Family Ties

Saturday, Cilla and I got up early and headed to my grandparents little town for a little family get-together.

I am surprised I had not been disowned, since it had been so long since I had seen that side of my family.  Traveling with a toddler is just not as easy as it used to be.  But, I was so glad that we made the trip.  I got to see my grandpa whom I am sick I did not get a picture with.  It is always good to see family and catch up and Cilla actually met some of her distant cousins and instantly became besties with them!

Cilla and Mazy

Marleigh, Cilla and Mazy.

Cilla enjoying a the lov'in from her Aunt Vicky and Uncle William

He even got suckered into pushing her in the swing!

Cilla insited on wearing her new Razorback Team Squeaks.  I normally take the squeakers out of her shoes before she wears them, but this time I forgot.  She loved jumping around and hearing herself squeak all day long!  It was so cute!    

We didn't get to stay very long because we were hurrying back to Northwest Arkansas for the Razorback game.  It was a fun quick trip.

Fun with Nana and Poppa

So, I have shown lots of pictures from mine and Flint's time away, but I have left out a really important detail.  Cilla's Nana and Poppa, graciously volunteered to keep our small fry while we had some time away.  I love that they love her so much and I love that she loves them so much.  Win.  Win.  I do not have to worry about ONE thing when Cilla is in their care and for that I am so thankful.  Didn't say I don't worry, just say'n there is no reason to!

Here are a couple of pictures they captured of Miss Priss while the mommy and daddy were away.

All dressed up and heading to church.

Tiny Dancer.

Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for giving of your time and energy to come love on Cilla.  We really appreciate it and I know she had a blast!

Since this is our family blog it is only right that I post some pictures of Flint's time in Pebble Beach with the guys after the girls headed back east.  The girls left just in time for the weekend when all the guys started showing up.  They played a little golf, played some wiffle ball and of course had a fantasy football draft!

Colorado

Be prepared for picture overload!!!

Like I said in the previous post, we were in Colorado last week with Flint's aunt and cousins.  It was a wonderful, wonderful get-a-way!  We had tons of help entertaining and taking care of little Miss Priss and that makes makes it easier to enjoy vacation!  And of course, Cilla loved all of the attention.  Every last bit of it!

A Family picture.

 Cilla just adores Flint.  It is so cute to watch their relationship blossom.  Look at he smile at him!

 Cilla had so much fun with her cousins and did not want for ONE SINGLE THING the entire week!

Henry, David and Caroline with Cilla.

 Ice cream after dinner!

 Cilla really took to David over the week.  She could not quit smiling when she was around him.

 She smothered him and thought that he should spend every waking minute with her!

God gave us the most beautiful blessing while we were there.  It was a double rainbow!!!

We (as in Rebekah) clearly lost sight of the fact that I have a very head strong, likes her way kind of two year old and thought it would be fun to join the rest of the fam in the 14 mile ride from Vail to Frisco.  Let's just say it was almost a disaster!  The first half of the trip was okay (at best).  But after a stop in Copper, I didn't think I was going to ever get Cilla back in the bike trailer.  You know, the kind that you always see people pulling their kids around in and the kids are halfway asleep?!?!  Well, not mine!!!

She screamed and fought it so much that she got tangled in the straps, so I ending up walking Cilla and my bike the last leg of the trip.

This is the face of a screaming two year old!

We went on a hike the next day and that was much better than being confined in the bike trailer!

The views were unbelievably beautiful!

So happy to get to run around!

Exploring with dad.

 Cousins.

Henry, Carter, Caroline and David.

 After our hike, we headed to Breckenridge for a little shopping and for lunch.

Cilla loved petting all of the dogs that were out.  She has no fear of dogs.  Not even this 150 lb beauty!  She just hugged her and talked to her.  Our little animal lover!!!

 We had lunch at Downstairs at Eric's.  It is one of our favorites!

 Cilla's favorite part about eating there is the video games!

 Carter, Cilla and Caroline.

We had dinner at The Mint one night.  It is place where you cook your own meat.  It is yummy and a fun experience.

 Caroline and Cilla, silly girls!

 Our last night in Silverthorne was an adult night out.  YAY!!!  The kids volunteered to stay home with Cilla so the mommies and daddies and Coke Coke could all go out.  That was a special treat!  Cilla had so much fun playing with the big kids and watching Nemo and Flint and I enjoyed our dinner so much!

Here is the masterpiece we found when we got home!

It says, "Hi Mommy & Daddy" and "Cilla's Dance Party".  Who knows what they did but I know they had a blast!!!

You know you have successfully worn your baby out with this is the sight in the back seat of the car on a three hour drive home from the airport!

We had so much time with our family.  Enjoyed the wonderful weather.  Had lots of great food.  Did a  little shopping.  Laughed lots and made lots of memories.  But, it is good to be home.

A Fun-filled Fourth

I am sooooo behind on posting.  This is one attempt at catching up!

We went back to Colorado last week with Flint's family.  Of course it was wonderful to escape the scorching weather that we are having in Arkansas, but it was so fun to be around family as well.  Cilla had four older cousins all catering to her every want!  And she loved every. single. second!!!

We arrived in Colorado just in time to celebrate the 4th of July.  We went to the parade in a little town called Frisco and it was so small town Leave it to Beaver and so cute!  Cilla's first parade was a success.

Attempting a family picture.  

 Cilla loved being carried everywhere by her cousin Caroline!

 Enjoying the parade, the view of the mountains and the weather!

 I told you it was cute!

This little two year old completely enjoyed herself.

 Flint, Cilla and Coke Coke (Flint and Cilla's Aunt)

Coke Coke has a house in the mountains.  We are so blessed to have a beautiful, fun place to go on vacation.  Thanks Coke Coke for letting us come out to visit you!  We loved our time with you and our time in Colorado!

To Three Special Fathers...

Happy Father's Day!

  I am thankful everyday for the dad and husband that Flint is.  He is so good to me and he is such a wonderful dad to Cilla.  I admire how hard Flint works and how hard he plays!  For both I am thankful!  He is such a good balance to me as we walk through the journey of parenting together!  I found a few pics to help Flint celebrate his day!  

Here is his first Father's Day 2009.

...and today.  

Pictures with a two year old are not quite as simple as they were with an infant!  This was the best we could get after church today.  Sad.

I think this picture is hilarious- "DEVOTED DADS".  This was the Seahorse exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium last summer.  Flint and one of his best buddies, Corby, REALLY ARE such devoted dads!  

All smiles.  She loves her daddy's shoulders!

Cilla only days old.  This was what Flint loved to do with her most when she was so itty bitty.

Fun in the Sun.
This is what our summers looked like when we lived in Waco!

I am also thankful for our dads- Pappy and Poppa!  Flint and I would not be who we are today without them.

Pappy, Flint and Cilla.

And Poppa with his little Stinkerdoodle!

I got the cutest Father's Day idea from my friend Sarah, but I tried three times to put my plan into action and each was a FAIL!  This was what I had to work with!

I do not give up easily.  I will keep trying, it just may be next Father's Day before I get the pictures I want!  Oh, life with a two year old!!!

Happy Father's Day, Flint!  Your girls love you more than you know!

And to my dad and Ray, we love you bunches and are so thankful for the roles you have played in our lives.  Thanks for all you do for us!  Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made for us!  And most of all, thank you for loving us!  We sure do love you!

I hope all three dads have a happy happy day!