The Big Water Slide

Down the slide with Daddy. We didn't get the best part, which is Elle Belle exiting the pool, giggling all the way to the slide line, but this is a taste of our little fearless girl.

With Mom...

With Grandpa, even going a bit underwater was not enough to deter her from going on the water slide...

Nonna and Grandpa's Visit

We apologize for the delays in posting, but this summer was just too fun (and Mom just had to sit outside during naps to read and soak in the sun!) ....

Anyway, Eliana had a fabulous weekend with her Nonna and Grandpa back in August (26-28). We did so many fun things since the weather was absolutely perfect: celebrated Nonna's 60th birthday, beach time at Discovery, breakfast out at Voula's (thanks to the Food Network "Diners, Dives and..."), blackberry picking, dinner out at Maneki (Japanese restaurant in the ID), swimming at Mounger Pool and pub time at Mulleady's. Thanks, John and Maria, we loved every second of it and so did Eliana.

Reading with Grandpa



Entertaining while waiting for our food at Voula's, a popular diner right by the U-District (and under I-5)







Time to sample Nonna's breakfast!



Sand castle time with Grandpa and Daddy at Discovery Park



"Nonna, what makes the waves?"...such a sweet silhouette picture



Backyard kiddie pool and happy hour time



Oh, what a mess we made at Maneki, but the owner was so sweet; she brought miso soup, onigiri and lots of treats to keep Eliana entertained. What an amazing find in the International District - we will make this a frequent stop from now on...makes us feel like we are back in Japan again.







One of the highlights of the trip was when Eliana took Nonna's hands at dinner and started clapping them. We had been singing, "If You're happy and you Know it" all week and she was so tickled when she make Nonna's hands clap together. So sweet.



Grandpa, Nonna, Daddy and Elle Belle (squirmy after sitting down at the restaurant)



Nonna and Mom got to go blackberry picking during nap time. Then, Mom baked up a crisp for dessert - yummy!!



The best memory about the visit was the trip to our local Mounger Swimming Pool. Nonna and Grandpa came equipped with swim suits (didn't even tell them to pack them!) and Eliana had a blast. Grandpa even took her down the big slide a couple times. We alternated between warm pool (95 degrees) and normal pool (85 degrees) and Eliana was in heaven. She got to swim with 4 family members, not just boring Mom during swim lessons:) Thanks, John and Maria for bringing your suits - this will always be one of my favorite memories.



Plunging in with Daddy...this is the infamous big slide that Elle Belle could not get enough of this summer!



Mom and the little Dare Devil


Nonna, sleepy Elle Belle and Grandpa

A Summer to Remember

As we get caught up on blog posts here (we have many to go, so thanks for being patient!), I have to take a moment and reflect on what an incredible summer it has been and how lucky I feel to get so much time with Eliana. Last Friday was our last trip to Mounger Pool in Magnolia and it was unbeatable. It was only in the 60's, but that did not stop our water baby from setting a record going down the big slide...15 times? We definitely passed 10, but I lost track after that. The most memorable part of it for me is not going down the slide (although it's a blast and fun to be a kid again!!), but the part when I set her up on the side of pool after plunging into the water and watch her "run" (waddle quickly, really, since she has a big poofy life jacket on...) back to get in line, giggling and squealing the whole way. It's like she's in a race to get back in line, but so excited that she can't contain it. When people watch, they get huge grins on their faces and I, too, stand there smiling and so content watching our little girl find such delight in this activity. It's a dream come true. Thank you, Eliana for enriching our lives and letting us live again like children, through your eyes.




This is the slide where the magic happens...This picture doesn't do it justice, but t have a video to upload from John and Maria's visit that shows what I'm talking about...stay tuned:)

Magnolia Co-op

Last week, Eliana started Co-op. It's every Friday from 9:15-10:30. I go with her every week and Teacher Gina has the Blue Room all set up for sensory exploring time. The first 45 minutes, toddlers choose what they want: water play, painting, coloring, play dough, toys, sand, etc. The next 30 minutes are music and dancing. It's wonderful to watch Eliana explore (since I don't get to see what she does in school Mondays and Tuesdays) and a great way to get to know more people in Magnolia. What a big girl you are now, Elle Belle! I forgot my camera last week, but will remember it next time!

An Unexpected Trip Home

Even though we would have liked to gone home for a different occasion, it was a wonderful time with family. Elle Belle also got some great quality time in with Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Amy. Thanks you guys for letting us sneak away for an anniversary dinner and a hike to Horsetooth.

While Grandpa and Auntie Amy went to the CSU football game, Grandma watched Elle Belle until we got back from a great hike up Horsetooth Rock.

Grandma is good for spoiling little Pumper.

A nice getaway hike for Mom and Dad to Horsetooth Rock.

Eliana got to play with my cousins; here she is with Collin, just plopped down in his lap to play. Caitlin and Kelsey ready bed time stories to her and she loved it.

Our ray of sunshine

At the park with Grandma and Grandpa

Swinging with Auntie Amy

We spent a morning at Lee Martinez Farm in Ft. Collins. Elle Belle fed the cows, chickens and sheep...and then the sheep bit her, so she watched Dad feed the aggressive goats. She loved the tractor the most, I think....here we are at the old watering hole:)

With Grandma and Grandpa

These goats were head butting the younger one to make sure he/she did not get any oats...

Auntie Amy, Grandpa, Mom, Eliana and Grandma

Out to breakfast at "Snooze"...playing hot wheels with Dad and Grandpa while we wait for the food to be delivered.

Down the big slide with Auntie Amy

After the service and burial, Immanuel Lutheran Church (where my Grandma was a member for her entire life) hosted a reception for family and friends. The church women provided a wonderful lunch. It was also a beautiful day out, so we snuk away for a few minutes to do a family photo shoot. Who knows when we would all be dressed up again and able to take advantage of great sunlight? So, we hit up the beautiful park next to the church.

Swinging around with Mom



Thanks, Auntie Amy for taking such good care of me during our trip. You volunteer to change diapers, get up with me in the morning and let Mom and Dad go out for their Anniversary. I love you! -Eliana P.S. I also love my new blue dress - you are the best!



Dad, Mom and Eliana



Such a big girl, walking with Daddy



Auntie Amy, Eliana, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy (in front of Grandma and Grandpa's house in Ft. Collins)








On Friday, we took a drive up the Poudre Canyon and had a great time playing in the river. I'm not sure who had more fun - Eliana or Molly? But, it was a nice way to spend the afternoon, giving our minds a break and soaking in the Colorado sunshine.

Finally got a good family shot - with Elle Belle looking. I never thought getting a toddler to look at the camera would be so much work! :)







Loving the sprays from Molly







A quick bath for the ride home


















Look closely and you will see Eliana's shirt says, "My fish (the bigger of the two) and Grandpa's fish (the smaller of the two)"