HAPPY...everything!!

This is a week full of celebrations in our family. Starting with Jeffs parents anniversary on July 1st, his sister Cheryls birthday on July 3rd, and his other sister Stephanies birthday on July 5th. And of course Independence Day in the middle.

Jeff and I are headed to the mountains this weekend for a belated honeymoon. We are leaving Thursday evening to go to Woodland Park and stay the night with his sister. We will leave early Friday morning and head to the Royal Gorge. Sadly, although I am a Colorado native, I have never been there. I am most excited about this part of our trip. Then we will head up to Cripple Creek for fireworks and some gambling Friday evening. Saturday morning we are going going back to Colorado Springs and staying in a gorgeous resort and planning to just relax.

Lauren will be having her first sleepover on Thursday night. She will be staying with my good friend Mandy, who I went to high school with and has a daughter Laurens age. Mandy, wishing much luck, and some sleep! Then Lauren will be staying with my mom Friday and Saturday morning.

Sending much love and a Happy 4th to all.

Happy Anniversary Papa and Giz, Happy Birthday Cheryl and Stephanie!

Dressing My Self

Lauren has always liked being "creative" in her in clothing selections. Lately she is addicted to changing her clothes. We often put her to bed in a t-shirt or night gown and when we wake her up in the morning she is in a completely different pair of pajamas. In the last few weeks she insists on picking out her own clothes to wear to school. For the most part as long as it is weather appropriate Jeff and I are trying to let her express herself as she wishes. This was last nights get up for the grocery store. Actually one of her better choices. Yes, those are tube socks with capri pants!!!

How it all began...

Our first summer visit to the Zoo

Today Lauren and I spent a beautiful summer morning at the zoo with my grandma (Lauren's great grandmother) We were there at a great time. All the animals were out basking in the sun and many were having their morning feast.



At the petting zoo we got to pet some baby goats





Watching the elephants eat and cool themselves off by throwing grass on their backs


Some black bears just "hangin" out


A special summer treat to end our special day!

The Dance

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Lauren and I have been blessed to have Jeff in our lives. He is an amazing dad.
A few of my favorite pictures of Lauren and her Daddy!

BALLERINA GIRL

Lauren had her first Ballet Receital today. It was so precious. She and her class did such a good job. We will try to get the video of it up in the next few days, but in the meantime a few pictures to see how cute she looked.

New Pets

Over the weekend two small birds have began to take inhabitance in our basement window well. We think they may be baby birds that fell out of their nest. Lauren has deemed them pets and has named them Birdie and Fracka. Our dog and cat on the other hand are very annoyed with them. The cat just sits at the window and meows, hoping she may be able to get a snack someway or another.

We also put Lauren to work over the weekend doing some hard labor with Jeff. She had a great time helping him to move rocks for the new rock wall we built.