Hiking in RMNP.

We recently went up to RMNP park and hiked as a family. We were grossly unprepared... we slapped on tennis shoes and jackets and called it good. Everyone we saw there was decked out in full snow gear with snow shoes. Oops.

My birthday celebration. Fun times with friends.

Last day.

Grant's preschool is closing early this year because of licensing issues with the State of Colorado (don't get me started on how infuriated I am with the State about this). Regardless, his last day was this past Friday. We have LOVED Jean and Tracy at Building Blocks and couldn't be happier that Grant has gotten his educational start there and with them. He has a true love of learning that I know is, in part, due to his time there.

Snow Day!

John took the morning off after our recent snow storm and we made our trek to Skyline High School for some inner tubing (thanks to Jed for the inner tubes). The kids (and, okay, mom and dad too) had a great time.

I guess we already knew she was a ham.

Pooped.

It must be the cooler weather today... but Miss Clare couldn't make it through the morning without an impromptu nap on the couch. Here she is sacked out and catching some zzz's.

My little monkeys. I couldn't love them more.

Cooking for the family... it's nice to have some help in the kitchen.

Sleepover

Jack and Emma spent the night Friday night... so we set up 'sleepover central' in Grant's room. Clare didn't last the whole night-- she kept stomping around on everyone else, so she had to be relocated to her own room about 30 minutes in... but everyone else stayed for the duration and had fun.

Ahhh... spring.

The weather has finally (!) warmed up. We have been feeling a bit cooped up in our house lately, and the past few days have given us the opportunity for some much needed time outside. Cousins Emma and Jack came over today for a play date, and the kids ran around the backyard squealing in delight. They (and I) couldn't have been happier.

Cheese.

These two make me smile. Just an ordinary, lazy morning at our house... Clare is dressed in her princess/butterfly outfit, and Grant has been spinning her in the study chair. Good times. This is the stuff childhood memories are (and should be) made of.

Skiing.

I'm happy to report that there has been progress. All has not been for naught. This week, Grant and company tackled the 'carrot tow.' Next week, it's the ski lift. Yee haw!

Clare gets a haircut...

While John and I were away for the weekend, Grandma decided to cut Clare's bangs. They'll grow back, right?

Mom and Dad get to go play in Las Vegas for the weekend

My darling daughter.

I've got your back.

This picture is from last fall (notice Clare's extra short hair), but it's one of my favorites. Whenever Grant is sent to time out, Clare ALWAYS joins him in an act of solidarity. She even will sit with him after he's assaulted her in one way or another (which is usually how he found himself in time out to begin with). Here, Grant is clearly peeved with me for having laid down the law, and Clare is just excited to be hanging out with her brother-- she even brought the basketball hoop and ball with her just in case he wanted to play a little.

Clare Bear is 2!

Our sweet baby isn't really a baby anymore...

And, as always, our girl has accessorized to the fullest extent possible.

He shoots. He scores!

Clare's birthday playdate with her girlfriends.

Rosie Hirai, Maggie Schipper, and Allie Fritz all came over to celebrate our Clare Bear's 2nd Birthday. There was playing, apple wedges, cheese sticks, juice boxes, and brownies for all.

One of those days.

I had one heckuva day on Thursday. Clare pushed me to the absolute limits of my love and patience.
It all started the night before-- Clare threw up in the middle of the night, which meant loads of laundry for me in the morning. While I was cleaning out the washing machine (which was full of throw up chunks-- I kid you not), Clare decided she didn't need to wear her diaper anymore. I heard Grant gagging, and I went into the family room to discover that Clare had pooped on the carpet. Really. So, then began the process of steam cleaning and 'protein' removal. Disgusting. We all took baths /showers after that.

Ski school.

Today was Day One of Ski School at Eldora. Grant and his friend, Kate Jones, joined the Eldorables and did an outstanding job-- they braved the cold and most significantly for Grant-- the wind, and they seemed to be getting the hang of it by the end of the two-hour session.
After the lesson I asked Grant: 'What was your favorite part?' He replied: 'The hot cocoa.' I then asked him: 'What was your least favorite part?' He replied, 'The skiing.' Hmmmm.... hopefully his attitude will improve next week. We have four more weeks of this gig. His teacher, Robert, assures me the first day is the hardest and that his ability and mood will change dramatically over the next month. I hope Robert is right.

Go Saints!

John HATES being photographed-- especially when it's an important 4th down during the Super Bowl... but I sometimes make him pose for a family photo regardless. Maybe one of these days I can get him to smile too? May be asking for too much.
Here, we're all decked out in our Broncos gear, but we were rooting for the Saints against the Colts. Glad New Orleans pulled it off... because we were also celebrating Grant's birthday that night, and had the Saints lost, Grant would have been beyond bummed.

Grant, Clare, and the newest member of the family

Here is the newest member of the Gaddis Family-- Grant's fish, Running Rhino. Grant asked me, in all seriousness, if I loved him or the fish more. I, of course, said him; but when I asked if he loved the fish or me more, he paused a bit too long before answering: 'You, Mom.'

Not to be outdone.

It may be Grant's big day, but that doesn't mean Clare is above turning on the cuteness to get a little bit of attention. Quite the accessories, Little Girl.

Happy 5th Birthday Grant!

My sweet boy is officially a 'kid.' He asked for (and got) a fish for his big day. He named him 'Running Rhino'-- I'm not sure why, but it's his fish, so he gets to pick.

Oh Sh%@*! is right!

This is embarrassing. I haven't even been at this blogging thing all that long, and I'm already divulging rather personal, humiliating info here. So, here it is...
My sweet daughter Clare has a mouth like a sailor. This is my daughter that really only has a handful of words at this point... I'd guess 20 or so; and to my chagrin, one of those words is 'sh%@*.' The other day we were in the kitchen, she dropped her plastic bowl, looked up at me with concerned eyes, and said: 'Oh Sh%@*.' I may be the worst parent ever.
I'm trying to find a grandparent or aunt to blame it on, but after a bit of reflection the only person I have to blame is myself. Who knew parenting would require so much personal reflection and self criticism? Yikes.
And, here's the worst part. She's not yet two, so I can't really rationalize with her and explain that 'sh%@*' is a bad word. Instead, I need to start modeling good language. Unfortunately, though, when I drop my bowl, saying 'Uh-oh!' just isn't as satisfying.

darn phil.

Grant learned about Groundhog Day at school on Monday, so we watched with great enthusiasm as Phil made his debut Tuesday morning. Grant cried when it was reported that Phil saw his shadow. "Six more weeks of winter! But, I want to go swimming!"
Oh, Grant... Mommy is bummed too...
Here is a photo of Grant and his cousin, Cole, during happier (and warmer) times in Mexico over Christmas Break.

She has new undies too... but these are on over her diaper. We'll get there, I'm sure.

We've begun the potty training conversation with Clare. Here she sits atop her newly acquired potty. Notice, however, that her diaper is still on and she's using it as a pedestal for television-watching. Oh... we have a long way to go...

I'm terrible at this.

I've had great hopes of updating this blog regularly... but I haven't. I even made a New Year's Resolution to do it more often... and now it's Groundhog Day and I'm just getting around to it.
I've witnessed lots of magical moments with my kids, and I've been bad about capturing those on this blog.
I guess I'm not the perfect parent-- but here's to trying again. I suppose it will be my Valentine's Resolution?

Clare and one of her many babies.

Grant and his football.

Grant thinks (hopes) that he will be like Brandon Marshall when he grows up. Oh, to dream like a kid.

One of my favorite pictures of the kids during a Fall photo shoot at McIntosh Lake. Grant is leading the way, looking intently at what's out in front of him, and Clare is shoeless, curious about what that photographer guy is doing, and is just enjoying the ride.