Another beautiful family hike

We enjoyed our last hike so much, we decided to hit the trail again and do some more exploring.  We drove out Garden Road and found a reserve where the hills were covered with beautiful purple flowers and the sky was filled with puffy clouds.  It was a perfect hiking day

 

We followed the trail but didn't know where it was leading to or how long it might go on.  We finally came to a clearing and saw an older woman walking her dog.  To me, this was a good sign because it meant we could be too far from civilization. :)  We sat for a rest and Ty of course found a fun stick.  He loved the hike for about 45 minutes and then he was ready to be done. 

Tatum did a great job but lasted about as long and then started asking for a piggy back ride. :)

 

The sky was just beautiful that day!

We finally found a map along the way that said we turned left and headed up this trail to find our car.  Thank goodness we happened upon these cool construction vehicles, it helped brighten the mood.

All in all, we hiked 3 miles!  We had to make a few rest stops but the kids did it.  Good practice for Tatum since she has a 5k coming up for her Daisy troop.

Visit with Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom

Mom and I headed to Yuma on Saturday to visit my mom's sister Aunt Mary and husband Uncle Tom.  They live in Colorado but enjoy leaving in beginning of January and heading to somewhere a bit warmer for a few months.  This year they stayed in a trailer park 30 minutes east of Yuma and stayed in a nice, 1 bedroom trailer with all the amenities one could need.  Here we are enjoying some margaritas!

 

We had lots of time to sit and chat which was perfect.  And besides enjoying our visit with them, I enjoyed leaving the kids behind with Garrett and having some adult time! :)

On Sunday, we headed over for mass in a town just outside of theirs, then headed to a golf club for a delicious breakfast.  Then we decided to head to Yuma and found a street fair with vendors and booths, lots to see.  We also happened upon this bar with crazy things hanging from the ceilings.  A man being eaten by a fish!

  

We saddled up to the bar and enjoyed a beer.

And I took this picture just for Ty.  The place was wild and crazy and I guess we got there just in time because as we were leaving, there was a large line out front, waiting to be seated.  We headed back to Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom's place for more talk time, dinner and then said good bye.  It was such a nice visit, talking about old times and helping each other remember the past.  We're definitely hoping they decide to stay out this way again next year!

Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's fun started a few days early when we went to Ty's classmate Blaine's house for cookie decorating.  We took Ty's other dear friend and classmate Colin too!  These boys are Ty's Bros, as he calls them, and they all get along so wonderfully.

The boys did a pretty good job of frosting their cookies and couldn't wait to just lick the knife!

Here's Blaine!

And here's Blaine's mom Jessica with Blaine's little brother Colin.  So sweet of her to invite us over.

And obviously Colin liked the cookie too! :)

That evening we headed to Grandma's for an early Valentine's Day dinner, which was delicious, and some Valentine's Day treats.  Here's Tatum after she put together her new puzzle!

And Ty's too!  Daddy helped a bit but he's getting pretty good at there.

And here's our crazy Angry Bird! :)

Then it was Valentine's Day!  There was a note outside each child's door and a scavenger hunt.  They found 4 presents each, what fun!

Here's Ty finding one under the dining room table.  They loved this and enjoyed their small treats.

That evening Tatum had a Father Daughter dance at school.  Don't they look so nice?!

She could not wait to go!

First they headed over to Kaitlin's house to pick up her and her daddy Eric.  These girls are just adorable!  They really enjoy each other, it's so cute.

I'm having flashes of what Prom will be like.  So glad it's Daddy at this point. :)

And look at these wonderful Daddy's and their daughters.  So sweet.

Then they headed to Olive Garden for a dinner date before the dance.

And then it was on to the dance for lots of crazy fun!  Garrett said the girls were hilarious, dancing around, screaming.  They loved it!

Here's Tatum with Sophia, Regan, Sophie and Kaitlin.

Daddy and Daughter. :)

The guys had a great time and Eric and Garrett get along so well, I'm sure they were happy to have each other when the girls would run off to dance with their friends. :)

Some more friends!

The crazy dancing queen!  She was dancing up a storm and so tired when she got home.

And all the while, Shauna was staying with us so her and I went out to dinner at the Hamburger Factory with Grandma and Ty.  Not quite as much dancing but lots of fun! :)

Fleeting fun

When Tatum started her first year of preschool, I met these two sweet mom's of children in Tatum's class, Joy and Deborah.  We enjoyed two years at the preschool together and now our babies are in kindergarten together, and we get to see each other every day at drop off and pick up.  We also organize and do out of school fun too!  We all bought a groupon for beer tasting at White Labs, a yeast making company, and enjoyed it!

The girls didn't drink too much of the tastes but the boys helped clear the glasses, all 48 tastes!  What a fun night!

Tatum had talked about wanting to take another shot at ice skating.  So a few friends joined us and we hit the ice.  Here's Ty, Tatum, Ellie and Grace.

Grace and Ellie had been a few times before, but this was Tatum's second try and Ty's first time on the ice.

As you can see, Ty hated it.  I could barely get him around the rink and my back was killing me since I was holding him up under his armpits.  After one time around he wanted off the ice. :)

Tatum, on the other hand, did awesome!  Well, awesome for your second time.  She hung on to the side most of the time but got around herself and did a great job!  She said she'd like to go again and I said, "We'll leave Ty at home.". :)

I don't know when this was but his face was just so precious.  He fell asleep on our bed, I think he had a cold or something.  Those sweet little lips and her little cheeks.  If only he'd stay small forever. :)

Angry birds party!

Ty started a Master your Sports class and he loves it!  He learned soccer, football, track and field, and basketball!  He wants to get taking the class so I think I'll sign him up for 1 more session.  He's definitely learning about the different sports and which ones he likes the most.  I think he'll be a foot ball and baseball star! :)

Tatum's 6th Birthday Party

My baby is 6!  I can't believe it.  But here it is and she wanted a Brave themed pajama party with all her girlfriends.  When you get into kindergarten, there are a lot more friends than there were in preschool.  So we had 15 little girls come over to our house at 5:30 wearing their pjs and ready for some birthday fun.  I didn't get any great pictures of the decorations but since it was a Brave party, we put glow sticks in blown up balloons and put them in a line out front, leading our guests to the door.  These are called Whisps and as stated in the movie, they lead you to your destiny, or in this case, to the front door of Tatum's party. :)  The first activity on the agenda was dinner of pizza, fruit and Capri Sun. :)

Here's Tatum with Kelsey, Kaitlin and Rowan on the large bed we made using air mattresses and the couch.

All the beautiful girls in their pajamas.  What a great bunch!

After dinner, there was lots of playing,...

and a nail painting station, thanks to Tamara. :)

This was so exciting, there was a line!

More wild playing!

And some of the more grown up attendants. :)  They didn't wear their pajamas but enjoyed the party all the same. :) 

Then it was cake time!  Tatum didn't want cake, she's not a big cake fan.  But Grandma bought her this small one so she could blow out her candles. 

 

Happy Birthday my baby girl!

Then, Tatum's favorite part, present time!

She got lots of wonderful gifts and all the girls enjoyed watching her open every one.

Then it was movie time!  The party was Brave themed because Tatum wanted all her friends to wear pjs and come watch her favorite movie with her.  Some of the kids hadn't seen the movie and some had.  But everyone enjoyed climbing up onto the big bed and watching the show.

Grace and Ellie, such sweet friends.

    

It was amazing how quiet it got after the movie started. :)

 

And I didn't get a picture of it but we set up an ice cream bar where the girls came over, one at a time, and loaded up their scoop of ice cream with toppings to eat while watching the movie.  They loved it!

And Tatum loved it too.  She was a happy birthday girl.  I can't say watching the movie lasted for long.  After about a half hour, a few of the girls got antsy and we started a game of hot potato using a stuffed bear from the movie.  This was a hit and we played twice and had two winners.  Then the girls played it a few more times just for fun.

And then, at 8:00, it was time to say good bye to everyone.  She loved that her GM was there to celebrate with her, as well as Shauna's sister Toni.  I missed getting a picture of the two of them together but I think Toni's attendance made Tatum's night!

And Grandma was such a big help!

Tatum gave each girl a Brave bag with goodies inside and said good night to all her friends.

And she was so sweet to say thank you to Mommy and Daddy for "the best birthday ever!". 

Our little pumpkin is 6, how is it possible?!

And Tatum with her BFF Mattie.  These two will be together forever, just like their mommies. :)  Mattie and Jenny spent the night, a slumber party!  The girls chose to sleep out on the big bed which was so exciting.  And the mommies got to talk the night away, a perfect ending to a perfect day. :)