What a great couple months; so many fun things happening.  Our good friends, Lisa and Ely, came to visit.  We hit Idaho Springs and ate at the award winning Beaujo's Pizza.  On Seth's recommendation, we hit Tommie Knocker Brewery along with the Coors Tour.  The Girls were excited to spend time with their God-Mother.  The trip always goes too fast but we were thankful they made it out!
Seth and I flew to Seattle and visited our good friends, Wendy and Chad.  It was a short visit but the highlight was that we met Siena (1 yrs old) for the first time...what a treat!  She is beautiful and so much fun. We managed to fit in several outings and a date night with Wendy and Chad - a great time!

Nana & Papa Janz came to visit for a couple weeks. They spent mornings with the Girls, cooked, cleaned, took the Girls for their 1st Haircuts and 2-year pictures....You can see why it was hard to let them go last week; Our family had withdrawals!

Ely and Lisa - Tommie Knocker Brewery

Lisa and Me - Down from Beaujo's Pizza

Seth, Me, Wendy, Chad and Siena

Tayla was a trooper for her 1st haircut

Braelyn did well for her 1st cut too

Done with haircuts, now a sucker ;-)

2 Year Pic

2 Year with Nana & Papa Janz

Christmas 2011

A couple days before Christmas, the Girls daycare had a Christmas party that included a visit from Santa....Tayla wasn't excited to sit on his lap but was good about it.  Braelyn, on the other hand, was going to let her feelings known to all that she did not like that Santa guy!

Seth's childhood friend, Sean, came from Korea to visit a couple days before we left for North Dakota for Christmas.  He and his Girlfriend, Bora, rode back with us through the night- with 2 toddlers and 2 small dogs for 13 hours...now that is the definition of a true friend! 


It was great to be back in North Dakota and the Girls loved having all the attention from family and friends.  Although the trip is never long enough we were able to squeeze in 3 Christmas celebrations....a fun time!

Daycare Christmas Party with Santa

Seth's Family - Christmas Eve Celebration

 

The Girls love their Cousin Breahn!

Our Good Friend, Laura, stopped by from Bismarck ND

NaNa & PaPa Schroeder

Lisa & Ely....and our dog Charlie too :-)

Seth enjoying scotch with my Uncle Lynn & Dad

Aunt Judy & Tayla

Halloween

This year was the Girls first (participating) Halloween.  Braelyn was a bumble-bee and Tayla was minnie mouse. We went to our good friends house to trick-or-treat and all the Girls did well!  Tayla & Braelyn's friend, Presley, was tinkerbell; so cute!  The Girls were in awe of all the kids and costumes and had the most fun taking candy out of their "candy bucket" often right after it was collected ;-)



Getting ready for our first night of trick-or-treating




Ready to go!





Presley as tinkerbell - love the shoes :-)



A fun night!

Grandpa & Grandma Visit

Grandma & Grandpa Schroeder came to visit at the end of September.   The Guys went to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.  No matter the length, the visits are always too short.  We fit a lot into the trip...it was a good time.

Braelyn & Papa Jer

Tayla and Grandma Kathy

Seth & My Dad getting ready for the Beer Festival

 

Grandma Kathy showing the Girls her pictures

Tayla & Papa Jer having a snack

Growing Fast

The Girls are officially 1 1/2 years old at the end of this month; the time does fly.  Braelyn talks to us like she is trying to say something very interesting.  She also loves to read books on her own; although none of us can understand what she's reading, we can tell it's a good book :-). Tayla understands instruction...she is a big helper and puts clothes in the laundry basket, diapers in the diaper pail, and brings drinks and snacks to her sister.  The Girls love to be outside, either just sitting in their "deck" chairs from Grandma & Grandpa Janz or going to the park in their wagon from Grandpa & Grandma Schroeder. Busy Girls :-)

Braelyn Pushing Tayla in the toy car

Braelyn reading a book

Braelyn kissing Sissy :-)

North Dakota Trip

We took a trip to North Dakota over the 4th of July and spent the majority of our time at my In-Law's Minnesota Lake cabin.  We had perfect weather and were lucky to see a lot of family and friends.  A great trip and always hard to see it end.


Seth's Grandma's




Grandma Clyde & Papa Lyle with Tayla





Braelyn with Cousin Bryce



Grandma Kathy and Braelyn

Uncle Kipp & Tayla

Our Good Friends, Ely & Lisa - at their MN lake cabin close by



My Aunt Julie with Braelyn




My Grandparents




My Mom and Aunt Julie - Can you tell they're sisters? ;-)



Grandpa Jer  - The Girls loved the piano

Uncle C tubing

Seth & Sean pulling Uncle C, Cousin Breahn & her friend;  yikes!

We have walkers!

Tayla walked for the first time in April and Braelyn followed about a month later.  I was gone when Braelyn took her first walk, but thank goodness Seth had the Daddy instinct to start "roll'n" tape!  The Girls get to be silly with Dad, hence Braelyn with hiked pants & a bucket helmet :-)