Nick has officially learned how to climb into his crib. Thankfully, he has not learned how to climb out yet.

Here we are the day after getting back from Santa Barbara. We started seeing snow in the air driving into town from the airport and it snowed all night and all the next day. We went outside this particular afternoon after getting them all bundled up (they were so excited). The kids lasted about 15 minutes outside before they wanted to come in & get warm.

Here they are in Ellie's room laying by the heat vent thawing out. Nick's hands were really cold! He was so happy to have warm hands again. Nick is getting good at "smiling" for pictures now. When you point the camera in his direction and say, "Smile, Nick." this is what he does now. It's so cute!

playing together

Nick and Elizabeth love playing together in the front lawn. Today, they were playing with Nick's motorcycle. They just looked too cute.

9 years ago...

I bought this princess shirt at the Disney Store in Colorado Springs not long after Catherine & I got married because I was so excited to have a little girl. It wasn't until 4 years later that our precious Elizabeth was born. Finally, just after her 5th birthday, here she is wearing her shirt. Turns out, it's a perfect shirt for Elizabeth...she's definitely our little princess. She's such an amazing little girl! Nick didn't want to be left out of the pictures, so here he is ready to do some work around the house with his hammer. He loves his big sister!

Nick found Daddy's tape measure and was starting to figure out how it worked. He was very proud and so excited once he figured it out. Such a precious little boy!

Here is Elizabeth reading to Nick (one of his favorite books...DOGS). Ellie & Nick can be so sweet to each other...most of the time. Ellie loves reading to Nick at bedtime and he snuggles right up to her in the rocking chair. It's very cute!

the climber

So, what does Nick do with all his spare time now that Elizabeth is at school all day?

Scale the furniture, of course. 423.05Boys are awesome!

Elizabeth's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Here's Elizabeth on her first day of kindergarten!

When we asked her, "How was your day?" She said, "tiring."

She's such a big girl! Full day kindergarten 5 days a week. Whoa!

talking...

Nick has a lot to say & he's "talking" up a storm.

outdoor fun...

Here we are during one of our many visits to the playground at the elementary school near our house. The kids LOVE to play here! This is their absolute favorite thing to do (2nd only to eating ice cream or going to visit Nana & Papa).

indoor fun...

I was just sitting at the computer checking e-mail or something and I hear them running around. When I looked down the hall, here's what I saw...

silly hat day...

I know what you're thinking...pink is REALLY my color.

This was "silly hat day" on the last official day of preschool.

Would you believe I was the only adult to wear a silly hat?

the many faces of nicholas...

This one's in June...

This one's a little later in June...
This one's in July...
Nick is also extremely expressive.

He's never one to dodge a photo opp!

the faces of elizabeth...

This one was in June...This one was in August...
This one's in May...
She is a very expressive girl (to say the least).

We love all her funny faces!

During a visit to Ft Collins, we went to "the farm". The kids love
petting all the animals and riding the horses.
Nick wasn't crazy about riding a horse, but he was happy to sit on one.

Family Pictures

We took some family pictures at Grama & Grampa's house

on Catherine's birthday. Thank you, God for these amazing,

beautiful children!

Here's Ellie after "cowboy day" at school. She loves her sheriff's badge.

Nick is only 15 months old, but already knows what a cell phone & loves to use dad's

old phone to "talk" to...everyone!. He is a little puzzled when sound

comes out of dad's new phone (ya know...the one that actually works) and his phone doesn't

make any noise. He'll figure it out soon enough. It's really cute to watch.

bedtime...

Here are the kids getting ready for bed:

Nick really likes a couple of his blankets and has started carrying them around at bedtime (he sort of looks like "Linus").

Elli loves having her hair braided after a bath before bed.

In the morning, we take the braid out and her hair is really wavy!

Ellie at the farm

Elizabeth went to the farm while she & Nick were visiting Nana & Papa. She got to sit on the tractor & help sweep out the barn. Ellie LOVES the farm.

Nick's 1st Haircut

Nick got his first haircut last week while he was visiting Nana & Papa. Nick played with trucks while Eileen cut his hair. He's such a handsome little man!