Goodbye Rockies, Hello Red Rocks and Denver

We spent another day in the Rockies, but I didn't get anymore pictures :( Dad, David, LA and I took a hike to Baker Gulch the last day while Mom, Scott and Logan took the boys into Winter Park for some shopping and lunch.


On Thursday morning, we headed toward Denver but wanted to stop at the Red Rocks. It was so neat!

How cool would it be to see a concert in this venue?? We got to hear them setting up and getting ready for ABBA that night - the acoustics are great!

Our little family at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre - the boys won't remember this trip but we'll definitely have pics!!

The full family :)

Day Three in the Rockies

Today, I decided to take a leisure day and opt out of the hike. Dad, David, LA and Scott went on and did a great high altitude hike and had a great time. Hope to post pics for them later. Mike had to go back to work in Denver :(


Mom, Logan, the babies and I went on an adventure into the little town of Grand Lake. We walked around, had lunch and a wonderful relaxing day.
Sistas and the babies - enjoying a walk along the lakefront in Grand Lake.

Rocky Mountains - Day Two

On Monday, we decided to take a pretty extensive hike to Adams Falls and beyond. We loaded up 8 adults and the two babies, in two cars and hit the road. Only about 30-45 minutes from the house, we were able to hit a beautiful trail. Scotty and Logan at the falls.

Pris and Bill at the beautiful meadow

Mike and LA looking like true adventurers :)

Our fam with Aunt LA and Uncle Mike

After the hike, David was the only one who was "brave" enough to take a plunge in the freezing water.

Logan, LA, Scott and Mike dipping their feet in.

Back at the house, my dad was entertaining the boys by juggling apples.


Carson and Alden were mesmerized :)

Our trip to the Rocky Mountains

We just returned from spending a week in the Rocky Mountains at my Aunt and Uncle's Cabin - it was AMAZING!!!! Here is our fun-filled first day. Shawn, MacKenzie and Elsie Anne came to visit and it was so fun. We had a great time hanging out and hiking and watching the little ones play :)

Carson getting to hang out with Uncle Mike - had not seen him since CHRISTMAS!!!! They had some serious bonding over their lack of hair on their heads :)

Alden really perfected his cruising during the week. He must have circled the big coffee table about 200 times during the week. This was our first morning here and it was SO cool outside! We bundled up the boys and took them out for a stroll in the neighborhood.

As Carson was exploring, he got a little stuck under the barstsool :)

When our Breckenridge family arrived, we went to Sol Vista and took a ride in the gondola and then a hike down the mountain. It was a beautiful day and it really warmed up.

David carrying Carson on his back with Logan, Scott and MacKenzie in the background. (MacK and Shawn are serious hikers - note her tote of beer for the hike :) Shawn and EA packing down the mountain :)

I got off easy on this hike, Mike carried Alden so my back was free!

Finally -some shade!!! It is HOT up there!!!

Back at the house after our hike, Carson and Elsie Anne were playing through the screen door

Hangin' Round the House

What's been happening around here....


I love that they both can crawl now - they follow each other around and its so cute! I was cooking dinner and I looked over and here is what I saw - the boys watching while David played Fetch with Maggie. We are turning our rec room into a playroom. In order to do so, we have to sell this pool table!!! Its on craigslist and we're getting a few bites but I'm ready to get it OUTTA HERE so we can get on to the fun playroom for the boys.

Alden and Carson love to open and close their bedroom door. I think that's pretty common for babies. However, when one baby keeps opening it into the other baby's head.....not so good. So, David installed an old fashioned screen door latch so that we can keep the door latched open when they are playing.

Loved seeing the boys trying to "help" their Daddy.

Right before we left for our trip, Jennifer and Kaley came over to play. After many many attempts at a cute picture of the 3 of them smiling, these are the best we could do!! :)

Kaley giving Carson a hug :)

Cake Smash - Round Two

A friend of our family, Beth Johnson, is starting a beautiful photography business. In order to build her portfolio, she wanted to do a Cake Smash session and invited Carson and Alden to be the participants. Check out these wonderful pics below and on her blog and here is a link to her site :) Thank you Beth!!

Independence Weekend

After the big birthday bash, LA, Mom and I decided to go down to The River for the day for some family time. We got to see all of our Strickland cousins and it was a blast.



Carson with Kirsten while Ashton played some Peek-a-boo

Alden snuggling with cousin Jesse

Happy Birthday, Boys!!

Here are some beautiful shots that Terri Smith took of the boys, I know I already posted a link but I just LOVE LOVE LOVE these and wanted to share :)

Happy First Birthday to the Firecracker Babies!!!

We cannot believe that it is here - it has gone by so quickly! Carson and Alden rang in their first birthday on July 4th at Pops' and Grandma Kathy's house. Terri Smith took photos, so make sure to check out her blog for the slideshow!

Happy Birthday Alden and Carson! We love you so much and cannot imagine our world without you. It is hard to remember life before we were a family of four! You mean the world to us and we can't wait to continue to see you grow each day.

Carson - your bright smile and giggle and your sense of humor are too much! We love to watch as you explore your world and make sure to include others in it too.

Alden - your sweet smile and silly laugh are so much fun and we love to watch you show your independence as you try to do it all on your own!

Happy Birthday!

Uh-Oh!!!

At their 11 month weight check appointment, Dr. K. said that if Alden was not crawling by his first birthday, she would recommend some PT for him. Well, on Friday (2 days before his bday), Alden hit a few milestones. Note that until this day, he had so far mastered flipping from his back to tummy and tummy to back.

Friday morning nap: I went in to find him sitting up in his crib for the first time! That is the first time he had moved to sitting from lying down.

Friday afternoon nap: I went in to find him standing in his crib - only the second time he has done that.

Friday afternoon: He started to crawl!

Since Friday, he has really perfected and is moving more and more. So, I am about to be chasing two babies in different directions!!!



I knew he was close so I brought out the camera. His first crawl!



And after, some self-cheering with Mommy!