Woe

Coming home from a vacation. With no pictures because your phone which you brought just so you could use its camera since your point and shoot got stolen from the diaper bag and you didn't want to bring your DSLR died. Yes, that's a run on sentence. Sometimes that's all life seems to be is to keep running on and good things and bad things run into each other so that it becomes hard to tell whether it's a good day or a bad one. Like this morning, I take the car into to get the safety and emissions inspection for the annual registration and get the oil changed then go to the bank to deposit the left over money from the vacation (we only spent $25 of our cash, wha what?) and while I'm leaning into my small little Honda trying to unbuckle my child a lady proceeds to chew me out for letting my car door touch hers. I ignore her knowing if I say something it will be not very nice. Since her car is over the parking line and mine is parked perfectly in the middle of the two yellow lines and the door is leaning against her wheel since she has an SUV and I have a small little sedan, but nope, I kept my mouth shut and just sauntered into the store determined not to let her foul my mood. The bank doesn't have the DumDums for Eliza that I promised her for being good while running errands and thankfully she doesn't throw a fit but gratefully accepts the sticker instead. As soon as we get outside the wind blows it away and we are chasing after it because heaven knows we can't lose our brand new marketing-compensating for not having DumDums-sticker. I drive to Wal-Mart to pick up some more diapers because we are on our last one after a rough post travel diarrhea stint and proceed to lock my keys in the car. This has only happened to me twice in my WHOLE LIFE. Of course Eliza is yelling in my ear distracting me and I'm in Tyler's car so I have to lock it before I close the door. wham bam thank you ma'am. I run inside and get those blasted diapers and call the police to come help me out. It's lunch time and Eliza is trying to run around the parking lot and I try to distract her with the promise of chicken nuggets. We make it home before she falls asleep and we gobble down lunch and I decide that running 4 miles during her nap is not a good idea.

Who knew my life would be so up and down. Having kids is hard.

Now for the imaginary picture journey of our cruise:

Vacations are awesome. Beaches are relaxing and fun. We bury Eliza in the sand up to her waist and she looks so adorable in her little blue ruffle halter swim suit and hat and sunglasses. When I try to take a pic she either ignores me or does a very cheesy grin.

Tyler buries my feet and then proceeds to make my feet bumps look like boobs.

We see Minnie and Eliza goes wild.

We see Mickey and Eliza goes crazy.

We see Pluto and Eliza starts barking and pointing and yelling.

Do you see a theme here?

We play in the splash pool with our beach toys and make new friends with the other non-potty trained babies who aren't allowed in the big pools. Including a mom and her baby who live in Cabo and a couple who are Brazilian who live in Canada and Tyler and he exchange business cards...I talk potty-training.

We eat ourselves 10lbs heavier on the all you can eat chicken fingers, shrimp, and steak. (I'm still sticking to my no chocolate, cheese and anything good diet;()

We take a big group family pic of all 10 adults and 6 kids on the grande staircase.

Eliza sees Minnie and goes wild, etc.

What a Wonderful World.

Vacation--Wahoo

Man, I've just returned from the trip of a lifetime...just kidding. It was more of a trip that lasted a lifetime, or rather, we were gone 3 weeks. Take that however you'd like.
First stop:
Southern Colorado where the green grass grows and the river flows and the mosquitoes bite. (Actually, the mosquitoes weren't that bad). We had a marvelous time fishing (I caught a trout and called it a day. I've done enough fishing) hiking and playing games.

 enjoying the long car ride by playing peek-a-boo

 poor sleepy babies

 I love how there is milk dripping off her mouth. satisfied much?

 I love this side shot of Eliza

 and this one on grandpa's lap is so precious I just had to include it. I think she looks like him a bit

 We were watching horseshoes and Eliza and Jenna were getting into it

 Love this profile shot

 She hasn't smiled once in these pics, but she really did have a good time!

 I had to include this shot of me looking quite luxurious, or not...definitely not. Also, had to include how funny this shot was of me holding the hummingbird feeder in front of Nana, with the flagpole coming out of my head.

 Ty too

 Our squirrel friend

 Eliza made horsey noises when we went to visit the horses that were parked (is that how you describe it? maybe tied up is a more accurate term)

 loved the FREEZING cold water

 my fish!

 Gorgeous views

 another impromptu photo shot with Jenna

 The men talking--love this serene shot of what the cabin represents--peaceful serenity

 I don't think I want to hike...

 I love hiking!

 Rough-creek falls

We also visited Manassa for the notorious 24th of July celebrations. Eliza loved riding on the little ponies. (Pony, she really only sat on one and it was for like 5 minutes).

I then met my dad and brothers in Alamosa and we flew back up to Colorado Springs so I could hang out with the fam while the girls and mom and dad went trekking. When they returned I did a quick Senior photo shoot of my sis.

Eliza slept in a dark closet and was back to her great schedule when we turned around and drove 14 hours to Missouri.

Yay for lake vacations! They truly are the best to relax, have fun, and hang out with the family. It was the whole shabang! (includ. lil' sis's bf). Eliza loved riding on the waverunners and in the tube. Ty and I tried our luck at wakeboarding (since we hadn't since we got married) and I of course schooled him. No really.

 Yes I am bigger than you! Eliza "playing" with cousin Elyse

 Nana and Uncle Derek

 Uncles Jared and Nate

 Uncle Hayden

 Aunt Laurel

 Family Time

 We celebrated her first bday with the Ashby's and needless to say, this girl loves chocolate, but not getting dirty:)

 opening her gifts

 boating with mama

 and Aunt Laurel

 Playtime with Elyse...again. we had to make them match...

The only highlights were Ty getting a concussion and tying the rope up in the waverunner. Ok, maybe not highlights, LowLights. He's all better now. Except, I forgot to include this minor, yet disgusting detail, Ty and I tried to rid ourselves of some ingrown toenails (ewww I know) before the lake and mine got all better, but Ty had to get surgery on his last night and now he's limping around. Poor baby. I will not disgust you further with pics of that.

Is there any question of if I love to take pics or what?
Now back to laundry...