Oscar

F and teeny Oscar dog. Forgot about this funny clip for the last post.
There is some confusion about who is supposed to run after the thrown object so FFM shows Oscar how it's done.

Colorado Summer

We went home to Colorado and we had a hard time coming back. Can you see why? We haven't been to Colorado in the summer since we moved away in 2006. We left in the spring so it's been since summer 2005 since we've had a real Colorado summer. We're way overdue.

Travis' sister, Suzie and her family flew out from Pennsylvania and we all convened at their mom's house in Silverton, CO (pop appx 500). We finally got to meet the newest member of the family, Audrey. F immediately became pals with cousin 'Audie' and I see great adventures in their future.

Being the older of the pair F took his responsibilities very seriously and made sure he taught "Audie" all the important stuff kids need to know, like how to play with giant leaves.

But, the #1 top of the charts, most requested activity was to take "Audie" on bike rides on his new trike (a lovely birthday gift courtesy of Audrey, Aunt Suzie, Uncle James, and Grammie Penny).

Audrey was very obliging. I think she's asleep in the photo above.

They rode A LOT.

If the kids weren't napping, we were outside. The rain that has been thrashing Colorado seemed to know we were coming and that we really needed to have a great vacation and it let up while we were there. The mountains were lush and green, more green than I think I've ever seen them.

Travis and FFM rambling around the hills near the family cabin.

FFM hanging out with my brother and his wife who drove up from Phoenix to join us for the 4th of July. Uncle Q and Aunt Karen brought their new puppy, Oscar, too. FFM looks so much like Travis it's hard to remember he's related to my side of the family. But when you see him with his Uncle Q they have the same blond hair and the exact same blue eyes (even the same shape!) that I realize that, yup, there's some of my Moore in there, too :)

Oscar, is TEENY, but turned out to be just the right size for FFM. I think after Audrey, Oscar was FFM's favorite bud. Oscar is the coolest tiny dog I've ever met, and I'm not normally a fan of tiny dogs. He never ever barked and was so good.
We really wanted to be in the USA for the 4th of July this year. After FFM was born we both were a bit lonely - being away from the States on Independence day (and my birthday) was a bit of a bummer back in 2007. Last year my mom and Eric came out to visit us and we had our own little celebration, but this year we really wanted to do the whole parade, BBQ, fireworks deal. 4th of July in Silverton did not disappoint!

FFM at the parade. Watch the video, it's not sped up at all. That kid can wave a flag like you won't believe.

To top off a great day we stayed to watch the train come in to town (the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Train for any train buffs out there). For those of you not in the know, FFM, like most little boys, is totally enthralled with anything with wheels. Trains and airplanes are his current favorites, so seeing a giant steam train live and in person just about did him in. Uncle Q took several pictures of us and in every one FFM is turned around staring at the train.

We did actually go fishing at the lake (not just the back yard) with that nifty fishing pole that FFM got for his birthday. Grammie Penny was brilliant and also got a special 'fishing jacket' (aka life jacket) so that our rambunctious child who has no fear of water would float if he accidentally fell in. No accidents this trip, but it sure kept mom and dad more relaxed as he tiptoed around the edge. No fish for FFM but he had a great time throwing rocks into the lake. I caught 2 fish and Aunt Karen caught 1, so there were fish for lunch for everyone who wanted them.

Back in Denver Travis and I got busy doing boring things like going to the dentist and getting our eyes checked. Travis even got talked into doing some work for the Denver office for a few days. FFM stayed home with Granny Annie and 'helped' with yard work. She'd just gotten a huge delivery of mulch and when we got home we heard all about the 'BOLCH!'

The extra days gave us a chance to catch up with some of our good friends in Denver that we have missed the past few trips. One evening we had dinner with the Sullivans and FFM and Olivia ran around and threw rocks into the Highline Canal (as their dads hung on tight to make sure they didn't fall in!)

Yup, it sure was a great trip. While in Colorado FFM really started talking, and even said his first whole sentence - "Bye Bye Grannie Annie's house" which was more words than we'd ever heard all at once before. All of a sudden we really feel like we're communicating with him, and not that he's just parroting what we say.

FFM definitely turned 2 during the trip, though, becoming very opinionated, independent, and challenging. I was suddenly anxious about traveling with him by myself and missing my energetic but easy going kid that I've had for the past year or so, but that kid did make a brief appearance just for the flight back to Perth. Now that we're back in Australia he's back to being a challenging 2 year old, a period which Travis and I hope is short lived! Perhaps a week or so of regular routine will get things back to normal.

In the News

There was a massive storm in Denver the night before we left, and it caused a bunch of damage to certain parts of the city. At my mom's house they got over 2" of rain (that's heaps for Denver) and crazy lightning all night. At my grandparent's house it was a bit more exciting and they made the TV news! We're all extremely thankful they are both OK, the window that blew out is right in their living room where they usually are sitting.

My Grandpa is the one in the red plaid shirt, Bill Moore, and my lucky Grandma Bernadean Moore that jumped up and missed the flying glass.

http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=59851@kcnc.dayport.com

A Preview of Things To Come

We're still in Colorado, staying an extra week to finish up some business we didn't manage to get done. Yes, we had to pay to change our plane tickets, but the savings in the long run (vs. leaving the unfinished loose ends) was necessary for our wee family. Summer here is unbeatable, so it's not too rough having to stay a little longer. Here are some pictures from the 'vacation' part of our trip.

F's 2nd 2nd birthday party at Great Grandma and Grandpa Moore's house in Denver. There were party hats but I missed the shot with glasses and party hats together. Friends Calvin and Lainey.
Opening gifts from family and friends. F said "wowee!" for every single one and was very appreciative. Thanks everyone!
Learning to fish with his new pole (another birthday gift from Grandma Penny at his 3rd 2nd birthday party) in the backyard in Silverton. I think somewhere in either my pictures or James' there's a picture of where Travis cast and then looped the line around the telephone cable.

Remind me again....why do we live anywhere other than Colorado? :)

Uncle Q and Aunt Karen drove up from Phoenix (they're the ones that cancelled and we made them feel badly and they came!!! YAY). On my birthday we did a day trip to Telluride. The ski area gondola was running and, to F 's great excitement, we rode up and down.

Mr. 4th of July himself, all ready for the parade in Silverton.

More to come when we get back to Australia and I return to my own computer.