First hike of the season

The last weekend in April I had the chance to go to Boston for an endocrinology conference and visit New York City for the first time.  While I was gone, Troy's parents and grandparents came out to Denver to visit Troy and the kids.  I will try to do that blog next but unfortunately none of my pictures downloaded onto my computer through photostream so I have to actual get out the cord. 

We'll start with last weekend we took a short drive to Red Rocks to enjoy the beautiful weather, the beautiful scenery, and try out our hiking gear for the season. 

The family at the amphitheater

At the amphitheater

Can't wait to attend a concert here sometime!

Sierra wanted to pose by the flowers

And "behind the rock"

So big!

T was very excited for the hike

Ahead on the trail

Already pretty scenery

Look at how lush and green!

:) Love this picture

T took the camera for a bit ad got a picture of Troy a

Add caption

Some of the rock formations at Red Rocks

Sierra started out in the big pack

But quickly wanted to hike herself

Sometimes they can be pretty adorable together

Hiking with kids is never a quick endeavor

Cute kids in a cave

It was a beautiful hike

This pic is just to show how dirty Sierra got

Sierra being forced to ride in my backpack (too many tantrums while walking)

Funny faces (begging to be carried but NOT go in the pack, no way)

Some of the scenery

The last part of the hike was uphill for a good long while.  I'm out of shape!

Several months ago Troy converted Sierra's crib to a toddler bed.  But Sierra had a major melt down saying "it's broken!" and refusing to sleep in it.  Troy had to put the crib back together.  This time we decided to make a bigger deal of the transformation to her big girl toddler bed.  Nana made her a beautiful quilt, sheets, and pillows (we had never got around to getting her a crib set before so this was a pretty big deal for her.)  It was a success and she is so proud of her toddler bed now!

Crawling in in the middle of the day

Sierra has a lot of personality :)

She's growing up so fast!

My kind of painting-by-wine :)

 Thayden has been playing soccer this spring - which he was initially really excited about.  He still is excited to play, but is actually atypically hesitant and hangs back. "I'm waiting for the ball to come to me, Mommy" he said on Saturday.  This past Saturday the temperature dropped 40+ degrees with cloudy overcast for Thayden's soccer tournament.  He had a couple good moves but he has a long way to go before the World Cup ;)

T is on the far left

Thayden is the blonde by the net

 Saturday night we had our friends over for some Chinese food and wine/beer.  Our intentions were to go out and leave the kids with a sitter, but I have now learned one cannot find a sitter within 24 hours for a Saturday night, especially a prom weekend.  In any case, the kids and the adults alike had fun.

Crazed smiles from my kids over home made "ice cream"

Getting comfy for their "sleepover"

Taking a long time to get situated :)

We are officially less than 30 minutes away from Thayden's 5th birthday!  I have to get to bed now to work in the am but hopefully this week I will be able to post an update starring Thayden!