Southwestern Colorado trip, Blog number 1...

Alrighty, I'm going to blog our trip in several blogs, so look for more to follow in the next few days. We started our trip early in the morning of July 3rd. We had an 8 hour trip ahead of us, so we headed out not really knowing what the girls would be needing. Vanessa and Ava amazed us with great traveling abilities and we made it to Silverton, Colorado around 3pm. Ben's Aunt and Uncle live there, so we went to visit for a few days...


Vanessa's first Dairy Queen (isn't it exciting Nicole!?!)...

I'm pretty sure that she liked it...

Dairy Queen probably doesn't hear this too often: Ben thought his blizzard had too many M&M'S!

Lovin' on sister...

Silverton throws one of the most amazing 4th of July's I've ever been to! They start with a parade at 10:30 which is such a blast, this is Vanessa holding on to Cubbie (Ben's aunt and uncle's dog)...

Hanging out before the parade...Ben's uncle is behind Vanessa in the red shirt.

Tommy is one of Ben's aunt and uncle's friends and rides this bike in the parade!

Vanessa and great-aunt Pricilla trying to get as much candy as possible at the parade...

Silverton is in Colorado 4 wheel drive territory, so a parade just wouldn't be right without a bunch of 4 wheelers...

Diggin' the candy and necklaces...

Ben and Vanessa...

One of the highlights of the day is a huge water fight between the local fire departments...they also take part in the parade keeping everyone nice and hosed off!

Vanessa met a new friend and they played in the water for quite a long time!

Having a ball of a good time!

A surprise soaking...

Ava had a blast...

Getting ready for the big fight!

Seriously, they go at it!!!!!

Soaking the onlookers as well. We had to step back as Vanessa wasn't too excited about getting wet.

Ben, However, loved the idea of getting wet!

Just wouldn't be southwest Colorado without a bunch of Jeeps doing crazy things!

Ben's Aunt helping Vanessa put on a tattoo...

The columbine are amazing at this altitude...

This picture was taken from their front yard, they seriously have the best seats in town!!!

More blogs to follow at a later date........

Birthday at Oma and Poppa's...

After Vanessa's party we headed over to Ben's parents for more birthday fun! We hung out at the lake for a while and then had a fun evening together!

Vanessa's LOVES the lake...

Boating with mom...

Nose kisses to Abbey...

Oma and Ava hanging out...

Our niece, Chloe, hanging out on the blanket, she is 6 weeks older than Ava...

Vanessa loved having "Happy Birthday" sung to her...

Blowing out her candles...

Oma and Poppa giving her the birthday blessing...

Vanessa's 2 year old birthday party!

I just can't believe that my little baby is 2!!!!! Time goes by way too fast! For Vanessa's second birthday I decided to have a mother-daughter tea! It was a blast having my girl friends and their daughters over for a fun morning of tea and making handbags!

Vanessa just could not wait for her friends to show up, we caught her snitching in the food!

My mom made adorable tea cookies...

Vanessa has two princess tea sets that we used for the tea...

My original plan was to have the tea outside, but the morning of the 28th was just a bit overcast, so we decided to have it indoors...

Enjoying our daughters...

Ben's sister Sarah and her daughters Maddie and Abbey...

Then we decorated handbags with stickers and glitter glue...

Little girls using their God-given artistic skills is a joy to behold!

Vanessa and I decorating her bag...

Maddie's finished product...I must say that her's was one of the best looking ones!

Vanessa opening her presents, the umbrella was such a hit that she wouldn't open any other gifts! Finally I had to take it from her and hide it!

She got some very fun princess shoes and jewelery from Maddie and Abbey...

Blowing out her candles...

The whole gang (minus Ava who slept during the whole party!), as you can see Vanessa is no longer having a good time! Bummer!