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T's great-aunt and uncle above keep the old farm in order. She also makes the most amazing hush puppies.

Couldn't resist sharing this sweet sibling moment someone captured.

I was trying to walk, walk, walk to get this one to go to sleep. Sneaky little girl.

I was finally successful!

July 4th...a month late

Macey Lakes Backpacking

So, we live in a really cool state. The best thing is when your in-laws are sweet enough to watch our two babies so we can run away for a night in the Sangres. We had such a wonderful time together and felt so refreshed from the mountains.

It was a much bigger creek than it looks in this picture.

Sunrise over the lake by our campsite

It is hard being away from Daddy. JG puts it best: (except in a very, very whiney voice and usually after I've told him something he didn't want to hear or do) "I'm so sad, I want my Daddy back".

Along these lines, I also hear: "I'm so sad, I want some chocolate milk" and "I'm so sad, I want to play with Olice" (his cousin).

Don't be fooled. He is usually quite happy.

And EG's favorite phrase? "UH oooooo"

Three is a Magic Number

Number Three is on the way.
To our Sanity, SO LONG, we say!

When, you say? When, When?
Due to Arrive January, 2010!

Where is YOUR grumpy this morning?

The other day when JG seemed a little bit grumpy in the morning, I asked him, JG are you a little grumpy this morning? He replied, No. I left my grumpy under my pillow.

Smart boy. I'm gonna work on leaving mine there too.

Note to self:

When I am a grandmother, watch my grandchildren for several days at a time to give my sons/daughters and in-laws a much needed break!!

Going to boonie's?

JG: "Mom, are we going to boonie's house?"
me: 'yes'
JG: "Is grandad going to be there now?'
me: 'yes'
JG: (with MUCH excitement) 'oh! I LOoooVE grandad!'

Happy Father's Week!

I hope you have all enjoyed your Father's Day weekend, past. I suppose it is customary to congratulate Fathers on your blog. Well, here is the primo Father in my life right now. He is such a wonderful father to our children and a wonderful husband to me. Without his husbandry, my motherhood would be. . . well, worse than it is! Thank you for all you do! He reads books about raising a future man and listens to all my dribble with interest about books on mothering and discipline! He works hard. At his job, on our house, with our children and many other areas.

Of course, it should go without saying that he is what he is because of the leading of God's will in his life and also due to the influence of his father, now known as Grandad and much loved by our children, and perhaps even a little by his father-in-law, known as Pops, who can draw amazing pictures of trains, cars and make funny impersonations besides! We are so grateful for the tradition of fatherhood in our family!

me: "JG, I love you sooo much."

JG: "And I love my daddy."

Can I see it?

I was explaining today to JG that the clouds in the sky bring the rain that we were watching pour down. To my feeble attempt at explaining this in two year old language, he replies:
"Can I see the bucket up there?"

Two is such a fun age!

JG: "I'm going to tickle you up!"


me: "JG, please put your cars away."
JG: "No, I too grumpy."
me: "Well, I'll have to s**** that grumpy out of you if you don't get ungrumpy and put your cars away."
JG: no response
(after the s****) JG: "I WANT MY GRUMPY BACK!"



JG: "Mommy, can I put some salt and pepper on my grits?"
me: "sure."
JG: "I jus gonna make em feel better."


JG: "Mommy! Wook! That truck pulling that boat! Is that siLLY?"

Wake Up Boy

me: "JG, are you a sleepy boy?"

JG: "Nooooo.... I not. I a wake up boy."

Hello!

Today on the trail, while exchanging the usual 'Hellos' with my fellow trail mates, I had to suppress the urge to then say, "Do you like my hat?" I am so entrenched.

April Picnic Today

If it looks cold, that is because it was. Freezing.

Hubby at work again. . .

Todd took this picture when he and his coworkers were out 'training' again this week.

Mullet, Bare Back and Ruffle Bum

More of my climbing boy

Climbing

We went out to the Park twice this week (well, hubby went twice, I made it once) with the kids to the climbing area at Red Rocks. If you haven't been there, you should go, they have some really nice trails and great mountain biking!

Birthday Girl!!

Here it comes!

Who needs blowing? I'll just snuff out the candle with this finger. She didn't even cry about it.

The most seasoned birthday boy at the party

Proud daddy

Oblivious to the cake

These two feed off each other--Can you tell they are having fun?!

Good buddy, Liam. Two days younger than EG

Hiking at Red Rocks Canyon

Just to prove I do more than just sit around at home and read. :) We hiked with some friends (ok, ok, it was a few months ago) and they took this picture of us. Thankfully. Because we never take pictures and because the EG had a major meltdown following this photo op. Poor baby. I think I always over dress my children. Notice her snow pants? Oh well. After this hike I realized that I really can't go anywhere without the beloved elephant of hers. If I desire to remain sane through this parenting adventure.

In case you were wondering, this is the pre-photo conference.

Accept No Compromises

If you read my blog (which I'm not sure why you would since it is dreadfully boring and practically pictureless), you are going to be further disappointed. The people and time period of the mid to late 1800's in America is fascinating. Probably, for me, because I never learned this stuff the first time in school. When J. Davis was presenting a bill he supported in the Senate (prior to the Civil War, obviously), a fellow Senator, with his own pet project, asked if he would vote for 'Lake appropriations'. You know, the usual political compromise that takes place. And here was Davis' response:

"Sir, I make no terms. I accept no compromises. If when I ask for an appropriation, the object shall be shown to be proper and the expenditure constitutional, I defy the gentleman, for his conscience' sake to vote against it. If it shall appear to him otherwise, than I expect his opposition, and only ask that it shall be directly, fairly, and openly exerted. The case shall be presented on its single merit; on that I wish to stand or fall. I feel, sir, that I am incapable of sectional distinction upon such subjects. I abhor and reject all interested combinations."

Well, that quote about T was actually written originally for Jefferson Davis by his wife to be, Varina.

My Husband

I came across this quote today in a book I'm reading. I thought this young woman's description of this particular gentlemen reflected my first impressions of my husband and it so true of his personality! Tell me if you think so too, and if you can identify who this quote is actually about. I'll post the answer in a few days.

He impresses me as a remarkable kind of man...and has a way of taking for granted that everybody agrees with him when he expresses an opinion... yet he is most agreeable and has a peculiarly sweet voice and a winning manner of asserting himself. The fact is, he is the kind of person I should expect to rescue one from a mad dog at any risk, but to insist upon a stoical indifference to the fright afterward.

"In the name of God, stop a

moment, cease your work, look around you."

Leo Tolstoy

9 months sure can make a difference!

more cousin fest 2009

Sister Week... a.k.a. Cousin Camp

Glorious morning photos from our time at the park! Look at a few more at the Counts, Gibbs, & Fisher's sites.

Home Again

Well, we just got back last week from a 5 day trip to Missouri to visit T's family. It was so refreshing to spend time with them and see the whole family. They will probably be relocating again in the next several months, so I don't know when we'll get to see dear Aunt Parker and company again. :( Anyway, it was a hard trip with the kids. Here are a few snapshots of the trip with an almost 2 1/2 year old supposedly in potty training and an almost one year old girl who does not ever like to stop moving, crammed in their car seats for, oh, 14 or 15 hours in the car.

1. I am always so hopeful and optimistic as we leave our driveway. It feels so good to finally be packed up and on our way!
2. This hope begins to ebb away about 20 minutes into the trip with the first road side stop with a half naked boy screaming about not wanting to pee. (Even though he asked to stop in the first place).
3. After the first two hours have passed and I have been in the back seat at least 8 times, the car sickness begins, for me. Possibly for the kids. . .
4. I begin to make up things (like, 'maybe they're carsick') that could be causing the restless natives in the back seat.
5. If you turn the fan on your car as high as it will go, keep the sleepy music playing, pray and cross all your fingers and toes, then your little one who has been screaming for the last hour and fell asleep about two minutes ago, MIGHT not wake up at this toll booth that is so ill-placed. The next toll booth is about 45 minutes down the line, so rest assured if they don't wake up with this one. . .
6. Why do we need gas about 15 minutes after a child has fallen asleep? We employ the toll booth tactic. Success rate is about 25%.
   
7. I have the strangest ability to take the driving shift during the only brief nap time. It is frowned upon to fall asleep to the lullaby CD while you are driving.
   
8. At the final leg when all hope of ever arriving is lost, and the children have been crying alternating with fits of rage for the last two hours, I recommend finding that CD you usually save for your 'I hope no one is watching me' dancing. Turn it on. Crank it UP. And make those little babies play air drums with you.
   

soccer and slippers

This morning JG and I are playing a rousing game of soccer/throw in the hallway. After I'd been kicking the balls for a while with him throwing them back, he stops, puts down his balls and runs over to me to take off my slippers. He needed them to kick.

big boy underwear. . .to pull ups. . .to diapers

Well, not the normal direction you are supposed to go when potty training. We are taking a break. A long, extended break from the potty. I'll touch back with you after we resume or have success or something positive on it. Until then, I'm trying not to use the 'p' word.