Dynamic Duo

Grace and Samuel are learning to play the piano together. Samuel pretty much wants to check out anything that Grace is doing. And now that he is pulling himself up on just about everything, he's able to participate more.
I was attempting to teach them some motivational music for daddy. I took this picture and sent it to Scott during his 21 mile training run yesterday.

Denver Museum of Science & Nature

Grace, like most kids, loves dinosaurs.  We took some time on Friday to take Grace, cousin Jack, and Sam to attend the Denver Museum of Science & Nature where they have a truckload of dinosaur bones.  Considering none of the three can read, not much was gained from the informative placards, but they loved the displays.  Many thanks to Grandma and Papa who helped with the corralling of children.  The amblers, Grace and Jack, only got lost once each.  

Ever Since I got an iPhone...

I've taken a lot more photos.  If you didn't know, Sarah got a new iPhone 5 recently, and I took over her 3 year old iPhone 3Gs.  I had a Blackberry in 2006, but since it went the way of the Dodo, I'v been using a regular (dumb) phone for the past 5 years.  Since getting the iPhone I've been geekin' out like it's 2006!

Here's a sampling of the smattering of shutter cycles I have clocked with my 3 year old iPhone:

Home Improvement.  When you decide to rip out a wall in the bathroom, you must document the event, especially so you can look at what type of valve you need once you get to the hardware store and forgot to bring the old one with you...

Old Faucet                                                 New Faucet 

At work, when you want to document the weird stuff you see & do while getting paid.

Thanksgiving, when you decide at 8am to go run the local Turkey Trot which starts at 9am - and you are running to get to the event.  

                           Last entrant!!!              Someone had fun with the statue near the start line.

The day after Thanksgiving when you take the kids to the Children's Museum hoping everyone else is either shopping or sleeping - and your wife is working so you brag about how much fun you are having by emailing her all the photos.  

Calm...                the opposite

Captain of the ship, calling Papa from the second story lookout.

Fun with Dinosaurs                                      Fun with Water

Saturday after Thanksgiving when you wrestle with the kids all day - again emailing the photos to your wife to encourage her to arrive home early and join in the fun...

Sunday after Thanksgiving when you take the kids to the Zoo - once again emailing copies to your wife.

Grace looks in at the tiger cubs playing with the zookeepers.

Sam was somewhat less enthusiastic, but still enjoyed the cubs.

Grace decided to act like a tiger and growl while running circles

 round and through the mouth of this giant billboard 

Sam's 3!

It wouldn't be Denver without a trip to the best breakfast burrito joint within 1/2 mile of the house. This time cousin Jack joined us and we wore intricately colored paper hats, except Sam.

Jump Jump

Today was another Grace and Mommy date. I took her to Pump It Up, a type of indoor inflatable park. It was a hit. For almost 2 hours she jumped, climbed, slid down slides and drove a little car around, which I think she almost found more interesting. I was surprised by how easily she maneuvered and by how poorly I did. There were a couple really steep slides that I was a bit tummy tied about going down. She wanted to repeatedly go down it but only on my lap. I was worn out. When did I get so old? Never the less, it was great fun and can't wait to go back. I think Daddy would have a blast.

  

T

Sam I Am

Strike a Pose

The majority of the time, Grace doesn't like to cooperate with the camera and pose for pictures. However, there are times she shines for it and we get the chance to capture her glow and sheer joy.

Grace and I spent a rainy morning at the zoo earlier this week, just the two of us. We don't mind braving the soggy weather when it means we practically have the zoo all to ourselves. Living in the Pacific Northwest you learn to enjoy the outdoors year round no matter how wet it gets. All you need is an umbrella and a dry pair of shoes, as Grace clearly illustrates.

Bath time was hilarious tonight as Grace read the words on the back of the shampoo bottle as if she was reading "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe" except adapted it to who lived in a bottle. She kept knocking on the empty bottle asking, "Is anybody in there?" She then began eating soap "cookies" which lead into growing a beard.  The whole time Scott and I smiled at each other watching her beautiful imagination at play.