Cancun

For five nights Melinda and Michael took a trip to Cancun, Mexico. Allison and Treece Bohall watched the kids for the first couple days until Grandma Freidenberger arrived. It was great to get away, but it was also good to come home to the kiddos.

We took a Jungle Tour. Took a jet ski out in the laguna and through the "jungle" and then to a national park where we snorkeled. We saw lots of fish and a stingray. We missed seeing the baby turtle. We Zip-Lined!! There were 6 different lines, a suspension bridge, and vertical poles to walk between. Melinda only screamed like a little girl on the first line. Michael was brave enough to go upside down but Melinda was more comfortable in the upright position. In the lobby of our hotel (Le Meridien)

Having fun at Margaritaville.

After a delicious meal of shrimp and lobster at the Habichuela restaurant.

Outside AquaWorld where we did our jungle tour.

An iguana on the fish display outside AquaWorld. We saw him when we went in. On the way out we saw him again. A group walked by him and tried to feed him and he jumped on the guy's shirt like an attack. Note to self: do not feed the iguanas.

A view of our hotel. We stayed on the 5th floor, the last balcony to the right.

The view from our balcony--two of the three infinity pools, the beach, and the ocean.

The view of the laguna from our room.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

On July 3rd, we decided to take a short drive and go visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It's less than 1.5 hours away and we had never visited it before. Wylee even got to go along for the trip.

We stopped in Montrose and had a little picnic in the park before going to the Canyon. Madelyn got her own Camelback backpack just for hiking. This was her first hike and it was Xavier's first time in the backpack. Madelyn did pretty well hiking the trail.

Xavier enjoyed the ride.

Eventually Madelyn got tired so she got to ride on Mommy's shoulders.

Just say "NO" to crack

A family picture...complete with the dog.

The views were amazing!

Both kids were knocked out before we even hit the highway. Even after we got home Madelyn asked to go to bed and sleep some more (that was also a first).

Durango trip

So this summer instead of the annual Freidenberger camping trip, we went to Durango for a weekend. We rented a cabin next to Vallecito Lake outside of Durango. It was beautiful!! Michael had to work so he wasn't able to join us but we cut out a day early so we could be with him on Father's Day.

On the way down we stopped in Silverton for lunch. While we waited to use the restroom Madelyn wanted to have her picture taken with the Indian. The Swygmans met up with us for lunch and then we caravaned down to Durango. The kids were getting a little antsy and wanted to get down and play right before we left the restaurant. When we got to Durango we met up with Grandpa and Grandma Freidenberger and walked around downtown. Madelyn was so thirsty so Mommy got her an Icee to share with Adriana (along with a bottle of water).

The girls (and Xavier) really enjoyed the Icee.

Poor Amelia had to drink milk while the older girls sucked down the Icee.

Thomas the Train was in town the same weekend. The girls were pretty excited that we got to watch him ride by.

Saturday morning we got up early and drove to Durango to ride the train into Silverton. We enjoyed some bagels before boarding the train.

Amelia was really eyeing Grandma's bagel.

Madelyn and Adriana were fascinated with a dead bug on Melinda's car.

The kids (and Grandma) on the train. Xavier felt the need to lick the window.

All aboard!

Xavier and Papa enjoying the ride.

The scenery was absolutely beautiful!

Looking out our window to the front of the train.

Tired baby #1 (Amelia)

Xavier was having fun playing with Adriana

The girls went and hung out in the open air observation car with Grandma.

Tired baby #2 (Xavier). He finally fell asleep about 5 minutes before the train stopped in Silverton.

The Swygman family + Madelyn in front of the car we rode in. We ended up taking the bus back into Durango so we wouldn't arrive so late. All the kids took a nap on the bus ride back.

The Freidenberger girls and the four grandkids.

After a long day some times you just want to throw one back.

The boy has never had a beer bottle before, but for some reason that evening he was wanting it badly. So after Mommy drank the last of it he got to play with the bottle. At one point he got one last remaining drop and by his facial expression I don't think he really enjoyed it.

May-June 2010

Xavier got hold of Mommy's keys and crawled to the door to the garage and kept saying "bye bye" so I asked him if he wanted to go for a drive. At first I sat him in the driver's seat and the first thing he did was grab the seat belt (Safety first!). After I unbuckled him he stood up to drive. He figured out how to turn the radio on and up. He had a ball. Maybe he will be a Nascar driver when he grows up. Madelyn had her Spring program and the older kids graduated to kindergarten. She is sad that some of her friends will no longer be at preschool.

The Freidenberger grandparents and great grandparents came over for Memorial Day weekend. Adriana and Madelyn enjoyed having a tea party with Grandma.

Xavier hanging out with Great Grandpa Poppy (and Devin the dog)

Amelia trying on Madelyn's sunglasses

The boys playing at the park

Xavier walking with Great Grandma Lois

Nice hair buddy!

Madelyn had her first dance recital on June 5th. She looked like a little princess dancing on the big stage.

Poor girl was tired after the first performance and wasn't very excited about getting ready to go back for the second performance that evening. It took a little bribing with a sucker and going out for ice cream after her performance.

Xavier finally decided to take off walking on June 7th (Grandpa and Grandma Freidenberger's Anniversary and Aunt Suzette's Birthday). Mommy and Daddy were in the kitchen and looked up to see him let go of the couch and walk across the living room. He walks with his hands in a position to do the tango.