A Summer of Hiking 2011

June through August of 2011 was a time that Gracie and Daddy spent hiking the trails of Roxbourgh Park, Deer Creek Canyon, and Castlewood Canyon State Park.  Gracie loved to talk about her backpack leading up to every outing.  Yet, when it came to the actual hike, she wanted to be roaming free.  Most of the time she would be in the backpack for about 10 minutes, then get out to walk along with Daddy.  That lasted for another 10 minutes and then she wanted to be carried.  Not in the backpack, of course, but in Daddy's arms.  Here are a few pics from Roxbourgh in June. 

Lots of great time on the trails with Daddy resembling a pack mule:)

Winter in July?

It is only the end of January and I am getting to July, though I am at least getting things in here! July was a busy month for mommy traveling to FL, London and Paris, so there was extra time with Daddy and the grandparents. This post will talk about her loves at the time.

July 4th Gracie was with Daddy, Nana and Papa.  Daddy - we had a great time re-introducing Gracie to fireworks.  The prior year for July 4th Gracie wanted nothing to do with fireworks.  This time she not only enjoyed watching us light off our own "show", but she wanted to get involved.  Daddy let her try "pop snaps" but she didn't quite get the throwing motion towards the ground.  No matter; Gracie discovered she could stomp on them which became a game she really loved playing.  BBQ and root beer floats (a Peters family tradition) rounded out the rest of the evening.

Mommy's trip to Paris has started Gracie's healthy obsession with Paris, specifically the Eiffel Tower. For months anything that was a tall somewhat pointy structure was the Eiffel tower in her book. Given this obsession she will get some new bedding to be discussed in December. This blog is about G but I have to put a photo of her favorite item to talk about.



Like June, most of our afternoons and weekends were spent have fun in the sun. Gracie started in swim lessons which only continued her love of swimming and anything water.

Here is Gracie trying to take a walk in my shoes for a min. she is getting a little too good talking in high heels!
She is also lucky to have some loving friends that buy her great clothes. Here she is a model for the so very cute shirt from Julianne. We will get that Jayhawk shirt that will get used!!! Even if we have to use it on a doll. She also had a fashion show with her friend Seeley's clothes, in a few months that is. The first photo is pretty blurry but of course the next photo had to be shown, her true colors at the time.

Her final love that is growing involves babies. She has started to love, care for, and play with dolls more often. Beth, her 2nd mom, is pregnant and I think Gracie is starting to like the idea of being a "big sister" She is very good at making the baby care to care for it, change their diapers, and feed them. The real thing will be a bit different.

May Birthdays

We are lucky to have multiple May birthdays in our family to celebrate in addition to Mother's day. After spending some time with Shawna & family for Mother's day, thanks Phil for taking on another mother for the day. Here is our three generation photo for Mother's day in front of Gracie's pond.

To celebrate Gigi, not only did we wear our Gigi's princess dress we painted a coffee cup that said "My Gigi Rocks" Gracie loved to paint and wanted to keep going after we were done.

Since we were with Gigi on her actual birthday she had two celebrations. Gracie has gotten really good at helping to blow out candles and share the moment with the special person. Lois even came over for some yummy desserts.

Then we went to the farm to have the usual family birthday celebration for those in May. Gracie sure loved to cuddle and spend time with Uncle Brad. Sure looks like he enjoyed the time as well. To branch out we enjoyed some Nothing Bundt Cakes.

Easter celebrations

This year was full of so many fun Easter events. Being Colorado, many events included a warm jacket due to the cold weather. We started with an egg hunt at Southglenn Country Club. Gracie at first was a bit scared of the bunny though after the hunt she was so excited to show him what she found. It still makes me laugh when I think about my foreign exchange student from Japan, Noriki, wanting to know why a bunny brought eggs. Who knows?!!?!
Gracie did learn quickly that the eggs had yummy candy inside. She even shared the candy with us.

Next was finally learning from our family friend an neighbor Lois how to die eggs using silk ties. I don't know who had more fun, Gracie or Lois. So many laughs and no broken eggs only beautiful eggs with wonderful memories.

Gracie unrolling her creations.

Next was dying eggs with Nana & Papa's house.

The ladies smiling as we got started.

Daddy did a great job writing on the eggs while watching Gracie dye hers.

Next was actually Easter. Here is a great photo taken by Bapa showing Gracie's personal paparazzi as she searched for eggs. She is use to it by now, since she says cheese any time a camera comes out. The monster has been created.

She looked all over the backyard for her eggs, it was so much fun as you can see in her smile.

Happy Easter!!! An event the whole family enjoyed, including Brandy. Gracie got a bowling set, garden set, and other fun items from the Easter Bunny.

April 10 & 11th, more birthdays

Happy Birthday Grandpas! April is a month of wonderful birthday celebrations, some could say superpowerful. Gracie sure enjoyed dressing up with her cousins at Papa's birthday celebration.
We quickly made a sign for Bapa before he came home from work. He was so excited to see his girls there to celebrate his birthday. Gracie had so much fun decorating the sign.

The big birthday celebration for Bapa & Mama happened at the farm. All activities were stopped though any time she heard a train horn. She made sure that Uncle Brad came with her to look for the train.

Here is Gracie helping Bapa open his present, after she got to open and play with her present the farm you can see on the table. The farm will be a big hit for months and months.

Here is Uncle Brad teaching Gracie how to raise pheasants so Uncle Brad and Bapa can hunt them. The photos of the birds were something she liked but having Uncle Brad read to her was more important.

Here is Gracie holding a family friend's son, Grady. She is going to be ready to help Beth with their new addition. The practice with her baby does help her with real babies. She is so cute with them.

Birthdays in the family are celebrated together, so here we are with our desserts. Brad made Bapa his favorite pie, sour cream raisin. Mmm. Happy Birthday!!

April 2, Ian's birthday (birthdays, birthdays, birthdays)

Ian's birthday was such a wonderful time for Gracie to spend with some of her two favorite people, Ian & Abigail, though Aaron & Madison are right there too. The birthday was at a park near Ian's house. Gracie got to enjoy the swings, her favorite activity at the park with Abigail...her favorite person in the whole world.
Ian had a pinata at the park. As you can see from her excited face, it was her turn!! Ian watched the fun for a bit.

The girl can swing, we just have to work on her her grip. No matter what, she enjoyed the candy that came down after Phil got out his frustrations on the basketball.

Finally it was the most important time of the party, singing, candles & cupcakes!!!!

After the birthday celebrations were done, Adam took the kids out for a little court time. Many that girl can dunk. After picking Ian & Gracie up for many, many, many dunks, Adam didn't have to go to the gym that night. They have skills!

Go Jayhawks

Gracie has learned to love both Cam the Ram and the Kansas Jayhawks. This year she got to cheer on the Jayhawks for so many different KU basketball games. Here she is cheering them on.



Rock Chalk Jayhawk go KU