Last Day with the Frey's | Colorado

It was a little bittersweet leaving the Frey's today. We love them dearly, are going to miss them bunches, and are extremely sad to see Greg having to deploy later this year. We had a fantastic time with them and the only redeeming thing about leaving them was that we were going to go finish up the rest of our trip by visiting family.

But before we left, we had to get a few shots in of the kids in their matching clothes! I had bought the girls the matching dresses before we left for our trip, but the boys' matching shirts were not nearly as well planned! When Noah came upstairs in his robot shirt, Angie exclaimed that Ethan had one too, so she dressed him in his also. I *loved* that they were all matching!

We ran a few errands in the morning and in the afternoon, we headed to Denver to meet Ben's Mom and Dad at Texas de Brazil for dinner. We got there with a little time to kill, so we walked around the shopping area. The kids were entranced by the water fountains... and I was a little nervous that one of mine would get soaked! ha!

Dinner was fabulous. But, then again, when has Texas de Brazil ever let us down?

Friends, we love you dearly! We'll keep you in our constant prayers as Greg's deployment approaches and we look forward to getting to see you all again REAL soon!! Thanks for all the fun!! ♥

Goodbye {for now}

As a military family, we've gotten pretty use to goodbyes. Saying goodbye to family and friends after a short visit home. Saying goodbye to family and friends when we move. Saying goodbye to family and friends when they move. It doesn't mean though, that I like goodbyes. And some goodbyes are just a little harder {for me, at least} to handle.

Today was one of those goodbyes.

Angie, Greg, Ethan... we love you guys more than you'll ever know. You're more than friends to us, you're family.

We're so glad you came to visit us and can't wait to come see ya'll once you move to Colorado.

And for the record, I sobbed once we got back in the car. ♥

***

After we left the airport, stopped in at Starbucks for some coffee and to meet up with our friend David.

Noah loves doughnuts and knowing that he wouldn't eat anything at Chipotle {and still trying to maintain my composure}, I got him one with some milk. He seemed to fit right in, sitting in the chair, munching on his Starbucks snack.

After lunch, we stopped by David and Stephanie's new place and while the guys visited, I rearranged the car seats in the Sequoia. I came back in to find the guys doing this:

The said Noah made them do it.

And I actually believed them.

Before the Frey's had left, I had picked up some pirate hats, hooks, and patches for the boys to play with. I totally forgot about them until we got back home this evening.

They sure did make for some much needed laughter and entertainment!

The Last {Full} Day

It's our last full day with the Frey's. I'm trying not to dwell on it. We headed out to Ft. Worth this morning to spend some time sightseeing and hanging out before we have to say goodbye tomorrow. We made it to downtown Ft. Worth just in time to see the cattle drive reenactment near Stockyards Station.

Personally, I'm not a fan of Longhorns.

{But I still love you Michelley.}

I mean, doesn't this guy look good enough to eat?

We walked around a bit in Stockyards Station before eating lunch at Trailboss Burgers.

After lunch, we drove over to Forest Park Miniature Railroad. Despite being tired, Noah and Ethan were SO excited.

It was like pulling teeth to get them both to look at the camera {heck, it's like pulling teeth just to get NOAH to look at the camera sometimes!}.

Ellie didn't enjoy the ride as much as the boys did - she doesn't seem to handle the heat all that well, and she had missed her morning and afternoon nap.

But, once we checked into the Navy Lodge, all three of my Dear Ones looked like this:

After some catnaps, we loaded back into the Sequoia to go eat at one of our favorite restaurants: Texas de Brazil. The first time {and only other time} that Ben and I ate together there was for our first anniversary. We love it because it's great food, in a fun atmosphere. But I've got to admit, it's a lot different when you have to take your kids with you... and you don't want to ruin every one else's dinner with a crying one-year-old. Once we moved her down by Daddy though, she was fine... and was stuffed to the brim with mashed potatoes.

I just wish my kiddos would eat as well as Ethan does! The kiddo even likes Creme Brulee!

Park, Brewing, and {the} Grace

Since Angie hadn't seen the base yet, she and I loaded up the kids and went to Dyess this morning while the {big} boys gathered up all the supplies to brew some beer.

The {little} boys were very happy to be going to the playground.

Nevermind the fact that it was hot.

Ellie enjoyed it too... though she really wanted to get down and crawl around all by herself.

The {big} boys were happy to be brewing some beer {however, they did mind the heat... but were courtesy enough to brew it outside}.

After naps and before dinner, we all loaded up into the Sequoia to go to The Grace Museum. It's free on Thursdays from 5-8 and they have a children's section.

Ellie's favorite part, by far, was the toddler area... particularly the mat with a hole in it. It was just big enough for her and a couple of blocks. She loves to get inside the toy bins at home, so it only seemed proper that she fell in love with the hole in the play mat.

Noah enjoyed that area too.

My favorite thing about it was the big Operation game.

After dinner, baths, and bedtime for the Little Ones, Angie and I enjoyed drinks from OUR new glasses {not to be out-done by the guys}, played some Euchre and laughed at Date Night.

I ♥ good times with great friends!

Play Time {All Around}

The guys went to play golf this morning, so Angie and I took the kids up to the play place at the mall after Ellie's nap. All three of them seemed happy to get some extra play time with different toys.

The guys met us for lunch at Chick-fil-a and then we walked down to Chuck E. Cheese to use up the rest of the tokens from Sunday.

Three tired kids and two hundred {plus} tickets later {and that's not including the ones we forgot to bring with us from Sunday}, we headed home for afternoon naps. {I love friends who have the same nap schedule as us!}

When Angie and Greg were planning the trip, I almost {half-joking, half-serious} told her to bring some undies for Ethan and we'd get him potty-trained while they were here. Um, maybe I should have! Ethan totally peed on the potty for the first time! We were all pretty excited for him and for them! {And, in other news, in the past week, we've only had one #2 accident with Noah - Praise the Lord for KitKats!}

These two aren't going to know what to do with themselves when the Frey's have to go back home.

And, because the adults can't be left out of play time, after the kiddos went to bed, Ben and Greg got to have some craft time before game time and etch their Monday Mug Madness mugs for use during Euchre tonight!