Cash

Four years ago we bought our first home.  We were nowhere near ready for kids (so we thought) but desperately wanted a dog. He was the perfect fit for us.  A clearance puppy from Craigslist, a Golden Retriever, Labrador mix with more personality and heart than I could have ever asked for.  We loved him from the first day he came to live with us.

Three weeks ago we said goodbye to our first baby.  We came home from church and he was clearly in a lot of pain.  He could hardly move and was very lethargic.  Matt took him to the ER vet and they ran some tests.  The vet found approx. a liter of blood in his stomach, most likely caused by a ruptured tumor.  His prognosis was bleak.  They said it was probably cancer and and that they could do exploratory surgery and try to remove the tumor but there were no guarantees. We made the extremely hard decision to say goodbye.

He was part of our family and we miss him dearly.  The house just doesn't feel the same without him.

I miss him every time I open the door to an empty house.  I miss him when we're playing in the backyard.  I miss him at night when he's not laying at the foot of our bed.  I miss him when Avery asks when Cash is coming back. 

It just breaks my heart that we lost a piece of our family so unexpectedly.  He was so young.  The kids are still so young and now they'll never really remember him.  Avery loved playing with him... he would just lay on the floor while she draped blankets on him and used him as a pillow.

I'm scared we'll never have another dog like him.  He was one in a million.  I know we will love all future pets but there was something special about him.  He started this stage of our life with us.  Our kids were supposed to grow up with him.  He was so much more than a dog.

Love you Cashy Boy.

Colorado 2013 - Estes Park

A trip to Colorado is never complete without a short stay in Estes.  It's so close and accessible with tons to do!

When I was little my grandparents used to take Stef and I to Estes all the time.  They have pictures of us going to down this giant slide and I've been waiting to take Avery since the first time we took her to Estes.  Obviously they're both still a little young but it was perfect for them to ride on our laps. I took Avery with me and she loved it.  Asher, well, he wasn't too sure about it.  Maybe next year!

After a quick walk around town we got a pizza to go and had a little picnic by the river.  It was perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  The weather was gorgeous, the pizza was delicious and the company was wonderful. 

Future cowboy? I think so.  I'm still bummed that I didn't buy this hat :(

Headed back to downtown for some post-picnic ice cream

On the way out of town we had to make one more "memory" stop... My grandparents also used to take us to feed the chipmunks and I can vividly picture a photo of me a little older than Avery sitting at this same spot feeding the chipmunks.  Love making these sweet memories with them!! And Avery was fascinated by the "chipamunks"!

Definitely time to head home.  Asher was tired and NOT at all happy that he was being restrained and not allowed to walk on the giant rocks next to the huge drop off.  Sorry kid.

Thankfully playing with Grandma can make it all better :)

Colorado 2013 - Family Camping

Well, I'm slowly getting back into the groove of real life. I still can't believe we got to spend 2.5 weeks in Colorado. We had so much fun, and more than anything, I loved watching Avery and Asher get loved on by so many wonderful family and friends. The weather and company wasn't too bad either.

The main reason we chose end of July for our trip was to attend the annual family camping trip. My family has been doing this since I was about 12 and I think it is so special that everyone takes the time to get together for a weekend in the summer.

Avery LOVED spending time with her great-grands. I can't blame her, they're pretty awesome :) How cute are they in their matching shirts?!?!

So much room to run!

What toddler boy wouldn't love playing in the wood pile?

Love my crew :)

Family camping wouldn't be complete without a trip to Eaton Reservoir!

Hi Grandma! We love you!

Why does my baby girl look like a kindergartener in this picture?  She is getting so big!

Two of my favorites :) LOVED getting to see them so much!

Asher was a little surprised by how cold the water was. Definitely didn't stop him though!

Oh Colorado, you sure do have the bluest skies...

Asher loved Aunt Lori!

Making homemade popcorn with Aunt Ruffy! Avery was pretty much attached to her and Brian the whole trip.  They were sure good sports and always willing to play!

Shooting trap!

We attempted a bath... It didn't go so well but definitely made for some cute pictures!

Seriously, she loves her aunt. 

CHEESE!! This little guy was a handful (constantly wanting to to up and down the wood stairs) but by the end of the weekend he was having a blast! I can't wait to take him back when he's a little older!

Best attempt at a family picture.  I'll take it :)

Aunt Sharon looks like she's ready to start her own daycare!

As always, we had so much fun and every time we get together with my dad's family it makes me want to have a big family myself.  Not sure I'm cut out for eight kids tho :)