june moments

What a month! We are in full-on summer mode over here, with lots of adventures!

 Rhett and the bison. The wildlife refuge nature center is becoming one of our favorite places!

 Track star! Rhett rocking the baseball throw (shotput for 4 year olds)

 She climbs up stairs!

 Colorado boy in a Colorado chair. It's all made of snowboards!

 Rhett went on stage for the kids dance party at Elitches. He was nervous at first, but then ended up rocking the limbo and dancing his heart out

 Tessa loves hugging stuffed animals

 We went to our local touch-a-truck and it was awesome. Rhett got to climb into all the trucks, eat all the treats, and paint a snow plow!

 Going up on the boom truck

 Piano time with Dad is Tessa's favorite time of the day. 

Those gorgeous Colorado sunsets

little moments: january

this month was super long, but also super short. We got into some good routines, but also got hit hard by sickness that knocked us down for a while. But here are some of our healthy, good moments!

 Family dance parties are a regular occurance. 

 Playing the piano at the children's museum. Rhett put on quite the concert. 

 He loves animals but is also scared they will eat him alive. 

 Combing Tessa's "hair" to get her ready for the day. 

 She loves getting into Rhett's cars

 Tessa's first time down a slide!

 Family trip to the zoo! We learned that free days on Saturdays are total crazy-town, but we still had fun!

 We probably spent as much time finding parking and walking to/from the car as we did in the zoo, but Rhett scored the best ride of all. 

 All the heart eyes for babies in snow boots. 

 Rhett has been really into throwing birthday parties for his stuffed animals lately--like a few a week. This was from somebody's birthday where part of the party was Rhett reading books to all the animals. 

 Snow day! By the time the wind stopped the snow was super icy, but it didn't slow Rhett down. 

 Love this baby girl!

 Tessa got into my (clean) makeup sponges. 

 Riding together at Costco! They both loved it. 

 A trip to Scheel's to see the fish and ride the ferris wheel. First stop: the moose. 

 This is Tessa's normal expression for the hour before bedtime. It's a little rough. But a baby on the stool!

Doctor's office selfies, obviously. 

January so far

we're in the depths of flu season over here, so I'm looking back at the good times this week before the sickness hit.

We weather this winter this year has been amazing! We took advantage with fun (and free) days at some famous Denver haunts--the stock show and the zoo. 

 Cowboy Rhett at the stock show. We started playing "count the cowboy" but stopped when we hit too many. 

 John Deere tent--a little boy's dream. 

 Petting zoo fun! Rhett loved brushing and feeding the animals. 

 Tessa got in on the fun! We wasn't so sure about the goat. 

 A great day at the zoo! Bundling up for sunny winter visits is totally worth it because the animals are so active. 

And of course a visit to Trader Joe's after the zoo, where Tessa sat in the shopping cart for the first time. Clearly she loved it!

little moments: august

I think August was about four days long. Seriously, where did the time go? But I am so glad the weather is cooler down and fall is coming and we're getting back to our school-year groove. August was a great end to summer:

Lots of baby snuggles...especially when she refuses to take naps on her own.

That face! The "gun fight" at Casa Bonita was very concerning to Tessa

Sibling snuggles every morning. Rhett loves his baby sister.

The smiles definitely came in this month and we can't get enough.

 We found another free train! We have been racking them up this summer and no one is complaining.

Little girl, big world.

BYOC (bring your own cup) Slurpie day at 7-11. A great day and a new family tradition.

Solar eclipse. I regretted not driving a few hours to totality, but the viewing party at the library was still pretty cool, especially for the boy who loves space. 

 We ordered bookcases, and this is how they were delivered--sprawled in front of the garage door. Of course I was already running late when I had to drag them inside. The picture was to share my frustration with Andre.

More morning snuggles.

Rhett started Pre-K and is already loving it. It's going to be a great year.

Doctor's room selfies are back! Tessa doesn't have as much chub as Rhett did, but that doesn't mean those thighs aren't still squeezable. 

little moments: may

holy cow, where did the month go? between being super pregnant, buying a house, moving, and all that fun end-of-the-year things, it's been a little crazy around here. Some of our favorite moments:

 Vikings at the science museum
Cousins came to visit! Rhett (and all of us) loved having the Richardsons stop though Colorado.
A milk carton car creation
"Look at my graduation cap, Mom!"

 Andre's birthday got caught up in all the craziness, but he was happy with Superman pajamas, a great card from Rhett, and a fun birthday date, so we'll call it a win.
Andre got an electric skateboard for his new commute and had to test it out--we all think he's pretty cool.
Officially homeowners! It's an overwhelming and exciting process.
More cousins! Rhett loves playing and holding Maura

Celebrating his summer birthday on the last week of preschool--donut holes for everyone!
Last day of preschool. What a year!
Rhett and his teacher, Mrs. Donnelly. She is a total gem.
The Mariners came to town, so of course we had to go. They creamed the Rockies so I was happy, and there was snacks and dancing, so Rhett was happy.

the magic of thursdays

Life can get crazy and the days start to blur together after a while, but Thursdays? Well, Thursdays are special around here.

Thursday is library day, and as soon as I tell Rhett what day it is, he perks right up. This kid loves the library. We hustle to toddler time (Rhett is a total toddler time groupie. He sits in the front and basks in the toddler glory and talks about the teachers alll the time) and try to snag a good spot.

As soon as the goodbye song is over, Rhett yells "THOMAS BOOKS!" and makes a break for the children's section. He stocks up on books (seriously, like 30 books, mostly Thomas but I sneak in some variety too), walks to our reading cabana, and says "I'm so strong" as he muscles his way through. We cuddle and read for an hour before he sneaks off to grab more books.

On nice fall days, we check out our books and head down to the creek, where we throw rocks and watch the ducks before heading home for lunch.

Back home on Thursday, the reading continues (without pants, of course)

Our post-library creek view. 

It's simple but wonderful. Rhett, don't ever change. Thursdays, stay great.

little moments: august

August was full of lots of fun summer adventures, family time, and sunny days. But of course those aren't the things we took pictures of. Here are the less flashy (but equally fun) moments of the month.

 A fire truck came to visit and Rhett braved it to sit inside. 

Naked baby at the park...just your average Tuesday

Goats at the farm! They loved Rhett, but Rhett (clearly) wasn't so sure about them

Just lounging at outdoor story time--you've gotta do whatever it takes to get comfortable!

 Just cruisin' through the courtyard

Seriously, when did this kid turn 7? Waiting for his basketball class line a pro

Exercises all day, every day

Rhett turned the Chic fil A cow into his best dance partner--he even got a crowd of supporters 

 Farm baby!

Sewing projects are back! I'll make anything as long as it only has straight lines

Bunnies at the fair! We finally found a fair animal that didn't terrify Rhett, and he jumped at the chance to pet them.

Probably the cutest picture of these two boys 

Rhett was so proud of his creation of the huge firetruck puzzle--probably his greatest accomplishment

14,425 feet--probably my greatest accomplishment

Mountain goats were my motivation to get up the trail

An FHE lesson on family history...apparently baby boy thinks some family members are blowing in the wind

little moments: april

Our April was full of spring flowers, traveling, studying, work, family time, and festivities. all good things! some highlight:

Rhett is a car fanatic--this is when he loaded the back of the big car with smaller cars

Our Easter egg dying was less than stellar, but Rhett sure had fun

After nap time snuggles

Rhett watches General Conference in style!

Stopping to smell allll of the flowers

These tulips. I'm obsessed

A block building champ!

ABC week at tot school...Rhett was a fan

 This is what happens when Rhett puts on his own hat, but he was so proud of himself

Andre's adventures in South Dakota gave him a great dinner view

Lumberjack baby with his dog

This tree outside our apartment was the best part of early spring.

 André killing it at the UN--he had fans from all over the world

Adventures at the train museum

Rhett and Dad jam session