The Black Hills

We've been wanting some adventure and family time so we booked a little mointain cabin, invited the Redds, and partied in the Black Hills.  We stopped by a couple years ago, but knew we wanted to explore a bit more and this time was so so great!  Perfect weather, almost empty, and great friends made it the perfect getaway.

We got to wake up to this view every morning, which was very revitalizing after barely sleeping with Indie.

Matchy- matchy cousin-friends with their matching glasses.  

Looks like Indie was hoping for something a bit more tropical, but she sure pulls off that cute swimsuit and leggings look.

We basically had Mount Rushmore to ourselves so we hung around for a while sliding down banisters, exploring the visitor center, and earning Junior Ranger badges.

Just in case our Mount Rushmore experience was incomplete, we drove Iron Mountain Road for some breathtaking views of the monument, which turned into climbing rocks and pooping in the woods, basically a great time for everyone.

Somehow, we ended every day with Indie's soaking wet shoes drying on the dash.  This time was after the kids spent hours playing in Lead's construction area and creek....love how friends and nature are so entertaining 

Another morning we took an icy hike up to Roughlock Falls. The kids were great little hikers, the falls were beautiful, and Dave found lots of fishies 

Apparently Allison is the best hiker because Indie wouldn't settle for being carried around by anyone else, not even me.

My Kitchen is Finished!

I finished up my budget kitchen reno with painted cabinets, painted countertops, and some craigslist appliances.  There may be a more in-depth reno down the road, we'll see, but for now I'm a pretty happy camper.  Of course, I've been documenting the cute things happening in there all week.....water beads, big girl naps, dance parties.  And drumroll please...... after years of waiting, Cora lost her first tooth!

World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day wasn't quite the same this year without our DSA community and the big party.  (I need to work on my networking in Cheyenne.)  BUT we do still have the best reason to celebrate so we moved the table, played some Baby Shark, did some dancing, jumping, picture snapping and giggling. 

We love this girl to pieces and couldn't imagine our lives without her or an extra chromosome.  

What's Happenin'

Well, throwing is obviously still a thing.

 Good thing she's cute though!

 We put together a counting game that ended in a hug every single time.  Counting is hit or miss, but the hugs were spot on.  

 Ready, set, go.....

 Cora wanted a picture of her special ice cream cone and I was all in.  

 We had a bit of a blizzard, 2 snow days, and some fun snow drifts.  

The older girls played outside for quite a while, but Indie preferred her snow at the heated table.

 While other people were grabbing groceries and other emergency supplies for the blizzard, I ran to Lowe's and picked up some deep blue/green paint.  Milan, Eden, and I love it.  Cora thinks it's too blue and Dave thinks it's a waste of wainscoting haha.  

 Indie pretended to want a hug, but made a quick grab for the phone.  She's a clever one and tries the same tactics at Milan's volleyball games.  She knows I won't let her run wild so she pretends to make friends with strangers, sit in their laps, then uses the first opportunity to run away. 

 Remodeled the kitchen with new appliances.  It seemed like a great idea until I realized the ice cream just became accessible to a certain little fan.  

 Cora LOVED St. Patrick's Day!  Even though she wasn't able to catch a very desired leprechaun, they did leave some candy.  Plus she got to wear her cute dress and switch her earrings for the first time.  

 Indie puckering up for a kiss with a little extra tongue action.  

 Love when this lady pretends to fall asleep with fake snoring and everything.  

  

Baby chicks, round 2.  This is my chick, Survivor.  Sad story, but this chick is sweet. 

Baby Chicks

I'm not sure that these baby chicks are thrilled to have joined our family, but our girls LOVE them.  They have been hanging out in the sun room for the past couple of days with a constant stream of visitors.  We have Junior Cora, Hoppie (Eden), Salmonella (Nella for short from Milan), and Bak-Bak (Indie) along with a few extras.  Just in case, you know, anything happens to these little gals.  

Playing Hookie

Last Friday we had some beautiful weather so I knew that I wanted to pull the kids from school and spend some time together.  Initially we planned on skiing, but that's a hard one to pull off without advance planning.  That was a bummer, but decided to spend the day in Fort Collins and it was a hit! A trip to the farm, Cafe Rio for lunch, a frozen hike around Horsetooth Falls (we had to turn around early because the ground was so slippery, I promised the girls we would go back, BUT there was a Mountain Lion attack on a runner on the same trail 2 days later so we'll have to see about that one).  We ended the day at a park we had heard was fun, and it was.  Twin Silos Park was a massive playground packed with kids and tall slides so we partied till sunset and are definitely planning to head back there!