Catching up - Colorado

I have a lot to catch up on in this blog if you really want the essence of Tamsey's world. The kids and I went to Colorado for a little over two weeks and now we are back in Kansas. As always, Colorado is beautiful and it was great seeing family - Gramma Shell, Grandude Duncan, Aunt Cami, Uncle Eli, and Max's uncle and aunt, Jerry and Francie (they were in town for the Lincoln Day Dinner, for Duncan and his campaign, and for a wedding in Colorado).

I'd have to say it was not such a relaxing trip, but I was still very glad I was there. I got to know a lot of people better, such as a few homeschooling families, who gave of their time and energy helping to clean up the house while Michele was in the hospital for a week and a half (complications with foot surgery). It was a great time of strengthening both friend and family relationships, staying with in-laws, but also my second set of loving parents and wonderful grandparents. I had some relaxing and fun times with Cami and Eli, who took me under their wing for a couple of weekends, while the grandparents watched the kids overnight. I got to see some of the logistics of a congressional campaign (Max's dad running for the House seat in Colorado), and go to a big republican fundraiser, which was a first.

The kids and I visited Gramma Shell in the hospital, which all of us enjoyed. We especially enjoyed going out to the courtyard of the hospital with Gramma Shell. The courtyard had a fountain and lots of sunshine, which was especially good for Gramma Shell who had been in the hospital room for a week without feeling any sun! The kids also loved getting rides with Gramma Shell in the wheel chair and picking up icecream on the way to the courtyard. Michele is at home now and we are just praying for further healing of her foot. She may have to have some more surgeries to remove dead flesh, but we are hoping for complete healing and soon!

Last, and certainly least, but always a lot of fun, the animals. JB and Gloria love playing with the farm animals. Since Michele was out of commission for feeding the animals, I learned some about taking care of the animals. I got pretty good at feeding the chickens scraps, stealing eggs from the chickens with heavy-duty gloves on, and giving hay to the horses and sheep. Taking care of the animals was fun, especially in the morning, because JB and Gloria loved to come out with me and see the animals.

I was pretty busy in Colorado and am still busy here getting ready for Max to come home!! Sorry for the large time gap in between posts. When I came back to Kansas everything was so green and there were lots of flowers on the trees! Our thermometer outside is reading 100 degrees right now and it's only April!! Max may not get a lot of relief from the desert heat when he returns, but we sure are looking forward to having the man of the house around (not that JB wasn't a good filler:)).

Just a note about JB's helmet that you see a lot in the pictures: I'm not an over-protective mom, he just loves wearing his riding helmet for some reason. However, I can't tell you how many times I have said, "good thing you had your helmet on" when he's just going about everyday life.