Back in Chas. with Grammy Sharon (in August)

Ah, it's November, and I'm still posting pics from mid-August! I've said it before and will say it again: I never understood BUSY until I had twins.

When the twins and Mommy returned from Colorado with Grammy Sharon, we found a brand-new KidKraft kitchen (from our Costless outlet again) in the living room, painstakingly put together by Daddy while we were gone. Daddy wonders why Mommy buy things for the twins that have 1,000 parts (and he has to put together -- aww, ain't Daddy great?).
And because their schedules were still on Mountain Time, Grace didn't want to go to bed the night we returned (even though we'd been up since 4 am Mtn). She somehow opened Mommy's drawers and pulled out these capris, shirt, and belt. See VIDEO.
With Grammy Sharon, we went to see the Gugel twins up in Columbia one morning. Uncle Scott showed the Baum Twins his boat, and all four of them played inside and on the back porch in the plastic shower pool.

Of course, we took Grammy to the SC Aquarium -- our fav place.

Grammy took Chance over to a particular display, where one of the little fish followed Grammy's then Chance's finger across the glass.

After the aquarium, none other than the yummy Jestine's!! Chance is notorious for breaking out into song whenever and wherever -- and almost always off-key -- which we think is awesome. No inhibitions! We love it. This VIDEO is even more hilarious in that Chance, then Grace, is singing "Amazing Grace," and I captured the "wretch like me" section (though Grammy says she heard him say "wretch like Grace.") See VIDEO!

Then Mommy underwent her NOSE surgery while Grammy Sharon took care of the twins (and Mommy and Daddy) for a couple of days.

Thank you, Mom/Grammy Sharon!

Last Tidbits of a Colorado Summer

A definite "scrapbook post" this time (i.e., just putting the pictures on the page with captions). Of the last bits of our fabulous Colorado summer vacation.

Grace experienced her first salon visit with Mommy and Aunt Gill, complete with pedicure and manicure. And out of a wall of nail polish colors, she chose a bright pink. That's our girl.

Aunt Gill shows Grace how to keep her fingers separated so that the paint doesn't smear.

Grammy Sharon gave the twins their first taste of jello with cherries inside.

After picking not-so-ripe raspberries, we had a picnic lunch at the berry farm, where this large hog hangs out and eats scraps. Quite harmless, though the twins weren't too fond of it.

After berry picking, we stopped at an outdoor shopping center and ran through this sprinkler. The game: throw plastic beads under the middle of the umbrellas and get Chance to retrieve them. Grace wasn't sure about doing it, so before we left, Mommy grabbed her and we all ran through. Grammy and the twins hangin' out on the side steps, watching a couple of other kids.

Trip to the Denver Museum where the children's portion was temporarily CLOSED (arrgh!). But the twins enjoyed it anyway, esp. the space section, where they watched a demonstration about Triton, one of the moons of Neptune (the coldest in the solar system). The lady showed how cold the moon was by bouncing a rubber ball on the ground, then placing it in liquid ice, then taking it out and throwing it on the ground where it broke into pieces. Even in October, the twins were still retelling the story of what happened to that rubber ball!

We watched lots of rabbits hop around Grammy's yard during our visit.

And Mommy followed the twins, who were holding hands (unprompted, btw!) as they walked to the green sand that Grammy bought them. Chance thought Uncle Sam's childhood collection of vehicles was the grooviest, so the sand was well-used for those.

A New Pin for the Home Depot Aprons

While in Parker, the twins typically build one of the Home Depot kids' projects with Aunt Gill (who is a manager at the store), which we did in August. Sadly, Mommy and Grammy ain't got skills, so it's up to Aunt Gill and/or Aunt Manda to put together the "easy" and FREE (!) project. And Aunt Gill definitely has skills--you should see the bathroom remodel she did in their apt. at Grammy Sharon's; the shower is like a five-star hotel's!

Chance, able Assistant to his Auntie Gill.

Grace tries to hammer a nail with his Aunt Manda.

A Ride with Grandad / PUDDLE-HOPPIN!

Mommy can't seem to update her scrapbook -- i.e., this blog -- with the summer pics fast enough, so she's movin' on to recent fall events. (Will add summer pics later, though.)

Just last weekend, we drove up to Columbia to see the Baumgartner Grandparents, where the twins always want to see the stray kitties outside the apartment complex at the Lowman Home. Grace and Mommy went out to see them, and after the visible kitty ran under the building, Grace played with Chance's pickup truck (pics above). After lunch, she also snagged a ride in Grandad's wheelchair, to her delight (see VIDEO below). Chance briefly snuggled next to Grandmother back at their apartment.

And it rained much of last week, so on an afternoon when the rain had abated, Mommy donned the twins in their rain gear and headed outside. Temps were probably in the mid 80s, but when wet, the twins got a bit cold. We headed inside for a warm bath afterward.

Grace braves walking into the large puddle.
A bit too cold for her! "Chance, why did you jump into the cold water? You're going to be soooo cold!"

Lord have mercy, Chance LOVES splashing in puddles.
Mommy is talkin to Aunt Manda on her cell phone while she videos this one.

The wheelchair ride with Grandad, with Daddy in the background too!

Around Town(s) in Colorado

Auntie Gill and ice-cream-covered twins. Since Gammy Sharon's house is only a few blocks from downtown Parker, Aunt Gill, Uncle Sam, and Mommy walked to Baskin Robbins one eve. Grace ate bubble gum (polka-dot) ice cream, dressed in her polka-dot dress, while cozy under her polka-dot blankey. I think her ribbon has polka-dots too, but she calls 'em "tolka-bots."
At the start of the summer, Chance asked for the "green ice cream," and after trying and liking a sample of Mint Chocolate Chip (at Ye Ole Ice Cream at home), he insists on it wherever we go. So, that's what he ate in Parker too. Mommy ate bubble gum ice cream too! (BR has THE best ice cream; Mommy's favs are bubble gum and rocky road).



After ice cream, we crossed the street to the playground. Gammy Sharon had to drive down to pick us up in the car 'cause we stayed till dark. :-)

Another day, we drove to Cherry Creek Mall in Denver to spend time with Great Aunt Haze. In the kids' play area (giant breakfast foods), Auntie Haze coached Chance in jumping from one yolk to the next. Grace inside the bowl of shredded wheat with blueberries.
Aunt Haze guides the twins over the giant bacon arch, and Chance jumps off the bacon. (The latter sounds like a euphemism for something, doesn't it? Falling off the wagon? Ha!)

Meeting at the top of the bacon arch.

Can't remember WHAT is under Grace -- a banana?