rapid city visit

We had a very nice visit to Rapid City at the end of August.  Madison met her Great Grandma and Grandpa Overturf for the first time.  Here are a few pictures of the eventful trip.

Grandpa Benson always putting Madison to sleep.  She wore her pink Camo just for Grandpa.

Enjoying some Grandma time

She loves her grandparents

Taking in the views with Grandma

You're so funny Grandpa.

Great Grandma Overturf.

The family enjoying a visit to Flintstone Park

This came in very handy

Barney, Daddy and Madison

Barney, Aunt Kari and Cousin Lucas

Ben and his Grandparents

All the Cousins

Four Generations

Grandpa you are so funny

Everyone enjoying the train ride

Grandma I cant drive yet silly!

Always the helper, Cousin Ryan.  He is so sweet to Madison.  Bringing her 12 different toys for her to try out.  I am not sure Grandma enjoyed the toys all over the living room but the two of them had fun.  He is such a sweet little boy.

Aunt Joan, Cousin Lucas, Grandma and Madison enjoying some water splashing.  I think Grandma was TRYING to water her flowers ;)

Ok, now lets get to business and water these flowers.  Grandma appreciated all of Madison's help!

taylor reservoir

Only 18 months ago did our journey to a new family begin at the Taylor Reservoir.  Going back brings back the memories of us trying to stay warm and well, um, creating a beautiful little being.  I am not sure I have shared this story on the blog so I will remind everyone of the details (to a minimum) of why this area means so much to us.

We thought we had a great idea, camp up at Taylor Reservoir so Ben could fish at a famous hot spot of Colorado.  We didnt want to spend the money on a hotel and figure that May would be getting warmer so I am sure tent camping would be no problem.  WRONG!!!  We set up camp, started a fire and began cooking our evening dinner.  The fire was not doing enough to keep us warm so we both put a few extra layers on.  I am thinking... no worries, this is as cold as it will get.

3 AM and I have not slept but for maybe 30 minutes. IT IS FREEZING....LITERALLY!!  Oh, I havent mentioned that all we brought was a large comforter.  No sleeping bags, no blankets, no extra layers.  The temperature was 21 degrees!!!!  All I wanted was heat.  Ben was an ice cube and I was the ice cube tray...Both painfully cold.  Normal people would pack it up and leave but not the cheap Stewarts.  We stick it out in hopes that it will warm up...  It never did.  It got colder.  The last I checked it was 17 degrees.

Heat can be produced in a couple of ways.  That is all I will say ;)

NOW WE HAVE A CUTE LITTLE BABY!!

Good story.  I told you I would spare the details!

Here was us and our new family revisiting Taylor Reservoir in a toasty warm cabin in the middle of August next to the Taylor River.

Hanging out in the play pen

Having dinner with mom and dad

So beautiful

Madison and Mom's camp site while Dad caught some fish

Delicous pizza in Crested Butte

Madison was excited about the pizza too

Ben was enjoying this a little too much.

Warm Cabin....CHECK!

arkansas river adventure

Arkansas River is a favorite hotspot for fly fishing.  We drove about an hour to reach a picnic area next to the river.  We ate some KFC (don't remind me about how bad it is, I felt it for the rest of the day) and relaxed.  Madison is loving the water more and more.  The river was somewhat cold but she got right in.  It may have been due to the fact that it was 101 degress outside and her cheeks are so rosy red, but let us digress. 

Ben had a very uneventful experience with a total of ZERO fish caught.  Ben does want to mention he had a couple of long line releases (aka the fish got off).  Oh, he did just say he is a trout hunter, as if that is some how making it better.  Hmmm, anyway.

Aunt Keila, Mommy and Madison enjoyed getting our feet in the water.  Madison, as you can tell, got a little more than her feet in.  While Madison was taking a nap, Keila and I went into the middle of the river.  It sounds simple except for the waters were fairly fast and high and we didn't have the proper foot attire to stay stuck to the mossy rocks.  We were almost taken out a few times but that just added to the fun. 

We had a great family outing that ended with a quiet ride home, baby sleeping, mommy sleeping, Keila trying to sleep and Ben driving home.

We thought this might help dad catch fish

Kicking around in the water

Love this picture

We love you too baby

bath time

Bath time was not a favorite at first but apparently it has grown on our little Madison. 

Her Likes:

Splashing

Talking

                  Slamming the net toy storage against the tub

                  Getting sprayed in the face with her favorite bath toy

Her Dislikes:

Getting out

Water on the face...I am just fine with it

Thanks for scrubbing me up mom

technology whiz at 5 months

To entertain our little own, the ipad has become the hot item.  She loves to scrape her little fingers on it, watching the screen zoom in and then zoom out.  Angry birds is frequently played not by the adults of the home but by our little 5 month old.  Here is the excitement.....