First (and hopefully annual!) Roomie Camping Trip

It seems that we are gluttons for punishment as we decided (back in April when summer was just a glimmer in the future) that camping at 10,600 feet in late August would be a great idea, especially with kids! Turns out we were right based on the memories we made, but VERY wrong based on the weather we endured, which pretty much covered all 4 seasons within each 24 hour period. But all in all, the weekend was a blast and we'll definitely do it again next year (in July, at a lower elevation!)

Brogan and Kaitlyn enjoy a romantic dinner for 2

Are they playing a game, or is Maddie running for her life from a scary monster?!?!?

"hiking" with the toddlers and Brogan

Sweet friends - Maddie and Grace

The big kids roasted marshmallows at 10:30 am!

Joshua, Maddie, and Grace

Story time with Carrie - I think Christine is more engrossed than the kids!

All 6 kids in varying stages of contentment - Brogan, Madeline, Kaitlyn, Josh, Grace, and Nora

Brogan's happy face would never tell that Daddy had to take him for a drive at 2:30 a.m. to settle him down the night before!

Nora and Phil - this little 10 week old was probably the best kid camper of all!

Siblings - Then and Now

I was doing some long-overdue organizing of photos today and thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites of the 2 kids together over the last 10 months. They both sure have changed a lot!

October 11, 2007

Brogan's first visit with Santa - you can see how excited he was!!


Little B and Maddie just hangin' out in January

The dude has some serious cheeks and thighs! - March 2008

Swimming in our hot tub last week

Hanging with "cousin" Ebony (Aunt Sandy and Uncle Dave's dog)

Getting big! (August 2008)

First Day of School

Hard to believe, but it's that time of year again! Maddie started her 2nd year of pre-school last week and has been loving every minute of it. Her teachers, Ms. Kim and Mrs. Powell, are wonderful and she already has several new friends. Maddie and I were both VERY ready for school to start again and now that we have our separate time 3 mornings a week, we are getting along with each other much better!

Visit with Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Erin

My parents (Lynn and Sue) and my sister Erin came to visit last week. We had a wonderful time and the kids were totally spoiled, of course! We're sad they live so far away in CA but at least the time they spend here seems to be getting more and more frequent!


Auntie Erin, G & G, Maddie, and little B

The sisters and Madeline

G & G with the kids on the train at Tiny Town

Brogan's first carousel ride at the Denver Zoo

We went into the Lorikeet exhibit and Maddie got to feed the birds. This one is actually sitting on her arm!

In the petting zoo area at the Denver Zoo

Mr. B with Grandpa Lynn

Storytime with Grandma Sue

SURPRISE! Happy 30th to me...

I hit the big 3-0 on July 24 and Jon did an impressive job of planning a wonderful surprise party! I thought we were headed out for "grown-up" dinner with my parents who were in town visiting. We were dropping the kids of at Aunt Sandy and Uncle Dave's when I walked in and heard the huge "SURPRISE!!!!" So many wonderful friends and family were there to help celebrate and it was awesome!


My cake with a picture of me when I was 5 or 6

The backyard was decked out in wonderful birthday decorations....

Me and Maddie, my sweet little girl.

More Summer Fun

Well, the last week has been relatively quiet compared to the last month or so. We didn't have any plans during the week and are actually home for the entire weekend - yoohoo! I never thought I would actually be excited about housework, but when it's been neglected for this long it's just so gratifying to get it done. Anyhoo, Maddie has taken a liking to playing family photographer and she often grabs the camera (without asking, of course!) and starts documenting things. Brogan is her favorite subject and she captured this cute photo of him.



Here's Maddie with her best "cheese" face. Isn't it funny how none of us seem to be able to naturally smile on command?

Jon and I enjoyed a grown-up getaway last weekend in honor of our friend Steve's wedding to Kristen. Jon and I went to college with Steve and are so excited about their new life together! The wedding was at the Aspen Lodge in Estes Park and it was a most perfect summer weekend.

Steve and some pretty hot mammas - Meg, Christine, and Carrie

Jon and I with Longs Peak in the background. Not a bad place to spend a couple of days with good friends!

Jon's Birthday Weekend

Well, our busy summer continues on at full speed! We enjoyed another wonderful weekend away - this time at our family friends' "cabin". The Benjamins were kind enough to invite the 4 of us, along with my Aunt Sandy, Uncle Dave, and cousins, to relax and enjoy their beautiful mountain home. It was a very relaxing time full of many of our favorite activities: hikes/walks, fishing, paintball, disc golf, napping, hot tubbing, eating and drinking. Jon had a great time celebrating #31!


Maddie's 1st ATV ride

The view from the deck - those are the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the background.

Not a bad place to get a haircut from Aunt Sandy!

We celebrated 3 birthdays - Kaylee (18), Jon (31) and Theresa Benjamin (40-something!)

Maddie LIVED in the hot tub - at least 3 hours a day, each day.

Out exploring with the kids. Maddie loved finding rocks and pine cones.

Helping Daddy open gifts on his birthday

Never too young to learn Guitar Hero! Cousin Patrick is a good teacher. ;)

Little B and Maddie snuggling on the couch

Roughing it!