memorial day weekend

I always love Memorial Day weekend. It's such a good time to reflect, spend time with family, and bring in summer while celebrating America.
This year was great! Our Bolder Boulder run wasn't the greatest, but we had a good time and that's what matters--right? (I tell myself as I dread my official time coming in the mail).

 On Saturday we headed to Cherry Creek State Park. The swim beach wasn't supposed to be open yet, but we figured we could still explore the water. Turns out the beach was open early, and we're so glad we threw in our swim suits, especially since it was a scorching day!

 Tessa tolerated everything. She was ok if we held her in the water, but she didn't love sitting on the sand.

 Rhett's favorite thing was building a sand castle. He said "This is the coolest thing I've ever done in my life!" He kept adding to it all day and didn't want to leave when it was time to go.

Monday was the Bolder Boulder. It was the perfect running weather. Andre was a champ and went slow with me after I started feeling super sick a mile in. And I injured my foot somehow and have been hobbling for days. But it was still super fun and good to show the kids that we can do things that are hard.
We spent the rest of the day with family enjoying games and a BBQ. A great weekend!

End of the Schoolyear

Preschool came and went. And just like that, it's summertime! Spring is one of my favorite times of year, and this year was no exception. We got in on all the end of the year action and can now relax (ha!), explore, and play all summer long!

Rhett's teacher sent this picture of him presenting the globe he made to the class. I'm dying at the hand expressions--it's just so Rhett!

Field Day! Soaking their brave teacher with cups of water

First day of Pre-K vs the last day. Look how much this boy has grown this year!

Ice cream on the last day of school!

Pre-K graduation was a little traumatic for Rhett. He didn't want to sing in front of everyone, and once I finally got him to stand with his class, this was as good as it got. 

 With his awesome teacher, Ms Lisa. And look at those child-size caps and gowns!

 We took a family trip to Elitch's on Andre's days off between jobs. Rhett was a solo rider on the swings and loved it. 

 He ended up riding one of the kids rides with a girl he didn't know and they became best friends. They ran around the park holding hands and going on all the rides together. 

Bike rides and runs around the park! Rhett showed off some serious skills at the skate park. 

 Tessa being cute. I'm loving our afternoons in the backyard. 

Rhett's (and my) favorite new quiet time activity: audio book devices from the library. He's just like Dad, blue headphones and all. It's so funny to hear him cracking up to himself as he listens to Judy Moody

triumphs and tragedies

Triumphs:
Spring is here! We're loving all the time spent outside. Rhett is finally mastering the monkey bars and I am slowly conquering the jungle of weeds and bushes growing in our backyard.

Andre starts a new job next week! Today is the last day of his old job, which means we get four days of fun before it's back to work. It's a company he's really excited to work for and a great career move. Fingers crossed it's as good in real life as it is on paper!

We celebrated Andre's birthday with movies, restaurants, and all the treats. Turns out that when you go to a movie in the middle of the day on a Thursday, you might just be the only people in the theater!

I got everything I wanted for Mother's Day: good food I didn't have to make, a nap, and snuggles with my kids and husband. And I didn't change a diaper all day!

Rhett finishes pre-k this week! He has seriously learned so much this year and is ready to rock kindergarten. Plus we finally made a 95% decision about his school for next year, so that's progress.

Our summer house projects are coming together! We're expanding our deck and painting the outside of the house and I am sooo excited!

The cutest kids after a long Mother's Day

Tragedies:
Poor Tessa is sick (again), which means she is congested and can't breathe, which means she is up literally all night. It's like the newborn phase again--but worse!

This week is the last week of preschool. This is actually good news because summer will be super fun, but RIP quiet work time in the morning.

We're running the Bolder Boulder in less than two weeks and things are not going well. Between allergies, sick kids, and just a general lack of motivation, I am nowhere near where I would like to be. So we're going slow and having fun--at least we'll still get the freebies at the end!

I ordered a bike online for my triathalon (that's another story), but of course it came with a broken piece. So now it's sitting in my garage as I try to decode the assembly instructions and put it together.

just tessa

I feel like Tessa stayed in the same phase for a few months--she was a happy sitter, didn't grow a ton, and was in a pretty good routine. The last month or so, though, she has totally taken off. It's reminding me that my cute little baby will soon be one! Tessa is on the move and learning new things all the time. Here are some of her recent adventures:

 Tessa scootches around and follows me like a puppy, so I tried feeding her like a puppy with a plate on the floor. It was fun the one time I did it until I realized the bad habits it could create. 

 She goes over anything in her path, not around it. I was in the shower while Tessa was playing with Rhett's cars outside the bathroom and came out to find her stuck on top! 

 Two things: Tessa found her pointer finger and now points to everything. It's the cutest. She's also learning how to be silly and stick out her tongue. She and Andre spent a good 10 minutes just sticking their tongues out at each other and laughing.

 She's a book lover! And an early riser. Lots of our mornings start with books before Rhett wakes up. 

 Construction baby! Some of her favorite toys these days are Rhett's pretend tools. 

We must have really messed with her schedule while we were in Utah, because she fell asleep in the swing, which never ever happens. This baby is an old soul. 

april highlights

How is it May today? I am having some serious issues over here--wasn't it just Christmas? April was a good month, even if I'm in denial that it's already passed. Highlights!

 The science museum is always a good idea

 Tessa's eating adventures continue

 Tessa modeling Rhett's basketball shorts--so proud of herself!

 Rhett and I got passes to Elitch's for the summer and plan to go to the amusement park all the time. The day to pick up our passes and get some freebies happened to be freezing and rain/snowing, but we went anyway! (What won't we do for a freebie?) We rode some rides and had a great time, but we came home freezing and looking like drowned rats! 

 Tessa is on the move! She loves exploring the library

Rhett's story made of emojis...something about an octopus that went on an adventure?

We went to Utah for Chelsea's graduation. The BYU baseball game was a highlight--both kids loved meeting Cosmo!

Cousins at the park. Can't want to see what trouble these girls get into together in a few years!