The Newest Little Hicks

On Memorial Day, Wendy and Rose left early in the morning to make their journey back to Kansas, and Chris was still in Wisconsin doing the bachelor thing with Uncle Mike, so the girls and I got to spend some quality time with Uncle Dylan, Aunt Britney, and their adorable little girls.

We went for a walk by the stream in our neighborhood, which reminds Dylan and I of the Highline Canal that we lived by growing up. Callie did only a little bit of riding in her stroller, and there were so many cool things to stop and see along the way, so it wasn't a long walk, but it was full of adventure!

Before we left, Annalea needed a new diaper, and all the girls needed to have their pictures taken.

Water bottle? Check. Maraca? Check. We're ready for a walk!

What a good daddy

Sunshine's so bright for these new little eyes! 

We're ready to go, Mom!

Towards the end of our walk, we had to stop at the cottonwood for some pictures. Callie is on the go and wasn't too interested in posing.

Alright, I'll look at the camera, but just for a second, ok?

We got all three in front of the tree.

Look this way, cousins!

But they didn't stay there long!

Callie held Addie's hand, trying to help keep her in the picture,
but there were too many other fun things to explore!

Emily stuck around for a couple of pictures, but it won't be long before she's off and running with Addie and Callie!

Annalea got to ride in the Moby with mama, and while we were taking a break in the shade, Addie wanted to see the tiny baby.

So sweet and peaceful

There are "workout stations" along the path, and Callie was determined to do each one. And Dylan was her helper all along the way. What fun!

Goodbye Auntie Wendy, Until Next Time!

Wendy took many many amazing photos during her stay, but this one is by far my favorite.

Vivian, the Star of the Show

Little Vivian, what a sweet precious baby girl. Luckily, we had lots of time to hold and admire the newest member of the Sebring family while Rose and Wendy were in town.

Wendy was able to get the baby fix she'd been jonesing for.

Rose was very sweet to this tiny baby.

Don't you just love this face?

Three Sweet Ladies

Claire is a wonderful big sister. She really truly loves Vivian and it shows in everything she does.

 While all the Vivian holding was going on, Greg did a great job of entertaining all the little ladies with a tea party.

Emily is hoping that her daddy will be able to host tea parties, too

Chautauqua Park 2012

We returned to the flatirons in Boulder with Wendy and Rose, where we oooo'd and ahhhh'd over the beautiful views and then had a lovely picnic with the Sebrings.

Rose, Rock Princess

Emily was very interested in Vivian, and really wanted to share her carrots with the baby

The group is growing...and on the move!

(it was a bit easier to keep them still for pictures last year!)

Water, Bird Pants, and Pigtails, Oh My!

Thank you, Wendy, for this amazingly cute photo! 

Getting three little girls to look at the camera simultaneously is very difficult, but watching them play is easy as pie.

We started with all three on the porch step, hoping to get that magical-all-three-smiling shot.

Look this way, Girls!

Rose just wanted to play in the water, so we tried moving it closer to the camera

 But then Addie was on the move, and it was goodbye porch steps!

Emily was happy to sit and ham it up on her own, though.

 Then we decided it was time for some serious water play.

We love you, Rose and Wendy!

Shopping

What Wendy visit would be complete without a little shopping? Since she and Rose live in a small town in Kansas, far from any large malls complete with our favorites Naartjie, Baby Gap, and Gymboree, we must spend a good amount of our time together shopping the sales racks to find next year's wardrobes.
Last year, our girls were a little more content hanging in the strollers while we shopped, so we were able to head up to the outlets after a trip to the mall. This year we made it through the mall, but it took lots of snacks and when the girls were done, they let us know. I'm thinking next year it will just be Wendy and I as I don't see any two year old enduring the kind of shopping we like to do.

Of course we needed to stop at the food court for lunch! Yum!

When we got home, we laid out our spoils to oooo and ahhh over while the girls napped. Then we watched the girls play outside in some matching oufits we bought them last year.

Sliding with the Sebrings

Our first adventure with Rose and Wendy! We were off to Longmont to visit the Sebrings, and Addie and Emily decided they were ready to try out Claire's Big Girl Slide.

Emily and Rose try to squeeze up the steps at the same time

Claire and Emily are loving this!

The tumbling begins....the girls discovered it's hilarious to get bowled over at the bottom of the slide

I'm sure the squeals of delight could be heard blocks away!

Again! Again!

Addie begins her ascent (note the photographer in the upper left-hand corner...Hello Wendy!)

Rose is ready to play ball

How fast can you climb, Claire?

Addie's toppa-the-slide pose
 SO excited!

Claire is such a great big-girl friend

A sleepy Daddy Greg watches from the wings

Do you know how much fun you're in for, Vivian?

THIS much fun! Oh yea!

Rose is Here!

Our good friends Wendy and Rose made a road trip from Manhattan, KS over Memorial Day weekend to come pay a visit. They came for a visit last June, but now that the girls are all a bit older, they were actually able to play together. It's pretty amazing what a difference a year makes!

Addison and Emily (3 months) with Rose (8 months) June, 2011

Emily and Addison (15 months) with Rose (20 months) May, 2012

Addie and Rose had some bonding time in the wagon while Emily napped

Rose called Emily and Addison babies all weekend. I think she felt pretty cool being the big kid for once. Here she is helping Addison get buckled in, because buckles are the coolest.

Beautiful Rose

Those eyes! Those lips!

This is just the beginning. We had quite a few wonderful adventures during our three day weekend together.