Grandparents hold our tiny hands for just a little while...

...but our hearts forever!

Welcome Baby Ashlynn!

Madeline met her new baby cousin, Ashlynn Renee Smith, born on Thursday, August 27, 2009. She sure is a cutie! Congrats to Auntie Jen and Uncle Billy!

Aquarium of the Pacific

Last week, we took Madeline to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Of course, our camera battery died after about 45 minutes and we were only able to get a few pictures, but as you can see, Madeline really enjoyed scoping out all the sea life! She loved the colorful fish and birds, but her most favorite animal there was certainly the SHARK ('shar-keeee'). She is crazy about sharks...a little scared, but fascinated nonetheless. We had a great time!

Colorado 2009

After spending a week in Maine, we headed back west to Colorado to spend a week with Maddie's Grandpa Mark, Bobbie, Sheridyn and Carsyn.

CAMPING AT WINDSOR SHORES

We camped at Windsor Shores for two nights. Madeline had a blast riding in the boat, chasing bunnies, and playing in the sand with the girls.

HORSIES!!!

I can almost certainly say that the highlight of the whole vacation for Madeline was our trip to visit Bear and Tuffy, Carsyn and Sheridyn's horses. Madeline was sooooooo excited when she saw all of the horses ('see-sees'). She just loved them and was in HEAVEN when she got to sit in the little buckaroo saddle and ride Bear. She was such a big girl and had a blast riding around the stables. She gave Bear lots of love and kept petting him and rubbing him the entire time she was riding. It was very sweet!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK






















We took a trip up to Rocky Mountain National Park to do some hiking. The weather was perfect and the mountains were absolutely beautiful. We hiked to Alberta Falls. Madeline was a great hiker. She kept pointing out all the trees, squirrels, chipmunks, water...she enjoyed every second of our hike! She fell asleep on daddy's back on our way back down. Such a trooper!

ESTES





On our way home from hiking, we stopped in Estes to take Madeline and the girls down this giant slide. I'm going to be completely honest and say that this thing scared the heck out of me and I wasn't 100% comfortable taking Madeline down. However, it turned out to be a blast and Madeline LOVED it! We took her twice and each time we hit the bottom she would say/sign "MORE!" She's such a brave little girl!

JIM's WINGS

Chris' favorite place to eat in Colorado is Jim's Wings. They have great wings and cheap beer...pretty much all a guy could ask for. Madeline opted to enjoy her raviolis ('ol-ees') and her very first Ring Pop instead of wings. She was such a mess after dinner, but she was happy and we were able to enjoy our meal :) When we left the restaurant, there was the most beautiful double rainbow I had ever seen!

COUSINS

On our last day, Chris’ cousin, Doug, and his family drove out from Parker to spend the day with us. It was so great to see all of them. Madeline had a blast playing with all the kids (especially their little dog, Parker!). They swam, jumped on the trampoline, and caught frogs. We also made a trip out to feed the chickens. Madeline is crazy for the chickens…she chases them like she actually thinks she might catch one! Miley and Madeline were both so excited to hold a chicken on their own. It was the cutest thing. I love the picture of the four of them walking down to the chicken coop!

We had a great time in Colorado with the Randolphs! Hopefully, we’ll be seeing them again soon when Jen has her baby next month!