From KS to MD

On our last Sunday in Kansas we took some pictures of Beckett because he was looking especially handsome. The following Thursday we loaded up the car and said a sad farewell. We will miss Kansas and all the good friends we met there. On our way out of town we stopped for breakfast at Fritz's so that B could enjoy the food-delivered-by-train one last time.

We took a detour to Chattanooga on our way east to see my cousin Wendy and her family. It's been a really long since the two of us got to hang out, but when we were kids I used to spend as much time at her house as possible during our trips to Utah. It was great to see her crew.

 On our way into town we stopped at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. Beckett was thrilled to be out of the car and visiting a train.

The next morning we went with Wendy and her family to Chattanooga's river walk. The kids played on these animal statues.

 Beckett loved the river walk because of all the bridges crossing the Tennessee River. He thinks bridges are really awesome.

Consequently, he was absolutely thrilled that we got to walk across one of the bridges spanning the Tennessee. He ran at top speed across its entire length.

The reward for crossing the bridge was delicious ice cream. Kate talked about the awesome ice cream all the way across the river.

The kids all took turns sitting on the horses in the ice cream shop. Beckett thought this horse was a little scary.

After Wendy and her crew left to go home, Nate and Beckett and I went to the Hunter Museum of American Art, located right on the banks of the Tennessee.

Then we took Beckett back across the bridge (bye-bye bridge, bye-bye bridge) and let him play in the spray ground before we got back into the car and drove to Virginia.

On Sunday we spent some time in the Shenandoah. The views were lovely, and our stop at the picnic ground was really fun.

Someone was thrilled to be out of the car.

On our way into town, we made one last stop at the D.C. Temple.

All in all we drove for about 22 hours. We went through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and Maryland. We spent the night in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Luckily, Beckett is an amazingly good road tripper.

Hanging Out with Dad

When Beckett hangs out with Dad he gets to do all sorts of fun things...

like line up all the cars on the floor of the CVS

and swim in the wheelbarrow.

Serious fun.

Colorado with Nicole

Nicole, one of my very best friends, had a brilliant idea. It involved meeting in Colorado for a fun-filled week with our boys. So, we did it, and it was awesome. I think that Nicole was very brave to drive up from New Mexico by herself with the three boys (the youngest is only 3 months, folks). Beckett and I made the 10 hour trek from Kansas. Beckett is a really good traveler even though he doesn't really sleep in the car (he only slept for half an hour on both legs).

I spent my first couple days in Colorado hanging out with my family. I have no pictures because I forgot my SIM card. It was in the computer at home. But even without photographic evidence I can assure you that we had a great time. We did church with my mom and Sunday dinner with my parents, Taggart, Danielle, and Sue. On Monday we went to Denver to see Taggart and Danielle's apartment, play at a splash park, and eat at Cafe Rio. On Tuesday my mom and I went to Barnes and Noble and Beckett and I went to the park, and that evening, Nicole and the boys rolled into town!

The next day we took the boys to the zoo. We all fed the giraffes. Beckett was brave enough to feed a giraffe once and once only. I guess they are a bit more intimidating than goats.

Here's the whole clan on top of the tower that leads to the grizzle bear enclosure. It offers a fabulous view of the city.

The next day we went to Uncle Wilbur's fountain in downtown Colorado Springs. It was pretty impressive.

Other fun-filled outings included ice cream at Josh and Johns, a trip to play with the train table at Barnes and Noble (where B found the Thomas book below), playing at the mall's indoor play area, and a picnic with my family at Fox Run park.

I can't believe this is the first time that Nicole and I have met each others' kids. It was long overdue. Thanks for a fun-filled week boys. I hope you had as much fun as we did.

Trains with Dad

As you know we are living with a train fanatic. I am constantly amazed at how quickly he spots trains, whether it's a tiny train in a picture or a real train from the car. Nate's been taking Beckett to a spot where they can see real trains. Tonight they saw four trains drive by.

Beckett is very serious about trains.

He has crazy-long, pool hair.

This is my favorite picture of the bunch.

Bye-bye trains.

For Zephyr

On Monday evening I let Zephyr out, and she never came back. I suppose I could hope for the best, but I know that the most likely scenario is that something awful happened to her. I am heartsick, and I'm writing this post to manage my grief.

Zephyr was such a good pet. We had her for 6 years. She could be pretty demanding, but she was also the friendliest cat I have ever known. I wanted her to be an inside cat because the outdoors is dangerous place, but she would not allow it. Our home has been a happier and quieter place since we started letting her outside.

 

Zephyr wasn't so keen on Beckett at first, but as he's gotten older she's liked him more and more. And the boy always loved the cat. Just a couple of days ago Zephyr was sitting on one of the chairs in the dining room, and Beckett was running around and around the dinning room table saying "eeee" every time he passed her. In fact, he always greeted Zephyr with an "eeee" (that really must be what she sounds like to him) and has been saying it to the picture on her lost poster since Tuesday.

 

Zephyr kept me company through all the years of dissertation writing. She greeted us with the double-meow. She went on walks with Nate. Sometimes we thought she was part-cat, part-dog, and part-baby, although lately the cat part was definitely winning.  

I am so grateful that I was so nice to her the last day I saw her. We took a nap together, and we hadn't done that in months and months. She sat with all of us in the family room that evening. 

I keep thinking that I should be seeing her little, white face at the window. The house feels too empty without her.

If a miracle occurs and we get Zephyr back, I will share my joy with you as well. For now, I will take all condolences over the internet. I am much to raw to talk about the poor cat. Zephyr will be missed.

Intellectual Recreation

I am starting a new blog devoted to my thoughts on books, art, adventures, and pretty much anything else I want to write about. The site is still a work in progress, but I have decided to start posting now. Please come by and read all about an imagined alternate reality in which I attend Hogwarts.