Cutest Butt Ever!!!

Lissie decided she wanted to be a "big girl" and wanted to use the potty. Unfortunately, we only had one success and she's already over it. At least I got to see the cutest butt ever in her little underpants!

Our New Pool

We finally set up the new pool this afternoon and the girls couldn't wait to get in. Here they are in their clothes. Abby is trying out the slide. The clothes only lasted so long and they eventually swam without anything. I couldn't post those pics though:) They had a blast.

Afterwards they were so cold that they snuggled on the couch together for about an hour!

My Little Abby

Lately we've been finding Abby sleeping with Snuggles. We assume she goes over there to read and then falls asleep. She even had the light on.

Our Last Day in the Mountains

Sightseeing in Estes Park

We had some free time today so we all went downtown to explore Estes Park. Right around lunch time though, poor Abby came down with a nasty fever so we cut our time short.

Later after some Tylenol and a nap, our little family went to the Rocky Mountain Park to look for elk. We found a whole herd of bachelors that let us get pretty close to them. Sad though that Abby has seen so many of them that she paid no attention:)

They were awesome to watch and our timing was perfect. Right after we left, it started to rain.

I love this shot that Mike took.

Madden Family Reunion

About two days after we got home from Florida the girls and I headed off to Estes Park to join Mike's family for their family reunion. Mike went to a four wheeling camp out but joined us later. The reunion was fun and the girls had a blast.

Here is Abby enjoying a smore at the campfire.

Lissie liked hers as well.

All of the little ones got these fun glow sticks.

After a long afternoon this is where I found the girls when I came to bed. Keep in mind that Abby and I were supposed to share the bed while Lissie slept in the pack and play:)

The reunion was lots of fun. There was a talent show, game nights, a very moving memorial and an awards ceremony. Abby won "Happiest Camper." I've never seen her blush so much. She was so happy with her award.

Heading Home

We got one last swim in the morning we left for home. Of course, it was the prettiest and sunniest today!

Lissie was so worn out from the swimming that she fell asleep in the car and we were even able to transfer her without waking her up. She woke up right before we had to go through security.

The girls loved looking at the planes. In fact, Abby took this picture.

We had a wonderful time in Florida celebrating Porter's first birthday.

Jacksonville Zoo

To celebrate Porter's birthday, we all went to the Jacksonville Zoo. Barbie had a double stroller we borrowed. Aren't the girls cute sitting together?

Here are Granny and the girls looking for the leopard.
Lissie's favorite were the giraffes.

She could have spent all day there. I liked it because it was in the shade!

The elephants were also very popular.

Porter was a champ at the zoo. He just relaxed in his stroller and took it all in.

Lissie being cute.

Abby really likes snakes. Here she is with a giant Boa Constrictor.

Eventually, the heat got to be too much...97 and HUMID, and Mt. Lissie erupted. Of course, I'd forgotten "baby" (her blankie) in the car so I had to take her all the way out of the zoo to the car to get it before she finally calmed down. By then, everyone was a little concerned she would lose it again and we called it quits.

It was a really nice zoo...what we saw of it:)

Happy 1st Birthday Porter!!!

Barbie made this banner. She is very talented!

Isn't this cake adorable? I wish I were so creative.
After nice naps after the zoo, we celebrated Porter's birthday with presents and cake.

I LOVE the look on his face. Its almost like he knows he's about to get very messy!

He enjoyed it for awhile but eventually, he melted into a very sad frosting covered little boy. We found out later that he was quite sick and had a high fever. Poor baby.

Barbie also made little "pupcakes" for all of us.

Needless to say, the girls loved them.

Lissie REALLY loved hers!

Abby was a little cleaner about eating hers:)

The Beach!!!!!!!!

Of course, for me, the best day for me was the day we got to go to the beach. I LOVE THE BEACH!!!!

We all went and set up on the sand. I love Porter's hat....its almost as big as he is!
My beautiful Lissie sitting near the waves.

Our beach day started out a little rough with very timid children but it got much better and in the end we had to drag them out of the water!

Lissie loved floating in the waves with Mommy.

And what's a day with me without lots and lots of food. Lissie has my favorite....the potato chips.

Porter opted for water...

and Abby my healthy baby, devoured almost a whole watermelon all by herself!

Even getting clean for the drive home was memorable. Lissie stripped down completely! Well, almost.

This just makes me smile....

Here are the girls asleep in our hotel room one morning. Aren't they just the cutest?

Swimming, Five Guys and Cami Cakes...

Most mornings we grabbed the free breakfast at our hotel and then went over to Craig and Barbie's to hang out for a little while. Porter is so cute in the mornings, well all the time!

It was much sunnier today so going to the pool was wonderful. Lissie enjoyed being a sun baby while we had to force Abby to take breaks!
Craig, Barbie and Porter even came with to watch Abby swim underwater all by herself! A very new skill that she perfected in Craig and Barbie's pool!

We had lunch so late today that poor little Lissie slept through most of it. Sun and water really do tire a little one out!

After lunch we went to a gourmet cupcake store called Cami Cakes and we each picked out some cupcakes. The girls got to eat theirs after their nap.

You gotta love a giant cupcake with as much frosting as cake!

After their sugar high wore off, Aunt Barbie read stories to all of the kiddos.

Uncle Mike and Porter played "don't touch the computer." Porter loved it and giggled constantly. I really like that they're dressed to match!

Probably the most stressful time on vacation with little children is getting them to sleep. It is also hard for most adults in new surroundings. Anyhow, I have to say, our girls were really good if you have a sense of humor! It took about one to two hours to get them down everynight because they were having so much fun sharing a room and a bed! If Lissie was in the bed with Abby they would talk and giggle. If she were in the pack and play, they would yell across the room to each other. It really was very funny except when I was very tired:)