Colorado

Last weekend Emma and I went to Colorado to visit my sister-in-law and her family. I wanted some girl time with her and it was fun letting Emma play with her cousins. She doesn’t get to see them very often, so it was nice. For being such a quick trip we managed to squeeze a lot in.

On Friday morning after Emma and I finally got going (we didn’t arrive until almost midnight the night before) we went to the library with the kids. They had fun looking at books and playing with the toys. They even put on a puppet show for us.
Grandma took Emma and Tyler to see Toy Story in 3D while Steph, Brayden & I had lunch and did some shopping. Lunch was yummy (you can't beat Red Robin! And their lunch special was awesome!!) and of course we found way more cute stuff than we could possibly buy (including what I think will be the best white elephant gift of the season).

We went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house afterwards so the kids could keep playing, and we had dinner with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa. I think the kids' favorite part of dinner was trying to add more cheese to their dish themselves. They kept wanting to try it. Very entertaining.
On Saturday we decided we’d go to the zoo. While eating lunch a squirrel kept trying to steal food from us, and succeeded in taking a banana peel. The kids raced and investigated the animals as long as we’d let them. But we had to get home to make apple pie and pizzas.

I love this picture because it looks like they have all partied a little too hard. Emma looks like she's about the join Tyler in a chorus of a drinking song and Brayden looks like he's still going strong.

Anxiously waiting for the train.

And this guy was being very difficult when it came to pictures. Every time I got out the camera he'd turn away. I think he thought it was a game. But as you can see, I won!

If the glass had been thinner I might have lost Steph to this arangutan! He was really digging her.

The kids were exploring everything and everywhere. They even enjoyed putting leaves down the sewer.

But everywhere we went one or both of them HAD to check the map.

After we got home the kids really liked helping to mix the dough and roll it out for the pie. And they loved decorating their pizzas to look like Jack o lanterns. I think they turned out pretty cute!

And while the pie dough chilled in the fridge, they started working on their pizzas. They're not quite ready to start flipping the dough over their heads, but almost.

They added sauce...

...and cheese...

...and their toppings.

I'm not sure whether Brayden got more toppings in his mouth...

or on his pizza! But he was a great helper.

From left to right, Emma, Brayden, & Tyler's pizzas.

And here's Emma's finished product.

After church the next morning it was time for Emma and me to head back home. I think we just barely beat the snow! Though there were still some micro blizzards I had to drive through. We got home late, and although I think she was ready for her own bed, Emma told me she missed her cousins. It was so much fun visiting. Thanks again Steph and Brian for letting us come!


Here is what happened to Emma after we got home. Poor thing was just so tired, she fell asleep!