Muddy Mountain X 2

We went to Muddy Mountain this week... twice!  In the eleven years we've lived in this area I think we've been to Muddy Mountain only a couple of times.  However, we've had friends tell us how beautiful the wildflowers are right now so Saturday Mike and I decided to go take a look.  We were NOT disappointed!

We took some short trails and just wandered around a bit.

The views are spectacular!

Isn't Wyoming pretty?

Bode had a good time.

The flowers were so impressive, thanks to all the rain we've had.

Crazy beautiful wildflowers.

 ...and more wildflowers.

Just look at this scene!

I know that many people in this world never get to see so 

much space, wide and open. I love it!

Anyway, it was so breathtaking, we decided to invite the 

rest of our local family up there for a Father's Day Picnic.

 It was a great day!

Sam came along.

We were just missing Ben and Sara, as well as our adopted family member, Laura.

Is your heart just melting?

One of my happiest things is knowing our little granddaughters

have a great Daddy. That means so much to our peace of mind!

Doesn't it look like Elise is floating?

I took lots of photos of the little girls.

Big surprise, huh? 

I will post some more soon.

Two Dads

Godfather...

Seriously, Sam can be acting absolutely geeky but he has this incredible

skill for snapping into serene composure for all photos.

And one last photo.

It's a good one and I am particularly proud of it.

I think Eric will be proud of it as well.

Conversations With the Girls

I love spending time with my granddaughters. They are really interesting people!  I love their little conversations. Let me share a few from this week.

Just yesterday Elise told me that she came from her Mom's tummy and that Delia came from their Daddy's tummy. When I told her that Daddies don't get to have babies in them, she was shocked and exclaimed, "Then who's tummy did Delia come from?"  

We were having lunch at our hospital cafeteria when this conversation occurred. Shortly after that, while waiting for the elevator, we saw the doctor who delivered both the girls. We chatted with him a bit and I said, " He is the doctor who helped you be born." Cordelia looked serious, trying to figure that out. He smiled and said, "You probably don't remember me." Funny guy. 

Last week-end I took the girls to "walk over cars" again. Don't worry, no cars or granddaughters were harmed. We don't walk ON them, just over them via the walk over dealy.  I will show you in a minute.

Anyway, on the way there, Elise said, " Grandma, why do you love us so much?" 

Isn't that an interesting question from a two-and-three-quarter year old? I responded that I would love them no matter what because they were my grandchildren but told her it was easy because they were both so kind and smart and beautiful and sweet. She added her favorite quality, " And funny! "

Elise has always referred to Cordelia and Delia. It is sweet. Yesterday, though, I overheard Cordelia telling her it was probably time for her to start calling her Cordelia. Elise just matter of factly accepted this and said, "OK."

OK. Here are this year's photos of the girls walking over cars. It is always windy up there, which adds to the fun.

After all the dancing and twirling, they got to play at the playground on the other side.

Art Show!

Maria's Art opening...  "Almost Home"

Grandma Heaven

Friday night was a big event at our house. I had both granddaughters over for the night.

I went right from work to pick them up. I wanted to make it exciting enough that Elise didn't have time for second thoughts as this was her first time to spend the night here.

So, we started off with a trip to Taco Bell. 

I found it a challenge to get a good photo of them there.  Oh well. They were very entertaining dinner companions.

Cordelia had a special request. She wanted us to visit a particular park because she and I had stopped there one time when she spent the night with me.  Kids do that. They like to recreate special adventures. So, off we went! 

When we got there we discovered a large part of the play area was now a pond. Of course, I told the girls to stay out of the water. Of course, both went right for it! 

Still, there was lots of playing.

Which means lots of Grandma photo opportunities! 

After a walk/run, we went home to see Grandpa, read books and just be silly for awhile. 

We got all jammied up and the girls got into their little sleeping bags. They were pretty  excited... For about two minutes. Then Elise announced she wanted to sleep on the bed with me. That wasn't a big surprise, but then Cordy wanted on the bed as well. She was conflicted, actually. She wanted to sleep in her sleeping bag, but she didn't want Elise to get all the Grandma snuggles. 

We all got on the floor for a bit, the girls in their bags and me in between. I guess I was hoping they would fall asleep quickly, silly me, but my back started complaining first. 

So, we all got up on the bed, which was too small for three.  Grandpa came in to sing a good-night song! 

Cordy agreed to snuggle until Elise fell asleep, which didn't take long, then she crawled down to her sleeping bag. This all worked well.

It was 5:15 when Elise's little hand grabbed my face, turned  it toward herself, and said, "I wuv you, Gwandma."  Is that not awesome way to start a day?....a very early day? 

Cordelia slept on for another hour...

But Elise was ready to party! 

Once Cordelia got up, we made and enjoyed some pancakes.  Cordy learned she loves strawberry syrup, just like Grandpa.

At some point, Mike asked me if I was in Grandma Heaven.  Yes! Grandma Heaven... So much fun!