Two in the Tub--Fast Forward to the Present

Since my last post was so old I thought I'd post some of the most recent photos we've taken to give some perspective. Sorry, Mo, even though you've grown too, most of the pictures are of Catesy this time.  

Cates graduated to taking baths sitting up and, from time to time, with her brother. She can now say and sign 'fish', well, "shish" in her words, but you get the idea.

 

Mirror: Who is the fairest?

Cates: Bleh!!

  Movie night with the gals. Clothed elegantly in our pajamas we dined on fudge (with nuts) and cookies (without nuts) and watched "While You Were Sleeping".

 

Cates can wear her hair a few ways now. Up in a Pikmin as Moses calls it, in dog ears/pig tails (the names of these sparked a debate among families as to what they are called so I include both) or down and clipped to the side in front. These styles cater to her kindermullet. She's got long hair on top and in back but it's not caught up on the sides just yet. Thank goodness for options! :)

 

 Fully entering into the empty-the-drawer phase.

 Her first go at homemade play dough.

 Moses hugging his best friend Milka the Dog. 

(see post below from New Mexico for the rest of the story)

 Confidently drinking from a straw. Yay!

 

Upon returning from a date with Jeremy. We saw "Skyfall" and then went to Denny's for dessert--had a great time while sweet babysitters stayed and played with the kids!

Tour de Rios (New Mexico)

Sorry for the radio silence. We ran out of photo space, but we've found a way around it and we're up and running again! Back to our summer report!

En route to New Mexico from Colorado we stopped to view the Garden of the Gods. Cates and Mommy enjoying the shade.

A family portrait--Jeremy's in the reflection!

Beautiful road all the way there! And Cates screamed through most of it (as she ended up doing most of this trip). There were a few interludes of giggles between the kids that were sweet, sweet, sweet. But the screaming got to me and seat-belt-be-gone I finally sat on the floorboard next to Cates's carseat to calm us both.

Along the way Moses figured out how to sign "I love you" in American Sign Language. Woo hoo! Check out the concentration on his mouth. :)

 Our much anticipated beautiful destination, Eagle Nest, New Mexico, home to Charles & Jamie Wilson, heart friends of my parents for over 40 years. Their daughter, Cameron, and her delightful family live 'next door', which is up the road.

Our very first morning there we gathered in the lodge for breakfast and couldn't find Moses. Our characteristically cautious boy had found his independence overnight and still pajamaed and barefoot, was making the trek down the pond, gathering rocks to throw in it along the way.  (Must be that mountain air.)

Moses in the wildnerness.

We took a walk in the forest with Cameron, Nettie May, Rowan, Milka (their dog) and a couple of their friends. Here we are playing 'musical instruments' in an old tee pee.

Moses made fast friends that day! Nettie May (8) is holding Moses' hand. The Benjamin kids were so incredibly welcoming to Moses and Cates and have won a spot in my heart forever. Moses dubbed Foster, Nettie May, Rowan and Pate "the guys" and was in his element instantly.

It didn't take long for this suburban 3 year old to figure out how to frolic in the great outdoors!

Oh, the things we found to do in Papa Charles' and Mama Jamie's lodge.

Reading Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie stories out on the patio.

Exemplary Angel Fire sky.

 

Resting, resting.

It didn't take long to get used to views from the patio and the sandbox. And it never got old!

 

 Because there's nothing he can't do, Papa Charles, among other things, serves as the Chaplain for the Angel Fire Fire Department so Moses got an up close and personal tour of Fire Engines, Ambulances and other off-road rescue vehicles.

 

 

 

 And gDad came to visit us for a few days! It was nice to rendezvous with him and have the kiddos play with him. Boy and Boy-at-Heart sharing technology on the porch swing. Pictures included in triplicate because this is ALL they did.

 

 

 

 All five of us at a playground in Taos.

 

 Gentle, kind Milka the Dog. Moses now has a stuffed animal named after Milka, she made such an impression.

Moses and fellow plant waterer Rowan (4). She and Moses also shared time making cakes in the sandbox.

Mama Jamie and Papa Charles holding their honorary grandkids. Moses was Papa Charles' shadow the entire time and Papa Charles graciously showed him the ropes.

Thank you, Wilson family for your love and hospitality! Our hearts went away full.

Tour de Rios (Colorado)

We began our travels with a sleepover at the Lamb's in Seattle (thank you, Lambs!) and after some silliness with spoons and our friend Ryann we departed for Colorado. Our first stop was to visit Jeremy's Dad and brother Patrick in Boulder. Mary and Aunt Sydney were in Australia (poor them) so we didn't get to visit in person. Next time?

Abuelo, or "Abwaywo" as Moses calls him, took us around town and showed us the charms of the city. There was even a whole entire store dedicated to selling different flavours of olive oil (complete with a tasting bar) and a whole entire store that sold nothing but spices. We visited the market, weathered the rainstorm and left with some locally grown cherries.

 Four Rios Dudes.

An excellent coaxer, Abuelo persuaded Moses that playing in the fountain would indeed be fun.

 

 

 Uncle Patrick didn't realize he had gained a shadow. Moses adored him and did everything precisely as Patrick did. Precisely.  Talk about monkey see, monkey do. (Thanks, Patrick, for being a worthy monkey model! :))

 

 

 Cates just took in the sights. And tried to eat my ice cream.

 She permitted Abuelo a few minutes of company and for the occasion, they both dressed in their best.

 

 Hoping to avoid having to stop and ask for directions to our destination the menfolk consulted a map.

And on to New Mexico! Stay tuned...