Corn on the Cob

Out of curiousity tonight at dinner I stuck my corn on the cob in Jack's face just to see what he would do - and he chowed down! I laughed and pulled it away, thinking he was just testing his new chompers, but then he started howling and didn't stop until I gave it back to him.

Yes, I forgot to put a bib on Jack...

Ryan was just mugging for the camera - he wasn't really interested in eating his mini-cob, so I gave it to Jack.

A Bicycle (Trailer) Built for Two

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge came through Denver today on a route that passed near Sam's parents house, so we borrowed bike trailers from our neighbors (each one could hold two kids but neither Sam nor I are in any shape to pull 55 lbs of kid plus the weight of the trailer) and hopped on our bikes with Ava Grace's dad Matt McGovern. It was the first time I'd ridden my bike in over 3 years, but I did all right (and my bike shorts and jersey still fit!).

Sam used to be a gonzo road cyclist and was giddy at the thought that Levi Leipheimer, Cadel Evans, and the Schlecks were riding the same roads he used to ride.

Aunt Sarah was at the Flemings' when we pulled up

Ryan in the trailer attached to Sam's bike

Jack along for the ride with Mama

At Wadsworth and 26th waiting for the cyclists to appear

Cyclists! This was the 2nd group, no big names in here

They flew by at ~30 mph, so we weren't out in the hot sun very long

Tour de France, here I come (he's built like a cyclist - skinny with long legs!)

Family Time

My mom, grandma, and aunt came into town this week, so on Tuesday my Aunt Jane brought my cousin's son Samuel over for a visit (did you follow that? Do I need to draw a family tree?).

As usual, the ball pit was very popular with the younger set (and the older set was kept busy putting the balls back in!)

On Thursday we went over to Uncle Ken & Aunt Jane's house in Centennial for the whole day. It was quite the production loading up the Pack N Play for Jack, a sleeping bag for Ryan, Jack's high chair, PJs (we were planning to stay through dinner and it's a 45 min. drive back to our house), etc. I brought everything the kids would need, but forgot my wallet. Sigh - you can't win every time, right?

Popsicles!

Jack was most interested in the koi barrel

Sam came down after work and all three boys burned off a lot of steam in the big backyard.

Camping Out

Sam proposed that he and Ryan camp out in the backyard this weekend, and Ryan was excited about the idea. First they had to get out all the gear and set it up (including the potty seat, which is why Ryan is pantsless...).

Jack shouted instructions from the patio...

Tent's up!

Then we got ready to make S'mores. Sam built a fire ring in a part of our yard that has yet to discover its purpose (in other words, we can't decide whether to sod it or build a play structure on it).

I don't think there's a Boy Scout badge for starting fires with a blow torch...

Oh, that first delicious bite of crunchy, chewy, chocolatey goodness!

Sam's dad had previously confessed that he had never made S'mores, so we invited him over to join in the campfire extravaganza.


The next morning (after Jack and I slept comfortably in our perfectly good beds inside) I brought out the camp stove and we made bacon and pancakes for breakfast.

Not a latrine, but an outdoor potty nonetheless...

Brothers

Finally it was time to take it all down and pack it away for the next backyard adventure. We'll leave the firepit for the next time a S'mores craving hits.

Happy Birthday Eli!

While we were in Copper Mountain for Hike MS, our friend Eli celebrated his 2nd birthday.

Ryan REALLY liked the blue frosting...

Happy Birthday big guy!

Happy Birthday Kyla!

My friend Julie's daughter Kyla turned 3 this week and had her birthday party at Splash in Golden. We've been there a few times this summer already, but Ryan had yet to discover the sand play area. He didn't want to go back in the water...

Mmmm, raspberry cream frosting...

Scenes from Summer 2011

I was trying to make room on my camera memory cards when I came across photos from different activities this summer that have not yet made it onto the blog.

This is from my cousin Tyler's high school graduation party. My Aunt Jane made chocolate covered bacon, and Ryan ate THREE pieces (it was really good - sweet, salty, chewy, crunchy).

Jack was just starting to stand up holding on to furniture, people, dogs...

Here Ryan shows an early proclivity for water sports...

Sam built a restaurant-style high chair for Ryan that was tall enough to slide up to our counter-height kitchen island. Now that Jack can sit up well, I asked Sam to build another high chair. Ryan is helping him sand it.

On July 1 we went to Matt & Jillian's house to see the progress on their renovations and to play in Ava Grace's splash pool.

Ryan says "Scu' me, Ava Grace"

On the 4th of July we had dinner at Jena & James' house.

Who needs snow?

Who needs water in the pool when you have balls?

At the Denver Zoo with Grandma and Aunt Sarah