Savory Sensations

Monday, January 12, 2009

Colorado Scenery

Sunrise off the deck

Same deck, looking a little to the right. Doesn't it seem like the hills are covered in gold?

I'm much better at nature photography.
At least I can get nature to stand still while I'm taking the picture!

Look at that sky! This was our walk back up the hill to the house.

And this was our walk down the hill! It's easy to get winded at 9000 ft, when you are used to living at sea level.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Colorado is a lot more comfortable outside in cold temperatures than I would have guessed, due to the extreme dryness in their area. It's beautiful outside - crisp and clear and with a feeling of "clean".

Waving hello to Daddy

Fixing her sunglasses

Pretending to go to sleep on the log

JJ has some whimsical things in her garden (ruby slippers, yellow brick road, and a man on a tree) that are just perfect for discovering on a walk.

" 'mon, Mommy" (come on)

Hand Washing

After dinner each night, Uncle Gramps would always jump up to help wash Amelia's hands when she was finished. Since she's so often finished before I am, I was grateful for the unexpected time to eat my dinner while it was still hot. I was pretty impressed with his offer... then tickled when I finally realized it was self preservation.They had just re-painted all the walls in the house! He wasn't taking any chances.

He's thinking, "Kid, you're not getting fingerprints on my walls!"

hee hee

"Where kitty go, mommy?"

That's the refrain we heard all week. There are actually 2 kitties - Jennie the Poo and Jakester Too. Poor kitties. They had a lot of exercize running away.

Reading "tories"

Uncle Gramps gets a good morning kiss

And then a story!

Cooking with Granny J

Don't they look cute together in their Christmas aprons?

Taming a wild animal

This series of pictures reminds me of trying to get an animal to come a bit closer. Uncle Gramps just sat really, really still and talked really, really softly with low tones. This was the second night and she was still warming up to him. It helped to have bears and dolls involved!

See that pink blanket? Amelia briefly snuggled there with her blankie,

trying to"hep" Uncle Gramps take a nap after she wore him out.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Colorado Trip

It's amazing what a cute 2 year old with big blue eyes can get a grown man to do. Especially when he's never been around little kids much! Uncle Gramps is busy showing Amelia all the toys they borrowed from their friends so she could have an enjoyable stay.

While we were in KC, we flew to Colorado to spend a week with Rafe's Auntie J and Uncle Larry (Granny J and Uncle Gramps to Amelia). It was absolutely beautiful there - Woodland Park has one of my favorite libraries. On the top floor, the reading room has a glass window/wall looking out to the mountains (including Pike's Peak), and a cozy fireplace. It doesn't get any better than that. I stopped at libraries wherever we went to get books for Amelia and myself.

How did these get on my hands?

and what is Santa's Stocking doing on my foot?

Wink, Wink

Ever try to teach a toddler to wink? It's hilarious. Seriously can fill up an afternoon.

Quick Explanation

Rafe is in a place right now where he has frequent internet access, so I'm posting a wide variety of pictures of our trip until I'm done. So even though the date on most of these is January, they were taken in December.

Motorcycle Mama

Amelia spied Pampa's motorcycle and immediately began coveting the shininess of it. I can personally attest it's quite a comfy ride (I was a passenger on the back during a BBQ run from Utah to Wyoming), but I don't think she'll be going on it anytime soon.

She was determined to get on, even after mommy said no. Practicing her teenage skills, she completely ignored me and started wiping off the seat in preparation for doing exactly as she wanted.

Fascinated

Watching "Pampa" clean out the gutters in freezing weather. She saw him doing it from inside the house and wanted to go outside and watch. Believe me when I say I really tried to dissuade her. The wind was blowing fiercely but she was so excited to go outside and watch.

HI RAFE!

I know you are reading this right now. :)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

"I dinner"

Mia found her favorite dinner in my mom's kitchen and decided we needed to make it. Immediately!

Peas in a Pod

Firehouse, part 2

A very bummed out little girl who just realized she isn't really getting to drive

Happy again after seeing the firedog

Waving bye bye to all the firemen

Contemplating her next move

"Out of my way, I've got a baby to save!"

Fire Station Visit

My dad used to be a firefighter in the town I stayed in over the holidays. One day we took a chilly walk up to the new firestation and Amelia received the grand tour. Ambulances, fire trucks, stretchers and even the dog were on the tour.

You can tell she's pretty pleased with herself right here. She thinks she pulled a fast one on mommy, because she's always trying to get in the front seat of my car and drive. She'll tell me "My turn drive, mommy" and of course I don't let her. Except that one time when I was really tired of driving and let her do a few hours on the highway.

Here she is, grandly waving for us to close the door so she can take off with the fire engine.

She had just received this hat and was making eyes at the firefighter who gave it to her. I think she likes a man in uniform, like her mommy.

She's giddy - we closed the door! She thinks she's really about to drive!

Biker Chick

Amelia found some gloves and glasses that my dad uses when he rides his bike. She LOVED them, and kept asking us to put them on her. I thought she just wanted to try them on and would take them off quickly, but no dice. She wouldn't take them off and wanted to go for a walk wearing them. She looks very tough with the baby doll and pink boots!