Some of This and That

Landon loves his cars!

He can sit and entertain himself for a long time just checking out the wheels as they turn.

This photo just shows some of the organizing efforts. It got a bit overwhelming.

Meanwhile, Koen just hung out in his seat . . . swinging, rocking or just sitting and quietly watching the commotion. I cannot believe how content he is. As long as I just kept moving him to a new location every once in a while . . . he was fine ... so fine that it was easy to forget about him.

 

And here . . . one last photo just before we headed back to the airport . . . for the last time. This time there were no tears.

Natalie's Room

After the bedmaking tutorial, Natalie and I continued to take some photos of her room . . . the room that is now dismantled and being packed up.  She loved trying out my point and shoot camera.

I've always admired how Kristal decorates her home. On the wall along the foot of the bed hangs one of Natalie's baby quilts . . . amongst some pretty wall stickers.



 
The dresser that stands under the quilt displays a cute baby picture and special mementos from her grandparents who live close to Disneyland.
 

 
On that same dresser . . . also a set of Peter Rabbit books.
 

On the opposite wall, above the headboard, hangs a painted plaque, also framed with wall stickers . . .

and on either side of that . . .  baby dresses sent by auntie Julene

from Indonesia.

On another wall . . . a framed Bessie Gutmann print that used to hang in our home.

And to end this little visit  . . . a peek into the closet.  You can tell she is proud to show off her special room.

Natalie's Hotel Service

It felt strange landing at the airport in Durango and realize that this was possibly the end of this kind of a visit. The kind of visit that begins with disembarking the plane as quickly as possible in anticipation of the kids running into my arms . . . warm hugs all around ... with a mixture of shy and excited smiles on their faces, as we head to the baggage claim.

It's not every Grammy that gets to sleep in her granddaughter's bedroom . . . a bed made ready just for her.

On my first morning there . . . I started making the bed . . . like I would at home . . . and then she came in and said, "No, Mimi, I will make your bed!" She unmade what I had done and proceeded to make the bed. I said, "You know how to do that?" She said, "I do it every day!"

The second morning she came again ... to make my bed. I was quite liking this service! Never had that in this house before!

On the third morning . . . I asked her if she would make my bed again, and she said, "No, not today." Oh ... but by this time I had a certain plan ... so I asked her if she would show me how to make it . . . and she gladly did that.  Good thing!

Grandparenting in Colorado

We landed in Durango just about the same time as Kristal was being released at the hospital, so we ended up meeting on their driveway.

Excitement was spilling over, not only because we were meeting our newest grandson, but we all had not seen each other since June.

Visiting with suitcases in hand, lends itself to a completely different kind of visit. It's a time of complete immersion into the real life of our little family. This time it was a special treat to share in the firsts of Koen's homecoming ... such as first baths and bedtime snuggles. Then, of course, the usual games, stories and visits to our room to cuddle or jump on the bed.

Natalie reminded me about the "baking cupcakes while Landon is napping" scheme

and we fit that in right away so that we have some more chances later in the week yet too. This time around she also planned what we would do "while the cupcakes are baking". Sometimes I wonder whom she takes after.

We've had several walks along the beautiful river close by. I could hardly put my camera away, it was so beautiful!

We've all taken turns with snuggles and playing and I get to stay and enjoy a lot more of this but, sadly, I'm on my own now as work has beckonned my H back home, however, even just two days have been well worth the trip and the special memories made once again.

High in the Colorado Mountains

By now you can guess that this is where we’ve left a piece of our hearts . . .

My H joined me over the Victoria Day long weekend as we continued making some lasting memories. Shaun and Kristal took us down the historic downtown Main Street where we admired the charming original buildings dating back to the 1800’s.

One landmark being, The Grand Strater Hotel, built in 1887.

I took a peek into the Lobby.

And did you know the The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is based here? This could be of interest to a certain someone . . .

I couldn’t help but go into the little French Bakery and check out the goodies there. One day I do want to sit down at one of their tables and actually try a French pastry . . .

just the two of us . . . mother and daughter.

We drove through some old tree-lined streets, checking out the heritage homes . . .

where I couldn’t help but take pictures.

On Sunday afternoon, after meeting many friendly people at the church in the movie theatre, we drove up to a ski resort that reminded us of a mini Whistler.

And . . . as they say . . . what goes up must come down . . . so we did. We came back home to life in the valley . . . where we also have beautiful mountains surrounding us.

Mall Entertainment

We drove to Farmington, New Mexico, about 45 minutes away and the closest place to find a Target and a mall with a maternity store. While Kristal tried on a new wardrobe, I walked through the mall with the kids looking for more interesting things to do... for them.

When mommy was finally done, we took her to a nail place we had seen and made her sit down, soak her feet and enjoy a pedicure. This entertained the kids more than I thought it would... for a bit . . . and then we went back into the mall, just outside the nail place where there was a sitting area. This is where I was surprised by an unexpected show. Check it out.

Eat your Heart Out Paula Deen

Miss Natalie had never heard of Monster Cookies before, but when I told her what I was thinking, she could not get them out of her mind. The next morning she poked her head into the bathroom as I was getting ready and she reminded me... about ... you know... the monster cookies.

After breakfast we went grocery shopping and for a bit of a tour around town. On the way home she turned to me and said, "After lunch Landon is going to take a nap we we are going to make...(in a whisper now) Monster Cookies!"


















Didn't have to show her much...

In fact, I had fun just watching her ...

and posing for the camera person.

Four smarties on each cookie and just a few for the cook.

Her efficiency and self-control were quite inspiring.

That is, until they were baked . . .

to perfection.

Our first high altitude baking experiment was a success!

Thank you for allowing me to be a guest in your kitchen, Miss Nat!

A Good Day

Snuggles during Homeward Bound . . .

Go Away Big Green Monster . . . and don't come back until I say so!

All is well in Colorado!