Playing at Civic Green Park

This morning, we met friends at Civic Green Park. Kylie and Raly got along really well and played a variety of pretend games.


They went back and forth from the playground to the water.
Reese and Connor are looking for a baby bunny that hopped into the flowers.

Marnie got the kids posed for a few seconds while I took a picture. The morning was hot, but fun.
Reese loved climbing up and down, but didn't like to go much higher than the first step or two.

Quiet week, so far!

So far, this week has been quiet. We shopped for a little rug to put at the top of the basement steps. Bozeman needs it because his back legs slide out from under him on the wood floor. He gets tired a lot easier these days, but he still runs with Rhett some mornings. We got his cart, but are having a difficult time figuring out all the straps (which we are suppose to put on and let him wear around so that he can get comfortable with them before adding the cart). For those of you who may not know, Bozeman has a degenerative neurological condition called myelopathy. The good news: it doesn't usually involve pain - at least that's what the vets tell us. The cart should allow him to play outside for longer periods of time.



The kids have played outside in the mornings as it has been too hot to play outside in the afternoons. Raly is riding her bike more often, but doesn't have a love for it, that's for sure!

I took the following three picture last night when Reese and Raly were playing "fashion show." Don't really know where Raly picked up this "game," but she wanted someone to play with her and Reese was ready!



While we were looking for a rug at Khols, I cam across the Swivel Sweeper! Reese loves helping -for now.

Civic Green Park

Today we played at Civic Green Park; a place with a little stream, a park, and a shallow pool with fountains. The first picture makes me wonder if Raly was going pee, but she said that she just wanted to sit in the water-which was very cold.



Reese loves this little stream. He was smarter-sitting in the shallow area.
Both kids spent a lot of time in the "spider web." Reese has more persistence than Raly, but here she is examining her next step.
We met friends at the park and they brought water guns. Reese was trying to figure it out!
We had a fun couple of hours and then went home for naps. Both kids were wiped out! I enjoyed some quiet time.

Kids loved my birthday cake!

Rhett got me a cake for my 35th birthday and we all loved it. The kids liked getting messy! Rhett and the kids got me a blender for my birthday. It works really well; it's something I wouldn't have bought for myself so it's a great gift. I made a smoothie and it crushed ice and frozen fruit- no problem! They also gave me a nice wad of money so I plan to go shopping soon! I want a few things from Signature Homes (Emily is now selling it) so I'll have to set aside some money.

Breakfast at Lisa's

Lisa, a friend and co-worker, invited us and some other friends over for breakfast today. The kids had a great time playing together. Lisa's son, Tyler, "played" with Reese and Raly played with Lisa's daughter. It was a nice break for me. I got to sit and visit for most of the morning-what a great birthday present.



Lisa, Carol, and Alyssa with Noah.
Group picture.

Spending the day with Heidi and her kids.

Yesterday the kids and I drove to Ft. Collins to visit Heidi and her kids for the day. Of course I wanted to see Heidi, but more importantly, I was anxious to meet Coy, her six week old son. He is adorable and everyone is doing well. Heidi and I had great conversation and the kids got along well. Reese loved the "beeby." Raly and Annie played well all day. They played dress up and had a tea party. Raly had a great time until we stopped at McDonald's on our way home. She thought she was getting a Pet Shop toy in her meal, but didn't and she had one of her biggest meltdowns! After falling asleep, she had a night terror in the car for at least 2o minutes. Reese was even yelling at her to "stop crying." I hope she grows out of the night terrors. I feel so helpless during them. Thank goodness Rhett was home when we pulled in as he was able to calm her down and get her to bed.

Overall, we had a great day. The kids had fun and I enjoyed catching up with Heidi and getting some "baby time" with Coy.



Dress up!

Tea party!

Playing outside!


Reese feeding the "beeby." He loved feeding and tickling Coy. They were cute together.

A few more pictures from the block party.

Reese is running after a large bubble made by the bubble machine. I think Reese would consider this as one of his "highs" for the night and his "low" was having to get off the trampoline. Raly pulled so hard on the sling shot that she fell down.
Raly and Reese on the trampoline.
Reese's other "high" was the trampline. Three adults had to help me get him off the tramp because as soon as I would get close to him he turned and jumped the other way. What a turd bucket! He cried all the way home!
Before going to bed, the kids got a quick bath because the trampoline left them quite dirty.

Block Party

Last night was the annual Braeburn Pl. Block Party. Although a few kids are missing, the following picture shows most of kids on our street! Plenty of activities kept the kids busy. The evening started off with bike riding, followed by dinner (which for many children and adults consisted of numerous trips to the dessert table). The odd number houses were responsible for side dishes and even for desserts. A majority of the people who attended were from the even houses which resulted in only three side dishes and at least 8 different desserts. Each house was responsible for their own main dish. I think Raly ate at least three cookies, one Otter Pop, and then at the end of the night a Smore. Reese was so busy playing that he drank a lot of juice, but ate nothing. After eating, the kids participated in a water balloon sling shot contest. Then came the bubbles, the poppers, and the launch rocket. Last, the kids made Smores and jumped on the trampoline. I'm waiting for Raly to ask us to buy one for our backyard!! They had a blast. Thanks to Jodie and Tonya for organizing a great party.

The Stomp Launcher!

Raly chatting with friends, Katelyn and Connor, while waiting her turn for the water balloon sling shot.
Jodie helping Reese with his balloon shot.
Rhett and Bozeman taking it easy at the party. Rhett had to rest up for the Boulder Peak Triathlon.

Raly and I have started playing the "high/low" game at the end of each day. Her "highs" for the day yesterday were: eating cookies, playing with water balloons, jumping on the trampoline, and making/eating Smores. Her "low" was having to get off the trampoline to go home.

A Day at the Children's Museum

Raly's "favorite place in the whole world:" The Children's Museum. We met some friends there, but nobody wanted to be in the same place at the same time. Raly spent a lot of time in the "store" shopping and being the cashier. In this picture, she let Reese help her. Surprisingly, she protected him today (from some of the little bullies at the museum).




Raly is a squirrel and Reese is the bunny. They enjoyed this room full of tunnels and nests.
The kids didn't last long in the train room, but I was able to get a picture.

Lunch time! Reese and Morgan (the little girl on his left) had a ball together. They shared food and made noises back and forth. It was great because it entertained Noah, Alyssa's son, who is behind them in the stroller.

Reese's favorite place: the fire truck! I tried to get a posed picture on the truck and this is the best I got. Can you tell it was nap/rest time?

They had a great time. We were all worn out by the time we got home.

Kids having fun at home.

Raly and Reese are having fun playing in the shed.

Raly has started riding her bike again and was quite excited about it yesterday. I hope she keeps it up.

Shed is built.

Yesterday, two guys brought all the pieces to build our shed on a long flatbed truck. It took them four hours! I thought it would come in fewer pieces. Raly was so excited that she watched them build it from the kitchen window (for a total of about 2 hours). She kept saying, "It's almost done. They will have it done in no time. Right Mommy?" Once it was finished, it didn't take her long to get the kitchen set, food, table, and her dolls to the shed. Reese put his work bench and a bunch of rocks in the shed. He loves to pound with his hammer. HUhhhh!

Jersey, Emily's Puppy

When we headed home from Atwood, we stopped in Goodland for lunch at Josh's house. As we were leaving, Jersey ate the flowers off this plant. Cute picture, but boy howdy, was Em upset with him!



A couple of days later, Josh, Emily, and Jersey visited us for a few days. Emily had an appointment out here. Reese and Jersey have a love/hate relationship. At this time, they were loving each other. Reese was giggling each time he squirt Jersey some water.

We tried to give the kids a nap at Josh's house, but Reese was terrified of the deer head mounted on the wall in the guest bedroom. Hilarious! Raly loved the deer. She thought it was adorable! So, we just headed for home and of course neither child slept in the car.

Rhett worked hard while we were in Atwood

Here is our backyard after Rhett removed the dog run.


After numerous hours of hauling dirt, Rhett got the wall up!! Besides moving dirt out, he had to re-route drainage pipes and electrical work, move rock, and deal with many ants that he disturbed during the whole process. Yuck!

At the bottom right, you can see concrete. Tomorrow we have a Tuff shed being delivered and they will put it on this slab.

Rhett did a fabulous job. Now we just have to figure out what material to put in this area (for under the play structure). The play structure should arrive at the end of July. Stay tuned for final pictures then. Once the play structure is up, hopefully Rhett will be able to relax. By that time, he'll be done with his triathlons, too.

A visit from a grade school classmate.

Kristin, a good friend from grade school, lives in Oberlin (about 30 min. away) and she came over with 3 of her kids (she has 4, but her oldest is in Europe right now). The little girl next to Raly is someone she babysits. It was fun catching up.

More pictures while in Atwood

Reese relaxing in front of the TV.
Reese is angry because Raly won't let him wash her golf balls.
Raly carefully washing each ball.
Kids getting along now.


Raly finished her swimming lessons today. Auntie Em did an amazing job with Raly. I will try to upload a short video.