Redmesa

We stopped on our way to Mesa Verde and the kids were extremely disappointed that we didn't adopt the friendly black dog who hopped right into our car.  None of the kids really remember Redmesa, even though it's only been a few years since we went to a reunion there.  

Lightning and camp

The view from my balcony

Zak takes aim at scout camp

Outside my bedroom is the balcony.  It is a favorite place to sit at sunset, enjoying the beauty of the New Mexico sky.  When there are thunderstorms over the valley we can sit on our balcony and watch the lightning until the rain finally makes it up to us and we escape indoors.  I love my porch, especially in the summer, when the heat of the day is finally dissipating and I can watch the stars.

I can't find the rest of Zak's camp pictures.  I know I had some somewhere. . . In any case, he had an overnight camp at Gorham, so we postponed leaving for our summer vacay until after he and Ben returned.   

Summer Swim Lessons at the Y

Noah learned to tie-dye

Boy Scout High Adventure Trip

Near Mancos, CO.  They camped at Target Tree and had fun rafting, mountain biking, and hiking.  

I didn't even cry

"The guy at the desk was totally flirting with you!' is Deanna's comment as we walk away from the Delta ticketing counter

"It was cute!  Clumsy, but cute."

The man spends four or five minutes telling D to keep an eye on her sister (supposedly me) and explaining how she will find her connecting flight once she reaches Atlanta.  Deanna is flying out to help her Aunt Holly with a cross-country drive, since Holly has 3 kids under the age of 5 and a limited supply of sanity to spare.

Even though I know D is competent, smart and capable I still worry because she is flying ALONE.

My mind understands that it is my job as a parent to make myself obsolete, and it becomes and more apparent as the children age that they eagerly await the day when they no longer live under my rule and I am relegated to the obsolete status of a has-been.  I understand that they can't wait until they get to be on their own and my heart breaks with worry every time they try their independence.  Not to mention the fear and anxiety when they drive--no need for any caffeinated assistance to wake me up in the morning if I let one of the teens drive to swim lessons!

One of the lovely Delta agents let me know that I could get a pass through security to accompany D back to her gate.  She had been all kinds of nervous all morning, and this small bit of help seems to calm her right down.  We sit by a window, her asking questions about boarding procedures and the Atlanta airport, while I maintain a calm demeanor despite my quaking innards.   She teases me about being called her sister, when in truth I am older than the Crypt Keeper, and we watch the minutes pass until she stands up to board.  

If she is nervous it doesn't show as she hands her boarding pass to the gate agent and waits patiently in the line to board.  And my heart breaks again because I am so proud of her.  

Lookin' at Summer

Even Mem got a pioneer dress from her auntie

Eating outside means one less mess to clean up!

Feeding the hordes

The cat doesn't know what to do with all these people around all the time

Found this guy in the garden