Merry Christmas

We had a very fun holiday season, including a trip to Disney World (future blog post).  Koopa Hawka (our elf) brought a Lego advent calendar on Dec 1st to start off the season.  We didn't cross everything of our to do list, but we managed to bake cookies, see lights, watch some classic Christmas movies and visit Santa. Danny was bummed about no white Christmas, just a little bit of snow a few days before.  The kids learned some new carols, Maura's favorite is Angels Sing (Hark the Herald Angels Sing), and they rediscovered their love of candy canes.

Decorating the tree

Singing before Christmas Eve mass

Whole family before Christmas Eve mass

Danny got the Millennium Falcon and smelly markers from Santa

Maura got a fluffy unicorn and Elsa dress from Santa.  She wore it the rest of the day, glitter bombing Grandma and Grandpa's house

Opening presents

Candy canes!!

Took four days to build

Happy Halloween from a Jedi and a Witch

Happy Birthday Maura!

Maura is a 3 year old or threenager as Aaron and I have taken to calling it.  She is full of energy and smiles.  Loves playing with her dolls, doing puzzles and riding her balance bike.  Maura really wants to take a dance class this winter, so she can be a ballerina when she grows up (or maybe Wyldstyle).

Breakfast morning doughnut

Maura's birthday dinner - sliders, corn on the cob and watermelon

  

Pouring tea for her guests

Cupcakes!

Go Royals!

Still can't believe the Royals made the playoffs.  In celebration, here are some pictures from the game we went to over Labor Day weekend.  Lots of fun, even if they didn't win that night.

And because I haven't got around to a post about it, here's a picture from Maura's first day of school.

First Day of Kindergarten

Danny's first day of Kindergarten was August 14th.  Danny was a little anxious, especially about pronouncing his teacher's name (Mrs. Helpingstine - Aaron and I still think it might be made up).  Three days in Danny is rocking school, I barely get a good-bye in the morning.  He loves recess and reading time, not so sure about the rest, "Mom I actually have to sit at my desk and work".

Back to school survey:
Favorite movie?  Despicable Me
Favorite song? Ghostbusters
Favorite dinner? Scrambled eggs
Favorite things? Legos, cars and pillow fights
Favorite thing we did this summer? Play and go to the pool

Winter Park (Summer)

Think it is official, we love Colorado.  After going skiing in Winter Park this winter, we decided to go again this summer.  It rained (and hailed) more than we would have liked, but still loved being up in the mountains.  We hiked a couple of days in Rocky Mountain National Park, Aaron rode up Berthoud Pass and we made it to Dillon to fill our growler at Pug Ryan's.  Danny and Maura enjoyed exploring (aka hiking), climbing on every rock they saw and a great playground on Main Street.  Here are the pictures:

Alberta Falls

Herd of elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

Playground fun

Hiking in the rain

Check out those clouds, hail was soon to come

Adams Falls

Aaron rode up a mountain, the kids and I met him at the top

Milner's Pass (along the continental divide)

Snow in July

Danny's first selfie

Fourth of July

We went to Downs for a long Fourth of July weekend.  After homemade ice cream, blowing up firecrackers and the Downs Celebration we were exhausted.
 

Heading to the carnival

Kids would not stop honking horns

Dragon roller coaster

Waving for candy at the parade

And just because...

Wearing gloves and hats to play in the backyard in July is normal, right?  As Maura would say "that's so funny".

Update #2

Happy Easter!

Looking for eggs

More egg hunting

Goal!  Danny played soccer for the first time.  He had a lot of fun and wants to play again in the fall.

Danny's last day of preschool.  The kids all said what they want to be when they grow up.  Danny said he wanted to be a postman.  His teacher Ms. Kristi thought he could be a architect or lawyer.

Check out Mommy's old cowboy boots

Maura is talking a mile a minute, guess that's what happens when you are two and a half years old.  She loves all things princess, but will don a cape to be Supergirl and save the day.  Fearless at the playground, will climb any ladder or rock wall and always wants Mommy to push her higher on the swing. Maura loves to sing and dance. Some day, I will get her rendition of "Let It Go", but she always stops whenever I pull out the camera.  Cutest new saying "Just two more minutes".

Danny seems like he is 5 going on 13 sometimes.  He would play video games (star wars legos, angry birds, super mario) all day.  Working on riding his bike better, so he can ride with Daddy.  Loves to help us cook. Likes to have dance parties with his mom and sister and show us his "super cool moves" while rocking out to Ghostbusters or the Happy song.