For my Dad's birthday last week the family descended on Grand Junction again.  I was happy to be back to their pool and lazy days of free entertainment and care for Jack. 

We flew this time, using the Denver Air charter flights out of Jeffco Airport.  It was pretty slick - no security, no long drive to DIA, super friendly, no crowds, etc etc. 



Unfortunately the afternoon storm made this the worst flight I have ever been on.  Our lightweight plane was bounced hither and thither.  Jack and I both made use of the airsickness bags - several times in his case.  The flight was also double in length because of the detour we had to make around the storm. 



But we made it in one piece!  Jack quickly recovered and was ecstatic to see Grandpa at the airport. Jack made him open his present as soon as we got to the house.  The rest waited until the next day, when Mom would be back from visiting Grandma Lois in Salt Lake, and Andy and Jen and dogs could arrived too.  Ben even drove up for a short overnight stay.



Friday I baked a cake, we swam, played, and ate well.  I didn't put shoes on all day. 





Saturday a little shopping downtown.  Very little - it was sweltering.  Jack picked out this "dapper hat" with Ben.  After Red Robin lunch we snapped some adorable pics.





Sunday everyone had left but me, Amanda, and Jack.  We went to church, made ice cream, and, of course, more swimming. 









Monday morning we flew back home on a much gentler flight.  Smooth and short, we arrived in Arvada with spare time before story time at the library started.





We were both worn out.  It was so much fun though.  I love getting together with all my family.  Jack said no less than three times on Monday "I just wanted to stay with grandma and grandpa."  Me too, bud.

Today I felt pretty crappy.  Lots of contractions, lots of back pain, nausea, reflux, all the bad stuff pretty much.  I managed to clean, do laundry, get groceries, took Jack to the Apex Center indoor play ground, filled him a kiddie pool, did my billing work, and made dinner.  Writing that all out makes me feel better for how wiped I am.  But really, I shouldn't be this tired and uncomfortable. 

While Ben got Jack ready for bed I took video of the baby having hiccups.  This happens several times a day, just like with Jack.  Although large rolls and pokes are easy to see, it's hard to catch them on film.  It's more unusual for hiccups to be visualized.  I added the tablet so you can see them clearer with the wobble.

Tonight we made it down to Baker for the Broadway Farmer's Market.  Baker is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Denver; home to Sweet Action Ice Cream, Humble Pie Shop, and the beloved Fancy Tiger, amongst other hip fair.

Speaking of hip fair, this was one strange farmer's market.  Settled on a small grassy lot, you could find tickets to the Underground Music Festival, wine freezers(?), boozy marmalade, and vegan food trucks, all while listening to a live band.  But if you came with your canvas bags for farm fresh vegetables, you might be disappointed.  There was one booth tucked in the corner selling fresh greens.  To their credit, there was also a sign by the band "Peaches couldn't make it . . . truck broke down . . . will be here next week!"  The fact that Ben thought this might refer to the band tells you what kind of market this was.  I wonder why they don't just call it a neighborhood fair, or summer festival, or something. 

Despite our preconceived notions we had a fun time.  Jack and I shared a refreshing watermelon-pineapple juice and kettle corn.  Ben had a delicious tamale.  The booths were generous with their samples, so we also had "artisan" pickles, pistachio pesto, chocolate caramel sauce, and rhubarb pie. 

Some more artistic shots from Jack D added to his set on flickr.  Here are my favorites.  Zoo pictures are from our outing I blogged here.

We hadn't been to the zoo in a couple months.  We left bright and early this morning to try to beat the July heat.  I packed icy water bottles, sunscreen, hats, stroller, gym shoes, back brace, and took a Tylenol and Zantac just to be ready.

The zoo crowds were lighter than earlier in the summer.  We found parking easily and didn't have to fight to see animals.  Most of the animals were cooperative and playful, coming right up to us. Except the big felines, they were mostly hiding in the shade.  But it was 11:30 by the time we got to them, and everyone was wilted at that point, us included. 

Dusty Cape Buffalo.



A pelican, as requested on our drive to the zoo.  "Can we see that bird with funny bumpy mouth?" "Flamingos?"  "No, the funny bird, with big mouth.  Nemo's dad and Dory go in his mouth."  He laughed with glee when this pelican stretched his neck to let us see his mouth.





All the penguins were in the caves except this dummy.  Water or caves, dude. That's where you should be.  This was the smaller exhibit near the monkeys.  We saw better penguin action by the Bird Palace. 




Brown Bears




Better Penguin Action




Fishing cat making rounds right up to the glass.  He made up for the otters across the hall who were sleeping.



We took a break in the amphitheater to eat PB&Js, grapes, and water.



While we ate we watched this guy take a bath!



The sea lions were very playful too.





Despite asking for giraffes several times, when we finally got to them he was feigning interest.  These tigers next door were lounging and bathing.  Jack had devolved to asking useless questions, like he does when he is tired and bored.  For example, this picture he is asking "How that tiger take a bath, mom?"  "uhh, by sitting in the water."  "But how he take bath?"  Ok, time do go.


Jack was wearing out, so we headed back to the car.  I couldn't believe all the people just arriving now that it was almost noon.  Dudes, it's going to get hotter!

But seriously, I should get some Mommy achievement points for spending the morning Downtown Denver, walking in the high 90s weather while 8 months pregnant, right? This was NOT EASY.

At home we had a bigger lunch with Ben, who was working from home today.  He went back in the basement while I turned on the sprinklers for Jack to frolic.  It cooled him down to chattering teeth.  He played with his cars in his room while I sorted baby clothes.  (Oh my gosh, were his feet ever really this small??)

I was sweltering by quiet time.  These afternoon storms are nice for bringing down the ambient temperature outdoors.  But the rainfall makes our evaporative cooler worthless.  Ben suggested I get out of the house since he was there for Jack if needed. 




Ahhhhhh.  If only their WiFi worked as well as their AC.  I was goose bumpy and loving it.  But after several disconnections I had to go home to finish my work.  It was a wonderful respite while it lasted.

Internet savvy folks are aware that Google Reader ended service this month.  We were sad.  Ben opted to self host an RSS reader for me and friends.  He has the ability to tweak it's design, because he's smart like that. 

Sometimes when I'm browsing my internet feeds, I am assaulted by snakes.  Like this one.  And this one.  NothankyougoawayImgonnawashmyeyesnow.  I really really hate snakes.  After a request that was mostly a joke, my dear husband did this for me:



"Redacted due to snakes (click to toggle)"

In other words, he filtered snakes out of my RSS feeder!  I'm so happy.  It does a keyword search, so sometimes articles are redacted that don't need to be.  But the title is preserved so I can click to view it if I think it will be safe.  

Thank you Ben!

At dinner Jack has a full glass of chocolate milk.  He spills the whole thing towards me, pooling across the table, on the floor, and on me.  I try to catch it in my skirt. Ben rushes for rags. 

After a long pause, Jack says politely, "I need more chocolate milk."

No kidding, kid. 

We laugh and mop it up.  I opt to shimmy out of my skirt and use it as a rag.  Jack looks at me and says, "You got chocolate milk on your skirt, Mommy."

I chuckle as I run upstairs to change.  What a helpful child.

I can't believe I neglected to post about this for so long.  Last month we had the pleasure of entertaining our good friends the Walkers while Nate had business in Golden!  Oh, how I miss having them around all the time.  We mostly ate, shopped, and talked.  We to the Alamo Drafthouse too.  It was splendid.  Azalea stayed in Idaho, but Jack was all over playing with Cedar - shocking to me.

Gah, the pictures I took are horrible and few.  But I'll share them anyway.   Guys, come back anytime.  Please.