Visit from Erin and Memorial Weekend

We were lucky to have my sister Erin out for a week in the middle of May, it was her first time out to see us since we've been in this house (a year and a half). We tried to keep life interesting for her, as if having 2 babies isn't interesting enough. We were able to do some shopping for Rachel, went to Elitch Gardens theme park, a trip to Estes Park, and a 2-year old's birthday party in addition to the normal weekly schedule of sports and playgrounds. Shortly after she returned home, I started packing for our annual Memorial weekend camping trip in Glendo, Wyoming. The day before leaving, I took Rachel into the doctors office for a weight check..she had gained another pound and was up at 8 lbs 13 oz. As we left the doctor's office we were caught in the outside edge of a tornado, that destroyed much of Windsor (where I used to work), with golf ball sized hail, lots of rain and wind. I can't complain though all I had to do was pull over and stop driving while it passed. With several active tornadoes and severe storms in the area, we still took off for Glendo, I kind of felt like a tornado chaser as we drove into areas with tornado sightings and warnings, and were told at a gas station in Cheyenne "if you head North now, you can out run the next one" The weather was not improving as we neared Glendo and we started questioning how feasible it was to camp with two little ones in this type of weather. Well to make a long story short, we made it to Glendo, but never saw the lake or our usual camping area. We ended up staying the night in a Quonset where we keep the boat for the winter. All in all it was a good time, we stayed dry, somewhat warm and had good company. While we were in the biggest metal sided/roofed building in town another tornado touched down at the marina a few miles away.

Doug and Rachel snoozing on the couch after a long hard day

Aunt Erin cuddling with Caleb

One of many elk along the trail we walked in Estes Park

A pretty scenic view of the trail and the Thompson River

More elk, but the first time we ever saw them in the water

Caleb showing off his birthday hat at Quint's birthday party

Trying to wait patiently for cake, but sneaking a few sprinkles every now and then

Aunt Erin keeping Rachel happy

Caleb the cake monster or at least a frosting monster

Erin and Caleb posing in front of one of the Budweiser Clydesdales at the brewery

One of the Clydesdales outside playing

Rachel caught by surprise

Doug and Caleb driving around in Grandpa Jim's car "Lucy" which says "vroom vroom"

Rachel is becoming quite the talker like her brother

Our quonset hut campsite amongst the boats, notice the lantern camp fire

Rachel all bundled up on her first camping trip sitting around the campfire lantern

Our tent pitched back by the wall and the boat

Brett and Jim enjoying breakfast before we pack up and end up heading home

Jim and Caleb hauling Doug around in the wagon after the camping trip is a bust

Two weeks old

I am a little late in posting this, computer time is minimal with two children under 2 and I just said goodbye to the last of my planned visitors. My parents came out for a week a few days after Rachel's homecoming, they were a great help in entertaining Caleb, snuggling with Rachel and helping us with numerous projects, such as painting the exterior of the Bowie house, and some minor car repairs. My sister Erin also came out for a week shortly after my parents left, but more on that with the next post and the appropriate pictures. The adjustment to having two babies around has been a little easier than expected, Caleb love his sister, a little too much, he has to be within inches of her head at all times. Rachel has been a great sleeper only getting us up once a night most of the time, and loves to eat. At her 2 week check up she was weighing in at 7 lbs 12 ounces...more than a pound over what she weighed when we left the hospital. Doug was able to take 2 weeks off from work and we had a good time as a new family of 4, and getting those projects done. I am doing very well, my recovery has been much easier this time around. There were times when I wanted to pull my hair out having both kids at home by myself, but overall things are going well.

Caleb's arrival home to see his baby sister for the first time out of the hospital

More "miss"es for Rachel

Can I do "tummy time" with you

The first attempts at a posed partial family photo...someone is always unhappy

Grandma Janet giving Rachel her first full bath at home

Grandpa Roger playing "choo-choo" with Caleb

Snuggle time with grandma and grandpa before bed

More snuggle and "miss"es

One last snuggle before grandma and grandpa leave

Rachel finishing her bottle with cousin Amber

More Rachel

Most people say I look like a female version of my big brother...what do you think?

Caleb at a week old

Rachel giving the camera a stare down

Working out my neck muscles during tummy time

My first bath in the tub with big brother

I really love baths in the big tub

Caleb wants in on the photo taking