The Zoo is so much FUN!!!

The choo-choo and the carousel were definite hits with Miss Bug at the zoo. She was a big girl and didn't need anyone to ride with her, but it's too easy to snuggle and give her kisses.

Molly was so amazed at all the animals, moving around, and being able to see them "up-close."She was able to practice all her signs that she knows, and named them all- she's not sure about the hippos or rhinos though! And of course zebras are just decorated horses!

RAFTING!!!!!

Molly at the helm, on the look out for "weeeeeeeees!"

Quite the little oars-woman already! Learning the ropes from her papa!

Always time for snugs and lovin's from her Nana

Molly's first raft trip!

First there is some great time playing in the sand, then it is time to clean off, and relax in the warm waters of the Colorado river. She was SO brave floating on her back...as calm as could be. What an adventurous little girl!

Afternoons at St. Mary's

Papa always has to have the camera on hand! It is amazing how cute this little bug can be just doing nothing!

Just some great porch time with my family!

High Alpine Hiking

Papa took molly on an afternoon walk in our backyard. What a place to grow up and learn about the world! Molly has learned how to be gentle with the flowers, touching them, and then smelling them. It has been a great summer!

my first raft trip!!

what a difference a year makes.  

the first picture was taken 4-9-07.  the second, 5-13-08.  where did that time go?  

someone needs to let mother nature know that it's may in colorado.  rivers should be running and hummingbirds should be coming out.  instead, snow is flying and the few birds that are out are still trying to fatten up!  

may 13th, and we got about 8 inches of new snow overnight and throughout the day- JUST as we thought that we were finally seeing some major progress in the melt around our house.  grrrrrr....

molly was used as the official snow depth measuring device this afternoon- looks like the snow on top of our picnic table is elbow deep when she's sitting down!  

peek-a-boo

peek - a - boo has become a new favorite game.  

it starts with a simple question from mom or dad, saying, " hmmmm...where did that molly go? i just can't seem to find her anywhere!  and the hands cover the eyes.

then, sometimes a bit of extra prodding is required..." i STILL can't seem to find where she went!"

until finally, she whips her hands away and gets a big, "I SEE YOU..."  

...which brings lots and lots of absolutely heart-warming giggles!  

 

old pals

it has been a while again since i've posted- here are some photos i took a couple weeks ago but never got to the blog.  molly and two of her favorite creatures from our four-legged kingdom, basking in the sunday afternoon sunshine.  

 

hawaii- march 22nd

march 22nd day 1 we are finally here! after being told over thanksgiving that kristin's mom would be taking us all to the big island of hawai'i (which, in the native language means "sanctuary from snowdrifts and cold winds), our daily countdown has finally come to its' conclusion! kristin, molly and i met janet and lisa at the airport in denver mid-morning on saturday morning for our direct flight to kona, hi. as a result of some wise booking strategy by janet and a fairly empty plane, kristin and i had the luxury of a seat between us for molly- which made our lives- and the lives of everyone around us, most likely- far more enjoyable for the flight over. truth be told, molly was a trooper- she read, colored with crayons she's just starting to enjoy playing with, took a good nap, and was- for the most part- one heck of a traveler. we arrived in kona at about 7:30 pm on "our watches" but due to the time change, it was only 3:30 island time. kristin couldnt get over her joy for the warmth, the humidity, the fresh flowers in bloom everywhere, etc. and literally melted in tom's front yard, which seemed to concern her daughter just a bit. after a while, though, she caught on and also enjoyed exploring this new thing she wasn't quite sure of that we refer to as "grass." grandma spent some time introducing molly to the yard, and all the incredible flowers, the lawn, etc. after a while, we all showered the flight off, and got ready for a bbq at a ranch which is managed by one of thomas's (our gracious host and "tour guide" for the week) close friends. immediately, we were exposed to the different climatic zones on the island- having left thomas's house at about 80 degrees, and bbqing about 5 or 6 thousand feet higher at 45 or 50 degrees- which only felt "cold" to the locals. the ranch was beautiful, and we look forward to coming back in a few days and spending some time exploring the area on horses.