The Farm and the Chickens

Ms. Beth and her sister took us to the farm today where I got to see lots and lots of chickens. There was definitely much land to explore and I was totally exhausted at the end of the day.

Flight Back Home

We leave to go home today and this time it is quite uneventful...I did not throw-up, my diaper did not leak, and I did not cry. Every once in a while I can surprise my Mom and Dad by being a bit conventional!

Cherished Memories

Today with all my new friends, we continued to enjoy play time at Grandma Judy's while the other adults enjoyed the brunch party. The sun was out yet the huge trees in the front yard protected us and kept us cool. After lunch we will head back to Denver to the Marriott Residence Inn. What cherished memories we all have of this place in Wrey!

Auntie Kimber wrote...
Saturday was parade day! Everyone loves a parade!!! There was lots of candy thrown, a water fight with the firefighters, and even a biker gang for the parade. No band though :-(

After the parade we all went down to the river to watch the duck race. Most of us 'purchased' a duck and were all sure we were going to win (yeah, no). After that, we headed back up to mom's since she was making lunch for everyone.

I was walking down the street and as I was about a block from mom's, I saw a bunch of my quilts hanging up in the yard. Everyone brought all the quilts I made for them and I had my own little quilt show! It was soooo awesome!!! There were 29 quilts strung up between the trees - and that's just over half of what I've made in the past 6 yrs - with most coming in the past 4 yrs!! We almost caused an accident with the lookie-loos :-) It was fun walking people around and telling the story of the quilt. There were even some inquiries to purchase quilts. Terry was going to put his up for sale since he knew I'd make him another one LOL

Grandma, Auntie Julie, Madeline, and Brian had arrived by this time. Auntie Joyce dropped by and brought her yummy chicken!! There were also some very good family friends - both local and former locals that stopped by... it was so great to see everyone!!!

Saturday night was the Fireman's Brawl (ok, Ball, but we always called it Brawl). Us girls went out and had fun dancing to the 80s! The band was ok, but hard to dance to. We took advantage of the DJ, the called it an early night.

Wray Daze

The agenda for today is full: town parade in the morning, famous plastic duck races and free BBQ at lunch, quilt display party in the afternoon, and dance in the evening for the ladies while the kids get to have movie night at Grandma Judy's house. Mommy said that she would like for me to squeeze in a nap sometime today also.

Auntie Kimber wrote...
Saturday was parade day! Everyone loves a parade!!! There was lots of candy thrown, a water fight with the firefighters, and even a biker gang for the parade. No band though :-(

After the parade we all went down to the river to watch the duck race. Most of us 'purchased' a duck and were all sure we were going to win (yeah, no). After that, we headed back up to mom's since she was making lunch for everyone.

I was walking down the street and as I was about a block from mom's, I saw a bunch of my quilts hanging up in the yard. Everyone brought all the quilts I made for them and I had my own little quilt show! It was soooo awesome!!! There were 29 quilts strung up between the trees - and that's just over half of what I've made in the past 6 yrs - with most coming in the past 4 yrs!! We almost caused an accident with the lookie-loos :-) It was fun walking people around and telling the story of the quilt. There were even some inquiries to purchase quilts. Terry was going to put his up for sale since he knew I'd make him another one LOL

Grandma, Auntie Julie, Madeline, and Brian had arrived by this time. Auntie Joyce dropped by and brought her yummy chicken!! There were also some very good family friends - both local and former locals that stopped by... it was so great to see everyone!!!

Saturday night was the Fireman's Brawl (ok, Ball, but we always called it Brawl). Us girls went out and had fun dancing to the 80s! The band was ok, but hard to dance to. We took advantage of the DJ, the called it an early night.

Project Kangaroo Sunshine!

Project Kangaroo Sunshine is a success! The Michigan/Texas group consisted of Lollypop Head (aka Mommy), Ladybug (aka Daddy), Banana (aka Auntie JoAnn), Cool Kid (aka Auntie Casey) and me (aka Short Stop) and we arrived at 1 pm at Doc's bed and breakfast. After a well needed rest, DandyLion (aka Tim) and Chocolate Kiss (aka Judy, Kim's mom) secretively drove by so that we could follow them, meet up with Kims' dad, his wife and brother, and arrive together at Chocolate Kiss's house for the surprise entrance. The plans were complicated, yet my adults seemed to know what they were doing. The look on Auntie Kim's face was pure delightful surprise when she saw us coming!

Auntie Kimber wrote...
Friday was the sidewalk sales, so we all went to main street to partake in the fun. Then off to lunch with Tim & Joe (had to be distracted a bit apparently). Got back to the house and Turk, Katie, Eden, and Kavan had arrived. Tilly had decorated the yard and garage with Luau things - looked great!

I'm thinking this is it... just needed dad and we're all set!

I'm sitting outside visiting when I looked up and saw my fabulous friends from Michigan - Lisa, Greg, Kaylie, and Casey... and JoAnn from Texas - walking down the block!! Tears started flowing!! I'm hugging all of them, then see my dad & Elaine come up... more hugs, more tears. Dad's quote "this is for all the shit you pulled" LOL

I turn around to the garage and somehow Terry had snuck around and was standing there! More tears!! Wow!!

Visiting, fun, laughter, food... and maybe a bit of alcohol ;-) Then off to fun night! It was so great for my friends to see where I grew up. I gave them a guided tour, which was so much fun!

Back to the house to drop all the kids off before we headed to the bar... there was another surprise in store for me! Christine - my fab-o friend from NM and her family arrived!! Chris and I go waaaay back... to college days. We don't get to see each other as much as we'd like with our busy lives, and I'm so glad she and her family were able to come up and celebrate my weekend!!

Off to the bar :-) All the visitors were able to experience the fun Colorado weather change - the wind picked up like crazy as we were walking to the bar and by the time we arrived, the downpour had begun. Luckily, it didn't stick around long.

Travels to Colorado

We had to wait to post this next set of stories until after Project Kangaroo Sunshine was completed. You see, Mommy, Daddy, Auntie Casey and I left today on a plane to Denver to meet up with Auntie JoAnn. We are all going to be present for Auntie Kim's surprise party in her hometown of Wray. She has no clue. I do know that Uncle Tim, one of the main planners of the party, is going to be in big trouble. The day started rough with me throwing up milk in the back seat after Daddy missed the airport exit. I was quite tired the rest of the day and was quite still during the plane ride out to Denver. Tonight we all get to rest at the Homewood Suites and head to Wray in the morning.

Auntie Kimber wrote...
Wednesday & Thursday were spend driving from Michigan to Colorado. We were heading to my hometown for vacation. Wray Daze was going on, so some of the family was planning to come to Wray. Perfect time to see friends & family, right?

Yeah...

I sent my nephew a birthday text on Thursday and he apologized for not being able to make my party. I then asked Tim if mom was planning a party for me. He (honestly) answered 'no'... I found out it was because HE was doing the planning!!

Finally arrived at mom's. Dee, Tilly, and Danny were already there - the family gathering was beginning! I was catching up on some work emails and Tim's folks showed up... surprise #1!!!! I thought that was it, but I was hoping against hope that my older brother (Terry) would show up... not necessarily for my celebration since I didn't really think we were doing that big of a deal.

Playtime with James and Juliet

Play and play...there is so much to explore and especially in Ms. Sarah Brennan's house where there is an entire room dedicated to wondrous toys. James was so kind to share his toys by saying "mine", I mean "my turn". There were baseball bats and balls, trucks, tricycles, and blueberries and yogurt-covered raisin for treats. Juliet was so lovable that I had to give her several hugs throughout the evening. I hope to see my friends again soon!

St. Joseph's Festival

"Yay, the moon walk" What more is there to say...

Party at the Osbourne's

Mark and Brenda invited us over for dinner this evening. I got to meet Christine, Adam and also baby Gavin (Ms. Andrea's little one) for the first time but it was like we were old friends. We had all kind of adventures inside and out!

Pond! Water! Fish!

Daddy and I spend the night with Grandma Debby and Grandpa Steve so that Mommy could have a quiet day to herself. When I returned home that evening I had so much to tell Mommy. There was this great pond of water where we fed the gigantic fish and Grandpa Steve took me swimming in it! You can read more about my adventures in Grandma's blog post

What a magical day!

Summer Black Raspberries

Ms. Beth wrote...
After a fun time at the playground, Kaylie and I found some wild black raspberries and had a little "picnic" with them on the grass. Kaylie sat in front of me while I popped them into her mouth one by one. (Black raspberries stain!) I have enjoyed them every summer and was happy to share the experience with her. For me, black raspberries are the taste of summer!

Hat!

"Hat!" is one of my favorite words. With my imagination, anything can be a hat, including Mommy's garden basket.

Beach Baby

Grandma and Grandpapa built a large staircase that goes down to the shores of Lake Michigan! We had fun playing in the sand; dada built the sand castles and I tore them down. Mama just laughed.

4th of July!

I got to really enjoy the fireworks yesterday evening from the beach and today we went to see the Manistee 73rd Forest Festival parade. At the parade we received many Toostie rolls (both chocolate and cherry, vanilla, and orange flavored) , jaw breakers, jolly ranchers, peppermints, as well as colored bead necklaces, a stuffed animal froggie, water bottles, and Smokey the Bear pins. Whenever a new part of the parade would round the corner, I would gasp with awe! I especially like the marching bands and the huge red fire trucks.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Happy Birthday Grandma! What a beautiful sunny cool day it was and I was exhausted after all the running about! Grandma and Grandpapa took us all to Crystal Gardens in Frankfort, Michigan this afternoon so that I can see the peacocks, play in the giant water fountain and gently pinch and smell the flowers.

The Play Set

We are visiting Grandma and Grand Papa Peters in Manistee this 4th of July weekend and you'll never guess what! Their neighbors have a grand playground set. Lauren and Drew and their parents let us play on it and sometimes when I am out there climbing, they too, come out to play. I really love the rock climbing wall!

Black Raspberries

Today on our walk, we got to experience the taste of delicious black raspberries. Yummy!