Silverthorne

I spent many days in the winter months dreaming of our first family of five road trip.  I knew it would be when the grass turned green and wild flowers danced in the meadows off the road.  I also knew that when we went it would mean that I was feeling good enough to make a drive and have energy to have a little fun at whatever destination we picked.

I was in pinch-me mode as we drove though the beautiful purple mountains of Colorado.  I kept looking back at the seats filled with boys.  Our boys.  I snapped pictures and had a permanent grin on my face as Nathan and Kendall hung out the window though Eisenhower tunnel.

It was a magical, glowy, bottle me up feeling the whole day. My appreciation of this day burst through the exhaustion from the months prior.

We arrived a short 1 1/2 hours in the sweet little town of Silverthorne with one thing on our minds.

 Ice cream.

The Higgins ice cream stand beckoned us to pull over and lured us in with mother nature in full swing all around.  The river calmly flowed behind it and walking paths lined with huge pine trees invited us to take a stroll.

Our delicious cone of exotic flavors was definitely worth the $4.00 price tag.

We ended up at the outlets wandering in and out of shops.  Justin found some new tennis shoes and we sat in wooden chairs under an onning while we waited for a afternoon storm to pass.

It was perfect day.  Exactly how I dreamed it would be... only better.

 

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend was welcomed with outstretched arms.  Another few days to stay in our jammies just a few hours longer with no schedules telling us where we need to be.  A weekend to breathe in family and relax.

Friday night we all went to watch Nathan's game in Arvada.  Excitement buzzed all around us as we watched him and his whole Scorpion team under the lights get creamed.  It was very humbling.  Nathan got two penalties and lets just say he was humbled and we all learned a lot that night.  I have a great love for one of his coaches I barely know as he took him on the sidelines and gave him a "pump up speech".  The night ended with tears and of course we managed to pull out some laughs eventually in the car.

Saturday the boys went with Justin and cleaned the church.  I stayed home with Cardon and we both took a much-needed nap.  That night we ended up at one of our favorite places in Colorado.  A little park that has become sacred to our family.  It is nestled at the bottom of the mountains in Golden and has been named "Golden Park." for good reason.  A pebbled path circles several acres of green fields and pine trees.  The boys love the playground and the smell of the horses grazing next to the property.

Mammy and Papa drove up with us and we meet Bill, JoAnn, Jackson, Todd, Martha, and the boys and had a picnic.  We said goodbye to JoAnn and Bill as they are moving to Kansas City and will start their new adventures.

Sunday we had our primary program practice at the church.  Nathan, Kendall, and Justin are going to sing the 3rd verse of Praise to the Man.  It sounds so beautiful.

We got home and Mammy and Papa came over.  We gobbled up some lemon tortellini chicken pasta and hurried up over to the park to fly kites.  The wind was just breezy enough to get the kites going.  Todd and his family met us there and Luke joined in on the fun.  We laid on a blanket and listened to the kites flapping and watched the boys run with massive amounts of unwound string trailing behind
them.

Monday we kidnapped Mammy and took her to an appointment with Lynn.  She did her miracles and worked on the whole family.  We drove to Castle Rock after and did some shopping.  We ended up going to lunch at Cafe Rio and ate it in the car so that we could get to Colorado Springs in time to make it to the Zoo.  It was a beautiful day to make the drive.....

The highlight was feeding the giraffes.  Their long purple tounges would curl around the lettuce and into their mouth it would go.  The boys loved it!  We went on to see a beautiful set of lions, elephants, a bear, and lots of other animals.  Cardon did really good and I think lots of zoo trips will be in his future.

We ended our adventure with a quick trip to Dairy Queen for the drive home.

It was perfect.

.

Last Day of School!

 Three boys with the same haircut!  

This little guy is pretty excited to have his buddies home!

On the last day of school the boys came home to a treasure hunt! We celebrated the beginning of summer with a basket full of fun things for our three month break.  

We ate delicious blueberry scones that Sister Willardson brought over while going over our summertime rules and had to break out the Bunchems!

It's SUMMER!

Us Hillan's have big plans this summer! Keeping it simple and fun.  I can't wait for days in the sunshine sprinkled with pajama days with these three little boys!

Queen For The Day

You are the trip I did not take; 

You are the pearls I cannot buy; 

You are my blue Italian lake; 

You are my piece of foreign sky.

 ~Anne Campbell

I LOVE being a mom.  A piece of me woke up when I had my first baby.  It was like it had always there but dormant and then when these little boys were placed in my arms, it was activated.

I knew my purpose and I knew instantly what I wanted to do with my life.  I wanted to become the best mom that has ever lived.  

I try my best everyday and even though I'm not perfect, it is my favorite thing in the WORLD.  I can't believe I get to be linked to these great little people for ETERNITY.

My cup runneth over.

Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree!

The fragrant blossoms were beckoning us to go outside for a walk.  We strapped Cardon in the stroller and got his sunnies on. Kendall opted for no shoes and we set out to venture around the neighborhood.

Another beautiful day went down in the books.

Cardon's Baby Blessing

Cardon was blessed on a beautiful sunny Sunday day in April. He was dressed in the softest little white knit outfit that Kendall wore for his blessing as well.

A sweet feeling was present and he was surrounded by his favorite people.

His dad gave him a special blessing and there were several things that stood out to me.

He was a miracle. He was blessed to go through life with health and strength.  Blessed that he would be a light to others, gain and hold onto his testimony, be strong in the gospel, and touch others with words and his spirit.

He was blessed with a desire and hope to find a worthy companion and to be sealed with her for time and all eternity and to be able to raise children together.

He was blessed to have a long life- that he would have an abundance of the spirit and to be able to serve a full-time mission honorably.

His dad also mentioned that he was loved by so many women in this world and that his love would be so abundant that he will change others lives from it.

He was blessed not to give up hope and be strong and continue in faith.

I loved his blessing and what a comfort it is.

He is straight from heaven.  We can see it and feel it. 

He is dessert for our family.  Complete with whip cream and a bright red cherry!

Baby Bear

This little sugar bear loved his first General Conference and we loved including him in our traditions and favorite Sunday of the year!

Brothers

I asked Kendall about this picture and he said, "just me and my brother. It's the best!"

Cocoon Baby

The little potato sleeps well when he is wrapped and laying on a fluffy cloud.