{Gateway Vacation -(part 1)}

Gateway Canyons Resort in Colorado - one of THE most beautiful and fun places I have ever been!

We decided to plan a last minute vacation before school started.  I felt like we definitely needed to get away as a family and spend some quality time together.  Since Adrians sister, Mandy, works at The Adventure Center at the Gateway Canyons Resort in Gateway, Colorado we thought that it sounded like the perfect place! 

The little building you see in the photo above was our Cacita.  Cacita means small house in Spanish.  :)  It was awesome.  We had 2 bedrooms a main room, a dining area and a large kitchen.

The mornings there were BEAUTIFUL!  Each morning when we woke up, Adrian took some of the kids on a hike to look at critters and the lovely surroundings.  They LOVED it!  Our family is a family that loves nature so this was perfect for us!

Two little wild boys sitting on some rocks.  I love that Derek folded his arms, so Jett folded his as well. :)

Me and my handsome Blake.  LOVE this boy!  I hate being in photos by myself, so whenever I needed someone to be in a photo with me, there he was.  :)

Me, Ky, and Mandy.  Mandy, you look so legit in this photo!  hee hee

My cute Derek loving the outdoors!

So peaceful and gorgeous!

More beauty.

Oh Punk, you are the punkiest!

Blake, Ky and Derek in a cool swing that freaked me out.

We got to go exploring in this awesome vehicle called a Pinzgauer.  It is a Ukrainian war vehicle.  Mandy drove it like a champ!  Adrian got to drive and was pretty good too.  :)  The kids loved it!

We drove to this beautiful place and got out to hike for a little bit.  We all love hiking and the kids hiked so far up it was freaking me out a little.  Especially when Derek just took off and made his own way.  He is my 'most likely to be on Survior' child.

Adrian climbed with Lily P up on this cool rock.  I am TERRIFIED of heights, so I took some quick photos and them told him to get the hell down with my baby!

We went a little further in the Pinzgauer and explored these cool cabins.  They were once lived in by Butch Cassidy and some of the other outlaws.  SO neat.  It was so fun showing my kids some history!

Derek looking in one of the cabins.  We couldn't walk in this one because the floor was collapsing.

Adrian and my little Punk P peeking in a window.

Hello!

This little place was behind the cabins.  We have no idea what it is, but think it might be some sort of food storage place.

Six little crazies on a tree!

Next we hiked over to the Delores River.  It was a fun and muddy time!  I'm pretty sure this little one came home with giardia because he just loved putting the rocks and water in his mouth.  :(  YUCK!

Hanging out at the river.

We found lots of little friends in Gateway.  This is a little lizard that Ethan caught.

So Cute!

I have two more Gateway posts coming up!  I took WAY too many photos but am so glad that I did!

I LOVED being with my family in such a gorgeous place!



{And Then There Were Three...}

Three little wild crazy people.  These three are SO close in age and are making me absolutely CRAZY!!!

I thought it would be so much easier when my three other kids started school - not the case. 

Derek and Jett will be going to preschool in two weeks and I am so ready.  They are so bored half the time.  I try to be structured with them but it is so very hard with a little Lily P permanently glued to my hip.  :)

I do LOVE watching these little ones play together.  It does not happen often that they play nicely and get along.  Lily P is just as wild and nutso as her big brothers.  It is so funny to watch her chasing them and yelling.

Yesterday and today have been rough days for me as a mom.  I have felt like I am in survival mode and I HATE survival mode.  I know once we adjust to the new 'going to school' schedule it will be much easier

. 

I LOVE LOVE this quote and wanted to share it today...

The mother, more than any other, affects the moral and spiritual part of the children's character. She is their constant companion and teacher in formative years. The child is ever imitating and assimilating the mother's nature. It is only in after life that men gaze backward and behold how a mother's hand and heart of love molded their young lives and shaped their destiny. -E.W. Caswell

{Back to School}

I can't believe my kids went back to school already!  This summer has flown by.  I am sad that summer will be over soon but I was pretty happy for my kids to start school.  They thrive on structure and this summer there wasn't a whole lot of that.  :)

Blake started 2nd grade.  Oh how I adore this handsome boy.  He is SO excited that soccer is starting, he is the best soccer player ever! 

Blake in his classroom at his desk.  He was so excited to start school and see all of his friends.

Kylie is in 3rd grade.  I LOVE this gorgeous girl!  I definitely will miss her when shes at school.  She is my sanity in this crazy house and one of my best friends.

Kylie in her classroom at her desk.  She is a mamas girl and was sad to start school. I had to hurry and leave before I started crying.

Ethan is in the 8th grade.  He is so good-looking and such a wonderful son and big brother.  He helps me so much.  I love him so much.  I can't believe he is in 8th grade, what happened to the time?:(

I am such a proud mama!  I LOVE these kids and I know they will have an awesome school year and learn lots!

{Felisha's Wedding}

Last weekend my Kylie and some of her adorable dance friends got to help with one of their beautiful dance teachers weddings.  The girls had such a great time and loved being part of Felishas special day.

Some of the girls with Felisha.  She looked SO beautiful!  How gorgous is her dress?!

The girls with Sydnie, another one of their dance teachers.  Sydnie is also Kys solo teacher.  We all love her!!!

Kylie and her sweet and beautiful friends.  I am so happy that she has so many good girlfriends!!!  :)