Quality Family Time | Fort Collins

We made it to Ft. Collins last night after saying goodbye to the Frey's in Denver. And while we were sad to say bye to them, we were excited and happy to get to spend some time with Ben's side of the family, many of whom we hadn't seen in quite some time.

Before we left the house to meet Marian and Sylas at their home and then go to lunch, Noah helped Grandma water her garden. He was quite the big helper and really just wanted to do it all himself.

After lunch we got to meet, hold, love on, kiss, and cuddle our newest nephew, Levi Christopher, born just this last Saturday. I'm not sure who was more pleased with him, me or Amanda and Eric, his parents! But I do already love this little guy to pieces!

In the mean time, the two older boy cousins were having epic Nerf gun battles outside with Daddy and Uncle Eric, dressing up, and just being boys.



While Ellie convinced Aunt Marian {and eventually Aunt Amanda also} to play "girls" {Strawberry Shortcake dolls} with her.

All in all, it was a day full of quality family time. ♥

Saying Bye and Starting New Traditions

Grandma, Poppa, and Sylas were going to stay in OKC until tomorrow morning, but since Colorado was expecting snow {and they own a snow removal business} they had to head out of town a little bit earlier than anticipated. Lucky for us though, they were still able to go to lunch and spend a good portion of the afternoon with us before they left.

Poor Sylas wasn't feeling too great this morning. But he was a trooper and took one for the team by eating and playing at Chuck E. Cheese.

Noah was a little sad when he realized that Sylas had to leave to go back to his home.

We love you guys and thanks for coming down to visit us - we enjoyed the visit!

***

To help with the fact that "that guy" {aka Sylas} had left for home, Ben and Noah {and, eventually even me!} worked on putting together the latest Lego acquisition:

The Winter Toy Shop.

My plan for some time now has been to create a scene or building each year using the Lego creator software/website for Ben and Noah {and eventually Ellie too} to build each year to set up a scene with the train that goes around our tree. But when we saw this set yesterday, well, it saves me the trouble of designing it AND I'm fairly confident that it is a cheaper route to go. Plus it was on sale, so what's not to love?

The start of a fun family tradition indeed. ♥

Legos and Cousin Time

One of Ben and Noah's favorite places to go is, of course, the Lego store. Sylas was pretty excited to find out that we were going to store filled with JUST Legos. Once everyone got ready, we all loaded into the Sequoia and headed up to the mall to go to the Lego Store.

They were all excited to go:

And they had a blast.


Afterwards, we headed back to Nana and Papa's house for some rest time. Noah and Sylas watched Cars 2, while the rest of us either pretended to watch or slept.

{Oh my soul, how I've missed seeing his hands intertwined with hers!}

On our way to Aunt Marsha and Uncle Mike's house for dinner, Ben, the kids, and I stopped at my favorite little park and snapped a few cousin photos. Noah wasn't exactly the most cooperative during them, but Ellie clearly loves her cousin Sylas.

Family Photos and Family Time

Instead of trying to go out to eat with the whole clan of Akers and Haze families after church this morning, we ate lunch at Mom and Daddy-Man's house. {Thanks again Mom for cooking!} Before we ate, I forced sweet-talked everyone into taking a few family photos in the backyard since everyone looked so nice and I needed some of my little family for our Christmas card anyway!

The Akers Family


The Haze Family

The Smith Family

The highlight of Noah's day, however, was getting to open his birthday present from Grandma and Poppa Haze... more Legos! {Thanks Grandma and Poppa - clearly he loved them!}

The First Saturday

Late last night, Ben's Mom, Dad, and nephew Sylas arrived in Oklahoma City. The kids were already in bed when they got here, so Ben and I went over to their hotel to spend a little time with them before the rest of us went to bed also.

The kids were pretty excited to know that Grandma and Poppa were here, but Noah was just over-the-moon when he found out Sylas was here as well.

He. loves. Sylas.

Enjoying some time building Sylas' Christmas present from Noah and Ellie - Legos, of course!

Later in the evening, after lunch at the mall with Nana and Papa, we headed over to Aunt Marsha and Uncle Mike's house to visit with Brenda and Brian and their spouses before they leave to head back home tomorrow.

The little ones were even more excited when they got to open a few presents from Aunt Marsha and Uncle Mike.

Noah showed off his writing skills to Brenda and Bobbie. I'm fairly certain they were impressed. ;)

"I want to be a Fireman."

Noah got a book yesterday from Grandma Haze titled, "I want to be a Fireman." While I was putting Ellie to bed last night, Nana read it to him. One page in particular, caught both of their attention:

Nana pointed out to Noah that the little boy and his sister made a fire truck out of a box. Maybe, she told him, Mommy would let him make one out of the box all the presents were mailed in. No sooner than I had walked out of their room from putting Ellie down for bed, Noah was asking to make one! Assuring him that we'd make one tomorrow, I put him to bed as well.

First thing this morning, he wanted to make a firetruck. Except, we had bible study at church which meant there was no time in the morning.

"After naps", I promised him.

He didn't forget. And while I was changing Ellie's diaper, he was getting the crayons out and ready.

He didn't want a ladder. And didn't like that Ellie added "smoke" to his windows.

It's hard being a fire fighter.

She loves clothes. {Or maybe it's just presents?}

I've been really trying to stay away from the whole "thank-you-for-this-gift-and-that-gift" kind of posts - for many reasons. But sometimes, because of the way the gift is received, documentation simply has to be shared. Like the package that Ellie received in the mail today for her birthday:

Evidently, the girl loves clothes. And opening presents. I couldn't contain myself over the cuteness that is Ellie hugging on her new clothes! ♥ May she forever have such a grateful and thankful heart.

{Thanks again Grandma, Poppa, and Aunt Marian!}

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

And a very special "Happy Mother's Day" to my Momma {doesn't that photo remind you of this one??}: after getting Ellie's hair ready for church this morning, I'm even more in awe of all that you've done for us three girls {and now my husband and own kids too}. Thanks for getting us out the door every day for school and for church on Sundays looking and feeling good, inside and out! And "Happy Mother's Day" to my husband's Momma: you raised an exceptional man, for which I am eternally grateful to you Carol!

♥

Ben, thank you for trusting and loving me enough to make me the Mother of your children. And Noah and Ellie... thank you for making me a Mommy.

Goodbyes and Chores

Grandma and Poppa Haze had to head back home to Colorado this morning, but not until after Grandma had gotten in a little extra time with the Little Ones.

The kids didn't mind the extra time... and neither did I.

Grandma and Poppa Haze, we're so glad you came for a visit! We love you and miss you already!! Thank you, for all you did for us while you were here!

♥

***

We've been slowly adding to the "chores" that the kids do around the house. Both kids {mostly} take their plates to the sink. Both of them know how and where to put their toys when it is time to clean up. Ellie takes her bib to the laundry basket after meals. Noah helps make his bed and puts his and Ellie's clothes in the hamper just before baths. We can now add one more thing to Noah's list:

washing dishes.

There are not too many dishes that we have to wash by hand - most of them go into our dishwasher. But lately, when there are dishes to be hand washed, Noah quickly and willingly pulls a chair over to the sink to "help".

And by help, I mean he just rinses the non-breakable, not-sharp pieces.

Baby-steps. Now if I could just get him to fold laundry.

Oh! And, we officially have FIVE chrysalises!

Relaxing and Playing

Today, we did a lot of this:

and this:

And after naps, we left the house to play some more.

♥