Jammies

We're tired.

Okay, not really. We're actually quite rested. However, the thought of packing up and heading home makes us very tired! So we thought we'd better stay home today and soak in some Colorado weather before filling our suitcases and heading back to humidity.

To fully enjoy our day, we stayed in our jammies. Yep, even to go outside to play in the sand.

Then we went skinny dippin'! We thought about going downstairs to put our swim trunks on, but we wanted to conserve our energy for the upcoming packing day.

We finished up the morning with popsicles in the pool.
Colorado sure has been fun! I guess all good things must come to an end. The countdown for home has begun...only two more days...

The Airforce Academy

Monday night we got a call from one of Mom's long-time family friend. She called to say she was coming to town and was wondering if we could come get her at the airport. We picked Gwen up and headed out to the Airforce Academy where her daughter Mandy is an incoming freshman.

Our plan was to try and get a look at Mandy. She wasn't quite finished with basic training, so we couldn't talk with her, but we thought maybe we'd get a look.

The planes with parachutes jumping out sort of distracted us.

Then we got distracted by the jet...

...and then by another jet! It is a very distracting place.

Finally we headed up to the visitors' center where we could see the cadets marching. No Mandy. Bummer!

At least we got to see lots of planes. Thanks for hanging out with us, Gwen!

Happy Birthday to Jack: The Presents

Books are our one of our family's favorite things. Jack was given some fun new book to add to our home library.

And then he opened his last present.

Jackie-boy got a scooter!!! We are now a two scooter family! How fun is that!?!

Of course, we headed right outside so Jack could give his scooter a try!
My brother might be little, but he can scoot with the best of them.

What fun. Two brothers and two scooters! Thanks Grandma Lou and Grandpa Jere!

Happy Birthday, Jack! We love you and feel quite blessed that you belong to us!

Happy Birthday to Jack: The Party

With Mom and Dad back from their trip, things are getting back to normal. That means no more spontaneous ice cream runs before a late bedtime. Not sure how I feel about that.

On the flip side, it means time to celebrate Jack's special day! Can you believe our baby is TWO!

I got to wrapping!

Then we checked out the cake Grandma Lou and Mom made. Jack loves m&m candies, so Grandma Lou got some for Mom to poke in the frosting.

Uncle Don and Aunt Jan came for dinner!
Cousin Kyle came, too. He at Jack ate a lot of chips. They are buddies.

After dinner (and chips) it was time for cake! Jack-Jack was SO excited. He loves cake and birthdays!

And...well...he likes making a mess while he eats.

Presents coming up next!

Day 6

Dear Jamey and Jack,

On our last day in Portland, we got up, headed out to do a few things, and then flew home on a plane to see YOU TWO! I had a much needed time away, and I think I'll be a better mom having had this opportunity. But on with how we spent our last day in Portland!

We headed up to Multnomah Falls. What a beautiful waterfall! Dad and I hiked up to the bridge to get a great view.

Then we headed to the International Rose Test Garden. Our cousins Matt and Juli met us there. We had a nice time wandering through the roses.

There was a Shakespeare garden with lots of flowers mentioned in the writings of William Shakespeare. Although, I disagree with "Will". Sure, roses are nice, but I like lots of other flowers much better.

This was taken in the Shakespeare garden. I love the purple spikes with the vivid pink in the background.
The hydrangeas in Portland were fabulous! The (normally) cool climate does wonders for their color.

Fuchsias. I love them, but I'm not sure how to spell them! They don't do well in the Arkansas heat or freezing winters. Maybe someday Dad will build me a greenhouse (hint, hint) and we can have fuchsias!

After the rose garden, we did a little shopping for Jack's birthday, and then we headed home to see the two of you!

Thanks for being good for Grandma Lou and Grandpa Jere while we were gone. I cannot wait to hear about all the adventures you had without us!

I love you!

Love, Mama