colorado in september {grandmas & babies}

Colorado!  Back in September we went up to Colorado - Grandma VanWinkle had traveled allllll the way across the country from Minnesota, to celebrate a few family birthdays and get a 5 generation picture.  It's incredible to me, that at the ripe age of 93, she is able to not only travel across the continent, but play with all the great-great-grandkids, joke around, and beat us all at cards.  I'm so thankful that we got to see her, and that Kayden got to meet her!  She is such a wonderful person and it was great to spend some time with her!! <3 

(PS, for those who don't know that side of the family - Grandma and Grandpa VanWinkle celebrated their seventieth anniversary -- yes 70!!! in 2010 while we were pregnant.  We weren't able to make it out to the celebration in Minnesota, due to my big belly.. but we think about them often - especially during our wedding planning - and how amazing it is that they were together for so many years, and built such a huge, beautiful family.  Grandpa has since passed away - so unfortunately Dominic nor Kayden were ever able to meet him, but I am so so thankful that we all were able to spend time with Grandma =).  So much fun, and such a wonderful memory that I will always cherish.)

Another huge thing happened while we were there.  BABY BENTLEY WAS BORN!!  =D  Baby Bentley is Tara and Ryan's cute little nugget, and Tara is my lifelong friend.  Our moms have been friends since they were in 2nd grade, so Tara and I have been friends since birth.  It's so incredible to grow together, to be happy for each other, and to watch one another's family develop.  I was so so so happy that we got to go see them and their one-day-new baby boy ... and I can't lie - my emotions came over me a bit.  ;)  To see my Tara all grown and holding her brand new baby with such joy and pride was so precious!  Congrats Ryan & Tara!!!  (Over-due, of course) ;)