Posts
Farewell Grandma Moore.
You left us too suddenly and definitely much too soon.
I love you always and will miss you forever.
4/27/2010
Maggie and Grandma circa 1975
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Dump Truck
Projects at our house seem to go like this:
Hey, our rock bed is getting all weedy.
Yeah, I've been pulling weeds from it every chance I get.
We should do something about that.
We could spray.
Or we could put down new weed barrier.
That sounds like a lot of work.
Yeah, but we should do the project the right way so we don't have to do it again.
Have you pulled rocks from a rock bed before?
We could do it in a weekend.
...
...
trip to hardware store is made, project gets underway
...
...
Wow, digging up old rocks is hard work.
Maybe we should just replace all this rock.
Yeah, we never liked this rock anyway.
What should we do with all the old rock?
How much does new rock cost?
How much new rock do we need?
How late is Pioneer Sand (and rock) open?
Let's take a break and go pick out some new rock.
Do you think they can deliver this weekend?
So before we know it, our weedy rock bed turns into a massive dig it up, fix the lumpy bumpy muddy mound, re-sculpt it without changing the drainage, haul all the old rock to the other side of the house where the existing rock bed is nearly naked, lay weed cloth, dig out all the grass from the neighbor that has encroached into the rock bed (1' in some places), lay new edging, dig out around the sidewalk and driveway for edging there, and then clean up. There were a couple times we thought, yikes! However, one weekend of massive labor should make for a much easier summer, that bed was a mess of weeds already and it hasn't even rained yet!
Hey, our rock bed is getting all weedy.
Yeah, I've been pulling weeds from it every chance I get.
We should do something about that.
We could spray.
Or we could put down new weed barrier.
That sounds like a lot of work.
Yeah, but we should do the project the right way so we don't have to do it again.
Have you pulled rocks from a rock bed before?
We could do it in a weekend.
...
...
trip to hardware store is made, project gets underway
...
...
Wow, digging up old rocks is hard work.
Maybe we should just replace all this rock.
Yeah, we never liked this rock anyway.
What should we do with all the old rock?
How much does new rock cost?
How much new rock do we need?
How late is Pioneer Sand (and rock) open?
Let's take a break and go pick out some new rock.
Do you think they can deliver this weekend?
So before we know it, our weedy rock bed turns into a massive dig it up, fix the lumpy bumpy muddy mound, re-sculpt it without changing the drainage, haul all the old rock to the other side of the house where the existing rock bed is nearly naked, lay weed cloth, dig out all the grass from the neighbor that has encroached into the rock bed (1' in some places), lay new edging, dig out around the sidewalk and driveway for edging there, and then clean up. There were a couple times we thought, yikes! However, one weekend of massive labor should make for a much easier summer, that bed was a mess of weeds already and it hasn't even rained yet!
Starting the dig. We're only doing up to the house, between our house and Stan's house is another project.
My rock pile is the one on the sidewalk. Travis' is the one on the driveway. F is helping by riding his new red bike (courtesy of our REI dividend - we even made it to REI early Saturday morning).
After HOURS of work we didn't seem to be making much progress. Tides turned shortly after this and things got moving. Travis is standing on the grass that encroached into the rock bed from the neighbor. Our lot line is actually behind him. We had to get a pick out to dig up the rocky grass it was so tough.
Getting the little red bike turned out to be awesome, it kept F super busy all weekend. It's a balance bike, one without pedals. That's our new car there on the street, too.
Sunday morning, after lots of hard work on Saturday, we were all famished. Strawberry pancake breakfast! F had amazing bedhead which merited documentation. He really really needs a haircut.
We did a lot more work on Sunday, so much I didn't take pictures!
Monday morning, bright and early, the dump truck came with our new rock. We're replacing our ugly builder grade rock with some gray cobble. Here's the new prepped bed.
And the dump truck! We had a lovely lady dump truck driver. She looked like she could run a marathon, not what you would normally expect for a dump truck driver. And, like all good dump truck drivers, she waved and waved at F when she was done. 
The grand finale for our Monday morning was the garbage truck which followed right after our dump truck. I'm not sure what we'll do for the rest of the day, I don't really know how to top a dump truck AND a garbage truck all in one morning!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Quality Stuff
After two weeks of pretty much all Mommy and F time (with some great KS relatives thrown in) Daddy's back! He came back to Denver the Saturday and Sunday we were in KS so we missed it, we caught him for a few hours the night we returned, then he was off again on another work trip. *sigh* you think he'd be rich and famous by now with all the jaunting off hither and yon.
Upon his return we promptly packed up the car again and headed off to Silverton. Hmmm...say you well educated readers, mid April's a MUDDY time in the mountains. WHY in the world would you choose to go away for a long weekend this time of year?! Ah, my friends, mud is exactly why. Mud makes it not-much-fun to do other stuff. Mud will encourage you to stay indoors and do things like sort through decades of stuff your Mom has asked you to remove from her home now that you have room to store it in your home. And that's exactly what Travis did this weekend.
For nearly as long as I've known him, every time we've gone to Silverton Travis has been assigned some clean out duty. He did not relish this task, especially as it interfered with our fun plans. However, this weekend excursion was planned only for work and he was nearly bouncy. No joke, I even took a picture to prove it.
Look at all the quality stuff he's getting rid of! While I have no idea what it is he'll happily tell you the history and origin of each piece.
The mucking out is 99.5% done, I guess even a long weekend isn't quite long enough to go through a lifetime of stuff. Boy, am I proud of Travis, though. A moderate sized car load came back with us, a fair amount of which are LEGOS and a few tools to help with our upcoming home improvement projects. And the best part, from now on every trip to Silverton will be all about play!
Upon his return we promptly packed up the car again and headed off to Silverton. Hmmm...say you well educated readers, mid April's a MUDDY time in the mountains. WHY in the world would you choose to go away for a long weekend this time of year?! Ah, my friends, mud is exactly why. Mud makes it not-much-fun to do other stuff. Mud will encourage you to stay indoors and do things like sort through decades of stuff your Mom has asked you to remove from her home now that you have room to store it in your home. And that's exactly what Travis did this weekend.
For nearly as long as I've known him, every time we've gone to Silverton Travis has been assigned some clean out duty. He did not relish this task, especially as it interfered with our fun plans. However, this weekend excursion was planned only for work and he was nearly bouncy. No joke, I even took a picture to prove it.
Look at all the quality stuff he's getting rid of! While I have no idea what it is he'll happily tell you the history and origin of each piece.
The weekend plan for F and I was to stay out of the way and let Travis do his thing. I took along my knitting and a new book. I did something this weekend I haven't done in a really really long time, I read an entire book in one weekend. I'm not talking some fluffy chick lit, a real book, and a hefty one at that. It was awesome. I have not been that lazy in a really long time. Like since at least June 29, 2007....
F had a fantastic time playing with Grammie Pen Pen all weekend. He was pretty excited to see some snow in her yard since FINALLY, for the first time since October, the snow in our yard is gone.
F had a fantastic time playing with Grammie Pen Pen all weekend. He was pretty excited to see some snow in her yard since FINALLY, for the first time since October, the snow in our yard is gone.
The mucking out is 99.5% done, I guess even a long weekend isn't quite long enough to go through a lifetime of stuff. Boy, am I proud of Travis, though. A moderate sized car load came back with us, a fair amount of which are LEGOS and a few tools to help with our upcoming home improvement projects. And the best part, from now on every trip to Silverton will be all about play!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Hopping Along the Bunny Trail...to Kansas
For Easter Travis went on a week long business trip with his UK counterparts to Dallas, Denver (he brought the group back here for a whirlwind tour), Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
FFM and I went to Kansas.
My grandparents live in Ottawa, KS, less than an hour outside of Kansas City. My mom, F and I all piled into the new red car and drove all day on Thursday to spend a long Easter weekend with the Minnick clan.
Friday was nice and mellow, a walk on the Prairie path and lots of visiting and naps for those who needed them. We checked the local paper that day and discovered that in a nearby town there was going to be an Easter Train complete with appearance by the bunny himself, an egg hunt, and treats. When I called to get information I was informed that we needed to arrive no later than 7:45am to secure tickets for the 9:30 train. WOW! This sounded like a pretty good trip to all of us, so Saturday morning, bright and early, my mom stood in line for tickets for the train. There were already people camped out with folding chairs when we got there!
The wait wasn't bad, F and Great Ma (my grandma) went for a walk and checked out the waiting train. Then when 'All Aboard!' was called, we climbed on and wondered what we were in for.
These tracks used to run through all the college towns in that part of the state, so the students could get around. From KU to Emporia, picking up Ottawa University and Baldwin State along the way. Those schools are still all there, but the train tracks only go part of the way.
The train stopped at a small park where the 'hunt' was. Flocks of children chomped at the bit to run into the two fields where train volunteers had liberally tossed eggs. They were EVERYWHERE. Luckily kids were divided by ages, so we were part of the 'littlies.' Still, once the hunt started it was like a swarm of locusts attacking the field!
Here's a funny thing I learned about little kids. There would be a pile of 5-6 plastic eggs in a clump, I suspect someone dropped them handfuls at a time, but the little kids (not the parents illegally helping) would pick up one or two of the eggs and then leave the rest and move on to another pile.
Upon completing the hunt FFM ran right back to Great Ma and Great Pa and promptly shared all his eggs with them. Until Great Pa showed him there was candy inside, then he thought maybe he should have some back. Here he is giving me my egg :)
On the ride back it was our turn to see the Easter bunny. Just like at Christmas, kids were crying, terrified, parents were shoving them up there anyway. The two kids in front of us wouldn't go any further than the step in front of the bunny. F? He sauntered up and climbed right into the bunny's lap, gave him a big bear hug, and a massive smooch. I think it was the highlight of the trip for him (and that includes a train ride, candy, and an egg hunt!)
It was nice and warm in Kansas, spring is a bit earlier there than here in Colorado. We all got a bit drowsy on the way back, and Great Pa had a little nap/snuggle with his sweetie.
Easter morning church was late, so we had time to dye Easter eggs. Thank goodness for the whisk trick I learned about, it made dipping eggs a breeze for an excited 2.5 year old.
My mom has two siblings, Susie and John. Susie has three kids, Sarah, James, and Dan. John has a son Matt. We ALL went to church (three pews!) and lunch afterwards. It was a lot of fun to see aunts, uncles, and cousins again and to get to meet some of their significant others.
F's the only grandchild on this side, so he's by far the youngest in our group, but no fear, he was spoiled rotten with attention. With Great Pa and Dan.
With Sarah and Matt.
Now, Easter morning I'd hidden a few eggs around the house for F to 'hunt' along with his Easter basket, but after lunch the cousins hid some more eggs for him. F still handed out all the eggs he found, even though by this time he's well aware they are filled with treats!
Susie, Dan, James, and Matt helping out with egg hunt #3
FFM and I went to Kansas.
My grandparents live in Ottawa, KS, less than an hour outside of Kansas City. My mom, F and I all piled into the new red car and drove all day on Thursday to spend a long Easter weekend with the Minnick clan.
Friday was nice and mellow, a walk on the Prairie path and lots of visiting and naps for those who needed them. We checked the local paper that day and discovered that in a nearby town there was going to be an Easter Train complete with appearance by the bunny himself, an egg hunt, and treats. When I called to get information I was informed that we needed to arrive no later than 7:45am to secure tickets for the 9:30 train. WOW! This sounded like a pretty good trip to all of us, so Saturday morning, bright and early, my mom stood in line for tickets for the train. There were already people camped out with folding chairs when we got there!
The wait wasn't bad, F and Great Ma (my grandma) went for a walk and checked out the waiting train. Then when 'All Aboard!' was called, we climbed on and wondered what we were in for.
These tracks used to run through all the college towns in that part of the state, so the students could get around. From KU to Emporia, picking up Ottawa University and Baldwin State along the way. Those schools are still all there, but the train tracks only go part of the way.The train stopped at a small park where the 'hunt' was. Flocks of children chomped at the bit to run into the two fields where train volunteers had liberally tossed eggs. They were EVERYWHERE. Luckily kids were divided by ages, so we were part of the 'littlies.' Still, once the hunt started it was like a swarm of locusts attacking the field!
Here's a funny thing I learned about little kids. There would be a pile of 5-6 plastic eggs in a clump, I suspect someone dropped them handfuls at a time, but the little kids (not the parents illegally helping) would pick up one or two of the eggs and then leave the rest and move on to another pile.
Upon completing the hunt FFM ran right back to Great Ma and Great Pa and promptly shared all his eggs with them. Until Great Pa showed him there was candy inside, then he thought maybe he should have some back. Here he is giving me my egg :)
On the ride back it was our turn to see the Easter bunny. Just like at Christmas, kids were crying, terrified, parents were shoving them up there anyway. The two kids in front of us wouldn't go any further than the step in front of the bunny. F? He sauntered up and climbed right into the bunny's lap, gave him a big bear hug, and a massive smooch. I think it was the highlight of the trip for him (and that includes a train ride, candy, and an egg hunt!)
It was nice and warm in Kansas, spring is a bit earlier there than here in Colorado. We all got a bit drowsy on the way back, and Great Pa had a little nap/snuggle with his sweetie.
Easter morning church was late, so we had time to dye Easter eggs. Thank goodness for the whisk trick I learned about, it made dipping eggs a breeze for an excited 2.5 year old.
My mom has two siblings, Susie and John. Susie has three kids, Sarah, James, and Dan. John has a son Matt. We ALL went to church (three pews!) and lunch afterwards. It was a lot of fun to see aunts, uncles, and cousins again and to get to meet some of their significant others.
F's the only grandchild on this side, so he's by far the youngest in our group, but no fear, he was spoiled rotten with attention. With Great Pa and Dan.
With Sarah and Matt.
Now, Easter morning I'd hidden a few eggs around the house for F to 'hunt' along with his Easter basket, but after lunch the cousins hid some more eggs for him. F still handed out all the eggs he found, even though by this time he's well aware they are filled with treats!
Susie, Dan, James, and Matt helping out with egg hunt #3It was a great trip, and while not very long we are still so pooped that it's been early bedtimes for all of us this week. Travis left again as soon as we got back, so we've seen him for just a couple of hours the whole last two weeks. He'll be home tonight, whoo hoo!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
SKI
Guess what we finally did this weekend.
We haven't gone up to the mountains much this winter, without having a car of our own we were waiting until the new vehicle was delivered to make the trip up.
A few weeks ago we had a borrowed car suitable for mountain driving so went up to the house. As we drove through Vail FFM pointed out his window at the skiers and boarders shoosing down the slopes and said, "Mommy, I do that please." Vail had just gotten at least a foot of snow and while we'd thought about we had decided that for his first day ever perhaps a deep powder day wouldn't actually be the best idea.
This weekend, however, was prime. Good snow, nice and warm, everyone happy and cheerful (no molars coming in). Tiny one buckle boots and itty bitty skis here we come!
So Saturday was F's attack on Beaver Creek. At first he was distracted by all the hullaballoo at the base, but pretty quickly he figured out what the whole skiing thing was all about.
This is a face of Utter Glee.
Here he is at the end of his day trying to carry his skis like everyone else. It didn't last very long, but he did give it a good go.
Travis was having such a good time, the low point for him was probably this picture that a passerby kindly took. His comment: "They didn't get F's skis in the picture!" And here I am thinking it's nice to get all of us in one picture together :)
Here's a live shot, the light's terrible but the laughing, hollering, and giggling are great. As you'll see at the end, he clearly has not mastered stopping yet :)
We haven't gone up to the mountains much this winter, without having a car of our own we were waiting until the new vehicle was delivered to make the trip up.A few weeks ago we had a borrowed car suitable for mountain driving so went up to the house. As we drove through Vail FFM pointed out his window at the skiers and boarders shoosing down the slopes and said, "Mommy, I do that please." Vail had just gotten at least a foot of snow and while we'd thought about we had decided that for his first day ever perhaps a deep powder day wouldn't actually be the best idea.
This weekend, however, was prime. Good snow, nice and warm, everyone happy and cheerful (no molars coming in). Tiny one buckle boots and itty bitty skis here we come!
So Saturday was F's attack on Beaver Creek. At first he was distracted by all the hullaballoo at the base, but pretty quickly he figured out what the whole skiing thing was all about.
This is a face of Utter Glee.
Here he is at the end of his day trying to carry his skis like everyone else. It didn't last very long, but he did give it a good go.
Travis was having such a good time, the low point for him was probably this picture that a passerby kindly took. His comment: "They didn't get F's skis in the picture!" And here I am thinking it's nice to get all of us in one picture together :)
Here's a live shot, the light's terrible but the laughing, hollering, and giggling are great. As you'll see at the end, he clearly has not mastered stopping yet :)
