saying goodbye.

saying goodbye after having a house full of visitors is the WORST.  i've lived away from home for ten years now & it's still really hard every time my family or besties leave.  this time was no exception, although it was maybe a tad easier being able to say good-bye in shifts instead of everyone leaving at once and going from house-full to house-empty!

monday night after the zoo trip, mindy & ruthie headed to the airport so we said goodbye in the mcdonald's parking lot after a late afternoon ice cream stop...

and then on tuesday morning my mom, dad & charlie left for their drive back to missouri...

 while we were standing around in the front yard, brady coerced charlie into a game of "throw the binky & pick it up" :)

(see it mid-air??)

charlie "helps" brady reach the bink.

these two are always taking pics...wonder where i get it?

we were crazy for attempting a grammy-papa-grandbabies photo...not everyone was in the mood (elena) but i think we got a couple cute ones.  of course the giraffe & zebra had to be part of the photo.

charlie says a loving goodbye to kate.

and we of course had to do a grandpa price goodbye as they drove away.  helped me manage the tears!

 we were so glad the lootens were able to stay a couple extra days, and we took them to the airport thursday evening.  these two were excited about flying again!

thank you everyone for coming!!!  best weekend ever.

birthday boy, officially.

even though we celebrated your birthday early with our friends & family, the day of your birthday was really special for us too.  the night before, when your daddy & i were ready to go to bed, we snuck into your room late to see you one last time as an 11 month old.  we picked you up, and you stayed asleep in our arms as we snuggled you & smelled your hair & kissed you & felt the heaviness of you in our arms.  it seems so crazy that just one year before on may 28 at 11pm we were driving to the hospital to have you.  we put you back to bed after a few minutes and i don't think my heart has ever felt so full.  your daddy & i have had the best year together and with you.  it was sweet to quietly celebrate that in your warm dark room.

the next morning you were up early to celebrate being one!  i got up with you & once daddy woke up we took him coffee and both got back in bed with him for a few morning birthday snuggles.  it was almost your morning naptime so you were extra snuggly.

while you napped, we then headed out for a hiking trip with josh & liz, who were still in town.  aunt kate watched you and your cousins and i think you had a great day!

me & daddy on the long's peak trail hike.  it was chilly!

only a few minutes into the hike it started snowing on us.  so awesome!!

the snow was a little deep in places as we got further up the trail :)

we even did a little glissading!  i'd never done it before but i was brave & tried it out and i LOVED it!  here's to being brave more often!

meanwhile, back at the ranch...

you and laney and audrey enjoyed the warm morning at the park.

and on a walk.  LOVE this pic.

we got back that afternoon in time to play with you for awhile in your playroom, just the three of us.

now that you're a big boy, you're very into your trucks!

and for the first time, we heard you making "vroom" noises as you drove the trucks around.  and we died from cuteness overload.

after your bath, you got to open your birthday present from auntie suz, uncle berto & your sister dog maggie!!  all the way from australia!  you loved the koala ears they sent & insisted on wearing them for present opening.

 the next morning you donned your "one" shirt & we went out for donuts for breakfast.  you approve of being a big boy & getting to eat donuts now.

happy birthday sweet boy!  thank you for a perfect year with us.  we love you more than words.

more pics from birthday week...

here are some more highlights from birthday week...

you & your cousins were in constant play mode.  you took full advantage of the playroom (never been more thankful for that space!) & just went crazy with the girls.  it was so awesome to have my three favorite little people all so close.  here you all three display your stuffed animals from the zoo trip...

papa joined in the fun!

you love to be thrown in the air, and i love to hear you laugh, so we do this lots.

we read lots of books this weekend & while you aren't too fond of sitting still for long anymore, one night after your bath you were still & calm so we read.

we played lots & lots of pig ball!

enjoying your new tool bench from uncle charlie with laney, who was your constant companion.

wrestle time with uncle josh!!

helping papa do some work one morning.

snuggle fest!

water park with the cousins.

tuesday afternoon we took the babies & went to old town for lunch and to walk around.  at the end of the shopping & eating, we went to the water splash park so the big girls could play.  they had an absolute blast running around & shrieking even though they were freezing!

while they played, brady took his afternoon nap in the shade.  it's a rough life!

on the way home laney entertained him and it was so sweet to hear her playing with him!!

zoo day!

on monday, memorial day, we headed down to the denver zoo - all fourteen of us!!

you were very excited & started clapping as we walked in.

the ever-present ball in hand.

it was a hot, hot day so we found a shady area to rest after lunch and let you out of the stroller for a bit to crawl around.

your cousins really love you!!

by the train ride, you were way overdue for a nap and had a small meltdown while we waited for the train to start moving.  once you had something different to look at you were cool.

 naptime immediately followed the train...

"helping" feed yourself lunch!  mama forgot to pack a hat for you so daddy found you one in the gift shop - and it made you look like such a big boy.  you're so cute in ball caps i can't stand it!!

we borrowed the huntington's sequoia for the zoo drive to maximize seating options - and you and your cousins looked so cute packed in the back row.