Adelaide & Dakota

Before we moved to Boulder from San Diego I had a list of things I hoped my new apartment would have... a washer/dryer, a park and pool within walking distance, a grocery store nearby, a local running trail, a balcony for Rick's bikes, and a neighbor mom with a baby around Adelaide's age to be our friends. I was so lucky to get everything I wanted, especially our sweet neighbors Ruthie and Dakota. It was so nice to be able to hang out with them anytime, have someone to vent to, and for our little girls to become such good friends. They would play and laugh (and often fight) for hours and still bawl their eyes out when they had to go their separate ways. Adelaide and I miss them but know that we will keep in touch :)

Here are a couple pics of the dynamic duo:

I love that they have matching mullets, although I acknowledge that Adelaide's is more pronounced.

The itsy bitsy spider.

Always giggling.

So sweet.

Adelaide is jealous of Dakota's pretty painted nails.

Dakota, the older and wiser one, reading to Adelaide.

Having Ruthie and Dakota as neighbors really was an answer to my prayers and I feel so blessed to be their friend! Thanks for all the good times, there will be more to come I'm sure :)

Baby Update

People that are near and dear to me seem to be having babies lately!

On December 13th, my brother Steve and his beautiful wife Jamie had a big handsome baby boy named Charlie who weighed in at 10 lbs 1 oz and was 22 inches long. This is a large baby by any standards, but Jamie is only 4'10" with a petite frame and so I am especially impressed. I wish we lived closer... I am dying to meet Charlie!

My brother Kevin and his gorgeous wife Rachel had a sweet little girl also named Adelaide (we love that name in our family... one half of the cousins have it!) Adelaide was born October 15th and was 8 lbs. 10 oz and 21 inches long. Rachel's labor was really long- she is so incredible! I got to meet Adelaide a couple weeks ago and will see her again this Christmas... so excited!

My good friend Shelley and her husband Mike recently had a precious baby boy named Liam. This is Shelley's sixth child, yet she still remains so relaxed and easy going- she is amazing! I met him for the first time today and I am in love!

Aimee's Visit

I have been absent from my blog for a little while because I was busy with an old friend visiting from Australia. In college I did an exchange program in Perth and lived with a family that had 5 very energetic kids. They are the cutest family ever and I'm so glad I got to know them during my time abroad. I think of them as my Australian family. One of the daughters, Aimee, who is now 15, came to visit me for two and half weeks. We had a great time exploring Boulder and Denver and took a road trip out to Utah for a weekend. Her mom Carrie also came out for a couple days. We miss them and their cute accents and slang now that they are gone.

We went to the Hammonds Candy factory in Denver where we were treated to fresh, warm lollipops. Adelaide loved them so much she stole Aimee's and consequently became a big sticky mess.

I took Aimee to the farmer's market where we ate yummy lunches. On the way out the police were very forcefully waking up a homeless man trying to sleep and I think it kind of freaked Aimee out. She had never seen a homeless person in her life until coming here.

We played rock band at the Wittwers and Aimee got into it. She especially loved doing the song "Here Comes the Sun" and she convinced us all to play it over and over again.

Aimee and I got some much needed pedicures.

Aimee stated pretty early on that "You Americans are obsessed with pumpkins!" I never really noticed this until she said it, but seriously look around- pumpkins are everywhere in the fall! I am guilty as I have pumpkin soap, pumpkin candles, pumpkin lights, pumpkin tea towels, and a pumpkin kitchen mat. So of course, I took Aimee to a pumpkin patch.

We had a cheesemaking class at church and I don't know if Aimee was very interested in the cheese aspect, but she loved holding this baby!

Aimee really loves Harry Potter. Someone drew this with chalk outside the Boulder library.

We took Aimee and a friend Meghin to the Rockies vs. Giants game. I was obviously rooting for the Giants and was sad that they lost but it was still such an awesome game.

Aimee.

Rick.

Me.

Adelaide's tiny head.

We planned a weekend road trip to Utah so we could show Aimee Salt Lake City and BYU and visit with my brother and very pregnant sister in law Rachel.

Aimee, me, Emily and Rachel after the LDS General Conference.

Aimee, me , my cousin Jared and his wife Kat.

Kevin, Penny the bird, me, Aimee and Rachel. Aimee loved the way that Rach talked and couldn't stop talking about how Rachel reminded her of Jamie Lynn Spears.

At the mall I tried to warn Carrie about the pushy sales people but we still got trapped. The straightener was amazing though.

Of course they had to enjoy the magic of Love Sacs while they were here.

Aimee and I went shopping A LOT while she was here. I kept thinking, "wow, this girl can shop," but once Carrie came I realized where she got it from! Going shopping with these two was the most fun I've ever had and I didn't even buy anything. They got excited about everything and just went crazy as you can see. So Fun.

Exhausted after a long day of shopping. We got to the shopping center around 3 and didn't leave until after 8.

Adelaide loved Carrie and Aimee and is so bored with me now that her two new friends are gone! Thanks for visiting Carrie and Aimee!

Tubing Boulder Creek

Yes, I realize that some of us look a little weird and scary in this picture but it is the only one we have.

Last night we tubed down Boulder Creek with our friends Nick and Maria and although it was very cold it was also extremely fun. Our bums may be a little sore since the water level was low in some parts but it was totally worth it and we hope to go again soon!

Life Lately

Colorado is soo beautiful and fun in the summertime... Here are some things we have been up to lately:

Rockies vs. Padres Game

We were rooting for the Padres, but we were sadly disappointed.

Fred came to visit!

Fred introduced us Bean Boozled Jelly Beans, which include disgusting flavors such as dog food, rotten egg, centipede, booger, baby wipes and barf.

Hanging out by the pool.

The babies love the water.

On the 4th it started hailing.

Adelaide has begun pulling her headbands off :(

We sold our car and then found a new one.

While carless we took many walking trips to the grocery store.

We have been bikeriding to the farmer's market on Saturdays.

I fell on our bikeride home from the Farmer's Market.

Long story short: Rick tried to kiss me and I couldn't handle it.

We love the gorgeous Colorado sunsets.

Memorial Day Bike Ride

We happened to be in California on Memorial Day, so we headed over the hill to Santa Cruz for a day of bike riding. It was so beautiful and made it finally start to feel like summer for me.

Me, Adelaide and Rick.

My favorite part of the picture is the lovely lady

captured in the background...

Eric and my dad.

Me and my mom.

Rhonda, Sarah and Jessica.

Redding Wedding

While growing up we lived across from a family that had three girls around me and my sister's ages. We hung out with them all the time and they are like are second family. When I was in middle school they moved away to Redding but we have kept in touch and recently attended the middle daughter, Shelby's wedding.

Jessica feeding Adelaide in the car on our four hour drive up to Redding.

Jessica and Ariel.

The bride Shelby with Adelaide.

I didn't get a good picture of her with her husband Tyler, but they are an adorable couple and we are so happy for them!

Grandpa and Adelaide.

Rick has a magic touch and was able to get Adelaide to fall asleep during the reception.

Tracy, me and Brittany.

All the kids from the block:

Eric, Ariel, Jessica, me, Shelby, Mary, Peter, Rachel and Brittany.

It was a fun reunion.

Congratulations to Tyler and Shelby!