Bye Bye Baby Shoes

Natalie has sure gotten used to this walking gig! She's getting faster everyday (keeping me on my toes), and she's getting to more and more varied places. She was probably overdue for some new shoes.
We've definitely gotten a lot of use out of her old pair of Robeez, and we've got another pair in the next size up, so those will be good for some days, but for her everyday wear and tear, she needed something a bit sturdier.

Grandma came through again and baby's got some new shoes! A little pair of sandals with cute sparkles that somehow go with everything.

And these nice new sneakers with little strawberries on them! Perfect for our little berry lover.

And they even light up when she walks! She's unaware of how this ups her coolness factor, but it sure does draw the attention of the passing crowds! Like she needs it!

Both pairs came from the Clark's store and they were really good about helping us get the right fit. The salesman even told us how he liked to see the sandals with a cute pair of ruffled socks folded over! You can't get advice like that just anywhere!!

Father's Day

We had a lovely Father's day, hanging out around the house, and working in the garden.

In the morning my DH was taking care of Natalie while I was in the shower... When I was done, she walked in like this. She had 'picked out' some clothes from her clean laundry, and he had helped her put them on.

It turned out to be a day of many outfits anyway... I guess that's one of the hazards of strawberry season. So here they are a little while later, working in the garden.

Baby carrots for the baby girl. Gardening is so much fun!

After a while it was time to get out of the hot sun. Natalie had a great time playing in the water on the deck. Though her sodden clothes called for yet another outfit!

Maybe letting her splash in the water on the deck wasn't such a good idea; she seems to think that all bowls of water left out are for her to play in now. We're staying at my dad's house and she's been trying to play in the dog water, and maybe even drink it! She's only overturned it once. It's a crazy house here I have to tell you!!

Saturday with Grandma

Last Saturday we spent most of the day with my mom, while the DH had a fishing day in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Natalie loves this book I found a a garage sale with lots of dog pictures in it. She picks it off the shelf, and can look at it for ages. Here she is, still looking at it after I came back in from getting dressed.

We started our morning out at the Erie Farmers' Market. Our market is just getting off the ground this season, and is very small... yep. That's the whole thing right there. I think there were maybe eight stalls. Maybe.

But while we were there we were lucky enough to catch the World's Shortest Pet Parade! It was the start of Erie's 'Bark in the Park' festival for all things dog, and Natalie was very interested to see all the dogs walk to the end of the street and turn around to go back. One short block, but we were on it, so it was perfect! What a perfect surprise.

After a successful morning at the farmers' market, we went to the mall to help Grandma pick out some new outfits for the Summer. Natalie was so good in the dressing room. And she is wearing all Gymboree that day, (plus her new Clarks shoes - thanks Grandma!) They have such cute Summer clothes... I'm so glad the weather's finally warming up and she's going to get some use out of them!

After lunch we spent a bit of time playing at the mall play ground... those bigger kids can sure be crazy.

It was a nice day out and about with Grandma. Dogs, clothes, food and fun! What more could a girl want?!

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Last week Nupur and I took the girls on a hike in a local state park, just outside of Boulder. To get to Eldorado Canyon State Park, we took a little dirt road through the town of Eldorado Springs, past the pool that is the town's namesake.

I haven't been hiking here since I was a kid, and I'm not sure the place has changed all that much. The park has upgraded a bit though and has a nice new visitor's center. This place is a go-to spot for the climbing set, and we passed many groups along the road clinging to the sheer rock walls of the canyon. Where we parked we even saw a group of kids, maybe 10 years at the most, who had just been given their instructions and were about to attempt their first climb of the morning. They were rigged out with ropes and straps and ready to go.

The canyon itself was beautiful and there were many people setting up their picnic and BBQ sites for the day down by the river.

But we were there for the hiking. We chose the Eldorado Canyon trail because it seemed like the likeliest spot for great views and a lengthy hike if we do desired.

It was very nice hiking. Mostly up in the trees, so lots of shade. And every once in a while there were great views of the rocks and mountain on the other side of the canyon.

We stopped for lunch on the side of the mountain, near a boulder field, created by some long-ago landslide. Natalie is quite comfortable out in the woods and on the rocks.

We ate most of our lunch, and then we heard a funny noise, and managed to spook ourselves about the possibility of rattlesnakes hiding in the rocks. It was probably some kind of grasshopper or bird, but we weren't going to take any chances so we booked it back to the trail.

Further up the trail we came to a nice level spot with great views across the canyon. We'd climbed about 700 feet or so, and were now nearly level with the train tracks on the other mountain, (you can see where they are in this picture - where it looks like bare dirt has fallen across the way). We even saw a train come out of the tunnel and go across the mountain. It looked like it had 4 or 5 engines on it! I guess you need it to haul up these hills!

If you've hiked with me, I've probably made you smell trees... on a hot day, the ponderosa pine tree smells like vanilla (or cookies or butterscotch, depending on who you ask). I love getting the chance to sniff a tree... Natalie is getting used to me telling her to smell things, and she stuck her nose up to it too. I think Aanya just thinks I'm crazy most of the time.

This is about the spot where we turned around... we caught a good glimpse of the back range, and the junction in the trail was about another mile away, which would have added about two to our hike. All told, we went about 4 or 4.5 miles on that day. Most of it up!! Ouch. And yes, Natalie is very asleep in that photo.

Once we got back down, (took way less time than going up!) we spent a bit of time down by the river. The water was very high and fast (and COLD) so we didn't wade, but we did let the girls stick their feet in and then we just played for a while. I'd love to go back here for a picnic some time soon... it was a gorgeous place.

Before we left, we took advantage of the beautiful place and the picnic tables to have a little snack. The girls ate some fruit, and Natalie helped Nupur finish her lunch. Another recipe I'll have to get. Natalie just loves Nupur's cooking and even tried to throw a little fit when there was none left!

Another successful hike accomplished. I've got to update the list on the right!!

Check back later today... I'm going to try to do another post today and one to catch up on my pictures!

Launch Party

Last Tuesday evening my DH's work rewarded all the hard work they'd been doing over the weekend with a little BBQ. Well we couldn't miss that!

How do you like that sweet sunburn I've got? That's what happens when you walk four miles out on the prairie with no sunscreen... you'd think I'd have learned my lesson by now.

Natalie got to see her friend Isabella there, which was nice... these two are just a couple months apart.

She also got to practice her hula-hooping skills.

And the big chairs in Dad's office were uber cool!

It was a long day, and this little girl slept well in the car on the way home!

Walkin' the Dogs

Looks like I have some catching up to do! We'll start with some pictures from last Tuesday.

As you well know, every Monday my dad takes Natalie for a walk with the dogs while I teach yoga. Well, last Tuesday I joined them both for a walk at one of their usual hang outs, the Teller Farm Trail on Boulder Open Space Property.

Natalie is very used to having the dogs in the car with her. I think she gets a kick out of them. I was worried about them licking her to death in the beginning, but after they get settled, they just lie down next to her, or stick their heads out the windows.

The dogs get to go off leash on these trails as long as they're withing voice and site control. We have been stopped by rangers before, but these dogs are so good. They sit when we tell them to, no matter how far away, or how quietly we say it. It's great when bicycles pass. They'll park it right in the field and wait for an "okay".

Simon is pretty stick crazy. Natalie gets a kick out of watching him chase the stick, and Rudy makes things more interesting by chasing Simon whenever he goes after one

She gets a bit sick of being in the stroller after a while, so Grandpa spoiled her by giving her a ride on his shoulders.

But since it was pretty sunny and she wasn't under cover anymore, he had to give up his hat too!

On the way back we passed some horses that had come close to the fence. And since the grass is always greener on the other side, we offered them some from our side. They were pretty excited about it , and we drew a crowd.

Natalie thought these guys were pretty interesting. This one was a pretty young colt and I'm not sure if he'd ever seen such a small person!

She even pulled some weeds and tried to give them to him, but he couldn't reach her.

So Grandpa gave her a lift and let her feed him.

What a fun walk! After looking at the trail map when we got home, I figure we went about 4 miles that day!

When we got back to Grandpa's house, Natalie made herself at home playing in the cupboards.

And the stereo cabinet.

And the piano, (she even climbed up onto the bench herself! Gotta keep an eye on that one!)

It's a good thing she's so comfortable here, because starting tomorrow, we're staying at Grandpa's house for a week to keep an eye on the dogs while he's out of town! We'll have a few more walks like this this week for sure!

And before we leave, I'll try and get some posts in order to fill you in on the rest of our week!

Visitors From Austin, Part Three: Pearl Street

Yes, you heard me right. We took our house guests to Pearl Street yet again. I could go there every day just to enjoy the people watching and the fresh air. And hopefully you feel that way too, because when you come to visit us, I guarantee we'll take you there too!

But never let it be said that we don't know how to treat guests. We actually put Ev and Elaine to work in the yard on Sunday!! Yep. We girls got quite a bit of weeding done, and the boys went and got two loads of mulch, and moved a bunch of old sod out of the yard to be hauled away.

Here's a shot of us weeding. There's still tons to do, since the weeds are rampant due to all the rain we've been getting, but we made some good headway in the hours we spent out in the yard.

Natalie supervised. As usual. Soon I'll be putting those tiny fingers to work. Just you wait, kid!

And to thank them for all their hard work during the day, we let Mama Elaine and Papa Ev take us out to dinner at the Med! Yum! We got a prime seat on the patio, and made it in time for their terrific happy hour deal. Can't beat those $5 Margarita Pizzas and all the delicious tapas!

Natalie agrees! It's the best!

See that? Two pizzas! And so many tapas, and yummy salads, and sangrias!! What a feast.

Thanks Ev and Elaine! What a treat. Can't wait to go back.

And after gorging ourselves, we needed to walk it off a bit on the mall. The weather was perfect. Seemed like all the tulips were gone, but there were some beautiful new flowers to check out in all the beds, and there were plenty of buskers to watch.

Posing on Pearl Street Mall.

We had to stop to give Natalie a chance to work off some of her dinner playing on the rocks. She just loves to slide down the big one. It'll be nice when she can climb up it herself. Until then it's a workout for mom and dad too!

We stopped to watch this act... They were pretty funny. Here they are promising to tighten the rope around the (volunteer) girl's neck until her face turns blue and her head pops off!!

Natalie got a little more exercise pushing her stroller around. This seems to be a new favorite activity of her's.

She wasn't sure what to make of the copper-toned cowboy statue though.

Another one of those three-generation shots. I love those.

And to finish it off, a shot of me and my baby!

What a great day! The yard looks great, and we've got some good leftovers in the fridge!

We had a lovely visit with Todd's parents, and can't wait for them to come out again and see us soon!! Hopefully we'll get out to Austin sometime before Christmas and see you all there!

If you want more pictures (mostly of Natalie), check out the slideshow on the right. It should link you to my Picasa site, which is now up-to-date, with a very full album containing pictures from the last couple months! Sorry for the lack of separation, but I was just lucky to get them all uploaded! Now I need to make a bit more space on there, so all the videos will be going away.