Pumpkin Patch

Casey is very busy all the time. She is saying "Bess you" and "Excuse me" now and she is repeating us constantly. We think it's funny how she'll say in a kind of whiney voice, "Bankey" (blankey), "nak" (snack, while pointing at her mouth), or "milk" (which is really any drink). She also says "nigh nigh" and on Saturday actually asked to go nigh nigh.

She loves to play with anything and everything. She really likes pushing her cars back and forth with us. She has become very interested in her blocks and also finally figured out how to do one of her puzzles. She has a great arm and can through the football pretty good. She knows how to catch too. She holds out her arms, and if she is paying attention she'll actually grab it when it lands in her hands. I feel like every day she does something or says something new. It's very fun!

This week, she went to the daycare at the Rec Center on Monday and Tuesday. The daycare staff was amazed at how many words she knows and how she can make sentences. She had a great time at her school on Wednesday. We went out to Burger Night at ACafe with Mark on Wed night and then again on Thursday for BBQ Night at ACafe with Kathy, Sean, Dillon and Connor. Friday we went with Sarah and Rowan to ABasin for a few runs on the "white ribbon of death." (Which means we went snowboarding on the 1 run that is open at Abasin). Casey and Rowan were a huge hit in the lodge. Everyone thought they were twins and could not stop saying how cute they were.

Saturday we walked to the playground. Casey was very brave and climbed up the big kid playground. Before Stan or I could get prepared, she slid down the big slide on her belly (movie below). Such a big girl!! Later that day, Stan braved the ladder and was able to use a long-poled squeegy to clean our very high picturesque windows. It took a long time, but it was well worth it. We suffered through the VT game, then enjoyed the rest of the night eating and playing foosball with some friends.

Sunday we went hiking and had lunch with Sarah and Rowan.

Monday, we drove to Boulder to have lunch and ice cream with Aunt Kel. Afterwards, we went to the Rock Creek Farms Pumpkin Patch. You're supposed to be able to cut them off the vine yourself, however, about 2 weeks ago it was really cold in Denver, so their pumpkins froze. The ones they had already taken off the vine looked to be in good shape, so we bought a few of those. Casey had fun running through the pumpkin patch, playing in the hay maze, climbing on the hay and looking at the animals.

Casey's hair is finally growing and is long enough for pigtails...now Mommy just needs to figure out how to do them correctly.

go hokies! we obviously didn't say it loud enough.

checking out the view while hiking

aunt kel helping casey balance

this pumpkin patch is SO fun

trick or treat

Time to Snowboard

Loveland and Abasin are open!

Last week was a bit rough. Casey and I were both sick all week. Aunt Kel was sick too. Fortunately, we are all feeling much better this week!

Wed, we had an "episode" at daycare. When I was handing Casey over to her teacher, she started crying so hard, a silent cry where she doesn't take a breath, so she passed out for a second. She came to right away, but it's so scary. She has done this a couple times before and it is something that some pre-toddler/toddlers do occasionally. I can usually stop the episode by blowing in her face while she's crying and it brings her back to reality. Unfortunately, I was in the midst of handing her over and neither of us could blow in her face quick enough. After the episode, she did end up going over to the teacher, still crying a little, but she stopped immediately after I left the room. Hoping that doesn't happen again this week!

Friday we drove down to Denver to run errands and pick up Stan from the airport. We stayed the night at Kirsi and Konlee's house in the city. Amy, Kristi, Ken and Isaac came over to visit.

Saturday we woke to snow and very chilly weather in Denver. We watched the first half of the VT/BC game at a downtown bar, Jacksons, with the Denver Hokie Alumni Club. The second half we watched at Mark and Amy's house while the kids napped. We actually had to wake Casey up from her nap so we could make it to the Circus in time. Casey enjoyed the Ringling Bros Circus at Denver Coliseum. It was 2 hours long with an intermission, but for the most part, Casey paid attention to the "greatest show on earth!" After the Circus we went back to Mark and Amy's to celebrate Amy's birthday with Ribs for dinner. We headed back up the mountain after dinner.

Sunday Stan and I went snowboarding at Abasin in the afternoon. Luck had it that our friend Tiff was in town and she met us at Abasin and watched Casey for an hour while we rode. Stan went again this morning. Snowboard season has officially begun!!

Enjoy pix.

sick baby

Mom and Casey watching the VT/BC game!

elephants

Casey wanted to sit in Kristi's lap the whole circus

Snowboarding at Abasin

Family photo at Abasin

Pushing Cars

We got home last Wednesday morning. Unpacked the car and the house, went grocery shopping, then crashed! Thursday we had lunch with Sarah and Rowan, then went to play with Dillon and Connor and Kathy and Sean (our neighbors).

Thursday night was the first of many activities last weekend. Our good friends Mark and Amy got married. Thursday night was the rehearsal dinner. At first Casey was extremely shy. She didn't want me to put her down, and when I finally did, she hid between my legs. A good hour later, our friend Kate found a glow stick and Casey's personality finally came out for everyone to see. The rest of the night she was glow stick sword fighting with Mark's nephew's who were age 4 and 8. She's a fiesty one. She also enjoyed sitting on the bottom step of the staircase and telling everyone to sit down next to her by patting the seat next to her and looking at that person.

Friday, everyone came into town. We had a full house! Aunt Kel came up to babysit, not only Casey, but 3 other kids (Kailen,age 2.5, Isaac, 16 mo and Graham, 8 mo). Luckily she had the help of our friend Stacia's girls (14 and 12). The wedding was Friday night in Breckenridge. The reception was western style. Though it was outside and it was below 40 degrees, everyone had a great time. A tent was set up and there was a heater inside. Good times!!

Saturday we headed over to the house where the bride and groom and their families were staying in Breckenridge. It is used for executive retreats. It sleeps 50, has a basketball/raquetball court, pool room, enclosed patio and a climbing wall built on the back of the house...using actual stones used for homes. The rope harness was built into the roof. Very cool. I made it to the top and rang the bell, even though I was shaking like crazy from my fear of heights.

Sunday we had dinner with our neighbors Kathy and Sean and their kids Dillon and Connor.

It's been snowing off and on since we returned. Nothing has stuck, still too warm during the day, but the mountains should be getting a good base. Loveland Ski Resort opened today and Abasin opens Friday. Hoping to hit the slopes on Sunday!!

cheesing it up, while using my ipod as a phone

our picnic lunch at mcdonalds

playing with kaelin and isaac

Family photo

A Little Damp

Casey, Frisco and I are in a hotel room in Belleville, IL tonight, on our way home to Dillon. We should get back on Wed afternoon. So far Casey has been a great road tripper. She watched a lot of videos today, took 2 naps, read some books, had some snacks and played with toys. After an hour of running around the hotel room, take lap after lap, crawling all over me, walking around with my ipod, holding it up to her ear and my ear saying, "hebo," she just walked over to her crib saying, "nighnigh," pulled her blankey out, crawled up on the couch, laid down and stuck her thumb in her mouth. I just put her to bed.

Last week we kept busy again. Monday we went to a park and then had lunch with Kris and her 3 out of 4 kids. Tuesday, Casey had a sleep over at Gramma Gail and Grampa Tom's while we went to open mic night at Tiffany Tavern in Old Town. Stan and Matt played (the SM of SML). Wednesday, we played with Gramma Gail and Grampa Tom all day. Casey swam in the pool, played with the bikes/car/wagon, basically did not sit still except at naptime. I went out to dinner with Dyani and Stacey while Stan and Casey stayed home. Friday we went to Aunt Marcy's for one last play day. The whole fam (except Kel) made it for lunch at Panera. After lunch we headed to Blacksburg.

We dropped Casey off in Roanoke with Gramma Lois for the weekend. She had a great time entertaining Gramma, Aunt Linda and Aunt Donnie all day Saturday. Stan and I went down to Blacksburg Friday for the VT/Miami game Sat. It poured down rain all day, needless to say, we were very damp all day, but the game was exciting and we ended up winning, so it was worth the wet.

On the developmental front, Casey is saying all kinds of words now...she said computer tonight (after I said it of course). She is great at pointing at her body parts, saying animal noises and counting to 3 (of course she leaves out #1).

Not many pix this week, will try and do better next week.

Lily buckeling Casey in the doll stroller

Grampa Tom in charge

A little damp at the game

laying with her new baby

Baseball, Beach, Football

We've been in Virginia all month and we keep very busy when we come to visit.

We went to the VT vs Marshall game in Blacksburg 2 Saturdays ago, then headed back up to DC for cousin Lily's 5 year old birthday party. Casey had so much fun at the "Luau," playing with all of Lily's toys and friends. She loved the moonbounce (maybe not as much as Jack, but close). It took her a little while to figure out how to stand up in it, but she finally did and thought it was hysterical when she would fall and bounce.

That following Tuesday, our friend Ken treated us to a Nationals game. This was Tracy's first time at the new stadium. Casey was pretty good. She wouldn't sit still, but she was very cheery the whole game.

We went shopping with Gramma Gail and found her Halloween costume...very fun...you'll have to wait until October to see what she will be.

Casey has gotten to play with lots of different kids while in town. She has gotten to play with Jessica's kids, Hunter (5) and Jacob (3); Stacey's kids John Patrick (3) and Cate (1.5); Dyani's boy, Harper (7 mos); Dayna's boy, Owen (9 mos); Kris's kids Ellie & Erin (3) and Evan (7 mos); and Sweet's and MaryAnn's girl Ellie (2.5). She has had so much fun with everyone elses toys and is slowly learning to share.

This past Wed, we met our friends Ken and Stacy and their son, Isaac (1.5 months younger than Casey) in the Outer Banks. We beached it Thursday and Friday morning (the No Swimming signs were out, but Casey enjoyed the big "sandbox").

Friday afternoon we drove to Gramma Lois' house in Roanoke. Saturday was spent cheering on the Hokies. What an exciting end to the game, especially because we beat Nebraska. Go Hokies!! Casey got to tailgate for a few hours. She was spoiled with junk food, potato chips and doughnuts (thanks Jeff). She had fun!

Casey has been learning so much these past couple of weeks. She is saying all kinds of words now. When she hears a plane go by, she'll stop, look up and say, "plane." She tried jumping this past weekend. She bends her knees and tries to spring up, but never leaves the ground. It's pretty funny. She loves when we do "This little piggy..." with her and after we do it, she does it to herself and then cracks up. She is definitely testing us lately. She has started to deliberatly throw things off her high chair while looking right at us. She'll start to fake whine with her eyes shut and then try and open one eye to peek and see if we are looking at her...if we are, then she'll continue the whining.

We have 1 more week in VA before heading back home. Enjoy the pix.

Jack, Lil and Casey after Lily' 5 year old birthday party!!

Vaccuming Aunt Marcy's basement

Fam at the Nationals vs Phillies game

Playing with Hunter and Jacob's train

Playing with Isaac at the beach...Frisco getting her lick on...

Casey dressed for the sun and sand

Mom, Casey, Dad and Frisco in the Outer Banks

Casey and Dad at the VT tailgate

Labor Day Lake and Game Day

We are in VA for the month of Sept. Tracy, Casey and Frisco took 3 days to drive from CO to Gramma Gail and Grampa Tom's lakehouse at Lake Gaston. We spent a cool day at the lake on Thursday, then Tracy left Casey with Grams and Gramps for Labor Day weekend. She got to play with her Aunts and Uncle and cousins and Grandparents all weekend. She is very busy, so she and Gramma Gail and Grampa Tom were pretty exhausted when we saw them again on Monday:)

Friday, we flew to Atlanta for the weekend for the VT vs Alabama game. Tough loss, but we had a great time.

Sunday, we flew back to VA, then headed straight to our friend Glenn's bday party. SML (Stan's band) played.

Monday was spent at Gramma Gail and Grampa Tom's house, visiting with Aunt Kel (in from Boulder), Aunt Marcy, Uncle Stuart, cousins Lily and Jack, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Carlton, cousin Valerie and Liam (2). Casey had a great time playing with everyone and has learned a bunch of new words and facial expressions. Her new word is, "No." She has also come to the conclusion that any and every toy, should be hers, especially if someone else is playing with it first. She has also gotten very good at screeching and whining.

Thanks Gramma and Grampa for watching Casey and Frisco!
Happy birthday to cousin Lily this Thursday, Sept 10th!!! She'll be 5!

swinging in the plane swing at the lake

having fun

pontooning with gramma gail and grampa tom

hanging with aunt kel

the dogs pontooning

getting ready to climb into the sandbox

at the game with ken and kristi...our seats were 4 rows up on the 20

pre-game...we're happy

casey and jack in concert

frisco and casey exhausted from the fun weekend

Boulder Baby

We were in Boulder with Aunt Kelly this week and she kept us busy!!

Tuesday was a chill day. We walked Frisco up to Boulder Creek so she could cool off, then had to scurry home because clouds were rolling in. We made it before the rain came! We spent the rest of the day at Kel's place relaxing. Kel's last day of work was Tuesday, so we celebrated by going to Boulder Cork Steakhouse. It was a VERY pricey dinner, but incredibly good, probably the best filet mignon I've ever had and Kel had the biggest, meatiest crab legs ever.

Wednesday we drove up to Dillon, so Casey could go to Daycare and I could get some errands done. I even got in a little hike with Frisco before picking Casey up and heading back to Boulder. We met up with Kel and headed to the Farmer's Market. We ate dumplings and pizza with Kel's friends Drea, Lindsey and Antonio, while Casey walked all over the farmer's market.

Thursday we went to the Denver Zoo. Casey had a blast seeing all the animals. The Hippo put on a show for us. We were right up against the fence. The Hippo walked from the back corner where he was scratching himself and dove into the pond, which was right next to the fence. He went under, then came up snorting (which scared Casey to death, and me a little too). He, kept opening his mouth. He then went under water and came up on his back, so his belly was face up and his legs were flailing in the air. Pretty funny. The Gorilla was cool too. He sat right in front of us and kept staring at Kelly. He made a snorting noise also. He then crawled over a few steps, layed back with his arms over his head and started passing gas. We had to leave it smelled so bad!! Casey was a big fan of the turtles. They were all swimming right up against the glass and she got so excited, screaming and pointing.

Friday, Casey, Frisco and I went to the playground after breakfast, while Aunt Kel slept in. Casey had fun on the slide and swing. She did not want to get out of the swing. A mom and her 3 year old son were swinging next to us and the mom would count, "1, 2, 3, powerpush!" After the first time, the woman would say, "1" and Casey would continue to count with her, "2, free!" The mom finally asked me if Casey was counting and how old she was. She was very impressed!! After the playground Kelly, Casey and I went to Kel's friend's pool. It was very chilly, but Casey had fun playing on the steps and then chilling with Aunt Kel in her lounge chair. After lunch at Snarfs, we headed home to chill, then some sushi on Pearl St, then I went to pick up Stan.

Saturday we all walked to Pearl St to pick up bagels and coffee, then to Boulder Creek to eat and watch Frisco go crazy in the creek. Afterwards, Kel and I went swimming at her campus pool, while Casey napped and Stan and Frisco chilled. After lunch, we left Kel in Boulder and headed back up to Dillon.

Sunday we biked to Keystone for the Blues and Art Festival. Casey seems to enjoy riding in the bike chariot. She had fun dancing to the blues band. Monday, we dropped Casey off at the Rec Center daycare so we could get a few games of raquetball in. Stan beat me all 3 games. So sad. We signed Casey up for swim lessons and tumbling this November.

Casey has gotten very fiesty lately. She has thrown some tantrums, which land her in her crib to "chill out." Every so often she'll get frustrated doing something, like trying to put her shoe on or playing with a toy, and she gets so frustrated she'll just throw whatever it is. She still goes for our cell phones and remote controls, even though she totally knows she is NOT supposed to touch...so she'll grab them and then run, and then when we get close to her she'll throw it. Though this toddler phase can be very frustrating, it's also fun. She is saying so many words now...copying us, saying, "Thank You," roaring when we say, "What does a lion say?," and doing the movements for the song, "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." She also helps clean up her toys when asked.

Enjoy the pix.

Casey watching Frisco swim in Boulder Creek

Casey and Frisco watching "Surf's Up"

Mom and Casey checking out the Black Bears

playing on the computer with Aunt Kel

lounging at the pool

friends

It was a fun week.

Casey went to daycare on Wednesday and though she is still a little cranky and tentative, especially in the morning, she still had fun. Thursday we went swimming with Sarah and Rowan at the Rec Center. Casey and Rowan had so much fun walking all around the baby pool. Casey even went down the whale slide on her belly a couple times (with mom's help). They would fall and go under water and then come back up and start playing again.

Thursday night we went to the Dillon Ampitheater for Nature Night with Sean, Kathy and their 2 sons, Dillon (2) and Connor (9 mos). Afterwards, we hit up ACafe for BBQ night...yum!

Friday, Kathy, Dillon and Connor came over to play with Casey, so I could get a few things done around the house. We then headed back over to the Ampitheater for a concert. The kids had a blast dancing. Casey got her first big scrape on her chin from dancing too close to the cement step. She was a tough girl though and only cried a little.

Saturday we headed to Keystone for lunch and then Casey played on the playground, going down the slide, swinging, and staring at all the other kids on the playground. Sunday we met up with Butch and Ward Sevila in Breckenridge for lunch. They were in from VA enjoying a motorcycle ride through Colorado for the weekend.

Monday, we hung out with Steve and Stacia for the day at their newly renovated home in Denver. Had a good lunch, went to the playground while Steve and Stan played Maddon XBox, then we all played Guitar Hero (Casey was backup dancer). We rocked!!

Fun week!
Casey found her fingernails this week. She finds them fasinating...staring and picking at them, then grabs my hand and looks at mine.

We're at Aunt Kel's house this week!

Casey and Dillon playing cars.

Rowan and Casey after swimming and eating burgers.

she wore this hat all week. loved putting it on and walking around the house.

"cheese"

good book

What a weekend! Friday, Tracy and Casey went on a bike ride to Frisco with Tiff and Patrick. We then headed over to the Summit BBQ to meet up with Steve, Stacia, Eden and Olivia. Casey had a blast walking all over the BBQ, being VERY independent. When any of us tried to grab her hand, she would fold them across her head and walk faster away. She also liked carrying her purse around. She had to hold her arm up so it would stay on. Very funny. We then went back to the house and Eden and Olivia (8th & 6th graders) played with Casey until she went to bed. We then played foosball over and over...fun times.

Saturday, Tracy ran a 1/2 marathon from Georgetown to Idaho Springs. It was a great downhill route. We started at 8500 ft and ended at 7500. After training at 9000 ft you would think the run would be easy...it was okay. I would do it again, but my quads were definitely sore!! Saturday afternoon we went to the Summit BBQ, located right down the street from our house. We chowed down on BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, brisket and frozen cheesecake on a stick...mmmmmmm.

Our friends Eric and Rachel got married Sunday morning in Silverthorne. Geoff, Sarah, Kaelin and Graham and Ken, Stacy and Isaac and Phillip and Emily all came into town to attend and of course, visit with Casey. She had so much fun playing with everyone.

Mark, Tracy and Amy after the run

walking around at the wedding

looking at a rock and flower on the sidewalk

cheering on the band

dancing with kaelin

hiding out under the stairs