Denver Zoo with the Boys

 

Kris and Amy invited us to go to the zoo with them and the boys.  We had a choice, watch Ohio State and California play football on TV or go to the zoo.  Needless to say, it was no contest.  It was a beautiful day and watching the excitement in Kasey and Karsten's eyes and voice was ...Priceless.  We never seem to tire of doing anything with Kasey and Karsten.  They seem to always have a smile and always want to include Grandma (sometimes Grandpa) in everything they do and we could not be happier.  Here are a few pictures of our day at the Denver Zoo. (sorry I did not include all the pictures of the animals but you can visit your local zoo to see animals)

 

 

Grandma and Grandpa with the "boys"

Amy, Kasey, Karsten, Kris and the hippo statues

How far can you jump? Grandma, Amy and Kris help out the "boys"

Kasey compares his arm span to a monkey

Karsten doesn't quite spread his arms but he knows he wants to do what his big brother does

Grandpa has to do what the "boys" do.   But did you notice his OSU sweatshirt?

Playing the bongos together at the zoo

Grandma and Karsten, Amy and Kasey with the climbing bear

 

Grandma with Karsten and Kasey with the lizard

The only way to travel, Grandma looks a little tired but the boys are doing fine!

 

We hope you enjoyed the pictures of our outing at the Denver Zoo.  As you can see, not everyday do we visit Mt Rushmore, the Grand Canyon or go to Vegas.  Sometimes the best days are with family just doing things together.  Life is good for us and we hope you are enjoying these late summer days and your families.  It  does not get much better than holding your grandsons and watching them grow.

 

Family, Friends and the Grand Boys!!!!

As you know we had a little damage to the motor home while we were staying at Pat's brother's house in June.  We took it over to Decatur, Indiana to the Fleetwood factory for repairs to the roof, rear window, coverings on both slideouts, and a crack on the side of the coach.  While in for repairs, we took the Jeep and headed to Nashville and Pat's sister, Linda.  The repairs were estimated to take three weeks but we were hoping for maybe a week and a half.  While visiting with Linda and her husband, Bill we were delighted to see both of their daughters and their families.  We stayed a little over a week and enjoyed great meals, good times, and caught up with all the families.  We were joined by Kendra and entertained by her daughter, Rory and son, Archer.  Tami, Tony and their son Connor joined us several times even though they were in the midst of finishing up their new house.

 

 

Linda, Archer and Kendra at breakfast

Uncle George and his buddy, Rory

 

 

Pat and Tami relaxing after dinner

 

We left Linda's house and headed back to pick up our coach and start our trip back to Colorado.  We got great news from Fleetwood ... our coach would be done early. 

 

 

Our new roof -- they did an amazing job!!!

 

We left Decatur and could not wait to get back to our family in Colorado.  Karsten's birthday was just around the corner and we did not want to miss the build up to his 2nd birthday celebration.  Lucky for us Kris and Amy wanted to have a night out and we got home just in time to watch the boys.  It was wonderful to have them in our arms again.  The hugs and kisses, the showing off for grandma and grandpa, showing grandma and grandpa how much they learned while we were away and just holding them made our day, week and year!  They are so special and we wonder why we would ever leave them again!  We know it won't be for awhile. 

 

Amy suggested we have a little family BBQ at the motor home when our long time friends, Tom and Maryann Graue came to town, so we all joined up on Buckley AFB.  What a great idea and what a great time.  We have said this so many times but it is true...no matter how many days, weeks, months, or years you are separated from your friends, friends will always be friends and getting back together is just like never being separated!

 

 

Karsten, Grandma and Kasey enjoying sometime together - does she ever let them get too far away from her???  The answer is:  NO!!  It seems like they have grown so big while we were gone.

 

Grandma we still love our watermelon

 

 

Grandpa and Grandma are back so Kris and Amy can relax with a cool one

 

 

David waiting on those hot dogs on the grill.

 

 

Tom and Maryann arrive and the boys are there to greet them.  Kasey welcomes Maryann with a hug!

 

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Tom and George

 

We didn't do much with Tom and Maryann but we enjoyed every minute we were together. 

George and Maryann, Tom and Pat --- that seems to be the pairing when the four of us are together!! 

 

 

Maryann and Pat saying, "It doesn't get better than this" !!

 

 

A quiet night around the fire pit on Buckley AFB...a perfect ending to the day!

That is not what you think.  It is Tom telling George that he has been married 40 +1 years!!  At least that is what we said all day long!!!!

 

It was great visiting family and friends in Ohio.  We had a very good time and everyone made us feel like we had never left the great state of Ohio but we were a little homesick on this trip.  This was the first time in the last five years that we could not get on the road when we wanted to, we were dependant on Fleetwood.  We hope that does not happen very often.  As a last note to all of our friends and family - George had a PET scan and the results is that he is Cancer free!  As David said, Woot!!!  (which we think means, Great)!  We hope you take care of yourselves and know that no matter the miles between us, we think of you often and cherish each of you!!!