Grammy's Visit

Charlton's mom came to Colorado for the first time this past weekend and we had the most wonderful visit. Rylan hadn't seen her in a long time and it was Grammy's first time to meet Caroline, but they both warmed up to her quickly. Rylan started showing a little of his new 3-year old attitude at times, but talked about what a fun time he had with Grammy after we dropped her off at the airport. He especially loved reading books with her and building legos together.
We packed the three days of her visit full of trips and activities and the time flew by. We hiked and picnicked in Garden of the Gods, ate barbecue in Old Colorado City, visited Charlton's office and spent a long day hiking and driving through Rocky Mountain National Park (and a good portion of Colorado, too, on our way home).


I think Caroline looks like her grandmother, don't you?


Rylan loved reading with Grammy. He was also fascinated with the sequins and beads on her pretty shirt.

We just happened to find a book at the library about a guy with a Scottish terrier building a new house. While the house is under construction, the dog gets into all kinds of trouble like jumping in the bathtub, chasing rabbits, and walking through paint. I think Grammy had to read this book several times each day because Rylan liked it so much, which was funny because Grammy also has a Scottish terrier.

Snuggle time with Grammy.

Grammy entertained Caroline in her high chair with her new piano.

On Monday, we visited Old Colorado City and Charlton's counseling office.

Grammy took Rylan shopping at Wal-Mart and he came home with the tractor-tipping set from the movie "Cars." He played non-stop for hours, re-enacting his favorite scene from the movie. Here he is showing Frank, the combine.

Testing out the tractor-tipping set. Caroline thinks Rylan's toys are soo much more interesting than hers.



This piano does make some interesting sounds, though.

This is how Caroline felt about about all the time spent in her car seat riding to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Finally, she passed out.

Rylan demonstrating his elk calling abilities for Grammy.

The kids favorite past-time, wrestling with Dad.

Garden of the Gods

This doe was resting in the shade during the heat of the day along our trail to the "Siamese Twins."


Charlton and Rylan enjoying the view.


Rylan perched on this rock to watch a large group of trail horses and their riders pass by. It looked like fun and I would love to explore the park that way when the kids get older.

Our family with Grammy at the Siamese twins. We had never been on this trail before and it was really fun and rewarded us with a great view at the end.

Charlton and Rylan look like they are walking off the edge of this rock!

Sweet boy against the red rocks.

Joining hands along the trail.

Our first family photo since Caroline was three days old. It's about time! Thanks to Grammy for being our photographer.

Rocky Mountain National Park-August

On Tuesday, we took Grammy to Rocky Mountain National Park. We have been there at least a half dozen times since moving, but this trip held several firsts for us. It was the first time we had driven all the way through the park, and I mean all the way through from Estes Park to Grand Lake. I don't know the exact mileage or how many hours it took because we stopped a couple of times along the way, but I think it was at least 3 1/2 hours. One of our stops included seeing some young bull elk sparring and the best wildlife sighting of all was seeing two bull moose grazing in a marsh. It was the first time any of us had ever seen moose in the wild and was a real highlight.
I also finally got a great guide book to the park which we used to pick out the trail to Alberta Falls. It was a lovely trail meandering along a rushing stream and through stands of aspens until you finally reached the rocky ledge overlooking the falls. We stopped along the way to refuel with a picnic beside the stream. It was a great trail, the only downside was that lots of other people seemed to think so too. I'd like to visit again in the fall when the aspens are changing color and maybe it wouldn't be so crowded.
It was a wonderful trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, but one of the family members voiced some dissatisfaction on the way home. Rylan turned to me and said, "Mom, lets go to a real park tomorryo, you know, one with swings?"
Here are some of my favorite pictures, not in order, but I did explain them with the captions.


Stopping for a little rest and to study some trees. Grammy did great with the altitude and occasionally steep areas on the trail.

Grammy with her Colorado family.

Rylan "fishing" with a great big stick.

The two bull moose. Thankfully they were peacefully grazing and didn't seem to notice us. They can be some of the most dangerous wildlife in the park.

Charlton got this great shot of these elk cows and a cute little calf, still showing its spots.

On the way home, we stopped in this tiny mountain town of Fraser and ate an impromptu picnic on a little strip of grass behind the shopping center. We got to watch a train pass close by, which Rylan loved.

I'm not sure what Rylan was trying to communicate with this pose, but here we are next to Alberta falls.

If we look cold, we are! Charlton and I are standing on the alpine tundra at about 12,000 ft in altitude. We are above the treeline on relatively sparse terrain with just rocks and tiny tundra plants. Down at about 8-9,000 ft the weather was in the 80's and comfortable. Here, the wind had picked up and it was probably about 40 degrees and sleeting. I have adjusted to the 6,000 foot altitude of Colorado Springs, but I was out of breath at this height. The mountain views were incredible, but dizzying. I really felt near the top of the world. Charlton and I took a few pictures then ran back to the hill where Grammy was waiting with the kids.

Rylan was looking for bears in this "cave."

More explorations along the trail. Caroline stayed awake and happy along the way and finally fell asleep as soon as we reached the waterfall.

Charlton and his hiking boy.

Splashing in the creek.

A funny picture of us at Alberta Falls. Only the top of Caroline's head made it into this picture because she was sound asleep in the moby wrap.

Family photo beside the creek.

One last view of Alberta Falls.

This week...

I always love to get a picture of both kids together.


My little lady wearing her garage sale find outfit, size 12 months, and I hate to say it, but she is already popping out of it.


If you look closely, you can see those two pearly whites.


Charlton let me sleep in (amazing that 8:15 feels like sleeping in) on Wednesday morning and when I woke up, both kids were in the mood to cuddle with me. It was so sweet and I savored it for as long as I could. What a great way to start my day!

Rylan in the box

This video was actually taken a while ago, but it took me some time to get it uploaded. Sometimes the simplest toys are the most fun for a toddler.

Caroline is 8 months

Can you believe I am so big already?



Cute little smile with squinty eyes and a wrinkled nose. She reminds me of the way Rylan smiled when he was about her age.

I was feeding Caroline her breakfast the other morning and accidentally left the bowl within reach on her tray. When I turned around, I found her quite pleased with her messy attempts to feed herself!

My baby girl turned 8 months on Friday and is officially forwardly mobile. She took her first crawling "steps" a few weeks ago and has been gaining speed and distance ever since. She is also already interested in the stairs, especially the low one leading to the wood floor in our entry way. She camps out over there and you can see how hard she is trying to figure out how to scale that ledge. I love that I can sit on the floor with both kids and within just a few moments look down at Caroline's smiling face and feel her trying to scramble into my lap. She is definitely a mama's girl right now and doesn't like to be in anyone else's arms but mine.
I am experiencing the first trials of sibling squabbles as she can now reach and grab Rylan's toys, knock over his towers, and wreak all other kinds of havoc. Rylan also seems to think she is now big enough to wrestle with him and I am constantly having to referee his grappling, tackles, and "head bucks" (head butts). Most of the time he is just being playful, but he doesn't know his own strength. Caroline is also a pretty good sport about it, because she adores her brother, but I know it can turn ugly in just the blink of an eye.
Caroline is a great eater and in addition to nursing 4 times a day, she eats three big meals. She can feed herself animal crackers, a messy, but yummy treat after dinner and she is learning how to drink from a sippy cup. She still just has the two bottom teeth and loves to test their sharpness, much to my discomfort while feeding her. She sleeps 11-12 hours at night most of the time and naps for about an hour in the morning and sometimes up to 2 hours in the afternoon, but is much more unpredictable in her sleep patterns.
It is fun to see her personality emerging more each week. Caroline is more vocal and intense when she is upset about something. She has a strong set of pipes and her screams can shred your nerves and bring on an instant headache! Unfortunately, I reinforce it by picking her up a lot of times because it is so painful to hear and I don't want her to wake up her sleeping brother. She has definitely learned a sure-fire way to get noticed. Even Rylan says, "No screaming, Caroline." When she is not screaming, which really isn't that often, she is so much fun. She loves to swing at the park, be tickled on her belly, and laugh at her brother's antics, especially splashing in the tub with him. Caroline is such a delight and a blessing to our family.

Caroline crawling at 8 months

Here is Caroline's newest skill and she seems especially fascinated with the steps these days. I think it is her current goal in life to conquer them. I am going to have to put up the baby gate soon with the way she is making progress.