Back To Blogging

I have been reading the blog post of my family and friends over the last few months and each time I close one I have been thinking that I will get back to posting the fun pictures and awesome memories of our family. Jerry and I have been busy with the mundane activities of life. Over the winter we have had a pattern: we go to work, we go to church and we go out to eat alone or with friends. When the sun goes down by 4:30 pm and the snow flies we tend to stay inside following friends on facebook, watching food network, HGTV and the Denver Nuggets. Our winter goal is to be snuggled in bed by 9 pm with a good book. With the sound of our friend the Flicker ( he returns to our chimney every spring with his rat-a-tat-tat) Spring is here in the Rockies and with a boost of energy projects are started anew! We had a wonderful trip to Maryland over Easter. I was there for nine days and Jerry for four. Although we did not get everything done that was on the trip list we enjoyed every minute! Our last day first. Easter Sunday was our last day in Maryland. After a blessed church service, lunch and Easter egg hunt, it was time for the tears to flow! The goodbyes were not so hard this time because we had a rental car and drove ourselves to the airport. We can't wait to go back!!! Enjoy the pictures from our trip.

As with all children, Hannah grows rapidly! She no longer needs help getting on Lucky and she makes him talk as she gallops away!
ART

Hannah and I love to do art projects together. I carried water color paper, pencils and paint brushes that she absolutely loved. We drew, colored and painted ducks, cats, dogs and frogs. With Hannah never tiring and always wanting more.

Outside

The weather was cold and rainy the first couple of days but as it warmed up Hannah wanted outside as much as possible. She showed me the flowers in flower beds, we played with her dogs and watched the animals on the farm across the street. She really got into picking the flowers!!! Papaw arrived on Thursday! Hannah was so excited she grabbed his bag and hurried him inside. Ready for PAPAW time!!

Sharing cake batter from the bunny cakeSweet kids! Alexis, Kyle and Hannah

Easter basket surprise

Papaw, Mimi and Hannah

We had an awesome visit!

My Fall Trip To See Our East Coast Kids

Fall is a wonderful time to go to the Washington DC area. On October 28th I left Denver in a snow storm and headed to Maryland to see Kyle, Alexis and Hannah. As you can see Hannah was decked out in all my favorite fall colors. We had a great time together! Hannah changed my name from Grammy to Mimi. So now I am Hannah's Mimi. She is so cute when she says Mimi and Papaw.

We were so busy! We went to a toy store and Hannah tried out the Calico Critters. Auntie Pita had so many Calico Critters when she little. She played with them for hours. Hannah loved them. She spent about half an hour playing in the toy store. I think I know what Auntie Pita is getting Hannah for Christmas!!
This was my second Halloween to spend with Hannah. She was so cute in her lion costume. We went to the harvest party at their church. Hannah was not to sure about the costumes and the blue grass band but warmed up quickly .

Dad and Hannah check out the activities.

The ball pit was a hit!

Mommy and Hannah pick matching ducks.

Crawling through the maze.

What a fun night! Hannah loved the games and the children's musical. She also collected lots of candy for Mommy and Mimi.

Every morning I got to help Hannah get ready for the day. She loves to brush her teeth, pick her own clothes and help you with your hair. We had a blast.

We played at the park, one of Hannah's favorite things to do. She likes to swing.

She loves to slide!!

She can climb on all the wooden swing structures by herself. Such a big girl!

I can't wait for my next visit with this little cutie!!

Hannah's October Surprise Visit

What a wonderful surprise visit we got from Hannah. She flew down with her Grandpa Brian for a few days and we enjoyed every minute of it!

Hannah counting beads with Papaw
Hannah's favorite numbers are three, five, six and ten!

Count again Papaw

And again!

Hannah loves the computer. Waiting to Skype with Mom and Dad.

Playing with Papaw!

Ready for some art.

Coloring a beautiful picture for Grammy

Hannah is very serious about her art!

More coloring at lunch with Grandma.

Ready to eat!

Talking to Papaw

Papaw, Grammy and Hannah

Good-bye kisses!

Grandma, Hannah and Grandpa.

We had such a wonderful time but I know that by Thursday Hannah was ready to see her Dad and Mom. Hope we can sneak her away from them more often!!

Amanda Running the Denver Marathon

It was just getting daylight when the start gun sounded!

The Denver Marathon 2009 was underway.
With the largest number of runners in the history of the race the beginning was a little crowded.

We were trying to see Amanda but she was in the crowd.

Downtown Denver, what a beautiful day for a race!

Amanda at the 4 mile mark, "looking good"

Downtown

Cheerleaders! "Chafe Now ...Brag Later"

Our group of Cheerleaders! Ash, Kate, A.J. & Beth

SHE DID IT!

After 26 miles and still looking good!

A hug!!

A deserving medal !!

A wave to her fans!!

One happy and hungry runner!!

Samantha McGee and Amanda. Samantha ran a half marathon in Switzerland this summer with Amanda. They are old high school friends. They've run about 7 races this summer.

Proud Daddy and Amanda

Jerry, Amanda and Beth

Jerry, Amanda, Ashley,Beth and AJ

Good friend Kate came to cheer!

Amanda and Ashley

An after Marathon treat!!


MILE 17 YOU GO GIRL !

Jerry joined Amanda in Washington Park. Making it to mile 21!

Four blocks to go!

And here is Amanda crossing the finish line! We are so proud of her!

What a fun day!