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) ;)

beading with girlies.

A couple snapshots of girls day and beading.  I get so proud of her when she picks up things so quickly, and her fine motor skills impress me, even if they don't impress anyone else lol.  ;)  She loves these - she'll just bead them, unstring them, bead them, unstring them.

The fair.

The fair.  Eeeeep the fair.  We have a weakness for all things fall around here really ... we started dating in the fall, we had Kayden in the fall, and now we got engaged in the fall =D  So we've got a lot of memories and traditions and looooove when fall comes around!! <3

(I realized today that my August/September folder got a bit jumbled, but that's ok)

Anyways, back to the fair.  We love it.  Super love it.  It was such a blast this year, with Kayden exploring more than ever.  We shared fair food, and watched the native american dances and she couldn't get enough =).  And of course we had to stop by the animals - hilarious.  The pictures kill me haha! =D  Her face, and Dominic's faces, too much! 

HAHAHA!  I truly feel like I need to print this out and put it up to giggle about on a regular basis ;D

Love her little tongue here <3

Wild thang.

Wild thang!  She is such a nut!  We are now to August, by the way people.  Big things, big things! =D She just kills me with her little backpack, and her keys.  She's becoming such a big girl, who totally knows what she wants!  It's an interesting time, and is continuing to be - with her feistiness mixed with her sweet helpfulness <3.  

And a couple of crazy hair (and living room) just to make you smile =D

Baseball in the seats.

This fam loves baseball!  We'd go everyday if we could.  Last summer when Auntie Roni offered an impromptu baseball day, we jumped at the chance, and off we went!  Kayders loved sitting in the seats and especially having her own special seat ;D  She's too much.  And apparently so was the game .. she passed.out.cold!  My sweet baby <3

(Pre game lunch) ;)