Snow?

Snowing?

Nope! Just a bunch a Crab Apple Trees -

How did such a pretty tree get such a crabby name?
Perhaps it is because of it's allergy inducing powers?
Regardless - they are very nice to look at.

And yet another downside

Here we are at another downside of being a sister. Hand be down clothes...The good news - Hailey's big sister was SUPER gentle on clothes and most of them still look brand new, and most of them came from Grandma so they are also very nice quality and stand the test of time (not too trendy) because 5 years is a LONG time to hold clothes for the little one!

I recently went through all the hand be downs - (what a task) and also had Hailey try on the clothes that should fit her this summer. The girls are shaped a bit different (Hailey's toddler tummy sits up above her waste and when Lauren was her age she was a little thicker around the waste) but most of the clothes fit well, look nice and Hailey felt like a super star trying them on!

She has never done any modleing - though I think she would LOVE it, and seems to have a bit of a natural talent for posing!

And I could not resist the rumpuss shot in the swim suit. I am sorry, but it is TOO CUTE

(PS - I didn't set out to take all the modeling shots, I set out to take pictures so I knew what I was putting away for her till spring! but this was fun non the less)

Hailey being Cute

I never got these photos up on the blog and fully intended about 3 weeks ago...so I am finally going to send them up for all to see. I love these pictures. Don't know why. I just do.

I wish I had tons of pictures of Lauren to post too! But she is suffering from Camera Grumpy Syndrome... Have you heard of it? It's when the minute a camera is pointed at you, you find the need to make the worst faces, look away and refuse to cooperate! I think it is partially because of her retainer and mostly because of her age...but I am hoping she will come around soon. I think I will stick her camera out in the open and maybe if she starts using it a bit she will become more OK with having her picture taken. Or at least I can pull out a "Proud Mommy Moment" and say "Hey, I let you take my picture now you have to let me take yours, it's only fair, and if you don't I'm gonna tell Grandma on you"

Missing Fall? ***UPDATED Twice***

I'm not, really. But I did find these two pictures I took when one of our trees was at the peak of Fall Colors! It was so pretty for about a week.


We don't usually get much of a fall here in Denver...but this year Winter took it's time coming to knock and made us wait well into November. It was bizarre, we still had Flys, Bees, spiders, Allergies and so much more at Thanksgiving -

We have only had a couple of snowy days since then and the WIND has been ridiculous.

So I say if we can't have winter, bring back fall...because this winter girl is not at all ready for spring or summer yet.

UPDATE:

5 minutes later....somewhere between create new post and publish post I failed to look out the window - our slim little 30% chance for rain or snow today has actually hit and it is SNOWING, not just snowing but the WIND is still atrocious so it is Snowing and Blowing and it is beautiful, since it was a slim chance and it is so windy it will pry blow out of here before the girls get up but it is SNOW and I say BRING IT ON!

SECOND UPDATE:

Be careful what you wish for or you might spend 2 1 /2 hours driving the 10 miles to school and back...ARGH....I LOVE THE SNOW, not the drivers - If you live in Colorado get a car that can handle it or stay your @88 home.

Greeted by Moonshadows

I walked out into the fridged night tonight and was greeted by the most beautiful moonshadows ever. We have a fantasticly clear sky with a full moon tonight. I called Lauren to share in the views and immediately started singing a favorite Cat Stephens song...She didn't know it of course so I had to find it on U-tube for her and now I want to share with all of you

Gone Fishing

The girls (mostly Hailey) have been wanting to fish for weeks. We really have no idea why...Hailey had it all thought out how she was going to fish, where she was going to fish, what she was going to sit on, and what to do with the fish she thought she would catch...Grandpa bought fishing poles and we went fishing. After we got the past the fear of the river, finding a safe place to stand, the fear of the fishing pole itself all was great! It was a beautiful day, we were close to home, the market was down 1000 points and we were hoping to catch dinner (NOT!).

If you can't see the video click here



We didn't catch anything (surprise - surprise) we couldn't even see fish in the pond...however, several hours later they could be spotted jumping in the pond so there are fish...we may try again tomorrow.

Moving on - the girls went to dinner with Grams and Gramps and Brad and Anna while I stayed home - took a shower, made a fishing movie, heard funny noises in the house and just had time to be...BUT before they went I wanted some pictures of the beautiful girls...(kind of a dry run for tomorrow when I try to get the "Christmas card" picture...Well, I think it is me...but I can NOT ever get them to cooperate...this is what happens when I want a good photo of the two girls together


Lauren could you focus on the camera please?


Ok, now that is just goofy


Hello, do you have anything to smile about?


Now what was that all about?

I did end up with these two pictures





But they were not exactly what I was looking for either...Oh well, wish me luck tomorrow!

In the Mountains

We came up on Monday - got a little antsy and drove up a day early. Grandma was getting a massage when we made our decision so she got a big surprise when she got the voicemail. She was mostly excited, thank goodness! It has been beautiful up here. Chilly in the morning, warm in the middle of the day, threat of storms that don't come to fruition in the late afternoon and then nice calm evenings!

The girls have hit golf balls, played tennis on the driveway, taken walks, swam in the hot tub, enjoyed great meals and played with everyone. They are very excited because daddy arrives this afternoon and the fireworks show is tonight! Can't beat that!

Here are a few photos...


My attempt at getting a neat shot of a butterfly


Lauren swimming


Hailey contemplating the water


Just the girls


The river...


Grandma's Columbines

That's all for now.

Summer Time

BUSY BUSY- We have had a great week! We got to the pool 3 times and the girls were great! Lauren swimming and playing somewhat independantly, Hailey going all the way under water over and over and even blowing bubbles! We got to take our friends Cailey and Alicia (Cailey is Lauren's age and Alicia is her mom) to the pool with us on Friday and that was great! Good for the girls and the moms!

Yesterday and Today we spent virtually living at the dance studio getting pictures done! WOW. We made 5 trips for pictures in various costumes. the Girls did great! I took some photos at home before left (I left out a costume or two) but here are some cute shots of the girls!













SUPER FUN! The professional pictures were amazing! I had so much fun looking at them and picking some out (though it was VERY difficult to choose!)

Earlier this week Hailey insisted on wearing a BUN like Lauren. She looked so sweet. I could not resisit putting this photo up:




Lauren tried out for the Performing Company at The Academy of Colorado Ballet on Thursday night. We will get an email soon letting us know how that went. Dual Star has asked that Lauren remain "exclusive" in order to compete with them and her response to that was "that's just mean" she really loves the Ballet at the Academy and does not want to leave. so....Cross your fingers.

Late last week Nicole and Heather came over to play with the girls. They all had fun!!



Big Birthday coming up (Lauren's!!!) not mine. We will pretend that one is not happening! Lauren is having a small Family party plus her wonderful teacher Ms. Monteith (Lauren is so SO excited she is coming) and we plan to do an American Girl Doll Sized party/theme. Should be sweet! Then after her birthday we are going to take her to see the new AG movie - KIT because Kit was her first doll and the movie starts just a few days after her birthday!

I will try to keep up with more in the coming weeks, been a bit under the weather lately thus making it tough to motivate!