oops

got things a little out of order. These are some people shots from our time in Denver.

Mum, Dad, Ashley, me, Liam and Kellen

The kids - ?2nd cousins or 3rd? not sure

Me with my little!! cousin Simon

Aloha

Liam had his end of year Aloha program today where the 3 yo and 4 yo classes stand up and sing songs they've learnt throughout the year. Liam was not at all happy about wearing the 'flower necklace' cos it itches but sang his lungs out to make up for it. Simon was all set to drive 3 hours from Dallas to watch him and then drive all the way back. He is a wonderful Dad and would move heaven and earth for his family but considering he was recovering from gastro and jetlag his marvellous idea got canned. Sorry Liam boy.

We made our way to Loveland Pass, nearly 12,000 ft above sea level and our first taste of altitude sickness. Not too bad but the occasional wave of nausea or need to gulp in air! The pass is right on the Continental Divide which designates the line at which waters flow either to the Atlantic or the Pacific Oceans.
It was pretty breathtaking. Unfortunately Liam slept right through it but Ashley was in awe of the snow and loved the concept of snowball fights!!

Dad, cousin Simon, Kellen, Mum and Ashley (caught red handed)

Mum, Dad & Simon Morwood

Mum & me a little lower down the Rockies

The rockies cont'd

One of our pit stops on the way up to Loveland Pass

We had lunch in a ski town called Breckenridge

That John Denver's full of s#@t

Only funny to lover's of Dumb and Dumber but always a good line!
Mum & Dad decided to go out on a high (literally) via Denver, Colorado where my cousing Simon Morwood lives with his lovely wife Crystal and son Kellen. Whilst not the easiest to see in this pic they have a beautiful view of the Rockies from almost every window in their house. The next day we set out to see them up close.

Now my sisters and I grew up listenin, singin and dancin' to our good friend John Denver (whose name, I have since found out,is actually Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. He changed it to Denver because of his love for the area - thanks Maureen). So for my sisters I feel we should all break into song and recreate the music of a legend . . .

But the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high

COL-A-RAD-O

How's that for a view?

wheels

Simon says thanks to all our family who gave him money for his birthday, he now owns a pair of roller blades and enjoyed getting out and about with the kids and their bikes.

W/e escape

Simon had a tournament in San Antonio Texas so the kids and I jumped in the car for 4 hours and spent the weekend with him. We didn't do much of note but then again just being together was nice.

The kids were told they could pick any cake they wanted. Liam was a pirrrate theme and a friend had all the accessories so once the boat was done I just had to stick it all on. Ashley, despite not having watched the Wiggles for some time, wanted Dorothy the Dinosaur. She had me stumped so I just ended up laying a fondant picture of her down - a bit cheaty but beggars can't be choosers!

BTW she didnt come like this I just started cutting before I'd taken a pic!!!

Pump It Up

The kids had a joint party at an inflatable party place kit with a masive slide and obstacle courses. They had all their friends there and ran, jumped, drank and ate themselves silly. It was great and extra specially special to have Dad, Nana & Poppa there to celebrate the day.

Baffling Birthdays

I'm surprised our kids know what day it is as we have totally rearranged the calender this year. Simon is travelling for 12, 14 16? weeks plus without a week at home so celebrating the kids birthdays was proving a little tricky. So we picked a date (May 10th) where Simon flew in Sunday night, made Monday birthday day for both Liam and Ashley, party Monday night and off again on Tues. Ashley upsized-me on her bike and is now riding an 18 inchbike with ease.

She was most tickled with an American Girl doll from Nana, Nic Nic, Mimi and co. Her name is Rebecca.

Liam already had a day of spoils on his real birthday but still managed to squeeze in a few!

One of which Simon could not wait to give him was . . . de dunnar derrrrrr STAR WARS

I have held off for soo long but they were both in heaven. Liam will often get his Light Saber out and practice whilst watching the Jedi Knights.

Badderrrrr Up

We went to see our first baseball game with our friends the Mailainds. Unfortunately the Houston Astros didn't come through with the goods but we had a good time - ate hotdogs, icecream out of baseball caps and caught a ball or two.

No no crown ME for a day

Ashley also gets crowned for a day as her birthday falls in the American school holidays - she got to stand at the front of the class while everyone sang 'Happy Birthday'

Crown me for a day

Liam proudly wears his birthday crown from school