Family Time

My family is here! We are having a great time with Nana and Papa...it's such a blessing to have them around for an entire week.

Right now I am sitting at the coffee shop with my Dad while Mom has the girls at the park. We're headed to our favorite little cafe for lunch and then we'll have Matt's birthday party tonight! It's a beautiful, sunny, 50-degree day and we're enjoying every moment.

I will announce the Lettergirl winner later this afternoon. Stay tuned! :)

One Fine Saturday

In September of 2008, I met Ellen at a Live Lightly Tour gathering in Denver. We have continued to stay in touch  online and this past weekend we finally found a day to spend together. Within a few minutes, I was wondering what took us so long to reunite! Ellen and I have much in common and the kids had such fun playing together...we're already planning our next meet up!

Ellen brought a delicious warm vegan apple crisp that we enjoyed while drinking our yerba mate :) Sunlight streamed in the back door as we laughed and talked about oh so many things.

Bella and Margaret spent much of their time dressing and re-dressing to find the perfect look.

Lucy and J.J. supervised.

The weather was beautiful, so we spent a lot of time in the backyard. The kids dug in the dirt and made forts.

And of course...we hooped. Big surprise, I know ;)

We decided to go on a "road trip" to the Thai restaurant for take-out.

A good time was had by all. The kids practiced their chopsticks skills, and Ellen and I sighed with delight as we savored our tom kha, fresh spring rolls, and pad thai.

Can't wait to do it again...but next time we will head to their place in Denver! Ellen tells me her neighborhood has the BEST thrift stores, Thai restaurants, and a vegan ice cream shop.

Yay! It was certainly one fine Saturday.

*see full photo set here

Fun In The Sun

One of the things I love most about Colorado...you can go barefoot in February and it ALWAYS feels warmer than the thermometer reads. When I start to crave iced tea instead of hot tea...I know it's warm out :)

Last week we enjoyed A LOT of time in the sunshine with friends. It started with a meetup at the mall play area, then a picnic play date at the park, and then a library day and lunch.

I've enjoyed watching Bella and Lucy develop friendships that are consistent, and see their faces light up when we make plans to get together! I love this part of being in one place...the settling into a predictable routine.

Even though we see each other so often now, Natalie and I never seem to run out of things to talk about. The mark of a true friend.

Having a real backyard (fenced in and everything) is such a luxury! I still get excited every time I open my back door. Bella created some finger paint masterpieces out there this week...messy is fun!

I love the location of our library...it's just a block from a good coffee shop, a yummy restaurants, a thrift store, and so much more!

When we need to shake things up a bit and play inside, we crank the music up LOUD, move the coffee table aside and dance around the living room. Sometimes with our hoops, sometimes without. :) It's a great way to burn of energy for the girls and calories for mommy ;) Jumping on the bed is another favorite activity.

Bella and I did each others nails while Lucy was napping...there was a lot of girl talk and pretending. Last week we went to Paris a lot...but this week it's nail salons and working "on the farm". I'm not quite sure how she made the jump from being a fashion designer in Paris to scooping the horse poop in the barn (the broom and laundry basket are props)....but she did. She embraces her every passion fully! :)

Every day the girls grow closer and more connected. I love seeing their relationship change and develop right before my eyes!

My parents will be arriving on Sunday for a week-long visit, as well as Dan and Jess. So excited to spend time with them! We will also be celebrating Matt's 33rd birthday on Monday...it's going to be a great week!