Happy Retirement, Grampa Mac!

Today was Colin's dad's last day of work, as he retired from El Paso Electric. He was the Customer Service Manager for the Hatch, Anthony and Las Cruces offices for 20 years and is now looking forward to more time with his family and traveling, beginning with our vacation to Disneyland here in a couple of weeks.

There was a very nice luncheon held in his honor today at the Las Cruces Office and Colin, the kids and I, Kylie, and of course, Sara, were all there to support him. He is definitely ready for retirement, as he showed up at the door to let us in wearing shorts, shoes with no socks, and a fishing hat full of buttons with sayings about retirement (example: "I'm retired, not expired"). They had the room decorated nicely in a tropical vacation theme, lots of food including brisket, enchiladas and spanish rice, and a wonderful butter-pecan flavored cake.

Colton loved Grampa's fishing hat and just had to try it on! We enjoyed meeting all his co-workers and employees and it was easy to see that he is going to be missed. The nicest thing about it all was that Kylie was here for it! I know that meant a lot to him.

It was a busy day in other ways, too! I did Cady's 3 year pictures this morning, which I will post later, we went to the library to return the kids' books and get some new ones, and we watched the new movie, Wall-e, where I learned that Kylie's favorite movie candy is Milk Duds and Peanut M&M's like me!! She is spending the night with us tonight (her and Colton are watching Old Yeller as I type this) and we are getting up in the morning to visit the El Paso Zoo and do a little shopping! Should be another busy, but exciting day!

Meet Our Baby Bird

It's living in a nest on top of our porch light, so I think I should be able to call it "ours"! Those little swallows that I blogged about over a month ago are proud parents! We first started seeing the little guy peaking out over the nest last week. Sadly, it had at least one sibling, but it fell out of the nest a couple of weeks ago, so it is now an "only child". Baby birds definitely fit the saying, "so ugly that they are cute"! They are all beak and for some reason, they remind me of a Muppet, although I am not sure which one!! Anyway, we enjoy watching it peak out of the nest and open his mouth real wide every time the screen door opens or closes and he mistakes it for one of his parent's coming to bring him food. If I hold real still (and the kids are inside), they will feed it while I am sitting on the porch.

I told Colin I felt like our house was turning into a zoo with a family of birds living on our porch, a snake in our garden (actually, we haven't seen it since Thursday), and then there was a lizard that ran right in the house the other night when Colton opened the back door to go outside!! Luckily, it never left the sunroom, and Colin was able to catch it and put it back in the yard.

White Sands with Kylie

WARNING: Lots of Pictures Ahead, Again!!On Saturday evening, we packed our ice chest with cold drinks and sandwich stuff and headed out to White Sands, a place Kylie had never seen before and a place that, although the rest of us had seen hundreds of times, we never seem to grow tired of. Kylie, of course, thought it was beautiful and couldn't wait to use the discs and slide down with Colton and Cady! The first pictures I snapped were these of the kids' flip flops laying in the sand. I saw them lying there right where the sand got deep and soft and thought how the first thing everyone did when getting out of the vehicle was kick their shoes off!

Here are some family pics we took with Kylie (and one of Cady, being her silly self):

We parked in a neat place this time, because just on the other side of the big hill the kids were sliding down, there was actual vegetation. I spotted these beautiful pink flowers (some type of verbena) and thought how striking they looked next to the white sand.

I also had a great time finding yuccas to photograph. They are all very close to blooming - I wish I could go back when they were finished. Those would be beautiful pictures!

On the drive in, I was looking at the brochure they always give us at the little ranger station where you pay a fee to go in. There is always a picture of a Bleached Earless Lizard and I always say that I want to see one and never have. Well, while down at the bottom of the hill taking the pictures of the pink flowers, I saw something scurry in between bushes. I moved in for a closer look and was very excited to discover a Bleached Earless Lizard!!

Colton saw it too! They are smaller than I was expecting, but they are definitely bleached! They blend right in with the sand! According to the brochure, they, along with a mouse and another lizard, have developed that white coloring over the years.

And, last but not least, a great trip to White Sands should always take place around the time the sunsets! The sunsets there are amazing - Kylie was very impressed!

Michael and Sherri and the girls joined us, too, but the wind began picking up around the time they got there, and being worried about getting sand in my camera, I put it up. So, I am sorry I have no pictures to show of them, but we thank them for joining us! All 4 of the little kids had a lot of fun with Kylie. She is great with little ones and she even stuck around after church today to help Colin and I with the Toddlers for the 11:00 service. It was fun!

Tucson Children's Museum

WARNING: Lots of Pics Ahead!

We decided to break up the trip to and from Tucson a little bit by taking the kids to the Tucson Children's Museum, something we had never done before. Aunt Tammi, Uncle Jeff and the kiddos met us there. It was neat for Colton and Cady to be with cousins from both sides of the family! It was a very nice museum with lots for all of them to do - even Kylie who is quite a bit older than the rest of them.

The first room we went into had a real Tucson Police Motorcycle for them to sit on and turn on the lights and sirens. That was Colton's favorite part!

There was also the cab of of firetruck there, along with real firefighter gear to try on.

In another room, they were letting the kids make things using gumdrops and toothpicks. Kylie made a neat rocket, but it was set down and left in one of the rooms before I could get a picture. Little Trevor thought it was more fun to eat the gumdrops and we all laughed at how cute he was with both cheeks full!!

Colton and Trevor enjoyed making music on the drums in the Music Room!

The favorite room for everyone, including me, had to be the Health Room with a pretend doctor's office, farmers market, kitchen, climbing wall, and dancing game. We spent probably half the entire time we were there in this one room. They all enjoyed playing doctor and Colton even checked Grammy's blood pressure!

The best thing about this room was the climbing wall. Colton climbed all the way to the top pretty quickly for wearing flip flops. He helped Cady get up to the top once, and then after that she was even doing it by herself! Trevor got help from Tammi, and he did it, too! I had fun taking pictures of all of them here as you can tell. The very last picture of Cady is her telling me, "I did it!" after scaling the wall by herself the first time.

Other rooms included one about the ocean that had a submarine that they could go in and play with all the buttons and dials and stuff and one with dinosaurs that moved (this was not Cady's and Trevor's favorite room)! There was also a little play area with lots of mats to jump and climb on. It was supposed to be for 4 years and younger, but Kylie and Colton got away with playing in there, too. Finally, there was the Mouse House that was full of Mickey Mouse collectibles, all donated by the same couple!

Little Jaycelyn was there, too. She just hung out in her little backpack and put herself to sleep chewing on the top of it!!

It was a fun visit and it wore the kids out for the 3 1/2 hour drive home (it wore Sara and I out, too, but we couldn't sleep like they could)! Thanks, Jeff and Tammi for taking time out of your busy schedule and joining us. We love you guys!

Kylie's Here!

What a long, but exciting day we had yesterday! The kids and I, along with Grammy Sara, left for Tucson at 6 AM to pick up our niece, Kylie, from the Tucson Airport. She is Colin's older brother's daughter and she lives in Port Angeles, Washington. We made great time - only stopping once for breakfast and again to gas up and use the restrooms. We found the airport quickly and even got front row parking - it is a very easy airport to get in and out of. We were an hour early, which was good. There was a screen that showed where the planes that were coming into the airport were and when we arrived, her plane was at the bottom corner of Utah. We thought that was neat to see! Since she was an unaccompanied minor, Sara was able to go right to the gate to get her. The kids and I waited by the baggage claim and watched a big screen that showed arriving passengers walking down the terminal. We were all excited when we saw them coming and ran over to the escalators to greet her.

It has been 2 years since we have seen her and boy has she changed! For one, her hair is dark purple! Secondly, she is tall - she is at least a 1/2 inch taller than Grammy and it won't be long before she has caught up to me, too! Colton gave her a hug and started talking to her right away, but Cady was a little hesitant (she was only 1 last time we saw her and doesn't really remember her). She did go stand with her and Colton so I could take their picture at the airport though!

When we walked outside of the airport, even though it was only 11AM and 89 degrees there, she was shocked by the heat right away! She kept asking us how we ever got used to it and we kept telling her she hadn't felt anything yet! Her last trip to visit in the summertime was when Colin and I got married, and she was only 4 months then! All her other visits here have been at Christmastime, so the heat is definitley going to take some getting used to for her. We have lots of fun things planned in the next 2 weeks before we leave for Disneyland, though, starting with a trip to White Sands this evening. Lots of pictures coming your way!!

We are so happy she is finally here!!

An Unwanted Visitor

Well, it happened. One of my worst fears came true today, kind of. While Colin was home for lunch, I ventured out into the backyard, on the way to the garden to see if there was any zucchini squash ready to pick. Being the snake-loathing person that I am, and seeing all the overgrown plants (mainly squash and tomatoes) they could hide in, I have been extra cautious lately when dinking around back there. As I was opening the gate to go in, something in the big zucchini plant right next to the gate caught my attention. I could only see about 3 inches of it, but that was enough. What they say about feeling the hair on the back of your neck is true! It was almost like someone else took over my body, as I ran, arms flailing wildly, into the house screaming for Colin in a shrill voice that I didn't even recognize. I told him what I had seen and he asked if it was a rattlesnake to which I replied that I didn't stick around long enough to find out (duh!). So, he headed outside with a very excited Colton hot on his heels to look for himself.

He saw it right away and it, thankfully, was only a bull snake, and not a rattler (that would have been my worst fear). While bull snakes are harmless and actually beneficial to have around because they keep rattlesnakes away (and pesky squirrels who like to nibble on veggies growing in gardens), I am sorry, I just couldn't live with knowing there was a snake in my backyard. Colin wasn't going to kill it, just relocate it because he knows me so well, but that slithery sucker escaped! He looked for it for 30 minutes and was even late getting back to work and then again this evening, but to Colton's disappointment, didn't see it.

I am hoping it moved on to greener gardens, but I may not be spending as much time out in my garden now!! Colton wanted a picture of it and I sent him outside with my camera, but since they didn't find it again, no pictures. If a picture does happen, I will be sure to post it for all of you crazy people who want to see it (you know who you are)!! I can tell you it was about 3 feet in length!

Have a great weekend and watch out for snakes!!

High and Tight

Colton finally got a haircut today and boy did he need it! He had actually been bugging me for the past 2 weeks to take him, and we did try once, but there was too long of a wait and we didn't have the time. He loves getting his haircut (thank goodness) - especially when it is a "soldier haircut" as he refers to it. He got his first one over a month ago when I took him to Supercuts for the first time. Colin always took him to a barber shop in Mesilla Park, but now that I have time, it is me who takes him and I won't go to a barber shop! I told the lady just like Colin had told me - use 1"clippers on the side and then very short on the top. Well, either their clippers were off or the barber he used to go to was off, because I gasped when she began shaving and I could see his scalp!! When he was done, it looked like a High and Tight haircut that men get in the service and he recognized it right away and excitedly said, "I look like a soldier, Mama"! I actually liked it, too, and as fast as his hair grows, cutting it that short should mean a little longer between cuts!

Today it was a different lady (the only thing I don't like about Supercuts), but she actually did an even better job. She cut it so short on the top that we can't part it and comb it like we usually do. She had it all combed forward and Colin and I both liked it and of course, so did Colton. He loves running his hand over the shaved part and even let Cady feel (she told him he had stickers on his head).

I also was going to share a picture of Cady and I that Colton took while we were waiting at the NMSU Landscape Garden before a photo shoot this morning. It was his idea and I think he did a great job! He really takes his time and tries to hold the camera straight and usually never chops off heads or feet. I know he is only 6, but he really shows a lot of interest in photography and asks all the time for his own digital camera. Oh, Santa...

Here is a quick picture I snapped of Cady this morning at the same place. I really need to get on the ball and plan her 3 year pictures. Can't believe she is going to be 3 years old just a few weeks!

Both kids are getting very excited because this Friday is when we, along with Grammy Sara, drive to Tucson to pick up their cousin, Kylie, from the airport. We haven't seen her in almost 2 years! She will be spending 2 weeks with all of us here in Cruces and then is going to Disneyland with us before Grampa Mac and Grammy drive her back to Washington State. Not only do we get to see Kylie on Friday, but we also get to see my brother, Jeff and his family while we are in town. They are going to meet us at the Tucson Children's Museum. Pictures to come...

Enjoy the rest of the week and stay safe!

What a Party!

On Sunday, our t-ball team held a party to celebrate a successful season! Michael and Sherri offered to host it and boy was it fun!! They had a triple slip-n-slide set up, we set up our little pool, and another family brought a little pool and one of those big inflatable water slides! The kids all had a ball! They went from "water to water" and even brought out the big Super Soaker water guns a little later! It was hard getting most of them just to stop for a few seconds to eat some pizza!

They also were presented with their trophies for the season and they were all so excited. The trophies were great and it was exciting to see one with a baseball on it - a nice change from soccer and archery (although we are just as proud of those). It is sad to think that they won't all be together next year. Colton and 5 other boys will be seven and have to move on, while two other boys will only be six and then the girls can stay and play t-ball until they are 8. Oh well - it was a fun season and most of the kids we see at 4-H, church and school, so we will still be in contact!

Nothing Beats Time Spent with Friends

What a fun week we had! My best friend for the past 15 years, Missy and her soon-to-be 5-year old son, Reagan, were in Cruces for a weeklong visit. They live in Grady, where she teaches Math, and since she is out on summer break, decided to spend some time here, mainly with her parents, but we got lots of time with them, too!

They went swimming with us three different times, did crafts with us (see two posts back) and even tagged along with us to the t-ball party today. Missy and I also got to go shopping together at the new Outlet Mall in El Paso, and Kohls, for most of the day on Friday, sans the children. Shopping is something we have always done best! It was just like old times and I am so thankful we were able to go. Not only did we find some great bargains (she is a lot like me and rushes to the clearance racks before looking at the regular-priced items), but we were able to visit a lot and catch each other up on what has been going on. I don't think we had gone shopping like that since Colton was only about 3 months old!

The kids really enjoyed Reagan and asked about him all the time when we weren't together. They all got along very well and he fit right in at our t-ball party. Actually, he and Mckynze (my other good friend, Sherri's daughter) hit it off right away at the party. They are only about 5 months apart and really became great friends! Those two were inseperable for most of the afternoon! Here are some pics of our fun times together:

Chillin' at the pool:

Working on our bumblebee/flower craft:



Having a ball in the water with Mckynze at the t-ball party:




Thank you, Missy and Reagan, for fitting us into your visit! Next time we look forward to seeing the entire family! Happy Birthday to Reagan on Tuesday and to Missy on Sunday!!!

Goodbye, T-Ball!

Well, two months of twice-a-week t-ball games are over, and I think we are actually going to miss it a little! The Mariners' last game was last night and I wish I would have taped the very first game to compare it to the game I taped on Tuesday. They all improved so much! They went from 12 kids who had never played before, watching balls rolling between their legs, barely knocking the ball off the tee when batting, and "fighting" over the ball with their own teammates, to not only stopping the grounders and some catching the higher ones, to working together as a team to get the ball thrown to the baseman and getting other runners out! They also all got very good at hitting, some even getting some homers!

Colton really wanted a homerun last night, but didn't get one, although he did get some good hits. Being the fast runner he is, he also went all season without getting tagged out or forced out, until last night, that is. He got forced out both at 1st base and at 2nd base last night and was not very happy! He still ran as fast as usual, but the other team was really on fire with getting outs. We are still very proud of him, though! He played great this season and is looking forward to moving up to machine-pitch next year. His favorite position was pitcher and he really made a great team with Mikey, Mckaela and Kian when they played 1st Base! Here are some of my favorite pics of him in action:

He also enjoyed it because he got to play with friends. Here he is with his best friend from Kinder, Taylor:

His good friend, Mikey, from BCDC and from some of the bow shoots we go to, also:

and of course another best friend, Mckaela:

Colin had three other coaches helping him out, Michael Hamrick, Jeff Giffing and Mike Brooks. I loved watching them all in action because they made a great team! They all worked so well with eachother and showed a lot of patience and interest in the kids! Here is a picture of them in action before one of the games:

Finally, there was Cady, who enjoyed the games because she was able to be with her friends. She ran around with different girls from time to time, but mostly she was with Mckynze and a little girl, Maddie, whose brother, Kian, played on the team. Maddie's age fell right between Cady's and Mckynze's and they made a great trio! You could tell how much Kynze enjoyed being the "leader", too, since she has an older sister and doesn't get to do that very much! Here they are trying to look cute and beat the heat at a game this past week:

Cady also enjoyed wearing the batting helmets!

It was a great season and we are very proud of all the kids and the coaches. We are looking forward to our end-of-season party this weekend at the Hamricks. It will be a lot of fun as we celebrate with water-play, cake and trophies for all the kids!