Testing her parents patience!

I love my daughter and she is learning new things.  Yesterday Gracie decided to "find" and drink lantern oil.....  I had cleaned out the kitchen, moved the oil from under the sink into the dining room and promptly forgot I moved it.  The oil was blue and it apparently looked like Koolaid to Gracie.  We do not know how much she drank but it was very obvious to Annie that she drank some.  Maybe it was her smile as she was holding the open bottle or the look of deviance, but Annie caught on and got her to the hospital.  When I got to the hospital Gracie got checked in and taken to a room in the ER.  Annie left for a short time and I got to spend a few minutes with Gracie alone.  I took this picture just before Gracie began vomiting everything she had in her.  I was holding her at the time and I was absolutely covered in nastiness.  The nurses brought me a blue paper suit so I could change and they cleaned Gracie up.  It was a long night for all of us and we were lucky to have family close to help us out.  Gracie is now doing better and is home.  She shows little signs of problems from ingesting the oil but it is obvious she isn't 100% yet.  We hope she is back to her normal self very soon!

My boy's new song!!!!

Hiking with the "other" kids!

Colorado Springs weather has been absolutely amazing lately.  We have been enjoying getting outside with the kids, going to the park and taking short hikes with the pups.  Today is Feb. 7 and it is 50 degrees outside with NO wind.  A perfect day.  Annie and I decided to go on a hike with the pups while Nana and Papa took the kids on a bus ride.  Today was the first time in a long time that just Annie and I have gone on a hike together.  It was awesome.  Behind Annie in this picture is Pikes Peak!

Annie and the "other" kids.  Sierra is the brown dog and Bodie is multi colored.  It is a task to take Bodie hiking as he is about 75 to 80 % blind due to diabetes.  He can't tell the difference between shadows and rocks and has a habit of running into trees, rocks, branches and anything else in his way.  Sierra is a good dog off leash and likes to lead.  And then there is my beautiful wife!  I love her!

Feels like summer is right around the corner!

Lately the weather has been very warm for the time of year.  We have been able to enjoy several hikes lately and both kids can't wait to use their Camelbacks.  Both Gracie and Garret walk around the house wearing their packs drinking water as often as we let them.  It is going to be an awesome summer as both kids are getting old enough to do more and both Annie and I are excited!

Last Thursday was the father son spaghetti dinner at Garret's school.  It was fun to see Garret with his friends and we had a great time!  Sometimes I forget how much Garret is learning and growing at school.  Then there are those times where he simply amazes me.  He's a great kid!

My little girl is growing way to fast.  She is starting to talk quite a bit now and her attitude is more prominent than ever.  She is very smart and fearless and her pig tails make me smile.
Everything else in Colorado is good.  Things are moving along with out to many issues.  I hope all is well for those who read this!