labor day fun ~ Part 1

My parents came out over Labor Day and we were living it up!  Busy, busy, busy but with tons of fun activities.

 

The zoo is always a favorite.  We even got to see a baby gorilla, I think just a few weeks old, being held on her Momma's back.  It was really cute.  Madison was enjoying all the animals, surprise, surprise and Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed spending some quality time with Madison. 

 

            

You can actually pet the Wallabies too.

The first and most likely last train ride Madison will ever have!  Poor thing was so scared when it started going around we had to stop the train she was just so upset.  Look at that poor girls face.

"How could you!"

Alright, now the train is far away :)

Having a nice picnic at the zoo

First Carousel Ride (alot of firsts this zoo experience)

I think she was still traumatized by the train.  haha!

All the little girls watching the baby gorilla and Momma.  It was the cutest thing!

Then we went to the Shrine.  Really neat place.  Cool little castle with alot of history (don't ask me to repeat because I don't really remember....Pregnancy brain or maybe not?!?!)

Gorgeous view of Colorado Springs from a VERY high up spot.  Poor mom is actually gripping me for dear life, haha.  Maybe not that bad but close ;)

Awesome picture!

Big day for such a little girl!

a late night for daddy and madison

daddy's crib for madison

Ben is such a sweet Daddy to his baby girl.  He enjoys spoiling her rotten with all his abilities.  This particular weekend Ben made Madison a baby crib.  He cut the wood, put it all together, sanded and painted it.  Per Ben, the crib would not be the same without the proper linen, including a fitted sheet, blanket and small pillow. So, he sewed all of those. Plus, OF COURSE, she needed a new doll to match her beautiful baby crib.  Target here we come!

Beautiful hand crafted crib, adorable owl and elephant linen and a sweet baby that matches Madison to a "T."  Blonde hair, blue eyed, pigtail cutie.

I should have taken more pictures of Ben actually building the crib.  An unfortunate mistake but this is Ben getting the baby all dressed and ready for Madison to wake up from her nap.  FYI.  I find this hilarious.  Ben did not like the outfit that came with the doll so we spent $10 more dollars for an outfit he liked.  haha!  I just find it absolutely adorable.  He is a perfect Daddy to his baby girl.

 

The baby, crib and Daddy are ready for the review!!

SHE LOVES LOVES LOVES the new baby crib

Thank you so much Daddy!!!

After about a few minutes we asked her to come back inside for some dinner.  All she wants is one more minute ;)

Putting the baby in the crib

My sweet family!

Your the best Daddy!

Doesn't the doll look so similar!!!

18 months from the view of ben's phone

*~correction~*

I would like to make a correction to my recent Estes Park with the Stewarts blog posting.  I was just informed Ben DID in fact catch 3 or 4 fish.  He felt as if I was using this blog as a demeaning and unwife like manner by degrading his very manly ability.

Honey,  I am very sorry for this mistake and I will be sure to add 2-3 more fish than you really do catch to every post starting tonight.

*Correction*

Ben DID in fact catch 6-7 fish at Estes over this past weekend, beating his dad by a substantial amount. 

Love you my honey!

estes with the stewarts

Madison's Grandma and Grandpa Stewart came for a visit a couple of weekends ago and we enjoyed every minute, literally, of the visit. The first night we met in Estes Park and stayed at the River Stone Resort.  The condo was great.  We walked around Estes, cooked some steaks at the condo and enjoyed sitting by the river catching up.

The second day we spent doing a little hike to some beautiful waterfalls and fly fishing.  Estes was packed so for dinner we started our drive home and stopped in Boulder where we ate at this hole in the wall Burger Bar.  When we first drove up I was thinking, "Who chose this,"  which happened to be Ben's friend at work who lived in Boulder for some time.  Once we walked in I could see why he suggested the restaurant, the atmosphere was great and the food turned out to be even better.  The best part was the restrooms though.  I wish I took a picture.

One door had an arm pointing to the other door stating WOMEN above it and the other door had an arm pointing to the other door stating MEN above it.  I saw the sign but thought it was just another quirky demonstration of this bar.  Until I walked in the door.

My view:

One man peeing
One man washing his hands

Yep, my mouth dropped.

Man washing hands:  Dude, your in the wrong bathroom
Me: Oh, wow, oops.  Sorry.  ~*Big awkward smile*~
Man washing hands:  No problem, everyone does it
Me: Okay, Thanks! ~*Small wave, awkward smile #2*~

Very funny experience.....

The rest of the weekend was shopping, golfing and eating!  Wonderful times!

A very tired baby just passed out.

Madison loved walking around the Alluvial Fan Area.  The hike was short but the waterfall was breath taking.

Can you spot the little Chipmunk Madison wanted to be friends with?!?!

Gary and Ben fly fishing in the Fall River.  Gary, the inexperienced fly fisherman, came away with a whopping 2 fish opposed to Ben only caught....um....a big fat zero.  The experience is what matters :)  Look at that view of the mountians in the background...Beautiful!!

Grandma and Madison enjoyed cooling their toes off in the river

The cabin we stayed at.  Perfect!