happy 4th of July

I know I'm a few weeks late, but here are our pictures from the 4th, (the camera ran out of batteries before the fireworks... oops!) We enjoyed the fair they set up at Wanaka lake. Natalie loved the bounce house.
Jackson would have loved to join her but those bigger kids are a bit too rowdy.
And Natalie got to ride Cinco again - he's the same horse she rode last year at the peach festival and she has a stuffed animal she's named after him!!
She also ate ice cream and got a balloon dragonfly! And she stayed up for the fireworks for the first time and was very impressed with them. She's at such a fun age right now - there is so much to do!

ice cream social at the zoo

Last year there were many tears when I found out too late, (i.e. after we made plans with Natalie to go) that the icecream social at the zoo was sold out. So this year we learned from our mistake and bought tickets ahead of time. It was lots of fun with icecream stands all over the zoo serving up Blue Bell icecream with lots of topping options. And the weather was just perfect. It's always fun to go to the zoo off hours when there are fewer crowds and the animals aren't so hot. Jackson enjoyed his first icecream tastes!
And Natalie chose the Krazy Colors "flavor", (vanilla in vivid red, yellow, and blue hues.)
It was a good time.
We went home late, sugar loaded and happy.

Summer Camp

I wish I could go to camp. Especially if it was this camp! Natalie had so much fun at Sunflower farms that it will definitely become an annual event.

She and her friend Kylie were in the Blue Dog group together.
It was hard for me to say goodbuy - I guess I'd better get used to it since she's off to preschool this Fall... It was the first time I'd ever packed her a lunch!! But she did great. She barely even waved, and I had to steal a kiss.
There was too much fun stuff to do there.

I snuck around a bit after I'd "dropped her off".

Did I mention I want to go to this camp?

Jackson liked it too.

When I picked her up she was sleepy and wet from playing in the water. And her backpack was full of freshly sheared wool! I think she had fun.

wool market

About a month ago we went, (read: I dragged my family) to the Estes Park Wool Market! We all enjoyed the cooler weather up in the mountains and the nice drive as well. And I even got a rare photo of myself (most are not fit to be seen)! The loves of my life.

Natalie disappointed that I wouldn't let her pet the "tame" chipmunk that wouldn't leave her alone.
And here we are at the wool market. Natalie didn't want to pet sheep.
Jackson wanted to touch everything!! He loves animals.
Wet llamas.
Woolly hat.
And again, (right before we got chastised for letting her try it on while eating - oops!)
In the kids' tent they had spinning and weaving!
I didn't actually experience the kids' tent because I was too busy spending too much money in the vendor tent. Oh well... I had just as much fun.

Soccer Camp!

I wanted to post some pictures from today, (seriously!) I know we have a lot of catching up to do picture-wise and I promise I'll get you up to speed, but today Natalie started soccer camp and it's too cute not to share!

The first thing they learned in camp was how to look like a real pro, by standing with one foot on the ball and your hands on your hips.
And then they played some games where they put different body parts on the ball, (never your hands!)
They did lots of running of course.
and played lots of games. I have tons more pictures, but they all look like a big group of kids chasing a ball.

So there you have it! Did you notice Natalie's pro attire!? Pink Umbro shin guards and Adidas cleats! I got a great deal at ShopKids in Longmont and will hopefully never have to buy that kind of stuff new, (unless she does go pro and then I might splurge!) Check it out if you're in the neighborhood!