My computer is dying a slow death, and its been difficult for me to update my blog. Only 7 weeks back isn't that bad I guess.
We went to Colorado for Ashley and Cody's wedding, and made it a mini-vacation for us as well. The first night we spent in Durango, then drove through Silverton and Ouray to Fruita. It is an amazingly beautiful drive, but a little rough for those of us who suffer from motion sickness. That would be Hayden and myself. We made it safe and sound, then spent the next two days immersed in wedding preparation and execution. Our last day there was Sunday, which also happened to be 4th of July.
My wonderful Aunt Pam bought the kids sparklers and other little fireworks to celebrate. My kids were thrilled, because they live in a desert and fireworks are illegal in our great state. Chloe was a bit nervous with hers, but Ellie and Hayden dove in head first.
It stay light late in Colorado in the summer, so the kids had to wait, and wait and wait for the sun to go down enough to see the fireworks.
It was worth the wait.
The other big hit whilst in Colorado was the trampoline. Hayden remembered it from our previous trips there, over 3 years ago, and was very excited to see it in their yard.
Poor Hayden was carsick and tired, but Dad really wanted a picture on his phone. Below, he looks like he is growling but he was just huuuunnnnngggggrrrryyyyyyy. It was almost a nice family picture, Hayden.
He makes up for it with this one.
I love taking pictures in Colorado- the crisp mountain air, beautiful backdrops, long twilights and of course, GREEN grass.
Did I mention that the grass was green?
And perhaps my favorite thing about Colorado is that everytime I drive through the beautiful mountains, I can say one of my all-time favorite movie quotes from Dumb and Dumber: "That John Denver is full of shit."
For Abi's 3rd birthday, we had a little party at Grandma and Grandpa's house. 
She loved being the center of attention, and was very excited when she asked Grandma who the presents were for and was told, "they are yours!" She then opened each one with "This is MINE!" but then would let whoever wanted to look at it or play with it. She just wanted it on the record.
Very patiently letting Auntie Ewwin take yet another picture. I cannot resist that face- and that body! 
The cousins went swimming, and we had time to play home and eat appetizers and a lovely dinner from Joey's of Chicago.
Auntie Tara got her a fur-real chicky- or maybe a duck- because Abi loves to talk about Lello-chicky, who turned out to really be a turkey, and is now at fat camp waiting to turn into someone's turkey dinner. Poor Lello. Maybe this chicky will be a better fit.
Abi loved the Strawberry Shortcake card from Grandma that actually played a song. She loved it so much . . .
She took a bow when it was over, while wearing her sparkly new shoes that she demanded go on her feet right away and didn't take them off the rest of the night. 
It was a fun birthday party for a fun girl. Happy Birthday Abigirl! We love you and your squeezable-ness and joy!
