Sunday Hike

Sunday was a gorgeous day so Grace and Mark headed on a hike to the waterfall (although it was a bit dry with the scarce precipitation we've got) at Horsetooth Rock.  I'm a bit too unbalanced to hike at this point so I stayed home and continued my nesting.  The report back was that they had a great time.  Although, Mark was a bit sore after carrying Grace on his shoulders half the way.  I can't wait until baby and I can join them!

Towards the end, Grace thought it would be a good idea to "take a nap" on the trail.

Welcome Home Daddy!

Mark got home Saturday and Grace and I went to Denver to pick him up.  Grace certainly missed her Daddy--I was told at least every half hour, "I really miss my daddy!"  At one point she asked me to get on a plane and go get him.  When I asked her who would stay with her if I left she quickly replied, "Kristen!"  The much anticipated return of Daddy did not disappoint.  She sprinted about 100 yards when she spotted him at the airport.  Since we were already in Denver we decided to try out the Children's Museum.  Bad idea on a rainy Saturday since it was packed--we'll have to go back on a weekday morning.  Regardless of the crowd, we did have fun playing with the bubbles, making and launching paper rockets, and pretending we were a firefighter.

Mommy/Gracie Time

Grace started her summer schedule at school last week.  She's staying home with me on Wednesdays and Fridays.  I LOVE it!  Last Wednesday we did story time at the library, a dentist appointment for G,  took Mark to the airport in Denver for a work trip, and had dinner with Kristen (a.k.a. "Grace's best friend") in downtown Denver.  Friday we did a sing along at the toy store with our friends Myra and Siena and then had lunch at their house.  Friday night we headed to Sonic for dinner--every time we drive by Sonic, Grace reminds me that she's never been there.  So I thought it would be a fun treat to try it out.  It was a gorgeous night and we got to eat outside.  She loved it!  I think we're both going to enjoy our Mommy/Gracie days!

36 weeks

 Last Thursday marked the 36 week mark in this pregnancy!  We're almost there!  We had an appointment last Tuesday--baby is head down and there is a little progress (not as much as I had hoped but there was some!).  Baby is doing a lot of stretching and rolling side to side.  I'm having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions so hopefully that's a sign she's getting ready to make her grand entrance!  I've also been doing a LOT of nesting--baby's room is ready (pics soon!), clothes are washed, toys are cleaned, random cupboards have been reorganized, you name it--I have taken on the challenge!

Mark was out of town last Thursday so Grace took my 36 week pic.

And of course she needed a pic with her hand on her belly too!

Mother's Day

Mark and Grace made my Mother's Day so special!  I awoke to a little girl climbing into my bed saying "Happy Mother's Day!" (how she remembered on her own, I have no idea!).  She and Mark got up as I attempted to get a little more sleep when all of a sudden I heard little feet running up the stairs, "Mommy, you have to come down and see the craft I made for you.  And we got you purple flowers with a butterfly!"  She was so excited!  My flowers were beautiful and the craft was a little bluebird made from Grace's handprint.  It was awesome.  Mark made us pancakes and bacon for breakfast and we watched went and saw a movie that afternoon.  It was all topped off with chocolate cake (with sprinkles--of course!) prepared by Mark and G!  A perfect day!

Finger paint

We got finger paint for a Mother's Day project for the grandmas.  Grace LOVED it!

Rain!

We don't get much rain here but when we do it necessitates getting our rain boots on!

Bike

 Grace has been doing awesome on her tricycle!

She was doing so well that we got her a bike with training wheels...a pink and purple one!

Alma College

Look what came in the mail a few weeks ago...

Grace's official acceptance letter to Alma College!  (Contingent on the successful completion of kindergarten through 12th grade and meeting Alma's admission requirements.)

She was thrilled and for a week afterwards kept telling us "I'm going to Alma College!"  Nothing would make us happier!

Nana's visit

A few days after our trip to Salt Lake City, Nana came to visit!  Grace was so excited to get some time with her Nana and Mark and I were happy to get to spend some time with her as well!  We did all sorts of fun things when Nana was here...

Grace was so excited to get to see Nana at the airport

 First stop after Nana got here was the zoo.

 

 And then it was time for some dress up.

  We did a trip to the mall in Denver.

 Grace wore Nana's hat.

 

 We did an early birthday celebration for Nana's 60th birthday!

 

 

 We headed to Boulder and when we got there we learned it was the Tulip Festival.  All the kids were dressed as fairies or elves.  Grace had to get in on the action.

 

 

 There were also adults dressed as fairies...

 

 who gave little birds and pixie dust!

 

 (notice Grace's hand--she was very careful with her pixie dust!)

 

We went to an awesome event near our house called "Kites in the Park."  Grace got to make a kite and fly it.

 

We took Nana to The Rio for their famous margaritas

And no trip to Fort Collins is complete without a stop at the Farm.

Nana got to meet Brownie.

And of course there was lots of fun time playing at home.  Here is Grace with the homemade play-dough she and Nana made.

Can't wait until you come back, Nana!