July 5th - Monday night dinner

Monday nights in the summer are less organized than our Monday "Dancing with the Stars" nights. There is no show so it is difficult for everyone to assemble at one time. The kids are gone with their Mom for the summer. Elaine had ankle surgery and is recovering from that. There are a lot of complications to our normal family gathering.

This week, it all came together. It was a beautiful night on the deck. Chris and Cole joined us. The little boys had a very loud, fun time playing together. They chased the dogs, hid from each other in a little tent and went for wheelbarrow rides when Joel agreed to push them.

Jace is in the overalls. They were a cute pair.

July 4th - Zoo trip and lots of rain

It was a weird 4th for us this year. Often, we enjoy the weekend in Wray but we had been there the last two weekends. We felt like enjoying a weekend at home but that left us with no plans for celebrating. It ended up being a really fun day.

Chris M. invited us to the zoo. The girls in his family were gone visiting Deanna's parents. Chris and Cole were on their own for a few days. The morning was cool and humid. It was the best zoo day. The animals were active and the crowds were small. The boys had a great time and were both exhausted by the time we left at 12:30.

Jace didn't get much of a nap because he slept in the car but didn't make the transition to his bed. We were glad that we had already decided not to worry about seeing fireworks this year. We were planning to attend a backyard barbecue at the home of some sailing friends. They have invited us every year for as long as we have known them but we have always had other plans. Half an hour before we left for the party, the sky opened up. It rained and rained. Jace is still nervous about thunder. He calms down if he can watch the storm so we have spent several rain storms sitting under the cover of our front porch. Today, the rain was so heavy that you couldn't sit on the porch without getting wet. Jace stood in the doorway watching.

We did end up going to the barbecue. It was great to see lots of sailors that we hadn't seen for a while. It was very wet. It rained off and on. I chased Jace round and round the yard mostly trying to keep him from falling in their little goldfish pond. We left when Jace started to get wild and were glad to be driving home when the rain started coming down in sheets again.

We listened to some of our neighbors attempts at fireworks in the rain while we were snuggled into bed, happy for the cool, wet evening.

Happy Independence Day.

Chris and Cole on the Carousel. Jace got nervous on the Carousel ride and was very glad when it was over. He preferred the train.

July 3rd - Javin's 3rd B-day

Jace was right in the middle of everything as we helped Javin celebrate his birthday. We all enjoyed the bounce house and slide. Mat was the grill master. Dylan supervised Jace on the trampoline. Lexi taught Jace how to wait until just the right moment to launch the Buzz Lightyear water rocket. Javin got an awesome new bike and Pam sent a vehicle home with us that Javin had out grown. Now when ever we go to the mailbox, Jace likes to drive his car.

Thank you Barr family for the super fun evening.
Jace helped pick out the RC motorcycle gift earlier that day at Kazoo and Co. when we needed a break from the heat at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

Jace really wanted to help blow out the candles. The Buzz Lightyear and Woody cakes were adorable but the real winner was the homemade carrot cake.

Lexi and Jace try out one of Javin's new gifts, the water rocket launcher.

They both loved throwing the switch to launch the rocket. The trick was whoever had to reset the rocket usually didn't make it back to the switch before the other one threw it. Lexi was the first to soak Jace with this trick but he caught on pretty quick. Soon he was pointing and telling her, "You do it." (Meaning its your turn to get soaked resetting the rocket.)Jace's turn resetting the rocket. This time Javin at the launch switch. They were all soaked and happy.

2 trips to Wray

We were back and forth to Wray two weekends in a row.
We celebrated Father's Day weekend with a water fight with Grandad. Jace - "Here!"

Grandad - "You want me to go over there?"

Really, Grandad should have suspected that this was an ambush.

They were both soaked.

We had an amazing Father's Day dinner with Grandpa and Grandma Courtney.Jace was fascinated by the motion sensitive Cardinal bird. It made him nervous but he really wanted to hold it.

The next weekend we were back in Wray to enjoy some time with Curt and Kadra who were visiting from Iowa.

Lookout Uncle Curt! This is not his first water fight.

Aunt Kadra joined Jace for a run through the sprinklers.

We always have a great time in Wray. Can't wait to head back for Wray Daze.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays Alyssa and Dustin!

A goofy family photo.

Jace doing his best to be gentle with Ozzy, the toy Australian shepherd.

June. What happened to June?

There is just no way to account for all the time that has flown by.

Of course we are busy, everyone is busy.

Our sleep habits have suffered disruption with Jace making a sudden change to a "big boy bed". Joel and I felt a little like the rug was pulled out from under us. It seemed like one night Jace was sleeping, peacefully in his crib and the next night he would not stay in it. Our whole routine changed.

Jace seems to like his new bed but it has definitely taken some getting used to, for all of us.

Lots of times, if Jace woke up in the night, we would find him curled up in the chair.

Daddy lost out the most when Jace ended up in our bed. There is just not room for three people when one of them insists on sleeping across the pillows.

Chalk Art Festival

Our summer calender is filling up with fun weekend events. Today we strolled around the Chalk Art Festival at Larimer square and enjoyed a picnic next to the creek. We were downtown before noon today so the artists were all just getting started on their temporary masterpieces. The weather was perfect, warm with some clouds, and the streets were not crowded. I wish we could make it back tomorrow to see all the finished pieces. I hope it is not raining on them tonight. I also hope that Jace will not hear any of the thunder that I can hear in the distance.

Our picnic lunch was fun. We found a shaded spot next to a fountain. Jace was snacking and splashing. It was a great summer activity.

Tonight was not as pleasant. After Jace's nap we went to the garden center to pick up a few plants to fill in our garden. Jace was energetic, running up and down the flower aisles, picking up plants and greeting customers like he owned the place. Joel and I were relieved when our shopping was done. Jace pinched his finger in the car seat buckle and suddenly it was like the world was ending. The crying and screaming continued later at dinner when the injured finger kept getting food on it. We finally found a solution after his bath, Joel remembered some "second skin" bandage samples and was able to cover the scrape on Jace's finger.

Hopefully, we will all get a good night sleep and be ready for more adventures tomorrow.

I am totally amazed by the talent we witnessed today. This is just one of hundreds of images on the asphalt that was only partially complete at noon today and will be erased completely tomorrow evening. (If not sooner - Rain, rain, go away. Come again on Monday.)