Valentine's Clothes

Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt gave Cate and Ashton some adorable Valentine's Day clothes.  Cate loved her dress so much that she wore it to school today.  They look so cute!! 

Spring day in January

On Saturday it was a beautiful day!  It was 60 degrees out so we took the kids to the park and had a picnic.  We had such a great time and enjoyed a great warm day in January.  Of course today it is 15 degrees out and it is going to be even colder tomorrow.  Got to love the Colorado weather.

Arizona Trip

Eric had a business trip in Scottsdale AZ this last week, so he asked me if I wanted to tag along and have a little trip for myself.  I had such a wonderful time!  I didn't really do much except for work out, read, and walk around town.  It was so relaxing.  Eric was busy with work most of the time so I had a lot of free time.  It was amazing not having to worry about anyone else.  While we were gone family tag teamed watching the kids.  First Aunt Pat came over, then Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt watched them for a couple days, and then Grammy and Grandpa Rlowe watched the kids for a few days.  It is great being back in Colorado so that we have the family support!

Here are some pictures of the kids from the few days before we left for our trip:

The kids love to get out the tupperware and play with it in the kitchen

Ashton probably wished there was some cookie dough on the beater 

What a beautiful little face!

Cate wanted to do "Arts and Crafts".  So we made a bunch of Valentine's

Ashton wasn't too happy that he couldn't do everything that his big sister was doing

My parents took Ashton to his "My Gym" class while Cate was at preschool

My dad with the kids at the park by our house

Modeling the new outfits that Grammy got them.  They are looking so grown up!

Here are a few pictures that I took while in Arizona:

A picture of the beautiful Westin hotel that we stayed at in Scottsdale

View of the golf course from the back of the hotel.  I spent quite a bit of time reading my book here.  At night a bagpipe player played right up until the sunset.  It was beautiful.

Sitting at the fire pit at the back of the hotel, reading my book, and listening to the bagpipe player.  SOOO relaxing!

Ashton playing near our house.  The weather has been so nice since we got back from AZ.  

Up to Steamboat

We all went up to Steamboat for a week last week.  My sister was in town from Bakersfield CA so we went up for a visit.  Steph brought some of her coworkers and their friends so it was a full house.  We had a great time visiting and it was nice to spend a whole week up there.

Driving up to Steamboat

I took the dogs snow shoeing and it was so beautiful.  This is the view from the trail right by my parent's house. There was a lot of snow and I decided to turn around when I had to dig all 3 dogs out of a hole.

Steph and her friends helping Cate do a princess puzzle.

My Mom asked Cate if she wanted to have a dance party when we went up to Steamboat.  Of course Cate was very excited and told me that we have to bring her tutu and her dancing shoes.  Here she is dressed up for the party.

Of course Ashton wanted to wear the tutu because he has to do everything that Cate does.

Cate playing in the snow

Ashton playing in the snow.  The snow is taller than he is.

Ashton playing with both sippy cups.

Aunt Pat and Uncle Don gave Ashton a session of My Gym  for his birthday.  Here is a picture of him playing with all the other little kids.  He loved going and I look forward to taking him each week.

Fun pics

Cate and Ashton are starting to be able to do some of the same activities.  Here is a picture of them painting together.

Daddy and Cate hanging out on the couch together

Just a picture of Cate that I really like

Now that Ashton is eating the same food as Cate, they are starting to sit together at her table.  It is so cute to watch them eat together.

We took the kids to the recreation center today to go swimming.  The pool has slides, fountains, and a lazy river.  It was great to be able to head to a pool on a snowy day.

Behind Eric is the kids slide.  Cate keeps saying that she will go down it next time.  The kids had a great time at the pool.  It was a great family activity.  

Cate's First Day of School

Today was Cate's first day of preschool.  She did very well.  When we picked her up she told us that she made a friend named Emily and that she got to use glue.  What a great day!

Here she is with her backpack.  She had me check a couple times to make sure that her snack was in the backpack.  

Here is the artwork that she did today.  (I couldn't figure out how to rotate the picture)

As Ashton gets older he is able to play with Cate more and more.  They enjoy playing with water in the kitchen sink.

I love this picture of them standing together and playing.  It is so much fun to watch them together!