Trip to Denver

So we spent a good chunk of time in Denver at the end of August.  Nearly two weeks, actually.  We enjoyed attending my Grandpa and Grandma Hurst's 90th birthday party.  It was so neat to learn more about them and their love.  They are some of the most amazing people I know.  Such great examples of endurance and hard work.  I just love visiting them.  Anyways, I enjoyed so much spending time with my brother Phil who stayed with us.  He reminded me of why I loved him so much in my youth.  He's so fun and enjoyable to be around.  I also got to see my parents and sister Courtney and her family.  Some good times were definitely had :) 

 Michael had his preliminary defense of his disertation within that next week, so he headed homethe next day to fine tune his presentation and prepare for the oral exam part, and practice of course.  It was good we were in Denver because of course Ellie got really sick and that would have been a huge distraction to what he needed to focus on.  Michael passed his preliminary and got some great feedback on how to improve his presentation and other stuff to research to support, etc.  I don't get it all, but that's ok, he does :)  He came back to Denver the day after and I was so happy to see him!  He then started paving the path his parent's were doing in the new landscaping of their front yard.  He loves paving.  He did quite a bit of it when he worked at the Denver Temple as a groundscrew guy.  So he really labored on labor day. 

 Ellie got to go to the zoo with her Aunties and cousins and had a great time.  She just loved the "jumpaline".  It may be one of the first big purchases we make when we get a house someday....  So much fun with cousins but in the end she was ready for home.  The day before we left she asked if we could go home.  That's never happened before.  I think we were all craving a little home and the structure it gives to our lives.  I love home.  But uh-oh!  Our baby can crawl now!  Time to VACUUM!

The big party.  Unfortunately I was not in focus.  But that's G&G Hurst.

My parents, Courtney, and Phil.  Missed you Annie!

Selfie with my huge camera.  Quite the task.  But yes, I was there :)

Grandpa Stan doing a funny family joke about peanut butter.  It was great.

Success.

The girls reading.

The beautiful flower wall at G&G Huntington's.

Michael's path in the making.

Done and BEAUTIFUL!

This yard is going to look gorgeous when its done.  How exciting!

Part of the wall of flowers between my inlaws and their neighbors.  I can't believe how crazy awesome this pic is.  So vibrant.

She really wants whatever I eat in front of her now.  So I gave her a couple licks of my butter pecan ice cream.  She loved it of course.

First day crawling was August 26th.  I love this age!  You can see the thirst in her eyes.

Sweet cousin Camille.  She is ten weeks younger, but right there with Abby developementally in a lot of ways.  She inspired Abby to crawl just days later.  Thanks Camille!

Chubby Cheeks!

Picking at the grass together.

TUtu love.

Updated family picture.  Ellie's face is so funny.  She has scab under her nose that someday I'll edit out.  She was so difficult, and as you can see, Michael is just about to tickle her :)  Pictures with kids is hard.