Bonding with Ava

Scott has been watering our garden in the afternoons. Ava is usually up, so he puts her in a 'snuglet' and off they go.

And speaking of gardening - I've had one of my worst nightmares come true. I was working in the yard the other day and had to come inside for something. I took my gloves off and set them in my garden wagon. When I came back outside, like 10 minutes later, I put my gloves back on. I'm sure you can all guess what happen. There was something in my glove. I pushed at it when I put my fingers in the glove and then thinking I had a rock, took my fingers out and shock the glove upside down.
Yes a big spider came out!

So now my gloves are stored in a Ziploc baggie!

I hate spiders! Brad can you remember the time you chased me around your house with a spider after you said you killed it? I do!

Princess Dance Camp

Ameya attended Princess Dance Camp this past week. She loved it and the last day they did a performance for the parents. She had a great time and I was so proud of her. She didn't know any of the girls attending the dance camp but she fit right in and started making friends the first day. She still has 4 more weeks of her non-princess dance class but I think this is the one she'll really remember....at least until the next one.

A Walker from Aunt Carol

My sister Carol went crazy with the girls and got them all kinds of toys during our visit. Ameya loves spending time with her because Carol, I think actually has more energy than Ameya and Carol plans fun stuff for them to do together. When we arrived, Carol brought out a big bag of gifts for Ameya to open for her and Ava. One of the items was a badminton set, which they started playing right away.

After Carol saw how much Ava is moving around, she said she was going to buy her a walker. So here is Ava in her walker from Aunt Carol.


It took me about 20 plus pictures to get these ones. Ava still has her eyes closed most of the time when a picture is taken due to the flash. I usually have to catch her off guard. In these, she was eating and doing some bouncing, a very happy girl.

Ameya and Aunt Carol

While we were in California, Ameya spent the night at Carol's house. Ameya went with Carol to pick out Ava's walker and then Carol got something additional for Ameya. Carol let Ameya pick out her gift and Ameya picked this Princess Cash Register. Ameya is really into play shopping and Princesses right now, so this was perfect.
We all had a good laugh over what she picked out. Here she is play shopping in her room after we got home.

Thank you Carol for making Ameya feel so special and treating her to a fun girls sleep over. She loved the shopping and the beach.

A Year Ago

MY FATHER WAS AN AMAZING MAN.
THE OLDER I GOT, THE SMARTER HE GOT

MARK TWAIN

I can't believe it has already been a year since my Dad passed away. His anniversary was on June 14th, the day before Father's Day. I can't believe how much I've already not been able to share with him. I miss talking to him on our weekly Sunday calls and I know my sisters feel the same way. I'm glad that I was in California during this past week so that I could spend some time with one of the sisters at his grave site. I'm sure he knew we were there and thinking about him.

One of my favorite memories of my dad was from a very long time ago. Over the years I've done a lot of running and competing. If at all possible, my dad would always be at my races. When I was in elementary school and just starting with my running, I can remember running the 440 race. It is 1 lap around the track and not one of my favorites as there is really no pacing involved - you sprint and go as fast as you can the whole way. As I came around the last part of the lap, I could see the stands. My dad was at the bottom, in the very front, cheering me on. I couldn't hear him but I could see him.

He was there for me!
He was standing for me!
He was cheering for me!

This is who my dad was for me. He was not perfect but I never doubted that he loved me, that he was proud of me and that he believed in me. I could do and be what ever I set my mind to.

Thank you Dad for that wonderful legacy!

Branden's Graduation

My handsome nephew just graduated from Newport Harbor High School this past Thursday. We were able to travel to California for the big day. We are so proud of this accomplishment! He is a great person and I know he will go on to do wonderful things....which we hope will be done in Colorado.



Scott and I have lived in Colorado for most of Branden's growing-up time but we've still had some fun moments with him. This picture is when he came out for Thanksgiving at our home in Colorado with his Mom. And the lower picture is at his birthday party when he was very little. Time sure flys!

Happy Graduation Branden!

Another Last Day

Yesterday was a sad day in the Morris household as we said good-bye to our BoBos. Boris Morris was with us for almost 13 years and we will miss him a lot. He was an awesome dog who gave us lots of love. He was one of my original 'babies'. The vet told us in December that we needed to pick a date in the next few months to say good-bye so we feel very lucky that the time was extended.



I love the picture of him with this big bone. My dad got both Dakota and Boris these huge bones for Christmas one year when we lived in California. So like my Dad to do something crazy like the bones and so like Boris to love eating them. I think he took over Dakota's in time.



Ameya took this picture of Boris last week. You can see he is old, tired and his body is ready. The hardest part for us is that Boris still acted in many ways like the puppy that we always knew. He still chased around the soccer ball outside and loved his walks....because there was a treat waiting. Boy could he race up the hill back to our house for that treat - even at the end.

We love you buddy. We miss you but we know that you're playing with Dakota and having a great time.