Just a teaser and quick story...

More fabulous pictures to come from Colorado.

We were still potty training Ashlyn in Colorado. She normally would go up to someone and tell them when she needed to go. On this particular day, a lot was going on - many hands busy making dinner, others outside working on the movie. others packing, others just chatting or playing games. Ashlyn enters into the kitchen quietly singing, "Potty, potty, potty" while dancing. She did this over and over, talking to no one, just singing and dancing to herself. After a few minutes I realize what she is doing. So, I ask her, "Do you need to go to the potty?" Her response, "Yes!", looking up with those big, brown eyes (like no, duh, Mom).

Happy ending: We made it!

Too Painful

Recently, many of my friends have had their children paint shells and/or rocks for an activity to pass the time. I thought this would be a fabulous idea since Kylie and Ashlyn collected many, many, many, many, many rocks (if you know Kylie, you know this is NOT an exaggeration) in Colorado.

ALL of them were "special", so they ended up in our suitcase. (Okay, yes, I did ditch many beforehand).

Well, this project started out as a fun idea for the girls to do.

3 minutes into painting, Kylie said, "This is not fun."

I questioned why.

"I can't do this to my rocks."

I said, "It's alright. This is fun. Keep painting."

Kylie frowned, took off her apron and went to the bathroom to clean up. She emerged with clean hands, clean rocks and a smile.

"This is better, Mom. Next time let's not paint the rocks."

I have to admire the fact that she loves nature in its "natural" state.

We're back!

But, we forgot our camera in Colorado, so you will have to wait for pictures. In the meantime, I will give a few tidbits of things I learned:

1. Don't try to potty train right before vacation, because then it really is NOT a vacation. (On a good note, she got it, but not before peeing in her pants IN the airport right when we were boarding).
2. Always choose the layover in Nashville and not Indianapolis when flying to Denver (a 2 hour difference!).
3. Learn the card game "Hand & Foot" - it is really fun.
4. Always have someone who is not afraid of dogs go with you when walking down country lanes.
5. Bring wrapped up Dollar Store presents when traveling with small children and unveil them when they start getting fussy (thanks, Katy!).
6. Have Gospel centered discussions when playing Poker - it negates the fact that you are gambling.
7. Don't think that you are going to get good sleep when sharing a room with the Little Man (aka Spencer).
8. In fact, don't think you are going to get good sleep when visiting family (late nights, early mornings).
9. If you unleash the Nature Girl (Kylie) into nature, expect that she will come back with pockets full of rocks, hand fulls of flowers and "garlic". Gratefully she will leave the creepy crawlers behind.
10. Expect to add on a few pounds. Too much good food and company, so little time to enjoy it all, thus gobble it ALL up!

For all those people

who check the Astorga Crew everyday for a new post...don't worry about doing so for another week. We are off to Colorado for a change of scenery and schedule. No fun in sun, but, even better, fun with family! And, yes, I do plan on exercising while gone..I can't change my schedule that dramatically:).

I'm hungry...

for an Ashlyn Snack!Who, me?

Some fun sites in Gainesville

The Bat House and Lake Alice.



Waiting for the bats to come out.

Still waiting....

And waiting. They finally came out by the thousands! We were too in the moment to catch any pictures. True, I used to think that this whole bat house thing was a little dumb, but I have changed my opinion. The best part of the "show" were the 2 hawks waiting for a yummy bat and watching the bat try to escape.

Seeing real alligators up close and personal.

Don't get too close or you might become GATOR BAIT!!!

Thanks, Aunt Melissa!

They can't stop wearing them - it is the first thing they want to put on in the morning. And they LOVED getting package in the mail. Thanks for letting us benefit from your talents! Love you!