Merry Christmas!

Birthday Boy :: Last of the Single Digits

I used to really enjoy celebrating our kids' milestones. (No more diapers!! No more training wheels!! Losing those first teeth!!) But celebrations these days seem more bitter sweet. All double digits from here. *sigh*

At least the boy has good taste!

I think the birthday gift treasure hunts will continue to be a lasting tradition...so I'll hang onto it while I can and enjoy writing all those clues in verse.

Gramma totally has his number--a very nifty spy gadget!

For the record, I like the lie detector test on this unit. I passed (96% truthful) when I stated, "I am 29 years old."

Jimmer said this was his favorite birthday cake--ever!

I may be finished making cut-out cakes.

Not yet sure if that's an, Awww...*sniff* or a !!!!!

I do know that Jimmer is a sweet, humorous, and clever little 9 year old character...and he still loves to give good hugs and snuggle! So I will celebrate those things for sure!!

Estes Park in September

We just can't seem to stay away from Estes Park for too long. This year, we deemed that it had been long enough.

Still back in September...
I flew from Seattle to Denver. Then Joe and the kids drove up from Albuquerque and picked me up on their way to Estes.

This photo spot in the middle of town is now a tradition.

Also in the middle of town is the kids' favorite monkeying-around place.

Ham bone

The boys' backs just don't seem to bend as well as the girls' do.

We had to wait for the snow to stop and road to open before we could drive Trail Ridge Road.

In the clouds

Made it to the Alpine Visitor Center

A chilly 34 degrees

A vacation is always better when the kids get to play in a little snow!

Sadly, I've noticed a lot of brown, dying pine trees since our last visit to RMNP. We found out that it was due to Pine Bark Beetles.

It's changing the look of the landscape for sure.

All the kids earned their Junior Ranger badges for Rocky Mountain National Park.

We got to see the male elk acting a bit ridiculous since it was rut season.

They make a very high-pitched noise and run around after the lady elk with their heads and antlers back like this.

They also lock antlers with other guy elk who may be looking at their ladies.

This guy ended up locking antlers with a hammock. Not sure which one won.

Jimmer doing his best Stooge impression--Curly.

Location of the nightly S'mores

Enjoying dinner on our deck at the lodge

Long's Peak

Over the mountains the through the forest to Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Gary's house we go...

All Hallow's Eve

(in front of our neighbor's scary "graveyard" complete with a limp-walking dead man)

Amelia Earhart, a couple of bandits, and a national park ranger hauled in a LOT of sugary loot last night.

Dad & kids travel without me...

While I was snuggling my niece and eating way too much good food in Seattle, Joe took the opportunity to do a little traveling with the kids. Brave man!

He took the kids on a 12-hour drive to see their cousins in Albuquerque.

(From the looks of the photos on our camera, it would appear that all eight children lived on their own and hung out together all weekend by themselves--no adults in any of the pics!)

After the weekend, Joe and kids went off to Santa Fe...

...and then up through Colorado, stopping at Garden of the Gods.

Then a repeat performance of the Seven Falls stair climb--all 224 steps!

It was good for them!

Garden of the Gods has a fabulous gift shop...with silly hats!

After many years, they also made a repeat visit to the Colorado Springs Ghost Town Museum.

Everyone loves panning for gold when you're pretty much guaranteed to come out with some gold!

Over the rivers and through some airports...to see my new niece in Seattle

Seeing my brother as a first-time dad is pretty fun...funny...cool!

A doting dad he is!

Lovely new mama, Lan-Vi

As for me, I introduced my niece to a little conversation, singing, dancing, and even some cheer.

She talks now and is learning the alphabet.
She's quite advanced! ;^)

Gramma. This picture--my fave!

Dad & Doog

Oh, we reaped the benefits of the resident chef/former restaurant owner, Lan-Vi!

First full-family photo

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MK's lion finally made it to its rightful owner.

One of Chris's modes of transportation

Off he goes

Bello & Freddie

Libby

Can you find the cupid's bow?

Nika inherited a Cox "pucker" trait from her dad and grandpa.

The family and Seattle skyline

Pretty mama and sweet babe

Strollering dad

A Puget Sound sunset