Thursday - Today was a big day! We woke the girls up and quick showered and 4 adults and 2 kids piled into the van on the way to Denver. We had breakfast in the van on the way and drove (and drove) to pick up Alex & Emily to join us at the Children's Museum. Alex was very excited by the time we got there. Then we sang songs on the way to the museum. Chris met us there around 10am and we played and played and played. The kids had so much fun together - we'll have to post pictures (I'm too tired to explain it all) but there was a firetruck, huge legos, a tree to climb in, painting, dancing, costumes, vetranarian's office, grocery store, a house, etc, etc. It was definately worth the hassle of getting there. We picniced outside for lunch and went back in to play until around 3:30pm = a good 5+ hours of fun. Once all buckled in the van L was asleep in seconds and E within 10 minutes and M & A were entertained with a movie (the TV in our van according to A) on the way to drop off the kids. L was super and continued to sleep most of the way back to G&G's and once we pulled in the driveway she didn't even want to get out of the van - just stand there and play with the buckle of her carseat. M didn't sleep at all and was ready to get out and play. We had a relaxing evening - supper and playing and even learned L likes cheese. Finally around 9pm we got L to lay down with no complaints and Grandma read several books to M and Dad layed down with her for a few minutes before she was out. It was a long day for everyone - but so much fun!

Wednesday I got up and went for a nice early morning walk - a nice sunny morning and then on my way back the fog set in. Thankfully the weather cleared up and it turned out to be a very nice day. We let the girls have another donut for breakfast (it's vacation) and just play for awhile. Then we went to Kohls thinking of looking for shoes for T & Chris and ended up finding great deals on PJs, a dress and swimsuit for M to wear next summer. She was having a great time running in and out of the dressing room trying on clothes. But we hit our time limit and ended up draggin both girls out of the store kicking and screaming. So we headed to BK for a quick lunch - M was so excited we could all go eat inside. Both girls ate good (if you consider chicken fries and fries good??) but apple fries were a hit with M - so we'll remember that for the future. Then off to City park (all 7 of us in the van) for the girls to play. L was so tired that she laid down in the stroller T & I took her for a walk and she fell right asleep. M had a blast playing with G&G and Aunt Chris, she was making up games and stories to act out. When L woke up we took the girls downtown where they had fountains. We changed them into their swimsuits (M in her new one) and they had so much fun. L seemed to have perfect timing of dodging the water while M stood right over the top of them. It was so cute to watch them run and squeal and run some more. We put L in her little ladybug towel and coaxed her in the carseat. She was adorable turning her head back and forth trying to look around the hood.

We came back to G&G's and got them changed into their matching yellow PJs and planned out supper for them before T & I headed out on our date. We drove to a new shopping center in Loveland and walked around a couple hours and then had a nice supper. It was very relaxing!

Once we got everyone cleaned up all the girls headed down to Fossil Creek park. We had fun running, climbing, swinging, sliding, etc. Then when the guys finished golfing they met us at the park so M had to show them how she could tight rope walk and climb the huge rocks. L wanted to do everything the big kids did and then her desire to swing took over and she swang until almost falling asleep and then she would get down and run to wake herself up again. Once we pried the girls out of the park we came back to G&G's for lunch and naps for everyone - it was WONDERFUL!

The well rested crew packed up and went back to Fossil Creek park to check out the waterfall area. It was really neat - large rocks with a big waterfall and then water channels just big enough to walk through. The girls had a lot of fun - M kept running under the "shower" and L kept trying to catch water in her hands and was perplexed why it wasn't working. They both had fun floating things down the channels - especially the golf ball.

We came back and got everyone cleaned up and fed and then the 3 big girls left for a night out. We went shopping (more than a 5 second running into the gas station for a gallon of milk) and then went to a late movie. It was really nice - I love my girls but they aren't shoppers yet. Grandpa and Dad kept the girls entertained with a movie and popcorn. A great night!

Monday was much more relaxing. L had all morning to conquer and destroy G&G's house while M, Grandma and I went to story hour at the book store. M was excited just to go somewhere by herself plus she listened to 3 books read to her, decorated a pencil box with all kinds of stickers AND Grandma let her pick out a book for her and L. She was super excited! For lunch we packed a picnic and went to this great new handicap accessible park they built here in Ft. Collins. The whole playground was covered in foam floor so they couldn't really fall and get hurt. Both girls loved just being able to run and play. L insisted on doing everything the big kids did. After 3 hours of hard playing in the sun everyone was ready for a nap. L layed down without any complaints and M did too after Grandma read her the new books. T & I sat out on the deck and enjoyed adult conversation in the shade in the peace and quiet - it was wonderful! Then we ate a terrific supper out on the deck and watch the golfers go by. M was chatty Kathy but she did eat her supper and so did L so after cleaning up we drove to Old Town for ice cream at the Walrus. M got a whole chocolate ice cream cone to herself complete with sprinkles. L decided licking off G&G's cones was much better than sharing a bowl and eating off a spoon with Mom. By then it was dark and past their bedtimes so we drove back to G&G's and eventually got them both down (it was a stuggle after that much sugar) but they were very happy so it made it worth it. T&I challenged Don to cribbage and lost horribly so we called it quits and went to bed ourselves.

This morning I had plans of getting up and going for a walk before T & Don went golfing but L had a dream and called out for Daddy and woke L up so I just played with L until M woke up. Then Grandma watched L while M and I went to the store to pick out donuts as a special treat while the guys were golfing. M ate one and a half and L devoured one herself - sugar all over her face, PJs and hair. So I took them directly from the table to the bath - they had a great time playing in Grandma's big bath and eventually they were all clean!

Now I'm being summoned to play doctor and help feed the baby dolls - so I better go play -

Later --