the little things

January 2017

2017-02-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

Fun times in the snow over winter break.

Both girls LOVED the Pterosaurs exhibit at the museum.

MORE SNOW!

All three of my babies relaxing.

December 2016

2017-01-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

As always December flew by and now it is 2017!

Visit to Santa - Gwen knew exactly what she wanted and was sure to tell him she wanted a doll with hair. This year, Bree got tongue tied and all she got out was, "Do you do surprises?"

Because walking around to see Christmas lights, visit Santa and make ornaments will wipe you out!

Santa came to Preschool and again Gwen said, "I want a doll with hair like me." After handing the whole class a present they were allowed to open them. Upon opening she looked at me and said, "A book? I asked for a doll." I literally laughed out loud. This kid.

Building gingerbread houses at Bree's school Christmas party

Christmas Cookies with the Aunts

Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Presents at Mima and Pappy's

Santa came...and he brought that doll!

Gwen was so excited for a matching outfit. She wants to wear it everyday.

Bree got her desk!

New Years date with my love. Such a rewarding view.

November 2016

2016-12-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

After school she is super busy. Always has a major plan to set up and act out.

Bree really has enjoyed getting involved in school activities. Days before the Turkey Trot she was getting nervous about how it would go. She was so proud that she didn't come in last!

Playing games is their favorite.

Happy Thanksgiving! Bree and I made little turkey place card holders for everyone.

This picture really cracks me up. I made this outfits two years ago and this year I finally was going to get a picture of the girls wearing them. Only thing, Gwen hates the pants and refused to smile.

October 2016

2016-11-01T19:51:00.000-06:00

While giggling so hard I could barely understand her, she says,"Best day ever."

Captured these beauties as I was setting up my camera to take a friends family pictures.

A fun visit with Eloy and Audrey for Bree's birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BREE!!

This lucky girl had not only two cakes but an ice cream sundae to celebrate the BIG 6!

She got just what she asked for, much to the reluctance of this mama, ROLLER SKATES!

Gwen as known as Dorothy Gayle with Dorothy (the doll, of course)

Gwen's Halloween Class party

Getting ready for the school parade
Gwen was set on being Minnie for Halloween so Bree decided she had to be Daisy since Daisy and Minnie are best friends. Here's to hoping they always want to be best friends.

Bree's class party

Daisy was quite the movie star in the parade.

Ready to Trick-or-Treat

Family Pictures: October 2016

2016-10-17T20:33:00.000-06:00

My love

Daddy and his girls

Bree, 6

Gwen, 3.5

September 2016

2016-09-30T19:37:00.000-06:00

This girl is quite a character and the one-on-one time with her while Bree is in school is priceless. In her sweetest little voice she says, "Mom, I've been thinking about cookies, please." Cookie making it is then!

We LOVE being outdoors, hiking, fishing and camping.

Officially added to the cabin tree

This is how Lucy celebrated her 11th birthday...a dogs dream!

Sneaky little thing got into sissy's legos. Hoping she gets them put back where they go or someone will notice :)

Short little day trip into the canyon for a cookout, fishing and time exploring as a family.

This big school going girl looks awfully tiny when she is exhausted.

Hugs, the Koala class pet, got to have a sleep over with Gwen. She took the job of taking care of him VERY serious. Her sweet face melts me.

August 2016

2016-09-20T13:45:00.000-06:00

I really can't believe how fast August flew by! Busy wrapping up summer fun and getting ready to send my babies off to school.

Final Enrollment for these two...I'm not ready!

These two love the dentist!

Hiking with friends

Bree's sunflower grew as tall as she thought it would, over 6 ft! She planted it in March from a tiny seed.

They always want their faces painted.

Random grocery store fun, these two are pretty silly sometimes.

Cuddles with Lucy.

Off to Kindergarten
She is so ready but gosh, I am going to miss her.

Looking sort of crazy after a long first day!

Pictures with daddy

Gwen's first day of Preschool
I was worried how this would go, but she has done great! Tells me she is big and ready for her school. She does really like her days off though.

After her first day, she zonked out for hours, a sleepy girl!

Sisters walking to school :)

Alaska Summer Adventure

2016-09-14T13:12:00.004-06:00

For me this trip was long overdue and I was so excited to show my family the beauty of Alaska. The girls were absolute troopers while we adventured all over. In only 10 days we were able to experience so much of Alaska with friends and I'm so ready to go back!

Airport entertainment

Flying into Anchorage at 1:00 am and already seeing amazing views

Catching up in Palmer with the Smayda's

Fishing on the Kenai

Cory's new hobby thanks to Cameron and the Alaska pull.

Watching wildlife

One of my favorite pictures of the girls from the trip

Oh how I have missed this lady!

Fourth of July on a cruise to see glaciers

The beauty of Hatchers Pass

Train ride out of Talkeetna to see Denali

We found one of Bree's favorite people

Whittier fun

Photography by Bree, 2016

2016-09-09T21:43:00.000-06:00

July 2016

2016-09-07T09:23:00.000-06:00

Summer is exhausting.

I just love the relationship these two have.

Fun weekend in Lincoln with Garrett and Alli - tour of the lab, campus, zoo, flower garden and breweries.

Fire station tour
Gwen wouldn't sit on the engine, so just some of Bree.

Stylin' little thing :)

Sophisticated sushi lovers!

June 2016

2016-08-17T20:30:00.000-06:00

All her hard work paid off, she did great at recital!

SUMMER TIME...

Camping,

Toys all over,

Museums,

Strawberry picking,

and pool time!

Bree really wanted to do tie dye shirts this summer. And how cute are these two sweethearts?!

May 2016

2016-08-15T19:08:00.002-06:00

May seemed to have flown by. Bree's dance was coming to an end as recital neared, fun in the sun, Mary and Dan visited from Arizona, birthday party fun and the last day of school.

Broken green belt sprinklers made for a fun afternoon

School has really worn her out this year!

Needed a tennis racket for lessons and the lucky girl got a bike on closeout too.

Downtown Fort Collins with Mary and Dan

Picnic in the Park

Two years ago and now...oh how fast these girls are growing.

These two took the Super Hero birthday party theme very serious (and are now into super hero dress up)!

Saving the world is exhausting :)

Faces of Gwen

LAST DAY of Preschool

Family hike to Horsetooth Falls

April 2016

2016-08-01T10:25:00.000-06:00

Gwen was so excited to get to join in on Bree's ballet class.

Date night at a Realities for Children event
I sure do love this guy!

Played too hard.

This girl and her style.

Tic tack toe with rocks

Perfect snowman building snow!

The Casey family - Not the reason I wish were all together, but it is amazing to see what a family Grandma and Grandpa created.

All my Casey cousins

Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

Dad and his remaining siblings

Immediate family

Another Wichita visit for daddy to ride in the Tour de Cure and us girls got to visit friends. We really miss going to the zoo with these girls.

Lucy was so exhausted from the trip, took her about a week to be herself again.

March 2016

2016-07-31T06:51:00.001-06:00

Found out this sweetheart needed glasses. She was SET on getting teal and wouldn't even look at others. It took mama and daddy a little while to get used to seeing her in glasses, but gosh she is cute! I am so proud of how responsible she is with them - she always puts them on and leaves them alone.

Here she is building some legos from manuals on the ipad.

Over spring break we drove back to Wichita to meet baby Finely and take some pictures. We were also able to meet up with Libby and Sam for donuts.

Last on our spring break road trip was a stop at Mima and Pappy's. The girls really enjoyed playing with their cousins.

Lucky for us the Budweiser Clydesdales were home on break before they began their spring tour season.

And of course, Easter in Colorado wouldn't be complete without some snow!

Easter morning

Since we weren't able to hunt eggs outdoors we went to watch Zootopia. The girls loved it!

Ice skating with my girl :)

And this stinker wanted a picture when I was setting up backdrops. Really the only 'real' picture we have close to her third birthday as she didn't want pictures taken.

My baby is THREE, how can that be?!

2016-07-30T06:43:00.000-06:00

For this Dorothy loving girl an Oz party was a must.

We celebrated Gwen's birthday early with a party over the weekend but I thought she should have a cake on her actual birthday as well. This however was her reaction at first.

Finally she perked up and blew out the candle.

Wishing my determined and fierce little girl the Happiest Birthday!!
Mama has been struggling with how you can be three? I'm not ready for you to grow up.

No matter how old you might be, may you always have this precious pout.

February 2016

2016-07-29T09:53:00.001-06:00

At school they had talked about Groundhog Day and Bree woke up at 5:15 a.m to watch the news to see if we would have any early spring. As you can see though, we had quite the snow mound still.

I love the relationship these two have.

Since Gwen turned three she was exited from home speech therapy and started the therapy playgroup. Here she is on her first day of twice a week for an hour and half of school. Throughout the spring semester it was a love/hate relationship for Gwen and school.

Lucy and Bree really love each other. I can always catch them snuggling.

On this particular day Gwen woke up not feeling great and by the time evening rolled around she had a temperature of 105. She was so sick for a 10 days like this. I guess that is what school germs will do to you.

Look at this girl go on her bike!

Oh Gwennie: Volume III

2016-07-29T09:52:00.000-06:00

This girl really is something else...I really love everything about her.

Ever since Christmas it is Dorothy day and night. I adore her beautiful skin and lashes.

Just ignore the mess (still laid up with my broken leg), but this chic has style!

Her smile :)

Oh the many faces and dress up outfits this one comes up with.

One of top favorite pastimes is snuggling this sleeping girl.

Her free spirit is contagious.

Little Rambo wore this headband for days!

The face of BatGirl disapproving of dinner.

January 2016

2016-07-28T21:55:00.000-06:00

I personally didn't leave the house the month of January except for doctor appointments.

Bree and daddy enjoyed some nighttime fun in the snow. She didn't really like being cooped up in the house. My broken leg really had an impact on Bree's memory - before mommy's broken leg we did this and after you can walk again, we can these things.

Aunt Trina made the girls and their dolls matching hats!

Since we were unable to make it for Christmas, Mima and Pappy came out to celebrate with us late. The girls really enjoyed them being at our house.

Doll quilts made by Great Grandma.

December 2015

2016-07-21T11:51:00.001-06:00

December didn't turn out quite like I would have hoped but I we still had some memorable moments.

We soaked up the sun on one of the last warm December days.

Bree was so prepared for her visit to Santa. She wrote her list and was so happy to read it to him! Gwen wouldn't have anything to do with him.

Fun in the snow!

December 15 a HUGE snow storm blew in and school was canceled. This year Bree really decided she loved playing in the snow. She spent most of her snow day outside or with a cup of hot chocolate. Gwen says, "I don't love this." She basically refused to go out. Instead she was found eating chex mix and watching some tv.

Gwen spends her time inside, in the snowsuit, eating chex mix. She says she doesn't love the snow.

School Christmas program

After the school program we headed out to visit Santa again (Gwen said she wanted to sit on his lap) and ride the horse drawn carriage. It was cold, the line for Santa took FOREVER and many of the planned activities weren't happening (no horse drawn carriage). We decided to leave. So close to the car I slipped on the ice and down I feel with Gwen in my arms. Bree was scared and backed away. Gwen was crying because her hot chocolate (cold at this point) spilled all over the both of us. I could not get up. I had heard my leg POP and the pain was immediately overwhelming. Lucky for us a nice family saw the accident and came to help us. I was able to drive home with my left foot so Cory could meet us and take me to the ER. Mama broke her fibula in two places and sprained the tendons in my ankle.

This was the best picture we got with Santa after waiting 40 minutes to see him.

Since I broke my leg this has been our days...

Christmas after math

She gets it from her mama...so organized!

Closed out 2015 with cousins and sparkling juice!

November 2015

2015-11-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

Turns out I am the worst at documenting our days every November and December. Must be that I am busy with holiday stuff! Here are just a few.

This sweet little face

So many days I can't put her down, I just watch her sleep.

Eagerly awaiting the first snow fall. They wore these snowsuits the entire day!

Bree wanted to make sure Uncle Dustin didn't forget her Christmas list. She insisted I mail him this letter.

Lucy LOVES daddy!

Thanksgiving view

Post Office play at school...just like her Pappy!

October 2015

2015-11-05T14:05:00.004-07:00

Eloy and Audrey get married! The girls really enjoyed the dance!

This kid is Dorothy and Oz OBSESSED! Almost everyday she wears her dress and insists we call her Dorothy.

Artists In Bloom - Denver Art Museum for the Impressionist exhibit

The Farm

A beautiful fall day in the mountains exploring!

Pumpkin patch visit

Airplane ride to Kansas City to celebrate Dustin and Shanna. The girls got new ponies for the flight. Bree slept the entire way there and Gwen did water color books. On the flight back to Denver pretty sure mama and daddy slept, not sure what the girls did!

T-REX with Uncle Dustin

Happy Halloween!

The last of the Casey weddings!

2015-10-29T13:40:00.000-06:00

CONGRATULATIONS DUSTIN & SHANNA!

BREE turns FIVE!

2015-10-25T13:24:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to this sweet, big-hearted girl of mine! Hard to believe we have been blessed with you five years ago! I love the girl you are becoming.

While in KC we surprised you with a visit to American girl to pick out your Truly Me doll. You were so excited - you named her Belle! After our American Girl shopping trip we had lunch with Mima, Pappy, Garrett, Alli, Dustin, Shanna, Trina, Tony, Trinity, Tianna and Tierney.

At rehearsal dinner Shanna surprised you with a special cake and everyone sang you Happy Birthday! What a celebration!!

2015 Fall Family Pictures

2015-10-18T13:17:00.000-06:00

The actual taking of family pictures can sometimes be a challenge, but I am always amazed at how wonderful they come out! This fall was no different, wonderful colors and smiles of my littles were captured. I LOVE when they are printed and I can update all my frames. As I replace the old with the new I lay out the pictures and marvel at the growth that has taken place over a year. So fun to see and yet so hard as I literally see my babies growing up.

September 2015

2015-10-01T13:17:00.000-06:00

We have been enjoying biking to and from school, this however is what coming home looks like often. My bike mates aren't good of company!

Annual Labor Day cabin trip - Full of outdoor fun, fishing and family

First time in a canoe

Carnival fun

Art class

Adventures in family fall camping