Toads

"Mom, when is Dad taking us fishing?"  "Aunt Kris, when are we going to go fishing?"  These boys had fishing on the brain.  We had been to the butterfly pavilion, pool, musuem and all they really wanted to do was go fishing.  And, we had PROMISED them a fishing trip. 

So, I called my Dad's good friend in Fort Morgan and we loaded the boys up in the Tahoe and headed out to Mark's pond.  They boys were so excited to get there that they could hardly sit in their seats.

Not only did we catch fish, we also caught 3 big fat toads.

Each boy named their toad.   They were named Cosco, Lightening, and Cindy.  When Jackson told us this toad was named Cindy (his mom's name) Bryan and I both laughed.  We knew he missed his mom and dad but, he never said anything, this was the one thing he did that made us think he missed home.

While the boys caught toads, Eli threw rocks in the water for Bridger.  They could both do this for hours!  They are so cute!

When it was time to leave, the boys didn't want to leave their new friends (the toads).  So, we agreed they could come home with us.  I have to admit that they took very good care of them.  They made a nice home for them and let them swim in the bath tub.  And, after a few days, we decided to let them go again.

Here are the boys playing with the new pets in the bath tub.

The Fountain

 Later that evening I took the boys to the fountain.   Shooting water never gets boring!

Pirate Adventure

Ahoy there!  It's the pirate exhibit at the museum.  An exhibit about a real pirate ship and the story about the pirate captain and all his ship mates.

I loaded the boys in the car and we headed to the Denver Museum of History to see the pirates.  When we arrived Jackson informed me that he would rather see the dinosaurs, not the pirates.  I laughed and agreed that the dinosaurs were a top priority.  We would see them right after the pirates.

We met our friends, Jake and Lauren, at the front of the museum, grabbed our pirate maps and were off to explore Pirate Kingdom.

 

After we learned about the pirates we earned our pirate hats.

Finally, the dinosaurs.  Jackson LOVED the dinosaur exhibit.

4 little boys, 3 hours of summer fun, 2 pools, and 1 HUGE waterslide

The next day it was really hot so, we headed to the pool.  The boys had the best time splashing and swimming!  After about an hour of swimming I hear Jackson say "Aunt Kris, Can I go on the waterslide?"  "Sure", I say.   So, we started heading over to the GIGANTIC, waterslide.  Gabe decided to walk with us but, informed us that he would NOT be going down that huge slide.  It was WAY to scary!

Jackson went and he loved it.  Up the stairs, down the slide.  Up the stairs, down the slide.  Gabe finally couldn't take it anymore.  He decided he wanted to go also.  So, he positioned me at the bottom, where I could catch him, and he walked up the stairs.  Then he walked down.  He stood and watched the kids some more.    "Ok" he said.  "I'm now ready".  He walked up the stairs.  He stood on the top for a long time and then I saw him shoot out the bottom.  He did it!  It's so good to have a cousin here that makes you step a little out of your comfort zone!

After that, the boys went on the water slide over and over again until I had to drag them out of the pool!

Butterflies

One quick trip to Albuquerque and Jackson has joined us.  We were so excited that he had come to stay with us for 10 days!  Let the adventure begin.

We didn't waste anytime letting him rest!  On Monday morning, it was off to the Butterfly Pavilion.   My friend, Regan, was passing through town so we loaded up our 8 kiddos and headed out to explore.

Gabe, Danica, and Hayden

Jackson loved this giant preying mantis

Owen and Micah trying to decide what to see first.

Touching the starfish

Learning about under water animals

Don't scare him, Owen

Precious baby Hudson

The highlight of the trip to the Butterfly Pavilion is Rosie.  Rosie, the cute adorable tarantula.  Not only do you get to see Rosie up close, you get to hold her.  Hold a tarantula?  Gabe was not to sure that this was a good idea.  Jackson and Owen, on the other hand, were really excited about holding that big spider.  Jackson jumped up in the seat and held his hand out in expectation.  He sat very still as the spider walked up his arm.  After Jackson and Owen were done holding the Spider, Gabe didn't know what to do.  He really wanted to do it but, he as afraid.   When it was his turn in line, he stepped back and decided it wasn't such a good idea.  But, with a little coaxing from his cousin he decided he had to have a turn.  So, he sat down, held out his hand, and closed his eyes.  The spider starting walking across his hand.  He kept his eyes closed until it was almost over then he looked up and got a hug smile on his face!  He did it, he overcame his fear!  I was very proud of him.

 

The end of the day had arrived.  We had seen the butterfly's, held Rosie, played in the play area and were ready to head home.   Regan left for Wyoming and I decided that I wanted to get one last picture of all 4 boys before we left.  The thought was great but it didn't work out as planned.  I got the picture but, not everyone cooperated.    So, here are those 4 boys just being wild and crazy after a fun day of exploring and playing.

Jackson

An adorable little boy with big brown eyes and dark curly hair who is always eager to please.  He won't always tell you what he wants or needs but, you can peer into those eyes and read his every emotion.  The shine and sparkle when he gets excited about something or the cloudiness of disappointment.  A little dare devil, who loves to go really fast on the water slide and jump into the pool at lightning speed.  A smile that will melt your heart complete with dimples. 

I am so privlaged that he calls me "Aunt Kris".  I am so privlaged that we spent 10 days together this summer.  I am so privlaged that we will have these memories with us forever. 

Thank you, Jackson, for coming to Colorado this summer to spend some time with us and we can't wait until next summer!

Little Cowboys

Every afternoon this summer, we would spend time with the horses.

Amaya and Gabe have turned into quite the little cowboys.

Here is one of our first rides in the corral.  The kids did great and we felt confident with them riding by themselves.  It has been amazing watching them go from this first ride to playing Polo in the polo school with Pop. 

What is a brother to do while he watches the big kids ride horses?