Eleven months

While in Colorado, our Roo turned 11 months old.  Clyde got to come along.  One more month to go until we are at the year mark.  As my Uncle Doogie would say, she's coming on a close to her first year and will soon begin her 2nd.  I hate thinking of it that way, even though it's true.

Here's her 11 month stats:

• She weighs 21 lbs. and is 29 inches long.
• She's mesmerized by shoes.  Anyone's.
• When asked where Daddy or Mommy is, she looks in the direction of the correct target.
• She is getting her upper two teeth, along with the one beside her upper left tooth, whatever that one is called.
• Loves to open and close things...books, doors, cabinets.
• She'll stand for a few seconds not holding on to anything.
• She's the energizer bunny at daycare and loves to mess with the other kids, whether it's destroying their towers, crawling over them, or stealing their toys/snacks/drinks.  Sarah thinks she likes to hear them say her name. :)
• She favors her left hand.  A lot.

She's becoming more and more fun each day.  This actually makes me look forward to toddlerhood (probably better mark that down, I'm sure I'll be eating my words soon enough!).

Colorful Colorado

So we recently spent about four days in the beautiful state of Colorado for "spring break".  I put that in quotations because obviously the only people that get an actual spring break are students and teachers.  Since three of the ten of us were in fact, teachers, I guess I can call it that.  Either way, it was a vacation and was a great time.  My generous Aunt & Uncle have an awesome house in South Fork where we called home for the duration of the trip.

Of course we HAD to stop at the "Welcome to Colorado" sign and we all thought what it says is a bit ironic.

This was our view from the deck of the house.  On day 2, South Fork was under a winter weather advisory.  We were projected to get 6-10", but it panned out to only about 3" or so.  We weren't complaining!

Here's our friend W contemplating....the stock market?  Dunno, but as you can see...you can't see anything!

The Roo sure did enjoy the snow.  I took her outside briefly to get some photos and she loved it landing all around her, even trying to catch it at times.  Silly girl.

We did some hiking around the house (it's practically surrounded by national forest).  The Roo got to go on the first trek, however this was the first and last when altitude combined by 21 extra pounds caused the Dad to nearly hyperventilate.  He was known as no other than "Alan".

All along I knew the Dad's goal was to find "sheds" and indeed he did.  He looked like Santa walking up the driveway with them.

On day 3 we had baby duty while half of us went skiing at Wolf Creek Ski Area (who had received 12" from the storm).  It was fun relaxing and playing with babies all day!

On the final full day we ventured to nearby Creede, Colorado, an old mining town.  We visited the Underground Mining Museum there and ate lunch at a place called Tommyknockers Tavern.  The owner was a K-State fan and instantly noticed we were too.  Small world.

The wildlife was incredible.  We saw deer regularly around the Smith's house, but the drive to Creede brought even more awesomeness.  We saw an Elk herd of atleast 50 and a Bighorn Sheep herd of 15 or so.  The babies were sooo cute.

M and the Roo walked away with t-shirt souvenirs.  "Fresh Powder"...Hardy har har.

And what would be a trip without outtakes.

A few more of the Roo.  Practicing her cheerleading in the car and getting herself a cold one.

Other than the 11 hour drive, we had an amazing time of hiking, eating, sightseeing, poker playing, Cranium arguing, and relaxing.  Until next time...when clicking our heels together three times really does get us home that fast, ugh!

Weekend Roundup

So this comes a day or two late, but sickness knows no enemies.  The Roo's ear infections have been back with a vengeance and a new round of antibiotics we-go.  I've been put on an antibiotic as well, yay for sinus infections.  Gotta love this time of year.  Probably should have tried to take 'er easy a little more over the weekend, but what fun is that.

Nice weather brough time to clean out the flower beds and boat.  The Roo decided to try out the driver seat.

We finally figured out how the toilet paper roll works.  Fantastic.  (Sorry, don't know how to make portrait photos upright on this thing.)

We had more fun with Easter eggs, only with friends this time.  M & M were diggin' the eggs.

We are loving the Easter bunny Pastor Rick got us when we were born last year.  In this particular video, I think she's shaking her head to show revolt against my videoing her, but then shortly gets distracted by the bunny's nice, fluffy carrot.

Grapefruit child abuse?

Jam-packed

Got this quote in an email and thought it was mighty fitting:
"It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't."

We had a jam-packed weekend filled with:

A Baby A playdate

K-State basketball watching with the girls

Easter decorations

Mastering our push toy

Five Pinterest recipe trials which included bacon cheese potatoes, s'mores cookie bars, bacon-wrapped jalapeno chicken bites, snickerdoodle bread, and crockpot chicken taco chili. (all successful except the bread...I found out directions aren't just guidelines).  Here's the Roo appearing to perform her carnal scream during the Chicken Taco Chili.

We also went to a birthday party, an engagement party, we saw the emergence of our two front teeth, and we've been confronted with the possibility of seasonal allergies. Whew.  Atleast it's the weekday now so we can relax.  Riiiiight.