The Elf on the Shelf

Great Grandma and Grandpa Hicks gave us an Elf on the Shelf this year on Thanksgiving. This little guy hides somewhere new every night, and in the morning the girls get to find him. What fun!

Make a slideshow design

DeeDee's Bling

Emily has learned that Dee Dee will share her earrings. We all know how much Emily loves her accessories. Earrings are just the best. The danglier, the better!

Box Forts Are the Best!

A giant Amazon box came from CeeCee and PopPop before their visit, and after they went back to Michigan, that box became fun central in our house.

The day of the fort's creation was an overcast one, perfect for staying in pajamas all day. With pajamas come lots of blankets and stuffed animals. This fort was perfect for snuggling!

The fort with the "door" closed

Addie peeking out through a back window

Knock knock, can I come in?

Goofing around

Snuggling up

Estes and RMNP

On another day during Sue and Larry's trip, we ventured to Estes Park. We got to enjoy blue skies and sunshine on this beautiful Colorado day.

In town, CeeCee and PopPop bought the girls their very first cowgirl hats, and then we found this saddle on a stool outside one of the shops. Of course, we had to stop for photos.

After a little stroll around Estes, we headed into Rocky Mountain National Park, where we saw lots of elk and beautiful fall colors.

Addie and Emily got to test out their new boots in the snow.

 And they got to touch the cold cold water in the stream.

"Jumping" is a fairly new skill the girls have acquired.

Addie enjoys the view

 Both girls got a chance to ride on Dad's shoulders.

Addie was so happy to be in the mountains!

On the way back home, we stopped at the beautiful St. Catherine of Siena Chapel.

So much fun with Cee Cee and Pop Pop!

October Highlights ~ Zoo

Early in October, Sue and Larry came for a visit to Colorado. The girls always love spending time with their grandparents, and one chilly Colorado day we spent exploring the Denver Zoo.

The giraffes were inside on this cold day, which meant we got to see them really close up!

Pop Pop with his wolf hat and Emily with her fox wolf coyote canine (or is it a bear?) hat

Dad and Addie with the Tibetan prayer wheels in the new elephant exhibit

Emily was being quite the ham, and it was pretty funny to watch her walking around all bundled up

Our little monkeys

Marshmallows - A Year-Round Treat

Today we went out to play in the snow that we got over the weekend. It took about 20 minutes to get all suited up for the snow, and then after about 15 minutes outside, Addison had had enough, so we came back in and warmed up with some hot cocoa.

While the girls noshed on marshmallows, it struck me ~When was the last time they'd tasted a marshmallow? This summer, when we went camping with Doug and Kirstin! And did I ever post pictures from that camping trip? No, I did not! So here you have it, a Summer and Winter fun-times post!

First Up: Marshmallows in July 

Earlier that day...

We camped outside Keystone right by Lake Dillon

Heading out for a hike

Our camping buddies Doug and Kirstin

Wading in Lake Dillon

Emily touching the water

Addison got right into the sand (and ate some of course!)

Addie's big accomplishment was climbing over this log at the campsite again and again!

Emily loved swinging in the hammock with Kirstin

She was still a knee walker back then!

Getting ready for dinner

Uncle Doug, making a fancy camp dinner, as usual

Addie says, "mmmm chips!"

Where there's food, there are happy toddlers!

Walking with Dad

Camp Fire!

Getting ready for bed

Breakfast time! 

Addie kisses the tree bye bye

Another little hike before heading back home

5 weeks pregnant (trying to recapture the same beginning shot)

And then come Marshmallows in November!

Hot cocoa tastes best topped with marshmallows, and it feels best in your belly when you're still a little chilly from being outside on a cold day.

Marshmallows straight up...mmmmmm!

Earlier...

Gotta give it a taste test

Emily wanted to trample all through the snow

Addie was ready to get inside for her hot cocoa!