274 (30)

Family photo by our new car.

273 (29)

 We took a last min roadtrip to the mountains to celebrate public lands day! It was a great way to try out our new car and explore nature!

 Punkin was a great little hiker! She did even better when we bribed her with sweets once we got back into Estes Park!

 Isn't Estes Park pretty? This is where we picnic lunched!

 Punkin was hamming it up for some photos!

 We loved running through the leaves!

 Sometimes, you need to stop mid hike for kisses. :)

 Near the end, we didn't make Punkin walk any more. She got the princess treatment!

 Awww.... we look tired.....

 Family photo! Can you tell that it was Punkin's nap time?

 We loved the fall leaves on this section of the hike!

And, last but not least, Punkin playing in the trees! She was having a ball playing peek-a-boo! We loved our day up at Rocky Mnt. National Park! Anyone want to go with us again sometime soon? Or maybe come springtime?

272 (28)

 Someone was SO excited about her new pillow that she couldn't even wait to get into bed to try it.

 Punkin at the play area with my MIL's day care kids. She is the shortest even though she is one of the older kids. (The boy in the red shirt is a year younger than her and he's bigger than she is!)

 We met Daddy at the playground for a picnic and play time dinner. It was loads of fun. She was "throwing waffles" at us. It was pretty funny.

Someone rocks the hat. This was while we were at the store picking up her pillow!

271 (27)

The acorn squash that Punkin BEGGED me to buy, cooking. Apparently it tasted like pancakes with the texture of potatoes. Love fall foods. :)

270 (26)

You might not be able to tell, but Punkin LOVED spinning on this thing with the big kids. It took me FOREVER to get her down. She may have had more fun doing this than trying to kick me while I was pushing her on the swings. (And she Laughed and Lauged and Lauged over that game as well.)

269 (25)

Okay, so this girl decided it was SO FUNNY to drop marbles down her shirt. She just giggled and giggled every time she did it. "Oh no! My shirt!" ... giggle giggle giggle...... It is funny seeing her develop her own sense of humor.

268 (24)

See, she loves climbing around in the new car. Now, if only I could get her to be cooperative while actually getting her in her car seat!

267 (23)

We played chase on the line (similar to sharks and minnows on turf.) It was so much fun.

We also introduced Punkin to the new car. She loved climbing around in it!

266 (22)

 

 WE BOUGHT A CAR! Seriously, what a stressful expereince for us. But let me tell you, it was fun to drive our new lil beauty off the lot the same day it came in off the truck!

265 (21)

 Hippo game! It has been a favorite in these parts as of late. The trick? You may use the hippo to get the marbles, but Punkin will grab at them with her hands. At least she is creative, right?

And I couldn't help but add this bonus photo just so I can remember how obsessed our girl is with lip gloss at this phase. (Or is it a phase?)

264 (20)

I couldn't pick a favorite from this impromptu photo shoot that Punkin demaded.

 Love that little goof ball!

263 (19)

Sick little girl all "cozy" in her favorite blanket, watching her favorite movie. If only I could get a smile on that face.

262 (18)

Punkin, wearing one of her favorite retro inspired shirts, learning how to cut. My sanity could have been okay with no safety scissors until she was like 5. Well, what is done is done. eeep.

261 (17)

This was the sky during my run this morning. That spot where the clouds clear there in the middle made me think of a spy hole or something. You know, where God was watching down on people. (It was cooler in real life, my phone camera didn't quite capture the effect very well.)

Pretty Pretty What?

It is amazing how quickly this little girl can go from pretty pretty princess....

 ...to tantrum queen. (If you look closely you can see her necklaces flying thru the air after being ripped from her neck.)

The words "story time" will do some powerful things when story time after lunch leads right into nap time. (Also, check out her own outfit of choice! dress over a tutu. awesome.)

260 (16)

The view from the nature trail we walked this morning. Too bad the trail isn't more shaded, but the sky is awesome.

259 (15)

I spent ALL DAY looking for cars with my SIL and MIL. SIL ended up buying one at this lot. We spent hours going up and down the rows at this super sale of used cars in this golf cart while she searched for the new car of her dreams. (And yes, she found one!)

One of KC's employees brought him in a cake. Here is Punkin enjoying said cake and showing off her "Go Blue!" spirit.

258 (14)

 See? Sunrises in CO just aren't as pretty as their sunsets. This is a particularly good morning, it is trying hard, but the sunsets are effortlessly beautiful.

Oh, and a cute one of Punkin trying on Mommy's shoe. (Yes, she has other clothes. She just selects this skirt a lot. It makes the seamstress kind of thrilled.)

257 (13)

We had a girl club morning including story time at the library and chick-fil-a for lunch. This was the only place in the play area she wasn't afraid of. silly girl.

September 12 on 12

1. It was a rainy all day long. It cleared up for bed time, but it was cold and rainy all day long. 2. Punkin and I were having a dance party while I was getting ready. She decided to try her hand at "make-up" (Chapstick and just a makeup brush.) 3. The news this morning broke my heart to hear about the embassy attacks. 4. Punkin wanted to wear all pink and have special hair. This was my best attempt. 5. The toddler movie of the moment. It is  a good movie to have requested often, but even then, it is requested often. ahh! 6. Nothing like indoor "bike" races with your friends. 7. We went to target. yay. 8. Another dance party! This time sans makeup application. 9. Dinner. Well for me and Punkin at least, KC prefers a different brand. 10. Wednesday. Laundry day. Yuck. 11. We went for a walk and then got "cozies" to stay warm. 12. The sunset. Colorado makes a  beautiful sunset, that is for sure!

256 (12)

Punkin loves putting things on her head. I blame her father for this obsession. He was always putting burp cloths and the like on her hed for photos when she was an infant.

255 (11)

Preping "plant food" in the sand box at the park.

Rules to Live By

About a month ago, I was struggling  so I decided to go a little introspective and I came up with these rules to live by. Any that you would add?

1. Be informed. There is a world going on around you that impacts you. You are only hurting yourself by staying ignorant.

2. Be decisive. God gave you a backbone so use it.

3. Keep your chin up. Just because you aren't looking at people doesn't mean they aren't looking at you. And you will look pretty stupid if you walk into a sign or something.

4. Be involved. Do Something. Try something new. Take part in your community. Experience nature. Experience the arts. Live you life rather than just watching others live theirs.

5. Be inspired. Set Goals. It will give you a road map of where you are headed.

6. Have a routine, but be willing to break it.

7. Have faith in other people. They might just surprise you.

8. Ask and answer questions. That is how you learn. And if someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, that is okay. Politely decline or say that you don't know yet. (But if you just ignore them you look like an idiot.)

9. Don't compare yourself to others. You will either get an ego or depressed, neither of which are good.

10. Pray. There is always someone in your corner who will listen to you. Don't give up on your biggest Advocate.

KC's addition-
11. Whatever you want, want it more than you're afraid of it.

254 (10)

 Munchkins at the ranch today. We were up at this barn planning the church Halloween party. They all wanted to see cows, but we could only see them from the car. I love the little boy on the ground (J) in this photo, his face is classic! Punkin and the little one in pink next to her couldn't quite climb this themselves. I got a touch nervous putting her up there, but she did great.

The kids loved doing their own version of a barn dance!

253 (9)

 "Make your dreams come true" - Punkin as she dances like Cinderella! I just wish I could have gotten her saying that on video.

And then trying to be like Daddy. Love that girl and her crazy antics.

252 (8)

 Look who is excited for Michigan to play Air Force Today!

 This was 15 min beore game time. She completely fell asleep right before the game started and slept until there was only 2:50 left on the clock.

Punkin told Daddy to put on her jammies. This was his best attempt!