We all said sad goodbyes to our Texas family yesterday. Mimi, Pops, Nana and Ray arrived last Thursday and we packed our days full of activities, food, laughter and even some relaxation. What a wonderful blessing to have family on both sides that we love, enjoy being around, and have fun with. This visit was no exception. Thank you for making the trip y'all! :)
Fondue Night.
HG likes to eat in style.
While our guests were here Blaine had his first and second days of pre-school. He thought a serious face would be good for his picture. And his backpack was of utmost importance, so I was told a picture was necessary.
Drop off time was not pretty. Poor darling did not want to go to school. At. All. Well, he did until we arrived at his door and then he lost it. While Friday and Monday were pretty hard, Tuesday was the opposite. In fact, he walked in to his classroom with a smile on his face and had a wonderful day. He was elated when I picked him up because he did some artwork that he was proud of, wrote (or as he says, "root") his own name, and he went into his class without kicking and screaming! Yay, Mister :) He even let me record a video of him singing a song he learned at school. Then he watched it a dozen times. I guess he likes his own voice.
HG had her fair share of excitement too. She played and played and played some more assuring that everyone had her full attention when she wanted it. In between playing she managed to throw herself on the ground several times in protest. Girlfriend has a stubborn and angry side which she is not afraid to show, even in public.
HAPPY!
On Sunday we all went out for a yummy breakfast and then Pops, David, and the kids and I went up to Nederland,CO to hike. What was supposed to be a "beginner" trail turned out to be an "intermediate" trail but everyone made it, including Blaine who hiked nearly all 4 miles by himself. The final stretch was done on D's shoulders... sleeping :)
Hessie Trailhead
Crossing the river
Taking a break at the waterfall
Lost Lake - our destination
I had to jump around to make her smile.
Thing 2 sleeping as well...
Finished!
We've spent the last two days adjusting back to "normal" life and now we get to have fun with my dad, aka: Papa, who arrives this evening. He asked me if he was going to get to rest while he was here... I asked if he remembered the active 2 year old and 4 year old he was coming to visit! :)
We had a great time on the island. We soaked up the sun and lots of love from "our grandmas and grandpas" (as Blaine calls them.) I'm happy to report that Blaine did give Nana the first smooch when we arrived on Saturday.
After almost 8 hours in the car (ugh) we headed straight for the beach. Blaine laid in the sand and screamed, "THE BEACH! FINALLY!" Then he ran and ran and ran... and ran along the shore without looking back. It's a good thing David is fast. Hannah likes the sand but isn't sure about the water. She screams "water comin' in" and runs away from the waves when they come in. She happily snacked her way through our vacation (shocker!)
We arrived home after a short 5.5 hour drive back last night. Driving at night went a lot more smoothly than driving during the day. While we were there I was able to go on two great runs along the beach (sure beats running on the treadmill at the Y!) and I worked on my tan while sleeping in the sun (heaven), David got to fish (and he caught a bunch), and the kids spent every day playing in the water or with their 'grandmas and grandpas.' When we were getting ready to leave Blaine asked me if we were going to our "real house" - when I told him that we were he got so upset and said, "I don't want to go home! I want to live at the beach forever." Prying him away from the Coast was a big job!
Here are a LOT of pictures.
Hannah playing with stickers on our way to the beach.
Brother and Sister holding hands :)
Nana, Mimi and HG
4 Generations in this picture - See David?
This is the busiest the beach was.
Photographer Blaine took this and the next three shots.
