{Cole turns 4}

I can't believe he's 4 already!!!  Cole's birthday happened to fall on a day he went to preschool, so I surprised him by bringing in balloons and cupcakes. He loved it, made him feel special all day in class.



He loves his new preschool this year, he's one of the oldest ones in there because of his late birthday.  But that's ok, he gets to really enjoy it for another year.



I made his basketball cake this year with Reese's Pieces.... yummo!

I absolutely LOVE Cole's face here, he was SO EXCITED to open his HUGE bag of presents.

The loot included: PaperJamz guitar, squirt guns, clothes, candy, spiderman lunchbox, transformer mask, magnifying scope for bugs, and a booster car-seat.

Ella and Cole had a blast the next day trying out his presents....
Cole had to wear his new transformers mask.

Nana and Papa are always good about sending bday packages a week before their bday.  They sent him a huge box of gifts as well, (I can't find pics of him opening)  he loves those monster trucks, transformers ball/bat and clothes.  Thanks so much, we love you!

We also got a pkg today from Grandma & Grandpa Thompson. They loved it, how thoughtful!



TOFW : Denver

 This past weekend we went to Denver because Scott could attend a conference on implants, but more importantly so I could go to Time Out For Women with some friends.  IT WAS AMAZING!  I'm so glad I went to hear the spiritual and inspiring talks and music.  Totally something I needed right now.

 Valerie Ann, Me, Tiffany Jo

 Mercy River was the musical act on the 2nd day, and their harmony was amazing. They told the best inspiring stories which related to their songs.  My friend knew the General Director so we were able to get 3RD ROW seats!  By sitting so close we were able to meet Mercy River and take a quick pic.

 Julie De Azevedo Hanks was also an amazing. She is a therapist and gave great insight to seek the good within us, and she's also an amazing performer who plays the piano and sings beautifully.

 My friend (Mimi Crisenberry) who I met while living in El Dorado Hills, CA just moved to Parker, CO the same town my sister lives.  In fact, she lives in the subdivision next to my sisters, only 4 minutes away.  It was so fun to be able to visit and see her, and catch up after not seeing each other for 5 years!!  She invited us over for lunch on Friday, and it was so fun to have our kids play together.  We both have 3 kids exactly the same age.

We also went to church with them on Sunday before we headed back to Santa Fe.  Such a fun weekend, we'll have to come down again and visit soon.

Promises

 Scott promised to take the kids camping during Labor Day weekend, but because of one thing after another, it didn't happen.  So, the kids bugged him enough and he had to give in.  He set up the tent in our backyard with the kiddos.  Totally my kind of camping (Scott & kiddos outside, while baby and me inside).

 They totally loved it, Scott deserves the "Father of the Year" award for keeping his promise to these kids!

The next weekend he was able to take them camping at Valles Calderas, more pics to come on that!



Aquarium & Botanical Gardens

 Last weekend we went to Albq to visit the Aquarium & Botanical Gardens; it was part of our Zoo pass we got.

 First we went to the Aquarium...

 The kids loved seeing the sea animals.

 Especially the sharks!

Botanical Gardens

 Next door to the Aquarium were the Botanical Gardens, which we actually liked better! 

 It was huge, and didn't even get to see it all.  We saw the Sasebo Japanese Garden, the Mediterranean Conservatory, Rio Grande Heritage Farm, and Desert Conservatory... 

 Brock did well staying in the stroller all day,

he even kicked his leg up for a nap.

 Ella & Cole's favorite part of the gardens were the Children's Fantasy Gardens

 I felt like we were on the set of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" with everything being so gargantuous!

 

 They had fun running around the

ginormous carrots, beets, onion, and sliding down the tree slide.

The kids were sad we didn't get to see it all,

 but there's always next time!