Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

A few weeks ago Grandma and Grandpa spoiled Taylor (but really, when isn't she spoiled?!). While DJ and I were both working they took her to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with Jess and Madison. She was so excited.

Apparently she wasn't too excited about feeding these guys

She is so lucky to have such great grandparents! And now a sweet lil' cousin to share these trips with!

 Of course she'd get close to any type of baby! She was so funny telling us how she pet the baby Kangaroo.

And what trip would be complete without getting her face painted?

DJ and I both have vacation coming up and it's our turn to spoil her! Can't wait to start checking stuff off our Summer Bucket List!!

Family Days - 2013

Back in June (yes, I'm that far behind!) DJ's company held Family Days instead of hosting a company picnic. 

They had jump castles, face painting, a dunk tank, BBQ and the best part - a real engine! I love this picture because Taylor has a death grip on DJ! She was so scared being that high up. 

Taylor was so excited to finally see where Daddy really works. She's always asked him if she could get inside an engine with him and now she finally had the chance. She looks so cute sitting in the "driver" seat! 

She got to see all the buttons Daddy gets to push, how the brakes work and the computer monitors Daddy watches. She doesn't look it in this picture but she really was happy to be there. 

She's so tiny next to that big engine!

On our way home we stopped by Little Man - just because we were in the area :o) 

4th of July

While it's still July I thought it would be a good idea to get around to writing a post about our 4th of July. Better late than never! :o)

This has to be one of my favorite holidays. This year was a little sad since DJ had to work and it was the first year in almost a decade that we have not watched fireworks together. Neither of us were too happy about that but we decided he won't work another Independence Day as long as we can both help it.

We made a special t-shirt for Taylor to wear

Taylor and I spent the morning baking goodies to take to a BBQ later that day. We made a S'mores Ice Cream cake and an apple pie. 

Our friends Ted and Kristin were hosting the BBQ. We forgot her sunglasses :o(

  
She got to swim in the pool with the girls. . . 

We stuck to tradition and painted our nails the same as we have every year since she was born.

 Taylor loved playing with sparklers! I think she went through about 15 of them!!

Since DJ wasn't there on the 4th to celebrate with us we made special plans the next night to go to Colorado National Speedway and watch their firework show. Taylor was so excited!! Grandma and Uncle Preston came too.

After the races we took her down to the pits and walked around all the race cars. Most of the drivers were giving out autographs and Taylor thought that was pretty cool.

I kept telling Taylor she could become a race car driver and we could paint her name on the side of her car one day just like this - 

She said she didn't want to drive the cars but she at least sat in one.

 

DIY Ideas and Projects

It's been almost 2 years since we bought and moved into our home. Slowly we've added little touches to each room to make it more complete. We've also hung pictures, taken them down and changed our minds about a thousand times - in each room. Ok, maybe not that much but it still seems like there are several rooms in our home that are unfinished or not how we'd like them to be. I've been browsing through Pinterest like crazy trying to find the perfect DIY projects and decorating ideas to pull our house together. I guess you could say we are going for the "Farmhouse" look. 

Here's a couple of the next projects I'd like to start (and finish :o)

To hang at the bottom of our stairs

visit flowerpatchfarmgirl.blogspot.com

A corner unit for our dining room

Visit indulgy.com

To hang behind our small couch - but, of course, with a 'D' and in green instead of teal

visit pin4fun9003.blogspot.com

By the front door - I'll be attempting to make my own

found on Etsy

Propped in the corner of our living room next to the TV or hung on the wall between the basement and garage doors (I'll be making this sometime this week(end)

Behind our small couch in the living room (maybe in a rustic brown color or green)

visit 1.bp.blogspot.com

For the living room

visit necessarycreativity.blogspot.com

So if anyone has or knows of someone who has some antique ladders, antique porch rails, vintage/antique wooden window frames let me know :o) ha ha. I'll be on the hunt for these items.

Show N' Share

I am seriously slacking when it comes to blogging lately. Everything has been so hectic lately that the blog has had to take the back seat to life. I think after the holiday I will finally be able to get things caught up. I've said that before though haven't I? :o)

Last Friday Taylor took Madison to school for Show N' Share (same as show n' tell). It was so sweet. Jess met us at the school and as soon as they got there Taylor just lit up. In fact, she cried when I told her Jess wouldn't be there at noon but she would come later in the day. She sure loves her little cousin! 

It was so cute to hear all the little questions the kids asked - "how long have you had her?", "where did she come from?", "is she yours now, Taylor?". Love those little minds!! 

I was so happy we got to take pictures of it and Jess even recorded some of it. I have a feeling these two girls will be very close growing up. It will be fun showing these pictures to both of them in a few years.  

More posts soon to come! I have so much to share ;o)