Colorado Trip - Good and BAD!

I told Michele I'd love to come to Colorado and visit her but after we meet and have dinner, there isn't much left to do. So when I found out Courtney was making the trip to visit her parents, I decided to go.

Michele had us moving the whole time I was there. The first day was a presentation of Footloose at a local community theater. Being an avid Footloose fan, I was rather disappointed they focused more on the preacher aspect of the movie as opposed to the dancing. They made up their own words to songs - some of my favorites. I kept turning to Courtney and saying "that's not the right words" or "that's not how the movie went". Overall the production was very entertaining.

The next day we went paddle boarding. Courtney has done this before and is 30 years younger than me and Michele so I consider her a pro.

But Michele will try anything and was able to stand up.

Me, on the other hand, hung desperately to the board just praying I wouldn't fall into the freezing water.

The next morning I woke up early (like 3:30 early) and decided to head on home. About 2 hours from Aurora, I ran over some big rig tire debris which tore up the underside of my car taking out my entire cooling system. While my car is screaming at me to stop, I'm coasting down an exit in Burlington, CO, praying I get off the busy interstate.

What do you do when you're put in that situation? You call Jamie Taylor. As I was trying to explain what happened through my tears, Jamie was hooking up his trailer to come get me. I told him I was in Burlington to which he replied that it wasn't that far away. He was thinking Burlington, KS. When I said it was Burlington, CO, I think he started unhooking the trailer! After an 864 mile round trip, my car is safely at the dealership waiting to be repaired. It's going to be awhile before I head back to Colorado. Maybe next time I should consider flying!

Goldie Sits Up

Well she finally did it.

With everyone trying to get Goldie to sit up and her constant falling over, she finally sat up long enough to look at a book. Or did Melissa throw the book at her and rush to get a picture before she fell over. Either way, we have a sitter! 

New Set of Wheels

Goldie loves to be outside but at only (almost) 6 months old, she's not mobile. Carrying her around is the only option. Not only is this inconvenient at times but she doesn't always like to be held.

So I thought I'd get her a set of wheels. She can't navigate the walker yet but it does give her the freedom to sit up and watch what everyone is doing. She can push back the walker but I'm sure she has no idea what she's doing. Maybe in another month she'll be flying through the house and down the driveway!

Goldie's First Tooth

Goldie's been having a terrible time napping the past few days - or could it be weeks - you'd have to ask Melissa.

Today we found out one of the reasons was she popped through her first tooth.

Hopefully soon we'll be able to get a picture of her smiling showing off her pearly white without Melissa's fingers in the way! 

Sunday Showcase - Father's Day

Father's Day was a great excuse to have a bar-b-cue and swim day at the Taylor's.

I know my Sunday Showcases are usually about my house but I thought why not show off the Taylor's pool. The water was actually very warm. But after a few hours, the skin on my fingers and toes began to wrinkle so it was time for me to say farewell.

Happy Father's Day Jamie. I couldn't pick a better person for the father of my grandchildren.

Violet's Book Club

Violet has joined a summer book club with some of her school friends. They usually hold meetings in the library but since the room was booked, one of her friends offered to host at her house. Nine 9-year olds at someone's house turns into more of a play date than book club meeting.  Add to that the mother served snacks so the sugar rush wasn't helping. After 10 minutes of total and utter chaos, I was ready to snatch Violet up and take her home. Thankfully one of the mothers stepped in and gained control of the meeting.

It still wasn't completely controlled but what can you except from little girls. Violet is so well behaved that she and one of her friends were the only ones who remained seated through the entire meeting and actually acted as though they were interested. I still think this is a great idea for social as well as learning experiences.  But I may be "busy" on days when the library room is booked!

 

Water Bottle Tradition Continues

There's no better or cheaper toy for a baby than an empty water bottle.

Goldie has continued in the Taylor family tradition of playing with an empty water bottle. I can remember when we first gave one to Violet. Melissa was appalled until she saw how well it soothed her. Not a bad toy after all!

Goldie's First Swim

I can't believe Goldie is already 5 months old. It's been a week since I've seen her since they were vacationing in Tennessee and I feel as though she's really grown.

Today Melissa took her out for her first dip in their pool. Maybe Goldie will be the first to swim before she walks. She needs some way to keep up with Violet, Lincoln and Hazel. 

Sunday Showcase - Hummingbird Feeder

At my old house I had 5 hummingbirds that shared my feeder. I use share lightly because hummingbirds are very territorial creatures and don't like sharing. If one was feeding and another approached, the first one would dive bomb the other to keep it away from the sweet nectar.

I hung my feeder at my new house but read it could take years before the hummingbirds found it. I lucked out and immediately had a hummingbird who spends a lot of time at the feeder. I named her "Heline" after my Mom. Mom loved hummingbirds.

One day I saw two hummingbirds at the feeder at the same time. I was surprised they weren't fighting for territorial rights. When I told Teresa about the hummingbirds, she named the other one "Juan". Now John and Celine are back with me enjoying my new home. This is Heline. She's usually out there every day. I have no idea where Juan spends his time!

Happy Birthday Michael!

This is 21...I mean 27...I mean 34...I mean 39....

Whatever....this is what 41 looks like. After a delicious dinner at Texas Roadhouse, Michael headed home for a relaxing evening as opposed to going out partying. I offered to take him to miniature golf, FunRun (some place in Blue Springs that I have no idea what it was) and/or Andy's for ice cream. A big no was the answer to all places. I guess this is 41! I'm hoping to get him out of the house at 42! Happy Birthday Michael!

Sunday Showcase - Backyard Fence

The fence got installed just in time for the Taylor's to go on vacation. Jamie brought Lola and Khloe over for a "trial run" to make sure they couldn't escape. Houdini (Khloe) walked right through the bars on the fence. Geez! Now I don't have problems with Khloe listening to me. Thank goodness it wasn't Lola who was able to escape.

But I wasn't comfortable with letting the dogs out and constantly wondering if Khloe would be visiting the neighbors. So Teresa came over with some plastic fencing she'd used for her tomato plants. Now the backyard is secure and I'll be able to remove the zip ties and roll up the temporary restraining wall after the dogs go home. No escaping on my watch!