Aquarium

We spent spring break at home, with cousins who had come to visit. Most of the week was spent at grandma's but we did load everybody up and go to the aquarium for an afternoon. 

Lots of cousin love! 

My kids love love loved the sharks. 

The penguins were another favorite. They were so fun to watch. 

We didn't think we would get them out of the deep sea diver. The windshield is curved and it looks like you are putting your hand through the glass when you reach out from the inside. They couldn't get enough!

Little tiny jellyfish smaller than Zeke's fingers. We loved the jellies too, although there weren't as many of those as sharks or penguins. 

The group. Yay for cousins!

Tubing

We started off 2016 doing something new and fun together as a family - the perfect way to ring in the new year. Aaron and I have been tubing a few times before but it's been a long time. The kids have never been and were thrilled to try it out. 

All bundled up.... when we got there the temperature was exactly 0. Cold winter morning!

 We met Heather and Grandpa on the hill and went down as a group. I think this was our second run. And the last time I saw Zeke for another hour. After that he was up and down the hill as fast as he possibly could go.

Grandpa somehow managed to keep up with him. Perhaps thanks to his neon yellow snow pants!

Nora is the cutest little tuber ever. 

By the time we were finishing up the sun was warm and it was actually pretty comfortable in all of our layers. The views were beautiful. 

Aaron and Zeke heading for the fastest tubing lane for our last run. We clocked 25 mph on our way down - the record of the day. The kids can't wait to go again!

Colorado Scenery

Our first out-and-about trip of our vacation was a hike around Lily Lake. It was a gorgeous little lake with an easy walking path around. 

The first thing we saw as we got started was a duck family with mom, dad, and 4 little baby duckies. The kids were smitten. I should have been videoing all of the "Awwww, look! They're sooooo cuuuute!' But I got this cute picture instead. 

Most of us chose to extend our hike a bit and take the optional trail over the top of a nearby mountain. It wasn't too hard, although it let us know we were getting good exercise. All of the kids did great, and the views from the top were amazing. 

Once everyone had gathered at the end, we got a super nice ranger to take a group picture. 

There was beautiful scenery right around the cabin too. The Big Thompson River ran right through our cabin village. Zeke and I walked down to explore a bit on Sunday morning. And he added plenty of rocks to the river. 

And, when you get on the edge of the cabin complex, you realize you really are up in the mountains in the pines. 

Our drive out took us through Rocky Mountain National Park. Even though we didn't do any hiking or exploring, I count this as part of our sightseeing because it was breathtaking. We started out in dense pine forest, then gradually the trees thinned out. 

After that, the road goes above the timberline and it's just rocky, with a few low plants. And you feel on top of the world. I suppose you pretty much are -- we crested the mountain at about 12,000 feet! We feel like we live up in the mountains, but that's double what we are used to!

One thing I absolutely loved about this part of Colorado was the little lakes that seemed to just appear out of nowhere.  Zeke took this picture for me while we were driving home. 

Some August Fun

August was super busy and we packed in tons of fun. Lots of little things, plus a big vacation/road trip/reunion and a birthday that deserve their own posts!

We went to the 100th birthday celebration at Kings. It was an impromptu thing, and the kids had a blast driving these around.

Zeke also tried out some bb guns and airsoft guns and this is a crossbow with suction cup arrows.

Nora revealed her alter ego as supergirl when she won a cape and mask from the summer reading program at the library.

Ready to fight bad guys and help citizens everywhere.

We went on another sunset walk.

And the sunflowers came out. The year Nora turned 1, there were tons of sunflowers on the path by our house. One one walk, she got to explore the sunflowers and loved it. It's a moment I treasure, and ever since then, all of the roadside sunflowers remind me of my girl. Here is almost-1-year-old Nora. 

And here is almost-5-year-old Nora. I told her this year that she is my sunflower girl, and she told me I was her sunflower girl too. 

Lake Trip

One awesome Saturday morning, we went to the lake with Grandma and Grandpa and a bunch of aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Nora was in the water pretty much instantly. She loved wading and floating in the raft with her cousins.  Zeke spent most of his time either floating in the shallow water or in the kayak. 

Aaron flew his water plane.

Zeke wanted to kayak alone. I wasn't sure, because I was worried he would get too far out. But there were a couple of people who were willing to kayak close and keep track of him, so I decided not to object. I'm glad I let him try, because he got really good by the end of the day. Definitely a huge accomplishment for him and I'm proud of him for sticking with it. Because we wouldn't let him kayak himself into the deep water, Grandpa towed him out. He loved it!

After our adventures, we had a picnic on the shore near these cute sunflowers. 

It was a wonderful day and the kids keep asking when we can buy our own kayak so we can go back all the time!

Loertscher Reunion

Loads of fun at the Loertscher reunion this year! 

Of course there were train rides (although Zeke may think he's on a roller coaster in this one...)

Nora adored the slip-n-slide. It was so fun to watch her. 

Zeke didn't want to get his whole self wet, so he manned the water cannons. 

We wore our matchy family shirts and found it impossible to get a good family picture in them. 

And the kids spent a lot of time in the big swing with their cousins and their new family friends. There were some families here this year that don't usually come and Zeke made fast friends with one of the boys his age. There seemed to be a gang of 8 year old boys (who are 2nd cousins) running around together and they had a blast.

Superhero Party

Super fun was had at the library's superhero party! 

The kids tried on superhero costumes

played in the bounce house (and could have stayed all night if we hadn't insisted they get out and give someone else a turn....)

navigated lasers (validating Zeke's belief that he is sneaky)

saved the citizens

and navigated the mine field. For Zeke this was as much fun as the bounce house!

Fancy Nancy

Nora and I have been looking forward to the Fancy Nancy party for a couple of months now. We have read several Fancy Nancy books and she has become one of our favorite characters! 

The party was so well done! The decorations were simply awesome. I couldn't get enough of the balloons on the ceiling. The theme was butterflies and they were everywhere. It was so cute and very fancy. 

Nora and I got to help set up, so we got there early.

Nora played with balloons while I helped set up the ice cream sundae bar. 

Then we took pictures with Fancy Sally and made crafts and painted Nora's nails.

One of the best parts of the day was spending it with Grandma, Mia, and Dynna. We want to bring the Loertscher ladies next year!

I was supposed to help with crowd control during story time and their fashion show, but I didn't have to do anything but watch. All of these little princesses were already on their best fancy behavior. 

I was blown away by how wonderful this was. I had a fantastic time and we are already looking forward to next year! It was the perfect way to spend Mother's Day weekend. 

photo above taken by Mallory Alyse Photography