Remembering Birthdays

Daphne's birthday party yesterday had me looking back at all the grand kid's birthdays.  It's amazing how fast they grow and how much they change from year to year.

Lacie has grown up to be quite a little lady.  Her first 2 parties were at our house with lots of friends and family.  Lacie's 3rd birthday party was at their house in Keller.  Her fourth party was held at Emler Swim School where she learned to swim.  Jenn actually won that party by having one of their stickers on her car.  Sadly that was the last year Rich's mom Florence was alive.  The fifth party was back at our house.  By the time she was six it was time for "outside" parties with friends from school.  That year the party was held at the gymnastic school that where she had lessons.  Party 7 was at a bowling alley and the eighth was held at bounce house venue.  This year her ninth party was at the clubhouse in their neighborhood in Rhome.  Jennifer made most of the cakes shown.  Not sure where she got that talent from but she is great at it!

On October 24, 2006 Gabbie, Grant and Georgia came into our lives.  Raising triplets is no easy feat.  Coordinating birthday parties for 3 little ones is a real challenge!  Jenn has made all their cakes and  made sure that along with one big cake for the party goers, each of the little ones had their own individual cake.  They will be turning 5 next month and I understand Jenn is planning 3 separate themes and 3 separate parties.  That will require an entire blog if she can pull it off!

Daphne was born on September 25, 2009 on the same day as Cindy's birthday.  She has definitely been our little "bonus baby".  Due to difficulties she lives with Jennifer,  James and the other kids.  She had her party with that family yesterday and will have another on her actual birthday with Cindy.  Jenn made both of these cakes.

As a proud grandma I will continue to look forward to their birthday parties and taking and comparing all the pictures. 

Trip to God's Country

Last week we embarked on an 8 day road trip to Colorado.  We spent the first night in Raton, New Mexico then continued on the next day to Colorado Springs, Colorado.   On the way we stopped in to see Bishop's Castle to check on the progress since the last visit a number of years ago.  There were a lot of changes.  The castle has been build by one man (one crazy man - Google it - very interesting).  We also stopped to see the bridge over Royal Gorge.  We spent 2 nights in Colorado Springs to ease us into the altitude we would encounter in Breckenridge for the remainder of the week.  We had been to Colorado Springs before so we only repeated  a few sightseeing places.  We debated about taking the cog railway to the top of Pike's Peak but better judgement prevailed.  We had driven it once (well, I only made to partway to the top stopping at the visitor center).  After that I don't know why I even had the fleeting thought that I would be able to take the train.  Just call me "chicken".  We did go back to Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. 

We left Colorado Springs for a 2-1/2 hour drive to Breckenridge.  Imagine our surprise when we spotted snow still on the mountantops!  We arrived at our destination for 4 nights - Marriott Mountain Lodge - using our vacation club points.  As usual we were completely satisfied with the accommodations.  We had a living room with a sofa and an extra bed, a king size bedroom, full kitchen, dining area and 2 bathrooms.  Below are pictures of part of it.  The grounds were beautiful, including a lake and views of the ski runs.  It rained the first day on and off but we were rewarded in the morning with the brightest rainbow I have ever seen!

We packed and wore winter clothes on more than on occasion.  Quite a change from our Texas summer.  The altitude was hard to get used to and we each had one bad day.  But it didn't stop us from getting around.  Here are a few pictures of the town of Breckenridge. 

The one place I really wanted to see was the Red Rock Amphitheater in Marrison, Colorado.  It didn't dissappoint!  The pictures tell the story!

On the way back we made a short side trip through Vail.  It's definately on our radar for a future trip.  It looks a lot like a European village. 

We had a great trip but it is always good to get back home.  I guess we will stay put until our cruise early next year.  Unless we get a bug for a last-minute trip in the fall.