A month of updates!

Well since we got back from ND we've had non-stop company, which is good but that is the reason for my slacking of the blogging.

The first weekend back (19th) my Grandma and Grandpa Downs stopped on their way through from AZ back to ND. They got here Friday late afternoon and left Sunday morning. We had a great time. We took them on a little scenic drive through Red Rocks, ate in Golden, and then up to Lookout Mountain where Buffalo Bill's grave site is and then back around the Lariat Loop. We had so much fun with them! It was hard to say goodbye.

Great Grandpa Ron and Brayden chilln'
Great Grandma Margaret Ann and Avery

Sunday was a busy day after they left. We had Izzi's (school friend) birthday party at 2pm and then cousin Katie's birthday at 3pm. We had a great time at the parties!

The following weekend we had our friends from Golden Valley (our old hood), Kim and Pete Lochner, come Friday for supper with their friend Gretchen and her baby Graycen. They were in town for a vacation. We had a great time seeing them and catching up! Then on Saturday we had a couple's (stock the bar) party for Joel's cousin Andy and his fiance Heather which was a lot of fun. Then Sunday we had a graduation party at Brayden's school for all the kids graduating from Pre-school to Kindergarten. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen! They had a little program and B was the loudest little singer. He was so funny. Ms. Rachael was so happy that he preformed well because he does at school and all the kids just look at him in awe. I need to get a little clip of it......next time, Joel can help me with that one.

He's singing his ABC's really well!

This Thursday morning the kiddos and I went to the airport to pick up my cousin Meagan. She flew in for a little visit. The morning she flew in......40 and snowing! The day before it was 80 and I got sun burnt!! We did a lot of fun things. We went to the Aquarium with the kids. Brayden was a little scared at first but then by the end he was talking away about his favorite things....the Shark named Bruce, Dori, Nemo, Crush the Sea Turtle (Finding Nemo). On Saturday Kim and Anthony (thanks again!) took our kiddos so we could go to the Coors Brewery tour. We went out to eat and then started our adventure. We thought we'd take the scenic route to Golden but somehow eventually ended up near Mt. Evans and came down by Idaho Springs. We went through the town and found the TommyKnocker brewery, even better since we love micro brews. So we went there instead of Coors. It was an adventure to say the least!! By Sunday morning it was back to warm weather. Meagan and I took a little walk in our neighborhood that leads to this awesome point where you can see for miles along the front range from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak. Monday came too quickly and we had to take Meagan back to the airport. We had so much fun it was hard to say goodbye.

Brayden and Meagan looking at the fish

Avery just observes the fish swimming by

Trying to get our picture taken on the bridge
Meagan and Avery hanging out
Our excursion up the mountain and we saw a lot of mules
Our View as we kept going up....up...up... is there a bar around here?As you look down from close to Mt Evans

TommyKnocker Brewery
Random waterfall outside of Idaho Springs, I love how Joel snuck his head into the shot!
On our walk, this is in our back yard basically, the whole front range

Now we are on to more company tomorrow. Our friends from MPL, Brian and Ginny, will be in town so they will stay with us for the night. We are looking forward to seeing them. Also, this weekend Joel's family will be in town for Andy and Heather's wedding. We can't wait. Brayden's a ringbearer in the wedding! Be looking for pictures! The kiddos and I are going to be heading back to the "Dakotas" (as they call it around here) for a few week and will be attending my brother Bryce's graduation. Looking forward to it!!

As for my little ones lets update you on them....

Brayden and Avery enjoying each other's company

Brayden is 2 1/2 years old already. I can't believe that my 1st born is growing up so fast. He's got such a great little personality. It amazes me the things he comes up with. He'll sit and talk with Avery and say "hey my baby girl, how are you doing?" in a high pitch voice (like I do), he loves to tell everyone that he's a "Big Boy, I am 2 1/2, My birthday is October 17th!" He knows his colors, counts to 10, his name and our names, where he lives, where his grandparents live,loves singing (You are my Sunshine is my favorite), and he loves playing with his cars. We have this brown fur blanket and he pretends it's the mountains and drives his car on it. He's always telling us "I love you so much", "Thank you so much", and"No, I can't do it"(when he doesn't want to do something). He's always full of energy and life. He's my little man. And to us he's cute to boot!

Hiding in his fur mountain

In the morning, he was hugging his milk because he was so happy to have milk again. We were out for a 1/2 day.

He got a kitchen set off of Craig's List, I didn't realize he knew we had it until Joel was out grilling and Brayden says to him " Dad go get my kitchen, it's in Mom's car".
Loving his sister, after he colored on her head!

Now little Avery, she's going to be 6 months old tomorrow!! I can't believe how fast time has flown. She's a great little girl. Always happy and smiling. She's really a dolly. She's been sleeping through the night now for a while but she's so good about it....just lay her down a 7:30 and she's down until the same time next day. She loves putting her little feet in her mouth....I guess right now everything is in her mouth. Teeth coming soon?? She has been rolling around for a while now but she is very determined to get things and she'll get there. So I suspect she'll be crawling soon. She can sit very well and is always looking to grab anything she sees. I need to start baby proofing again! She also has discovered her voice. Her nickname is "Squeakers" because she'll just be talking away and sticking her tongue out and blowing it. She's got the brightest little eye and smile. We love you so much baby girl!

Look at me, I can sit!!

These are my cute toes and they are tasty!

Happy to be with my Daddy!Yes, I realize I have brown marker on my head but my toes need my attention.

Just hanging out!

We are back!

After a unexpected trip back to ND and 2 winter storms later, we are back safe and sound! It was quiet hairy traveling back to CO. We ended up staying in North Platte on the way back. Lots of cars/semi trucks in the ditch. The kiddos were excellent travelers again! Although our reason for going back to ND was not planned nor what we'd want to go back for but it was great to see all our family again. It's times like that when you realize how important your family is to you.

Here are some pictures from our visit: (sorry these will be in random order)

Uncle Bryce, I appreciate you pulling me and all....but where did all the snow go?

Alright, your turn I guess.

Nanna with the Kiddos

Brayden's new bed

Going for a walk with Papa Tom, no time for pictures, I'm outta here! (notice Brayden in the distance walking away from us!)

I am not in the mood for posing now

Let me get this thing started, I know I saw Bryce do this!

Me and my buddy Bryce

My first taste of peas.....not too bad!

Mom and Dad

Uncle Jamie and Angie

Grandma Moni and Aunt Bev

Great Grandma Helga and Avery looking out the window

Getting ready to go outside, I am so excited to see the animals!

Happy Baby Girl, I love my new outfit!

I work out best in the nude!

Jamie, Joel, and uncle Dale Held

Papa Paul and Grandpa Allen

Uncle Mark and Allen's brother Jack Coppin

I am a big girl sitting in my chair

See what's in here Mom, it's beer!

Discovering Sweet Potatoes, yummy!

In the hotel room in Valentine, NE

Great Grandma Mary and Avery cuddling on the couch

A New Angel Among Us

Allen and Greta Coppin 1957
Allen and Greta Coppin 2007 (50th Wedding Anniversary)

Please say your prayers for Joel's family this week. Saturday morning Grandma Greta Coppin passed away. She was 75 years old. Here is the link to her obituary:

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=197200&section=Obituaries&freebie_check&CFID=23653720&CFTOKEN=25045900&jsessionid=8830ad64881330685457

She was such a funny lady. I will never forget my first Christmas with the Coppin's. I didn't realize what practical jokers they were until I received a nice white lace thong from Greta. She always made you laugh. I will really miss her emails. She wrote is big letters and different colors (you knew her mood), her personality shined through each one. We will miss her dearly.

Saturday morning Joel and I received a call from Paul. We were all off in the car before noon and made it to ND yesterday afternoon. A little bad weather but it was nothing. We were just glad to be home. The kids were excellent little travelers. 14 hours in a car is not fun for anyone, let alone active little kids.

Last night Joel and I opened a Christmas gift from Allen and Greta, which was forgotten since the last time we were home. It couldn't have been a more fitting gift. Greta had written in the card, "You will have to teach your children how to fly and one day they can fly on their own. Enjoy and love them because you only have them a short time". The gift was an plate with little angels on it flying. We will always cherish that card and gift.

Cherish your loved ones, tell them you love them, and teach them to fly.

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'!!

Miss Avery is officially a rolling machine! She first rolled over back on March 2nd and really didn't do much since but last Monday she started and hasn't stopped! It's so much fun to see her discovering new things. She's really into grabbing everything within her reach. She loves watching her brother and she just gives him big smiles!!

Brayden is adjusting her bib and she just smiles so big for him

Happy girl! She's always a smiling

Happy Easter~

Friday around noon, Joel's grandparents Jerry and Mary Meyer arrived at our abode. They were on their way back to ND from AZ. We went out to eat for lunch with Tom and Mitch and then came back to our house to play cards and had supper. For desert we tried my "lovely" Easter cake. I went to a cake decorating class on Thursday night and got to bring home my creation. It's pretty ghetto, I will admit. It did taste pretty good. I wasn't going for looks, I was just practicing all the new things I was learning. Then on Saturday we went to Tom and Mitch's for some more cards and supper. It was fantastic! Easter Sunday came so fast. In the morning we attended church at 8am and still had to sit in the overflow area (thank goodness the kiddos were so good!) and then we went to the Lindigs for Easter brunch. We had such a good time. The Easter Bunny even made a special appearance! Quiet the hit! Mary and Jerry had to head back to ND that afternoon.
We feel so bad, tonight we found out that Papa Paul, Tom and Mary and Jerry all caught the same stomach flu we had! I even disinfected our entire house!! Sorry guys!

Playing Cards

My beautiful cake (LOL) Yes, those are little bunny pellets for those of you who noticed.

So Proud :)

Easter Morning, Finding the Easter basket right away!

Mom, I got Maximum Destruction!

Where's Avery? The bunny is twice her size!

Mom and her little Sweetie!

Our best picture of the kids together! :(

The Easter Bunny!!

Whatcha doing, Brayden? Just hanging with my car, Mom.

I am getting to be such a Big Girl!

My two precious babies! Oh, this picture melts my heart!

I'm just chillin'
Helping to make pizza, I made my own!
Yummo! This is delicious!

Finally, A New Camera!

Oh, I have been waiting for this for a long time! Our camera had died in January and we were using our very 1st digital camera which takes great pictures but the batteries kept falling out. Friday afternoon the doorbell rang and it was the UPS man with my camera!!

Puke..............all over..............gross!

Monday night I started to get a stomach ache. Not thinking much of it I went to bed only to be awaken by Brayden crying. I ran to him in the hall and noticed his jammies were all wet. A closer look revealed puke everywhere. He was so confused and crying. We got him changed and grabbed a bucket and put him in bed with me. Two seconds later, more puke, this time all over our bed. Changed the sheets twice and at this time my gag reflex was kicking in full gear. Then I started getting the chills and was trying to hold off my urge to throw up. 4 o'clock came and I couldn't hold back. This was horrible. Joel was down on the couch because he too was not feeling well. How could we all be sick at the same time?! Food poisoning? No such luck. This continued on through the next day. Thank goodness Avery did not catch it and she was such a good little girl. I will say, and Joel does admit this, I was taking care of 3 babies and myself for 2 days. Man, he was worse then Brayden! Basically, we had puke in ever room in our house, the worst was Brayden puking over the balcony down onto the living room. Nice! It was crazy never in the almost 8 years we've been together have we been sick at the same time. Thank god we are all feeling good now!