Celebrating the Oscars

The Carlson's had us and the Meyer's over to watch the Oscars.  The spread was yummy - chicken wings, bacon wrapped dates, stuffed mushrooms, artichoke dip, and cheese and crackers.  We had fun hanging out, sipping champagne and watching the Oscars, while the kids hung out upstairs and all played well with each other.  Granted, it did look like a tornado came through their play room. For dessert, we had ladybug cake pops - which were a hit with everyone!

Children's Museum and Benny's

We met the Angelier's at the Children's Museum and the kids had a blast running around the museum with  Natalie.  Avery's favorite was the art station and Ryan's was the magnet board with animal magnets.  We then headed to Benny's for lunch.  It has been years since we have been to Benny's and worked out great since it was noisy like the kids!

Denver Aquarium

After naps on Sunday afternoon, we ventured to the Aquarium.  The crowd was thinning out, so it was perfect.  Avery and Ryan really enjoyed themselves and had fun running around and checking out everything.  Their favorite was the big tank with the sharks and turtles.  When we finished up, we heading to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner to take advantage of their free birthday meals, which included ice cream sundaes!

Lights Out

Wednesday night around 7pm, the electricity went out due to the crazy high winds. Andy wasn't home, so that made it interesting with two 3 year olds. We haven't lost electrticity in years since we have underground power lines.  Luckily, I found the battery powered lattern and we were in business.  It is amazing how dark it is when there is no power!  Just as I was putting the kids to bed, the power came back out - we were all very happy!! 

Valentine's

We had a quiet Valentine's day as Andy was in Monroe, LA for work.  I was able to make it to Avery and Ryan's classroom party.  The kids had fun handing out their valentines and enjoying lots of sweet treats.  They even got to decorate their own cookies!  Daddy sent us chocolate covered strawberries to enjoy while he was gone - Yummy!

Snowmass Photo Shoot

On Saturday, we decided to take advantage of the free mini photo shoot with the Maroon Bells in the background.  It was a bit more entailed then we imagined, but had a good time.  We did end up buying one of the prints as a keepsake! Here are the pics -

Weekend Getaway

On Thursday, we headed up to Snowmass for long weekend.  We were invited up for a client appreciation weekend that started on Friday evening, but were able to go up a day early.  We stayed at the Viceroy, which we have stayed at before, but never have been up during the ski season.   Thursday night, we headed into Aspen and walked around and had a delicious dinner at Kenichi.  Friday, we hit the slopes - ski in/ski out is the way to go!  We had an awesome day and took advantage of the hot tub and outdoor heated pool afterwards.  Friday night, the event kicked off with a light buffet and appetizers in the spa area and they even had mini spa treatments.  On Saturday, we had breakfast and then I had to attend a business meeting until 10am.  After that I met Andy for some more skiing.  We had an awesome private lunch at Lynn Britt cabin and then headed out for some more runs before calling it a day.  Next up, was a couples massage. It was much needed after two days of skiing.   We then had to get ready for our Appreciation dinner, which was at the top of Aspen mountain at the Aspen Mountain Club.  We had a fantastic dinner!  On Sunday morning, we had a quick breakfast before packing up and heading home to see the kiddos! 

View from Snowmass Base Village

Heading up the gondola for our first run

View of the Maroon Bells from the top of Elk Camp

More Maroon Bells

Andy and the great view

Andy and Amy

Amy

View in the other direction

The Viceroy

Heading up the Gondola for our dinner on Aspen Mountain

3 year check up

Before heading out of town for our weekend getaway, we took Avery and Ryan to see Dr. Middlemist for the 3 year well visit.  They were super excited about going as we haven't been since the summer except for flu shots.  Dr. Middlemist is great and it didn't take them long to warm up!  Ryan weighed in at 28 pounds and Avery at 30 pounds.  They are both 36 and 3/4 inches tall (though we think Avery is still a little taller than Ryan)

Ryan's 3 year old questionnaire

1. What is your favorite color?  blue
2. What is your favorite toy?  cars
3. What is your favorite fruit? rasberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Diego
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Tuna
6. What is your favorite outfit? waffle shirt
7. What is your favorite movie? Lion King
8. What is your favorite snack? animal crackers
9. What is your favorite animal? elephant 
10. What is your favorite song? Happy Birthday
11. What is your favorite book? any book with animals
12. Who is your best friend? Avery
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? play at the park
15. What is your favorite drink? milk 
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and Hannukah
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? doggie, ziploc bags of animal cards, stuffed elephants, spoon, water bottle 
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? pancakes, smoothie, bacon
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? quesadilla 
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? ???


Dislikes- brushing his hair


Nicknames- RyRy, mister mister

Avery's 3 year old questionnaire

1. What is your favorite color?  pink
2. What is your favorite toy?  camera
3. What is your favorite fruit? oranges
4. What is your favorite tv show? Dora
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Tuna
6. What is your favorite outfit? Purple striped shirt with a hood and pockets
7. What is your favorite movie? Madagascar
8. What is your favorite snack? goldfish
9. What is your favorite animal? pig
10. What is your favorite song? Train is coming to the station
11. What is your favorite book? Happy Know it (Happy If you Know It) or Fancy Nancy
12. Who is your best friend? RyRy
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Playing on the jungle gym
15. What is your favorite drink? water
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and Hannukah
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Bitty Baby and doggie
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? waffles, smoothie, bacon
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? mac and cheese
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? ???




Biggest dislike - brushing hair


Nicknames - Av, missy miss

Avery & Ryan's 3rd Birthday

I picked up Avery and Ryan from school and they each had a birthday hat on.  I was impressed they had worn them all day long!  They were just so excited that today was their birthday. We took them to Red Robin for their birthday dinner. They did well when the staff came and sang them Happy Birthday and delivered two big sundaes! 

After we got home, we opened more cards and gifts.  These are two lucky kids and we are two lucky parents to have them in our lives!!

On the way home from school

Daddy with the birthday kids

Avery ready to dive into her sundae

Ryan didn't make quite as big of a dent as Avery did - but still enjoyed it

Yummy!

Opening his card from mommy and daddy

Books from mommy and daddy

Diaper bag from Grandma and Grandpa

More animal Viewmaster discs

Ryan checking out his new Diego booking featuring himself (thanks to the Carlsons for the great idea)

Avery's Dora book - the books turned out great

Grams and Gramps gave money for their college fund and some dollar bills for some shopping

Counting his dollar bills



A book from Aunt Margie



And, some new puzzles