America Trip 2017: Colorado

After leaving Oklahoma we headed to Colorado to stay with the girls' grandmother Lisa, known as Mimi, and their Aunt Lilia. We enjoyed the beautiful weather and fun playgrounds and backyard. We also got to see many family members that hadn't seen Madi since she was six months old and hadn't yet met the twins.

We visited a fun playground close to Lisa the day after we arrived and spent the afternoon relaxing and visiting.

On Sunday we got a chance to get together with Lisa's parents and all of the Beard family in Colorado Springs. They have great potlucks and the girls loved meeting everyone!

We headed up to Greeley on Monday to see family on Jason's side, but not before a quick introduction stop to Noodles and Company for the girls.

We spent the evening with the girls' great grandmother Grandma Tosh and great great grandmother Meema (who is 102!!). The loved playing in the sandbox in the nursing home courtyard and blowing bubbles for their grandmothers. It was a wonderful time for Jason to visit with them.

The following day we headed to Jason's Aunt Terrie's home to spend the day with family. The girls loved all of Terrie's rescued animals and enjoyed playing outside.

We started the drive back to Colorado Springs making a quick stop in Denver for an infamous favorite - Casa Bonita. The girls loved watching the skits and cliff divers and we enjoyed reminiscing over college visits there and delicious sopapillas. 😋

We made a quick stop at our family friend's Pearl and Peggy and they got a chance to meet the girls as well. We wish there had been more time for friends and family in Colorado, but there's just never enough time!

Our last day was spent eating bacon and packing for the drive we had to make the following day. We also got a chance to sneak away for a few hours to celebrate our 9th anniversary! INSERT LINK

Thank you so much Lisa and Lilia for letting us stay with you, kick you out of your bed, feeding us, and spending so much time playing, laughing, and visiting!

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Happy 9th Anniversary!

We happened to be in Colorado Springs for our ninth (are we that old?) anniversary on August 16th. Lisa and Lilia kindly offered to give us the evening off if we wanted to go to dinner and we jumped at the chance to visit The Melting Pot, a favorite of ours and the place where we held our Rehearsal dinner.

We had a lovely (and uninterrupted) dinner discussing our summer, where we are currently in life, and what's next. It was heavy, but much needed since we don't often get a chance to discuss those things when we aren't exhausted after the kids bedtimes. :-)

We've been through a lot the past nine years married (and 13 together total!) and recognize that our marriage goes through peak-and-valley cycles. This year in particular seems to have had quite the share of valleys, but we are fighting through them and growing together. I am so thankful to have this hard-working, honest, and loving man in my life. We've had a lot of adventures together and have now spent more of our marriage outside the US than in it. (crazy, right?!) I don't know where life will take us next, but I know who will be by my side. Happy Anniversary Jason!


[Earlier in the day Madi was helping her Mimi garden and play outside. She came up to Jason and I and handed us these roses and said "Happy Valentine Day Mommy and Daddy".  So precious. ❤️]

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America Trip 2017: Oklahoma City Zoo

We did a family membership with my mom to the Oklahoma City Zoo and have tried to take advantage whenever we are in town! We went twice with the girls in the two weeks we were in Oklahoma. First we went with my dad and Mary and the next week we went with my mom. Both visits were very different, but equally amazing!

Our visit with dad and Mary included seeing most of the animals, riding the train, and playing a bit at the playground. And of course ice cream. 🍦

The visit with my mom we ventured to the opposite side of the zoo to seeing the petting zoo and parakeets, feeding the giraffes, and riding the carousel (all of which we had missed due to time on our previous visit). But of course we got ice cream again! 😋

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