I am 30!

Well it is official that as of yesterday, I am 30! Kris and Zack made the day so special for me. Kris and I went out to dinner and then came back and had cake (Kris made the cake!) with some friends. Thanks so much for a special day and I love you both so much!

Two monkeys!

It cracks me up how much Zack looks like this little Curious George stuffed animal! Aren't they cute?!?!

Trying to crawl - the video version

I love books!

I just recently had my first scare and realization of just how strong and curious Zack is. I was putting his laundry away in his room, and put him down in front of his books to keep him occupied. He was busy taking the books off the shelf (see video below) and I was able to get all of his laundry put away. Well I guess he got bored with the books, and decided to pull the shelf above his head off. The whole bookshelf did not fall, just the one shelf that he pulled off. Luckily it did not hit him. He only got a little startled when everything fell down. OK - I learned my lesson and thank goodness he did not get hurt! I know there are many more "lessons" to come. I just hope they all end up ok like this situation did!

Trying to crawl

Zack is really trying to crawl! He can scoot across the floor, but hasn't quite figured out the crawling thing. That is ok though, I am not quite sure that I am ready to chase him around the house!! Stay tuned though - it could happen any day!

Trip to the mountains - Estes Park

We also went up to the mountains one day while we were in Colorado. We visited Estes Park - where the Stanley Hotel from the movie, The Shining is. We took a horse drawn carriage ride around the hotel. IT WAS FREEZING, but a lot of fun!

In the background is the Stanley Hotel

The beautiful horses that pulled our carriage.

We went into the lobby of the hotel to warm up a little. It is so beautiful in there.

Little Snow Bunny!!

After playing in the snow a little, we went to downtown Estes for a little shopping.

Here are a few elk that were grazing in the middle of the town. It's not every day that you see a bunch of elk while you are shopping. Only in Colorado!

The Butterfly Pavilion

On one of the very cold days in Denver, we founds some warmth (and humidity) at the butterfly pavilion. This is a really neat place close to my parent's house that we had a great time at!

Here are a bunch of butterflies that hatched that day. This was part of a butterfly release they do every day. They release the butterflies into an enclosed building, and then they fly around as you are walking through.

An owl eye butterfly. God's creation is so beautiful, isn't it?


Zack really wanted to get his hands on these butterflies!



Zack and Grandma

They also had a section where you could see other types of animals and insects.

Here Zack is petting a horseshoe crab.

And a starfish.

They also had this tarantula that you could hold. My mom was the only one brave enough to hold it out of our group. Zack would have held it!!!

He was also very interested in this colony of bees.

We went back one last time to visit the butterflies before we left.

Christmas morning

Here are some pictures from our Christmas morning!

Zack is checking out his gift from Grandma and Grandpa - a new train!

The Ridenour family tradition on Christmas morning is very special to me - and it was truly special to be able to share the tradition with Zack this year. Each year my parents hide the baby Jesus, and we have to find Him before we are able to open the presents. This year baby Jesus was on top of the poinsettia plant. Here Zack is getting Him.

We then put Him in the manger and all remember the true meaning of Christmas, before the opening of gifts begins. What a special time, and a tradition that we will be carrying on in the Thornton family!

Here is the little man helping Uncle Eric open one of his presents.

Marly all wrapped up!!

Hanging out with Uncle Mark.

My brother used to do the same thing with this reindeer when he was young!