Day Out With Thomas

What a day! Connor and Alaina couldn't have enjoyed Day Out With Thomas any more and it was so nice to spend the day as a family!


We were surprised just how much Connor liked Sir Topham Hat! Even though it looks like he is pushing him away, he was really stroking his cheek! Alaina was not so pleased.


The kids got balloon animals while waiting in line to board. Connor chose a purple and black sword and Alaina got a pink and purple butterfly that she was determined (and succeeded) to pop.


Connor kept yelling, "HI THOMAS!" through the bars.


I was impressed with the organization of the event! Even though there were droves of parents with their small children, everything went smoothly with the ride and there were enough activities at the train station to keep everyone happy. I think my favorite part was the helicopter that looked just like Harold from the series circling overhead. I think that little detail made the day pretty magical for the kids.


Boarding! Connor chose where we sat.




The train car that we rode in was so old! Anthony and I had fun trying to guess what decade it was from, and it was interesting to think of just how many people had sat in the very seat that we did. We also determined that the people from generations past must have had very short legs, since my knees almost touched the seat across from me. Anthony was pretty squished.




Connor spent the majority of the thirty minute ride with his head out of the window.


Connor chose to get a James tattoo on his hand.



The only way to get Connor away from the train station was to bribe him to go eat at "the restaurant where the train is". He even got a vanilla shake with gummy bears in it, my favorite as a child. We thought about you as we sat enjoying our lunch, Uncle Blake!

Before I post Alaina's stage birthday pictures, I wanted to show Alaina in her absolute true form. This photo is Alaina defined, with crazy hair, dressed in a hoodie and diaper since we had already gone through two dresses by 9:00 AM, and wearing her new favorite shoes that she asked to put on the moment she woke up.


My Sweets,

Your favorite things are shoes and candy.

You put an upward inflection on the words Mama and Dada, making your sentences sound like you're begging. :)

You are a very happy child unless you feel like someone is mad at you, and then you feel like your whole world is crashing down.

You are sweet and gentle.

You love watching Thomas the Tank Engine.

You hate to have your hair done.

You and your dad bond over having eggs for brunch.

You are a fabulous eater.

You are beginning to stand your ground when it comes to your big brother picking on you.

I think we may have cracked the code to getting you to sleep past 6 AM - keeping your light on until
midnight. If you could explain that one to me, I'd be grateful.

In the past few weeks, you have all but stopped your quiet babble. We are so excited to hear your new words every day, but sad to see your unique language disappear.

Your favorite person is your Mama, and I intend to keep it that way for as long as possible.

Your skin is so soft and always smells sweet. I kiss you hundreds of times a day.

You kiss me back, and it may just be my favorite thing in the whole world.

You insist on taking books and magazines to bed, your recent favorite being Reader's Digest.

You love to draw and don't scribble like most children your age. All your lines are calculated and precise.

When I watch you, I feel like I'm watching myself as a child.

I love you more than you will EVER know. You are and will always be my baby girl.

Happy Birthday, Alaina!

From this:


To this:


...in two years flat. :)

Officially Three!

Maybe I'll be finished with this Colorado posts by mid-July!

On Connor's birthday, we went to his favorite place in the world, Chuck E. Cheese!



Isn't he a little young for the, "Don't hug me in public" face?!




Connor had been insisting on pizza on his birthday for months...so we had it for lunch AND dinner. Don't tell Michelle Obama!


We planned on buying Connor a tricycle for his birthday, but our tall boy didn't fit on any of them! I wasn't ready to see my baby on a big-boy bike, but he loves to tell people about his new "wed" and "bwoo Huffy".

I still can't believe he's three already...

Part Three - Mother's Day!

My Mother's Day started off quite nicely with ice cream and pastries for breakfast! Don't mind if I do!


After enjoying breakfast with the fam, Nana and I went to Old Town Fort Collins to enjoy the beautiful weather, windowshop, and people watch.

I Heart Faces "Faces and Flowers" Entry

Part Two!

The weather was disappointing for most of our visit, so when the sun DID shine, we spent as much time outside as possible.


Nana and I joked that whenever she took a picture of Alaina or was IN a picture with Alaina, my little gal looked as angry as she could!


Anthony's parents are starting to breed Yorkies and they have a little boy Yorkie named Winston. He is something like four pounds and absolutely tiny. Connor loves him and chased him around the house yelling, "WINDON! WINDON!"


Alaina acted like her diaper was bothering her, so we let her have some fresh air. Of course, what we do for one has to be done for the other. Papa took them for a run around the yard, which is no small task considering that combined, my kids weigh over sixty pounds!


It was nice to have free time to play with my camera! A girl can't ask for much more than time away from real life to enjoy family and fun!

We are back!

We are home from our Colorado trip with lots of great memories and a three year old who has whined, "Do bat!" (Go back) since we pulled out of Nana and Papa's driveway. I took LOTS of photos, so it will probably take a bit to get them all up, plus I'll space 'em out so as not to overwhelm you! :)

We left Thursday afternoon after Anthony completed his trigonometry final. We were expecting an easy spring drive, but were surprised with whiteout conditions for the last three hours of the drive! Wyoming isn't the most visually interesting state to drive through, but at least the windmills spice up the scenery every now and then!


Alaina was so beat on Saturday after not getting to bed until 3 AM Friday night. She fell asleep on me and stayed that way for hours. I was supposed to be socializing at this point, but my baby hasn't slept on me like that for over a year, and I just sat on the sofa soaking it all up. The picture of social grace? No. Worth it? Completely.


We miss you, D-Ray! We all hope to see you soon!


Connor and Alaina lived on this countertop for the entirety of our visit. Here Connor is setting up his equipment for his next big shoot. :)


It may have taken two years, but Alaina finally warmed up to her Papa! She spent plenty of time sitting in his lap and giving him kisses!

We will be in Colorado in two, count 'em, TWO days! My parents wanted to give Connor his birthday present before we go. What could it be?!



"Bound-Aids"! We all laughed at the absurdity of receiving band-aids for your birthday, but my parents obviously know the way to his heart! He couldn't have been happier!


He's been doing this ever since, much to the chagrin of Daddy. Anthony doesn't love the little pieces of plastic-y paper strewn about the house.

These spring dandelions have not lost their appeal!



My boy. I can't believe he'll be three in six days. He was making faces at me today and I clearly saw my little one-year-old bug in there somewhere. He's such a big boy with a (very strong) will of his own. One consolation, however, is that he wants to be a baby when he grows up. :)

(Do you see me in his eye? My head is right in his pupil, I'm wearing a pink sweater, and my camera strap is handing down in front of me.)