wee!

Riding on the grasshopper.

Helping her brother down the slide.

Having fun together.

Sister and brother

Ashlyn the monkey

Joey and Dawson checking out this tank.

He felt so cool.

Fun slide!

Dawson loves the swing.

We found this odd tree. 

Peek a boo, I see you!

Sleepover

It seems that I have gotten behind again with my blogging.  I think the problem is that it had become a habit for me to post at least a weekly post.  Well, with the move and everything else I got out of the habit rather quickly.  I am a very habitual person and when I stop doing something, it takes a little work for me to get back into it again.  However, this blog is extremely important to me and I have to get back into the habit again! 
   Two weekends ago, we had a very special Saturday night.  For Christmas I gave my sister and brother-in-law a coupon to watch their kids overnight.  They never get a night away just the two of them and I figured it would be the perfect gift for them.  They decided to use it for a night up in Denver to go to a Nuggets game.  Ashlyn and Dawson were so excited to have their cousins spend the night.  We spent most of the time they were here playing outside.  Ella absolutely loves our new yard and could spend hours out there.  They played outside, we had dinner, and then all four kids took a bath together in the big tub.  They were all ready for bed after that.  Jameson had a little bit of a rough time adjusting to a new bed, but he did well for the most part.  They were up bright and early for some cartoons and breakfast.  When Katy and Bryan came to get them Ashyln and Dawson were sure sad to see them go. 

Ashlyn and Dawson playing on the computer before their cousins arrived.

 

Jameson and Dawson playing

He loves to swing!

Fun on the slide

Nadia came over for a bit and got to play with the kids too.  Everyone had a great time. 

Running with Alli

What fun!

All 3 riding together

Going for a ride

Jameson really did like the swing.  I guess this is his adorable pouty face.

Everyone relaxing and watching some cartoons.

Best buds

Too cute

Ella playing with Ahslyn's chapstick

So happy!

Easter Day

      Easter morning started very early around these parts. Ashlyn was so excited that she could hardly sleep.  She wanted to get up at approximately 4:30 to go look for eggs.  Joey had to keep talking her into staying in bed.  Finally at about 6:15 she couldn't wait any longer, so we relented and let her go see what the Easter bunny left her.  She bounded downstairs to check out her bounty.  She was very pleased with what the Easter bunny left.  He left her a lot of her favorites like Lego's, American Girl clothes, Barbie stuff, and much more.  Dawson also enjoyed his basket.  It was full of Thomas the Train stuff which always gets him very excited.  

     After checking out their baskets, the egg hunt was on!  Ashlyn was so excited to look for eggs.  Dawson really got into it as well.  We had a slight problem with Ashlyn grabbing all the eggs, but Dawson managed to grab several.  Once they had collected all of the eggs, Ashlyn and I had fun looking to see what was inside.  This year the Easter Bunny did something a little different.  He left Ashlyn coupons with different prizes like "Movie Night" or "Stay up past your bedtime".  She got a huge kick out of these coupons.  I am still trying to explain to her how they work.  She felt she should be able to use them all at once and each one three times.  

    We headed to my Grandma's house around lunch time to have Easter dinner.  My grandma always hosts Easter dinner at her house.  We all look forward to the amazing food she makes.  I know that we always leave with very full bellies.  This year the kids sat at their own table which was very cute. I can't believe how big they are all getting.  We had a very nice time with our family.  

     We came home and put a very tired Dawson down for his nap.  My mom came over and helped me work in the basement.  We managed to get a lot done.  Ashlyn and I then headed to my brother's house.  The Easter Bunny always leaves a few eggs for the kids over there.  Ashlyn had a great time like always looking for them.  

    We had a great Easter and I cherish each and every minute of having young kids who enjoy holidays so much.  It is truly so magical to watch the joy and excitement on their faces. 

The baskets on the table on Easter Eve

Ashlyn checking out her loot

Look at all those goodies!!!

Loves his Thomas

Reading his book

So proud he found an egg

The Easter bunny even left eggs on Dawson's new train table.

On the hunt

They found eggs in the bathroom

Eggs were everywhere!

I made a special breakfast of homemade muffins, fruit, and eggs.  They had worked up an appetite!

Dawson playing with his train set.

It was a beautiful day and the kids had a great time playing in my Grandma's yard.

We couldn't get a picture of all the kids together. 

Ashlyn and Dawson at their table waiting to eat.

Look at the big boy!

Yum!

Loving my Grandma's jello salads

Ella eats just like her dad.  Lol

Ella and Uncle Joey cuddling

We were getting ready to leave and discovered Dawson had put himself into this basket by the door. 

Boo