A Year of Change

It’ll be hot down in Denver this week, somewhere near 100 degrees. Up here, the mid 80’s, which is just about perfect. Most days now we have a good thunder storm in the afternoon and yesterday was no exception. At 4, we all headed over to Jag’s friends parents house for the party. There were about 4 couples and all the kids. One extra couple stopped in on their way back to Denver but the rest of us all live here and our kids are all good friends. As soon as we arrived, Jag, Zach, Ty, Lexi, Charlotte, Marcella, and Grace took off with giant inner tubes and floated down the river. it was cold and the kids kept bumping rocks in the river with their butts, but they had fun. They jumped in the hot tub to warm up as soon as they walked back to the house, and then had a water balloon fight for an hour or so running around outside. All us parents sat around and visited and then they bbq’d up some brats and hamburgers. Before we knew it, it was 9:30 and time to go home. Ty was falling asleep as he’s still tired from camp.

It was a fun group and the kids are a good group of kids. Even though we’re leaving VMS, I’m sure the kids will all stay friends. Today Lori and I both have a ton to do so we’d better get after it. Hope everyone is well, take care and GB.

We made it to camp about 9:15 and pulled into the parking lot, or should I say grass field. Ty was with his group but saw us pull in and waved. He ran over and jumped into my arms almost knocking me down, then the same with Lori but he didn’t jump into her arms as he knew he’d knock her down. He is taller than Mom now by about an inch.

He made lots of new friends and was glad to go home but sad to leave his friends. He had a great two weeks and his counselor said he is a great kid, an All Star who was the kindest kid they had and looked out for everyone else. Before we all left, his group of about 12, sat around the fire pit in the tepee frame and everyone talked about what they learned and enjoyed most. We were surprised as camp was much more than we expected. Every day and night they had something going on that was fun but also a teaching moment in life. Ty had a unicorn pony tail on top of his head from some skit they did and he kept rockin it, being the individual that he is.

We didn’t know it but their expedition was over in the Medicine Bow Forest by Steamboat and they went sailing down in Chatfield Reservoir so they were all over the State. He showered twice in two weeks but was in lakes and rivers a lot. His clothes and gear needed a thorough cleaning which we started as soon as we arrived home. Once home he and his brother rode their bikes into Vail to go to the grocery store. Then they dug out all of Ty’s Pokemon cards which number over a 1000, to sell on Ebay or somewhere as he’s moved on from those. He grew quite a bit, physically and mentally, which is great.

Today we have a party at one of Jag’s classmates at their house around 4pm. The kids will go tubing down the river and then they’ll grill hamburgers and brats around 5. It was Lexi’s (Jags friend) birthday a while ago but they stressed this is not a birthday party. Should be fun. Ty is up with us at 6 as he’s been getting up at 6 for the last two weeks. I think we’re going to the gym and then for a mountain bike ride. It’s great to have us all back together again as a family. Hope everyone is well, take care, have a good day and GB.

p.s. Game of Thrones starts tonight!

This morning at 7 am we’re heading out to pick up Ty from camp. It seems like he’s been gone for months! We’re all excited to have him come home as it’s just not the same without him.

Yesterday was a blur, Lori worked all day as did I. I’m not sure what Jag did. It’s nice and cool up here and we did get some rain yesterday. The house is still pretty clean and Ty’s room is all made over waiting for his arrival. When we pick him up there’s a ceremony and then the family’s of campers can do stuff at camp for a while or just take off. We’ll leave it up to Ty to decide what to do.

No comments lately from any of you, but we just passed the 100,000 comment mark with comments from other people. I never post them unless they’re from the family. That’s it as we need to leave in about 20 minutes and I need to hit the shower. have a good day, GB

Ok, it’s still summer and the heat will be back but the last two days have almost felt like fall. We’ve had intermittent rain showers and cool mornings that remind me of hunting season, my favorite time of the year. Tomorrow Ty comes home, yea! We’re all excited to have him back with the family.

Lori and I just returned from the gym where we had a good hour long morning workout. Her surgeon leaves around 2 or 3 today to fly to California for a big concert with a bunch of old bands from our era, should be fun.

Jag was working on some AP History yesterday which is good. Amazingly the house is still pretty clean. Throw in the dozen cases of wine I took out of the garage yesterday and I’m even making progress out there.

It’s 7 now and I have calls starting at 8 so I’d better get moving. I think I’ll fast today as I had some bad fish a few days ago or maybe it’s the half a jar of peanut butter I’ve been eating almost every day. I might have a peanut allergy. Funny I never had any allergies until I met Lori, at least that’s what I tell her. Have a good day! GB

In about 48 hours we’ll be in the car heading out to pick up Ty at camp. We’re supposed to get him around 9:30 this Saturday morning and he’s about 2 hours away. Once we arrive, parents and siblings can kayak and go stand up paddle boarding in the lake if we like but we’ll see what Ty wants to do. If we just head home, we’ll arrive around noon. We’re excited to see him as it seems like he’s been gone for 6 months! We’re counting the hours until we pick him up.

I made it to Steamboat yesterday a bit before 9 am. 30 minutes later I was headed back to Vail and arrived about 11. Steamboat is nice, a real mountain town that still embraces it’s western or ranching roots and has none of the glitz that Aspen has. There’s no Ralph Lauren or Gucci shops there. We could live there but right now there’s no job for Lori.

This morning I should be in Denver by about 9 am and then back up the hill soon after. It’s Thursday meaning my Mom is getting her hair done so I’ll miss her today. Hope she’s doing well. I guess G’ma Dixie is doing well. Apparently she’s moved into her niece’s guest house and is doing well. Good to hear.

Lori has clinic today so that means a busy, late day. I have a call with New York at 6 am which is in about 10 minutes so I guess I’ll run. Take care, hope all’s well and God Bless.

This morning I’m off to Steamboat Springs for a quick meeting. I should be back by 10:30 if all goes as planned. Then it’s a bunch of work around here. Lori had a 12 hour day yesterday as did I. I made it home by about 7 which was 15 minutes after Lori. It looked like rain at Ty’s camp, hope he’s still having fun. 2 weeks is a long time to be gone.

Lori and I both have a ton going on at work. Jag’s been hanging out since he made it home. Time for him to get busy doing something. He has some summer reading to do for school and another college test to take college classes this coming year. I hear Dix is doing well and enjoying herself, that’s great news. Time to run as I need to leave by 7:30. Take care and God Bless you all.

It’s a lucky day according to the date. Even if you reverse the numbers, they still come out to 7/11/17. Not sure what all that means but it must mean something.

Today Lori has a meeting at 7 am and I need to be in Denver for a couple appointments and meeting from about 1 pm until 4:30 pm. Then it’ll be the drive back up the hill. We had a little rain last night and expect a little more today. The upside to rain is it helps with the wildfires but the downside is that the lightening that comes with it can cause more fires.

Ty is doing fine at camp, Jag is resting up from his trip, I made it to the dump and dealt with a bunch of legal business yesterday and Lori worked until 7 pm. The house is still miraculously clean with only our room awaiting its makeover. Not sure when we’ll find the time to get to that.

Here’s a few more pics of the youngest, have a lucky day! God Bless

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

After a weeks worth of work, our home is as clean as it’s ever been. Everything is spotless except our room, ha. We finished just in time as Jag made it home by a little after 7 pm. We had dinner ready and fed his buddy Zach and his dad as his mom and little brother are in New York. It was great to see Jag and hear about the trip. Both boys look like they grew a few inches in a week! Jag was glad to be home. I’m sure he’ll sleep until at least noon as he was sleeping on bean bag chairs all week.

We also received a link with about 100 pictures from Ty’s 5 day backpacking trip. Here’s a few, he sure looks grown up. We can’t wait for next Saturday for him to come home too. We have a big week as usual but at least the house is clean and Jag is home. It was hot last night and we have the doors and windows open now to cool things down. That’s it, time to run, take care of yourself and God Bless.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Today Jag will fly home from Washington D.C. He’s only been gone a week but it seems like much longer. Lori and I have a lot to do today to finish things up around here. Yesterday we put together Ty’s room which meant cleaning his closet which was probably the worst one in the house. In the afternoon we made another trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond and then stopped at the grocery store as Jag wants some ribs for dinner when he gets home.

Ty arrived back at camp as far as we know, from his 5 days in the wilderness. I’m sure he was thrilled to get his box of goodies. 6 more days until we see him.

Lori took a hike yesterday morning for a few hours with a girl from work. She said it was beautiful, almost magical, the wildflowers up at the top of the mountain. Glad she made it out for a few hours of exercise.

Today we need to get some things from the hardware store and  probably take another trip to the dump. All in all, these are just little things, how clean the house is, what we do today, etc. The important thing is family and spending time together. It’ll be great to have Jag home and then next Saturday, Ty too. In the meantime, we’ll keep on keeping on, God Bless.

This morning we’re starting on Ty’s closet. I put together Jag’s room yesterday and am almost done. Early in the morning I took off for the two hour drive to Ty’s camp which is west of Bailey to drop his care package. Today he gets back from his 5 day expedition and I’m sure will be happy to get a box of goodies. He and his group have been backpacking and sleeping outdoors for 5 days! That may not seem like much but just think of 5 days without a bathroom, shower, kitchen, bed and all the other things we take for granted, plus the only clothes you have are what you’ve carried on your back. Lori says she couldn’t do the no bathroom thing for 5 days.

In his care package is a pillow (he forgot his), 12 mini Gatorades, 15 candy bars which is enough to share with his group, a bag of Kettle Corn, a bag of Cheetos’s, some Goldfish, beef jerky, some Sour Patch Kids (candy he likes) a mini bottle of mouthwash, some breath mints and a few other things, plus a letter from his Mom and I. It’s the same principal as when in the 1940’s, people back home here would send care packages to our troops in World War II. It’s the first time in his life, and ours, that he’s had no contact with us for 2 weeks straight. No phone calls, no emails, no text, nothing. We pick him up a week from today so he still has a lot of camp left. We miss both boys a lot.

Meanwhile Jag is having fun on the east coast. His friends Mom rented a house on Virginia Beach where they’ve been for the past few days. He lands in Denver tomorrow night around 6 pm and should be home by 8 or so. I took the boys to the airport last week so Zach’s dad is picking them up.

Lori is going on a hike with a girlfriend from work this morning while I go to the gym. She’s upstairs now working on Ty’s dresser.

Last but certainly not least, Happy Birthday to Ali! It was yesterday and we tried to call her on her cell but there was no answer. We have a present for you and will get it to you next week. She sure has a lot of friends as she had tons of birthday wishes on Facebook. I’m not a Facebook guy but had to sign up for a big Bocelli promo we’re doing. It’s an alternative reality, to say the least.

Have a great day and great weekend. Take care and God Bless.