Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Running Christmas
John and Mary invited Cally and I out to Mt. Hood, Oregon for a fun ski trip and early Christmas with family. We flew out from Denver to Portland and met up with the rest of the Running clan there. The following day we headed up to Mt. Hood where a wonderful cabin was awaiting us. The cabin was the perfect accommodations for our big group and the location was ideal, just a walk to the slopes, into town, and up the mountain for some sledding.
The first day we spent some time outside sledding down the hill which was actually the road that brought us right up to our cabin. It was a quiet little neighborhood and that road was the perfect sledding spot. Cally was only 6 months old last time she was in any snow so this experience was new to her once more. She enjoyed the snow at first but like most little ones, she could only handle being out there so long. After playing in the snow for a while, we tried sledding a few times and then headed back in to warm up. The kids were too anxious to wait any longer to open presents so after a debate and presentation put on by the kids rationalizing their need to open at least one present, we voted, and the kids opened one gift. It was fun watching their excitement when they saw what they got.
The following day John, Michelle, Greg, Amaya, Chaz, Mylee, and I headed to the slopes. Mary stayed back at the cabin with Cally and Zuri. It was the perfect day: no wind, in the 30's, sunny, with 5 inches of new snow! Amaya, Chaz, and Mylee needed some practice before going up so Greg and John stayed back with the kids at the bunny slopes while Michelle and I headed to the lifts. We spent all day enjoying the snow and the mountain and had a blast. Chaz and Amaya started to get the hang of it by the end of the day thanks to John and it was great to see them having so much fun. Mylee, being only 3 years old, decided to wait another year to try skiing again so she headed back to the cabin around mid-day which freed up Greg so he could enjoy the snow as well. It was a great day, we all had a blast, and couldn't wait to go back.
The following day was supposed to be day 2 of the slopes but I decided to stay back with Cally instead since she spent all of the previous day in the cabin and I wanted her to experience some more snow and sledding and have some fun outside. Michelle and Greg stayed back as well so only John, Chaz, and Amaya headed out again. They spent all day at the slopes while the rest of us played outside, went sledding, hiked up some snowy trails, and visited while waiting for them. When our wonderful day came to an end, we picked up John and the kids at the slopes and headed back to Portland. Michelle went home with all the kids while Greg drove John, Mary, Cally and I back to the airport. We were lucky enough to catch the last flight out to Denver and so we did. John and Mary headed home from Denver to TN the following day.
Overall it was a wonderful couple of days in Mt. Hood. I really enjoyed being around everyone although it was definitely hard not having Zane with me, it's just not the same without him. Cally got to know her cousins, learned all of their names, and had a great time playing with all of them. Towards the end, she even warmed up to Papa Bear (John) which was nice to see.
John and Mary, thank you so much for the wonderful invite! We had an amazing time and can't wait to do it again next year! I'm so lucky to have you guys as family! We love you!
Zuri
Cally and Papa Bear
Chaz practicing on the board
Michelle, Zuri, and Mylee
Greg and Mylee
Amaya
Beautiful Mylee!
Snow bunny!
Cally and I (Cally was not liking the sled initially)
John and Mary heading down the hill
Chaz and Papa Bear
John and Michelle
Voting
Chaz loving his present Mylee opening her gift
A gift for Papa Bear!
Zuri opening her gift
Nan and Cally
The first day we spent some time outside sledding down the hill which was actually the road that brought us right up to our cabin. It was a quiet little neighborhood and that road was the perfect sledding spot. Cally was only 6 months old last time she was in any snow so this experience was new to her once more. She enjoyed the snow at first but like most little ones, she could only handle being out there so long. After playing in the snow for a while, we tried sledding a few times and then headed back in to warm up. The kids were too anxious to wait any longer to open presents so after a debate and presentation put on by the kids rationalizing their need to open at least one present, we voted, and the kids opened one gift. It was fun watching their excitement when they saw what they got.
The following day John, Michelle, Greg, Amaya, Chaz, Mylee, and I headed to the slopes. Mary stayed back at the cabin with Cally and Zuri. It was the perfect day: no wind, in the 30's, sunny, with 5 inches of new snow! Amaya, Chaz, and Mylee needed some practice before going up so Greg and John stayed back with the kids at the bunny slopes while Michelle and I headed to the lifts. We spent all day enjoying the snow and the mountain and had a blast. Chaz and Amaya started to get the hang of it by the end of the day thanks to John and it was great to see them having so much fun. Mylee, being only 3 years old, decided to wait another year to try skiing again so she headed back to the cabin around mid-day which freed up Greg so he could enjoy the snow as well. It was a great day, we all had a blast, and couldn't wait to go back.
The following day was supposed to be day 2 of the slopes but I decided to stay back with Cally instead since she spent all of the previous day in the cabin and I wanted her to experience some more snow and sledding and have some fun outside. Michelle and Greg stayed back as well so only John, Chaz, and Amaya headed out again. They spent all day at the slopes while the rest of us played outside, went sledding, hiked up some snowy trails, and visited while waiting for them. When our wonderful day came to an end, we picked up John and the kids at the slopes and headed back to Portland. Michelle went home with all the kids while Greg drove John, Mary, Cally and I back to the airport. We were lucky enough to catch the last flight out to Denver and so we did. John and Mary headed home from Denver to TN the following day.
Overall it was a wonderful couple of days in Mt. Hood. I really enjoyed being around everyone although it was definitely hard not having Zane with me, it's just not the same without him. Cally got to know her cousins, learned all of their names, and had a great time playing with all of them. Towards the end, she even warmed up to Papa Bear (John) which was nice to see.
John and Mary, thank you so much for the wonderful invite! We had an amazing time and can't wait to do it again next year! I'm so lucky to have you guys as family! We love you!
Zuri
Voting
"Cheese!"
Friday, December 10, 2010
Satellite Layla
I received this email and pictures from John today and just about freaked out:
Layla's new look is in the picture. She has to wear this collar for 2 weeks. she can not go through their door with it on.
She came home this afternoon with a big cut on her side. Needed lots of stitches. Do not remember how many internal, but there are 8 external. Cut is about 5 inches long. Very ugly.
Have been looking to find out what cut her but hard because she travels so much and covers so much country. We suspect it happened on something like sheet metal or something on Freeman's property. Does not look like the normal barbed wire cut. Probably will never know how it happened.
She went in to the hospital around 1100. Started her on IV for antibiotics and sedation, but had to wait until 1400 to put her under due to not knowing if she had eaten when she got home and before we discovered the casualty. She went into surgery at 1400 and we brought her home around 1700. Had to carry her because she was awake but her legs did not work. She is still groggy. She has to stay inside for next 2 weeks until stitches come out. Also she has to wear the space collar until then.
Through it all she was a very good girl, and everybody else thought so also.
As soon as I finished reading the email, I called Mary right away and she assured me that Layla is okay and recovering well. I hate that I'm not around to be there for Layla but I know she is in good hands. Thank you John and Mary for taking such good care of my Layla girl!
Layla's new look is in the picture. She has to wear this collar for 2 weeks. she can not go through their door with it on.
She came home this afternoon with a big cut on her side. Needed lots of stitches. Do not remember how many internal, but there are 8 external. Cut is about 5 inches long. Very ugly.
Have been looking to find out what cut her but hard because she travels so much and covers so much country. We suspect it happened on something like sheet metal or something on Freeman's property. Does not look like the normal barbed wire cut. Probably will never know how it happened.
She went in to the hospital around 1100. Started her on IV for antibiotics and sedation, but had to wait until 1400 to put her under due to not knowing if she had eaten when she got home and before we discovered the casualty. She went into surgery at 1400 and we brought her home around 1700. Had to carry her because she was awake but her legs did not work. She is still groggy. She has to stay inside for next 2 weeks until stitches come out. Also she has to wear the space collar until then.
Through it all she was a very good girl, and everybody else thought so also.
As soon as I finished reading the email, I called Mary right away and she assured me that Layla is okay and recovering well. I hate that I'm not around to be there for Layla but I know she is in good hands. Thank you John and Mary for taking such good care of my Layla girl!
Monday, December 6, 2010
A month of Fun
Now that Zane is gone, the house just feels too empty without him and with the holidays coming up I decided to head up to CO and stay with family. With my parents and two younger brothers there, I knew that Cally and I would always be entertained and have something to do to help pass the time. I did the same thing last year while Zane was deployed and we had a blast there so I couldn't wait to go back. However, this time around I did things a little bit differently. First, I decided to fly the dogs out to TN instead of driving them all the way out there. So for the first time in their lives, I put them in crates and shipped them out. I was really nervous about their flight and was afraid that they would be terrified and traumatized with the whole experience but they did great! They are now enjoying their freedom in TN and having a blast.
Stafford Layla
The other thing I did differently this year was that I decided that having my own vehicle while in CO was essential, so I drove the 18 hour drive from California. I was a bit nervous about driving so far with Cally by myself so Mary was kind enough to fly out and help me do the drive. A day and a half later, we finally arrived, I dropped Mary off at the airport and Cally and I got settled into our new home.
We have now been here a month already and it's been great. Honestly, time has flown by and I'm so glad. Cally is constantly entertained, always has someone to play with and talk to, and because she is around so many people she has picked up so many new things. Everyone here just loves her so much and she shares a very special relationship with each and every one of them. Her vocabulary has grown immensely since we've been here and everday I discover something new she has learned. Some of her favorite words include:
"mutt" (milk), "pease" (please), up, no, "foot" (fruit), "agua" (water), butt, "teedee" (TV), bubbles, purse, duck, "dog-dog" (dog), teeth (teeth and toothbrush), apple, walk, "but" (jump...not sure how she came up with that one), elmo, baby, yes, "sha" (sure), "and" (hand), fall, knee, eye, nose, "moth" (mouth), toes, "ed" (head), "ut" (hurt), ball, "boo-boo" (book), boy (referring to Stafford), "lala" (Layla), "ug" (hug), "osh-ah" (lotion) and many more.
She also calls everyone by name:
Me-mama, mom, ma
Zane-daddy
Raul- "papa" (grandpa)
My mom- "nona" or "nancy"
Danny- "danny"
Mike- "mite"
Carlos-"cau-os"
And ofcourse herself- "ally" (cally) or "me"
Over the past month we have done many things to keep us busy and entertained. From snowboarding, to children's museums, swimming, shopping, eating out, working out, and much more, life has been busy and fun. It's been great being around family and it's helped out tremendously. Here are a some pictures of our fun outings.
Swimming with grandpa
Out and About
Playing with "baby" and the fish
Waiting on "The Parade of Lights" Show
Thanksgiving
"Cheese!"
Carlos and Mikey
Thanksgiving leftovers, yum!
Stafford Layla
The other thing I did differently this year was that I decided that having my own vehicle while in CO was essential, so I drove the 18 hour drive from California. I was a bit nervous about driving so far with Cally by myself so Mary was kind enough to fly out and help me do the drive. A day and a half later, we finally arrived, I dropped Mary off at the airport and Cally and I got settled into our new home.
We have now been here a month already and it's been great. Honestly, time has flown by and I'm so glad. Cally is constantly entertained, always has someone to play with and talk to, and because she is around so many people she has picked up so many new things. Everyone here just loves her so much and she shares a very special relationship with each and every one of them. Her vocabulary has grown immensely since we've been here and everday I discover something new she has learned. Some of her favorite words include:
"mutt" (milk), "pease" (please), up, no, "foot" (fruit), "agua" (water), butt, "teedee" (TV), bubbles, purse, duck, "dog-dog" (dog), teeth (teeth and toothbrush), apple, walk, "but" (jump...not sure how she came up with that one), elmo, baby, yes, "sha" (sure), "and" (hand), fall, knee, eye, nose, "moth" (mouth), toes, "ed" (head), "ut" (hurt), ball, "boo-boo" (book), boy (referring to Stafford), "lala" (Layla), "ug" (hug), "osh-ah" (lotion) and many more.
She also calls everyone by name:
Me-mama, mom, ma
Zane-daddy
Raul- "papa" (grandpa)
My mom- "nona" or "nancy"
Danny- "danny"
Mike- "mite"
Carlos-"cau-os"
And ofcourse herself- "ally" (cally) or "me"
Over the past month we have done many things to keep us busy and entertained. From snowboarding, to children's museums, swimming, shopping, eating out, working out, and much more, life has been busy and fun. It's been great being around family and it's helped out tremendously. Here are a some pictures of our fun outings.
Playing with "baby" and the fish
Trying out her new winter gear
Thanksgiving
This is how Cally likes to drink her milk...she must have Elmo, "daddy" and "baby" next to her:
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