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.
There is an amazing children's garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens, and this summer, the girls are big enough to enjoy it. Our favorite part is the little stream that the kids can wade in.
The first time we went was in May. The girls had a great time getting wet and then did a great job posing for me on a big wooden chair.
The next time we went to the Mordecai Children's Garden was a month later, and Dee Dee came with us to join in on the fun. Being able to play with the girls one-on-one was really fun, and it meant we got to spend a little longer at the garden, getting a little wetter and dirtier than the last time!
It started out innocent enough, wading (and sitting) in the water.
Addison got daring and explored the waterfall area, where big kids usually play.
Spending time with Dee Dee is always special.
Then the girls took a break from the stream and spent some time in the sandbox. Wet babies in sand? This is a recipe for MUD.
Do you think some sand got injested?
And here is a diaper that has absorbed about half the creek
Clean, dry girls and their mama on our way out. We can't wait to go back!
***Don't worry Auntie Wendy, Shout and Oxiclean work wonders. Our ruffle butts are good as new! :)
The beach by the lake had some wonderful sand, but I usually don't trust the girls around sand.
(**see video, below, taken May 10th in a friend's backyard sandbox. After said video was taken, we've pretty much avoided all sand boxes.)
After repeatedly brushing Addie's full-of-sand hands away from her mouth, being the problem solver that she is, she decided to just put her mouth directly down to the sand to take a mouthful right from the ground. After that, it was sayonara sandbox!
But, like I said, there's a great sandy beach by the lake, and it's pretty hard to avoid the sand if you want to play in the water, so Chris and I got lots of practice catching the sand-eaters, and the sand-eaters got some practice learning not to eat sand.
Addie's poor little intestines had some trouble sorting out all the sand, and Chris captured the struggle well in this perfect shot:
Followed closely by sweet, tired relief...
why oh why did I eat all that sand?
Overall, though, there was lots of fun to be had in the sand and in the water!
