Wyoming Birthday Time - Caleb is 1

It is birthday weekend number 1 out of 3 consecutive ones all requiring trips north.  First up is Cheyenne and Master Caleb's big day.  We fly into Denver to spend a few days with Amanda and the boys and discover that Caleb truly doesn't feel very well -- could be an interesting celebration.  The boys are all eager to share what has been happening in their lives and so a chat is a great way to start.


After a brief break to recuperate (we are old after all) from traveling, Mister takes the boys across the street to the playground to let off some steam and just be boys - both big and small.

I love playgrounds as they let kids just be at ease and provide some of the best photo shots.  The colors are always amazing and the smiles never end.  I wish I was still that limber and had ANY upper body strength left.  I know, I know that is a finger pointing at myself to get back to the gym.

Mister has a hard time letting go of the photographer part of him and so we always manage to get a few shots like this one -- I love them.

The boys soon leave to play with friends and isn't this just the best example of kids at play?  How many can you count in the tree?

Raef has a baseball game that afternoon and so Mister and Amanda take him while I stay and watch Caleb and Ryan.  Raef was all decked out from head to toe and was obviously having a great time while Mom looked on.

It was a beautiful afternoon and the boys and I played and played at home.  Well, if I am totally honest, Ryan and I played and Caleb slept.  We didn't have a camera handy though - which is sad since I am lacking pictures of Ryan.  Next trip I need to focus on him.

We took Amanda and the boys out to dinner and and spent the evening helping out in any way that we could.  Just sitting and talking was awesome and we enjoyed this time with her so very much.

As I was in the kitchen the next morning, I looked out the window and under the house next door was a rabbit home that had occupants.  These little guys kept hopping in and out to enjoy the sunshine.  Rabbits and antelope are in abundance here on the base in Cheyenne.

It is Caleb's birthday and he still doesn't feel very good.  He wants to be held all the time and Grandpa is ever so accommodating.  They are virtually inseparable.  The sad little face only goes away for short periods of time and Grandpa's white tee does not stay that way for long.   Mom and Dad give him a sandbox for his birthday and even that is hard to smile about.





There are moments though when his whole face lights up in delight and we are thrilled with each one.  He is such a busy little one year old and quickly starts filling his shoes with sand.  The problem is that the moments end quickly and soon he is unhappy again.  My my, look at that lip.  It makes me laugh every time I see it.







Amanda does her best to make the day special.  She has made decorations and cupcakes and we have all tried to play and keep his mood up.  He is such a little sweetheart and even as miserable as he is he continues to be loving.  The cuddles are nice and an occasional game keeps things upbeat.

Caleb's gift from us is a little slide to put on the front porch.  Once he figures it out, he absolutely loves it.  This smile made my day.




How sweet is that?





I love our trips up here for time with Amanda and ALL her boys.  We feel at home and are able to pitch in and help without feeling as though we are intruding.  I love to sit back and just watch the interactions and remember what it was like to have small ones of my own.  Those simple precious moments when the only thing that mattered was what we were doing.  Nothing around us even seemed to impact.  This next shot is one of those moments.  Mister let me play with the development of this picture and it touches my heart each time I look at it.

Amanda wants to brighten up the yard a little and so she and Mister put down mulch and cleaned up quite a few areas.  She goes off to the store and returns with flowers, pots, dirt, and a project.  The two of them get to work on it and a couple of hours later, the work is done and the front porch looks amazing.  Where is the picture Mister?  Hmmmn.  If you look in the background, the antelope that are forever around are hanging out in yards and (below) at the playground.

Our time here comes to an end but it has been wonderful.  Treasured moments indeed.  Even though our little guy didn't feel so wonderful, I think he had a special weekend.  I know I did.

Pinewood Derby Preparation

Jen called with a loud "help"!  The boys Pinewood Derby was in just a few days and the cars were not finished so:  Grandpa to the Rescue.  We drove down for the day and while Mister and the boys worked, Jen and I got to just visit.  So nice.

Tree Trimming Time

Each year we have to take a little time and trim the trees of branches that have gotten to long and are on the roof or ones that have died.  My job is to move the ladder and stack the branches for removal.  Oh and to hand tools now and then.  Misters job is to not fall out of the trees.

A Friendly Gekko

Our friend is back.  So glad he survived the winter.  He is one of many that live in our yard and they are not too afraid of us.  If I am reading on the front porch, they usually come by to check me out.

Easter with Mister's Family

We met Mister's family at his Mom's place and had Easter lunch with her.  It was a great time and we took a minute to take a picture or two.  There was actually a series of pictures but I have chosen to simply use the first one and the last.  You can see how the session deteriorated.

Jon and Jake Visit

When Jen left, Jon and Jake decided to stay for a few days and then we would return them on St. Pat's day when we met up with everyone down in Dublin.  So, first things first - make a gooey mess.  Mister let them make slime and it looks like they are enjoying themselves to the max.








The next day Mister wanted to go and see the koala's at the zoo.  It was a new exhibit and we were excited that they were here to stay.  We got the boys ready and tried to go early in the day to beat the crowds.  We did pretty good and were able to spend quite a bit of time watching them before the lines started to form behind us and we had to give up our spaces.

Mister so does love these magnificent creatures.  One day I hope to take him to New Zealand or Australia to enjoy them hands-on.

Part of the new exhibit includes and interactive area with lorikeets and the boys had such a good time feeding them.  I don't know if it was Jon's red sweatshirt or just him in general, but they really liked him and kept landing on him much to Jake's dismay.  The delight on Jon's face is self explanatory.

We also toured the reptile building which had a hurricane simulator in it that they wanted to try.  So Grandpa put them in and inserted the money.  We then watched their skin moved in many directions as the wind blew them around.  They were laughing pretty hard and drew a crowd of observers.

I had to work the next day and so Grandpa took the boys on foot down to the local roller skating rink for the morning.  When I arrived, they were snacking and nursing blisters on their feet, but said they had a great time.  They couldn't understand why Grandpa didn't skate with them.  Me either.  What was up with that?

The following day is St. Patrick's Day and so it is time to return the boys.  We have agreed to meet up with the rest of the family in Dublin, TX.  It seems an appropriate place to gather.  When we arrive, a helicopter has landed and the boys look at us with longing.  We smile and nod our heads and they are gone in a flash.

After a fun day of rides, shopping, eating, and watching entertainment it is time to part and go back to Dallas.  A quick stop at the place where Dublin Dr. Pepper was made makes us wish it was still being bottled there.  Seems like all good things come to an end sooner or later and we hope that the history is not forgotten.

A Day at the Arboretum

With a beautiful spring day and Jen in town, we set our sights on the Dallas Arboretum for the morning.  It was the first time that she or the kids had been there and so we made a good walk of it.  Bekah had a history project in school that required some pictures and this one was the most fun.  Shows either how tall she has gotten or how short doorways used to be.








We took advantage of the time to try and get a few new pics of everyone as they are all growing up so quick and change every time we blink our eyes.