Brittany & Michael came to visit!

Brittany & Michael Lesperance came to visit us from Friday, July 25 through Tuesday, July 29. We had SO much fun with them...they are great friends and we love to spend time with them. Here is what we did...

We picked them up at the Loveland airport and headed to Chic-fil-a...we had so fun! On Saturday, we went to see Space Chimps and then played in the fountains. During naptime, Brittany & Andrea went to get pedicures--it was Brittany's first time! Then Michael & David went golfing...fun was had by all! On Sunday, Andrea & Brittany taught in the 2s & 3s class at church (Ashley's class) and David & Michael played with the kids in the 1s & 2s class (Daniel's class)... after naptime, we went to the library briefly and then to the Texas Roadhouse for steak dinners... Then we went to the Longmont Rec Center, b/c our church rented it out for the night. Andrea got to read her book outside for 30 minutes (look at that view!), while the gang swam in the pool & went down the big slides many, many times and then we all played for awhile. Good times! On Monday, Sawyer & Maggie joined in our fun and we all went to Boondocks. We had a lot of fun...we rode go-karts and played lots of games and won prizes and then ate lunch...then Andrea & the little kids went home for naps and David, Brit & Michael stayed to golf 36 holes, ride go-karts, bumper boats and played more games...FUN! Then we went to our small group and they got to enjoy playing with 10 kids (2 weren't there)! We have a big "small group!"

More Giraffe Feeding Pics

COLORADO SPRINGS

On Wednesday, July 23, we drove down to Colorado Springs to spend the night and some much needed time with Sheila and her beautiful family, Grace, 5; Hannah, 3; and Grant who just turned 2 (and Greg got to join us for dinner at On the Border--Daniel was able to bring a smile to his face, with his knowledge of Fukudome--he is a Cubs fan--YEAH!). It was so nice to just play in their backyard and the kids watched a movie while the Mommies had some girl-time. Then on Thursday, we went to the Cheyenne Zoo. It is beautifully set in the mountains that overlook Colorado Springs...such great views (and of course it's so enjoyable to push a double stroller, loaded with snacks and tired children, up those hills--great workout!). Our favorite things were to feed the giraffes and pet the baby walloby (a smaller version of a kangaroo). We also enjoyed some close up views of bears and getting wet in the play area. I hope you enjoy the pics as much as we enjoyed our time there...THANK YOU SHEILA...you were a refreshing blessing to me and my kids!

8 KIDS on MONDAY

On Monday, July 21st, we had a new record of kids in our home... EIGHT! We had the best time though...things went pretty smoothly... Ryan took a morning nap and his sister, Lauren played nicely with Sawyer, Maggie, Dani, Teddy and Ashley & Daniel. It was really fun and then they all slept well. THEN...we had about an hour and a half to ourselves, before we had to get ready for our small group. We enjoyed dinner together and everything was going along so well... UNTIL...I went upstairs to put some pants on (and some deoderant)...then I felt it...that something was up...so I ran back downstairs to see Ashley face painting Daniel with her yogurt! He was LOVING it. She was lucky I was studying patience, in my fruit of the Spirit study. We'll just say that we drove to small group enjoying some of Mommy's music and not talking! We had a very busy Sunday.

SUNDAY!

David left on Saturday, for most of the week (for his "work" conference in Vegas). We had a chill day on Saturday...walked to the library in 96 degree heat and then to the park. On Sunday, we never stopped, once our day started. We went to church and then to a picnic for everyone who wanted to stay afterwards...around 1:30 we headed over to Cherie's house, for a Stampin' Up card making party (Daniel napped and Ashley watched Dora)...then from there we went to Curt & Michelle's house (Ethan & Averie's house) to have a cookout with our small group. We made it home by 9:ish and Daniel went straight to bed...Ashley and I took a bath, so we didn't make it to bed until 10:ish...it made for a LONG, FUN DAY!

TOO much fun at Flatirons Mall!

On Friday, July 18th, we went to Flatirons Mall with DeAndrea, Chloe & Zachery. Ashley and Chloe had been best buddies for a long time, but haven't gotten to spend much time with each other over the past year. It was like no time had passed...they had a great time together...we all did...and we did a little too much shopping (over 5 hours), as you can see from the pic of the strollers! I love how Daniel was trying to hold Zachary's hand (he can be so sweet sometimes). I'm not quite sure why Ashley was hugging that mannequin, but it made for a cute pic! I used to watch Thomas & Stephen last year, when their parents had to work...they adopted Tessa into their family back in February (I think that's right) and we've had all 3 of them over a few times. They are very sweet kids and make such a great forever family!