Salida with Grandpa Nick

At the beginning of last week, we headed up into the mountains to see Grandpa Nick, Jesse's dad, who lives in Salida. His house is strategically located across the street from a great playground where we spent quite a bit of our visit.



Getting ready to come down the big slide.

"Oh, fun!" That's Elliott's newest phrase.

Walking to town with Jess.

Having a rest with Grandpa Nick. 

Salida is a really cool little town with great restaurants, a ton of art galleries, and a well-known whitewater rafting/kayaking scene. I love this cool tree art.

And this beautiful bridge.

One day later, back to the same park. Elliott scaled this climbing wall/mountain with ease. I'm constantly amazing by his fearlessness, agility, and ability to fall without seriously hurting himself.

Made it to the top!

Is there anything greater than a kid's smile on a swing?

Elliott loved getting pushed higher and higher.

Nick and Jesse started goofing off on the swings. Elliott quickly copied them.

I'm not sure what I love more. The facial expression, the off-kilter hat, or those long legs!

Elliott up in his first tree.

These two are a little out of order. It was cold one morning while we were there. We needed to get Elliott somewhere to run around so we went to Murdoch's, one of those awesome farm supply stores that sells everything you could ever need. Their kids' toy section was great and Elliott loved it.

And there was a big boy toy section too!

Elliott loved playing with Grandpa Nick. Right before we left, E fed his Os to Nick.

Here is a video of the cute sharing.

After leaving Salida, we stopped in Buena Vista for lunch. Jesse lived in BV when he was very young and then again in middle school. Elliott loved seeing this big train!

 

Family Sunday Afternoon

Last Sunday, much of Jesse's extended family came over to visit while we were in town. I left my camera stowed for most of the afternoon and opted to visit instead. After a while, Jesse's brother Garrett was asking about my camera and I basically forced him to go take pictures. He politely obliged.

Elliott was very concerned that someone else had my camera.



Hayden resting on the steer head.

I love how Elliott goes "bottoms up" with his milk.

A bat and a net . . . maybe a new sport?

Checking out the wiggle car with Uncle Cale.

We were all thoroughly entertained by this.

I'm pretty sure I would pass out if I tried this.

In the dog house. Really.

Elliott found a stash of shells in the dog house.

I love having someone else behind the camera so we get pictures of all three of us. Thank you, Garrett, for taking pictures!

Oh! All four of us here. Nineteen months and nineteen weeks in the belly!

Elliott warmed up to everyone very quickly out here. He sat with Uncle Cale for a few stories and some snuggles.

 

Happy Birthday Ned!!

Happy, happy birthday to Ned!! It seems like you were this little guy just yesterday . . . 

And now you're 4! 

We love you lots!
xoxo,
Jesse, Emily, and Elliott

Muddy Sunday Funday with the Hannas

There are a few things we miss terribly since moving away from Colorado five years ago. Family. The mountains. Friends. Ranking very high on our list is the Hanna family - our awesome neighbors we met very soon after we bought the house across the street from them. Every time we are in town, we stop by for a visit. It's even more fun now with all the boys. Kieran is nearly 6 (gasp! he was only a few months old when we moved out!) and Reid is 3. Elliott loves playing with "big kids" and had a blast.

Elliott loved the gator.



Kieran is a great big brother and is teaching Elliott all about this hammer.

Reid created a mud pit so the boys quickly lost their shirts in an effort to keep somethings clean. It was a beautiful morning for outdoor fun.

Reid getting the mud ready.

Muscle beach is that way.

"I have mud on my hands!" Elliott often gets flustered when his hands are dirty or sticky but we successfully assured him that a little mud was okay.

Tavis and the boys examining their muddy hands.

Getting an early start at the workbench. Maybe he can help Jesse on all the house projects?

No fun here, right?

All the boys getting in the mud.

One of Elliott's new phrases is, "oh, fun!"

Trying to get three little boys to look at the camera . . . not easy.

Muscle shot! I guess this is what I have to look forward to :) Needless to say, showers were had by all.

Hamming it up for the camera.

Ball!

Hannas - we loved seeing you! We're already looking forward to the next visit!