#girlsweekend

thanks to my wonderful husband, i was able to take a trip this past weekend to denver.  steph and i took a flight to colorado together to go visit melanie. we had such a wonderful, relaxing, and refreshing time!  we hit the pool, did some shopping, and made our way to colorado springs to go hike around the God of the Gardens.  it was simply beautiful.  i am blessed to have such long lasting friendships with these two.  it was fun to feel like college roommates again!

garden of the gods.

poolside

a little shopping at the outlets.  best. store. ever.

girls weekend is not complete without icecream.

#bff

our return home was more eventful than our flight there.  our flight was delayed due to severe thunderstorms in the area.  we were supposed to leave denver at 7:55pm but didn't get up in the air until almost 2am.  so it made for a very late night, but it was well worth it.  steph and i made the most...or at least we tried!

   

erik and the girls appeared to have a wonderful weekend as well!  he sent me lots of (funny) pictures of their weekend with daddy!  it appears that evie's hair never got done...but what can you do?!  ha! thanks for letting me have such a great girls weekend, erik!

please note keller's expression in this pic.

facetime

Avoiding bedtime

Evie likes to stall sleepy time. In fact , we typically hear the door crack open followed by a sweet voice that will say something like "I gotta go potty."  "I need water."  "I'm scared."  "I gotta go poopy."

But tonight, a new response to not wanting to sleep. 

"Mommy, will you come scratch my back a little bit?"

And of course I went as my heart was overflowing. 

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things was when my mommy would scratch my back. And she never said no. 

Sweet Evie girl, your mama loves you to the moon and back.

when mommy's away...

i received all sorts of cute pics sent to me when i was away.  the girls obviously had a blast with mimi, papa, grandma, grandpa, and daddy.  there was a trip to the children's museum with mimi & papa!  and a zoo trip on keller's bday with the hustad clan!  a huge thank you to our family for all of your help while i was gone!!  ps: while i was gone my dad did major overhaul on the house.  he stained the deck, cleaned up the backyard (got rid of branches and dead trees), and organized our store room.  dad you rock!

happy baby on her birthday!

Dancing!

Keller beller loves to dance!!  Anytime ANY music is played she is swinging her arms and smiling!

 

#JAHEuropeanAdventure

trip facts

1. my entire trip was documented with my iphone/ipad mini.
2. it rained.  a lot.
3. bitterballen is my new favorite dutch word.  but not my favorite dutch food.
4. i consumed approximately 76,429 grams of carbohydrates and 25,000 calories of cheese alone.  but don't worry, we walked all of the calories off.
5. i now hate my umbrella and my green sweatshirt/jacket.
6. fat tire bike tours Paris FTW (mom, this means "for the win")  :)  everyone should do this if they visit a city with their tours
7. i should win the honest abe's photo contest (pictures taken in abe's shirt in cool locations).  but apparently i am disqualified because of my last name.  lame.
8. i paid 6€90 for a 16 ounce coke (withOUT ice) which equal approximately $9.00.  lame.
9. i drank a minimum of 3 espressos a day.
10. pigeons are everywhere.  and they fly in your face in paris.  yuck.
11. oh and yes we did work.  :) we met some awesome dutch educators.  excited to take students next year.
12. i traveled with the two best people.  awesome travel mates.
13. parisians are very nice. americans are embarrassing+loud.
14. every dutch person we met spoke english (and usually a third language...)
15. i finished two books.  for those of you who know my reading history...this is an amazing accomplishment.

holland/netherlands/dutchland

paris, france

somewhere in between amsterdam and paris

Keller's first birthday party

We had so much fun celebrating KGs first birthday. I themed the party (yes I am one of those moms) using the colors of the rainbow. Our sweet munchkin was lucky to celebrate alongside her Grandma and Grandpa and all of the Hustad aunts/uncles/cousins. We are blessed. 

 

 

it's my party and i will cry if i want to!!

cousins!

Keller Grace, you bring so much joy to our lives!  Happy birthday sweet baby!