Colorado Trip

Caution there is an overload of Colorado pics.
My blog has replaced my scrapbooking days.
Here we go....our first stop Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs














Next, the Great Sand Dunes













Durango/Silverton Train ride







I'm thankful for the Arby's sunglasses that came with a happy meal. My girl left her sunglasses at home and we needed glasses to cover our eyes from the soot from the train.





















Next stop Mesa Verde
The trees along the way had been burned from a fire a decade ago.
I loved this shot immediately.....



and love it more in black and white...













Our rental home was near a lake.



We saw a black bear cub at the lake. I was so engrossed in seeing it that I forgot all about my camera.

Our rental home was up in the mountains, at the base of the mountains this is what I saw....







Here is my family at the door of the rental home.



This is the seventh year that my husband, dad and brother-n-law have gone backpacking in the mountains. This is a shot from their adventure. It was taken from my husband's Iphone. My dad is standing at the top of the mountain. It's my favorite shot of the whole vacation.



My kids favorite thing to do on the trip was the river rafting (not pictured) There was a section where the rapids were at level 3. That was the best part for them, adrenaline junkies. I was nervous for them, and they were screaming with excitement and wanting more level 3 rapids. Go figure.

Portrait party

This beautiful momma of three hosted a portrait party for me on Sunday.



Here is a preview of some of her pictures from the party.

















Thanks so much. I appreciated you coordinating this for me. I hope you like your pictures :)

Cute kids alert

This baby was the cutest! I wanted to take him home with me. He was the most smiley baby I have ever seen. His chubby cheeks are to die for.













Can this family get any cuter? I think not!

Hot, hot, hot

The weather was HOT yesterday when I took these pics of this cute looking family.
They were the first to come in their group, so they will be the first for the sneak peek ;)












Despite the heat, this family was able to strike the pose. Seriously aren't they cute!
It was nice meeting you. Thanks for enduring the weather.

Ten on Tuesday

1. This past weekend I met up with my bestie from high school and my bestie from grade school. It was so good to see them. Both of them made a positive impact in my life. Grateful I was able to reconnect.

2. This week and next is swimming lessons for my kiddos. It always amazes me how much they learn every time they take lessons. I love that fact that my kids are so comfortable in the water.

3. My daughter lost her tooth this past weekend. I was caught off guard by my sentimental feelings.



4. I mean I still see her as my baby....



5. How is it possible that my baby girl lost her first tooth. Didn't she just cut her first tooth?

6. I'm second guessing how I am going to react when I take my girl to kindergarten. Initially I thought I would be fine since she is totally ready. But after the sentimental reaction over a tooth, I have reconsidered.

7. I finished reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. I highly recommend this book and have begun my own journal of my 1000 gifts.

8. If you are interested in the book take a look at her website. It has an excerpt of the first chapter. If you have ever experienced tragedy and wondered where was God, this book is for you. She is real, raw and asks the questions believers at times are afraid to ask. And just when you think she has turned perfect, she gives you a glimpse of her everyday life with six kids.

9. The book can be summarized by one word: "Eucharisteo" meaning to give joyful thanks of the grace's bestowed by God.

10. From now on I am going to be posting my list of Gratitudes at the end of my Ten on Tuesday.

1. Picking blueberries from our garden.
2. Dew on my feet.
3. Giggles of my children in the other room.
4. A house that keeps my family cool.
5. Dishes piled up from a delicious dinner.