The Dream

The day had been long and exhausting; Samara had been acting a bit restless most of the journey, as if she had been disturbed by a vast encompassing force. We settled down from the days venture and prepared ourselves for a peaceful night of rest. The windows had been opened to allow the brisk evening air infiltrate throughout the house; an energizing effect, to say the least. Cassiopeia and Orion were playing with a toy we had purchased at PetsMart, which mimicked the movements and sounds a mouse would make when in the clutches of slobbering fangs. Cassy circled the toy adroitly as if waiting for it to leap from the floor; Orion huddled in the corner cantankerously, still angry over the day we brought Cassy home.

The day had been typical (if there ever is such a thing) and Samara was fed and gently rocked to sleep. Shana had been careful laying Samara in her crib; we didn't want her to wake (sleep had been difficult for Samara lately). I descended to bed; mulling over the complexities of life. I pondered decisions we make and the path each decision leads, questioning wether the paths I have chosen are--correct.

My eyelids lowered and sedation from the days' events set in when my eyes opened suddenly at sounds emanating from Samara's room. The sounds were nebulous in context; I couldn't understand, but someone was talking. I took a quick glance at the clock; 3 hours had passed!! I rushed into Samara's room to discover that she was sitting up in her bed. She stared at me for several minutes; perfect posture with a cerebral look about her. I could tell something amazing was about to happen. Something that would change the world! Her lips began to form to tell me something and her eyes fell into squint. Rather candidly, my daughter vociferated ".................."

--Chris

Milk and Cookies!!!

The last few weeks have been very busy for us; Shana's nephew visiting, 4th of July, and travelling home to introduce Samara to relatives. We're playing the game of Life and are on the first spin; still waiting for the smoke to clear.

Samara's first long voyage was a success! Her only discontent (other than crying when she was hungry) was at the discomfort of lying in a car seat for hours at a time; bellowing out a squak of distress every hour or so (as if letting us know we were idiots!). We took a photograph to document her first voyage; it seems to me that she is just putting up with us for the time being.

Samara finally met her grandmother Mashburn and grandfather Neel as well as other relatives and family friends. Samara intertained her grandmothers very well and provided highlights of brief, grunting flatulence. We gave her a bath in Grandma Neel's sink (See Below; we also provided a butt shot from a bath at home), which she "seemed" to enjoy until we wet her hair (that's when all hell broke loose!). Samara also visited with her cousin's on the trip home.

Shana's niece (Samantha), while viewing the c-section of Samara's birth, frantically asked "what are they doing!!" After vaguely explaining what was happening, she looked wide-eyed at Samara with a perplexed look (a natural look for a 3-year old). My niece (Tori) was constantly curious about anything we did with Samara; changing diapers, sitting in our laps watching as we feed Samara, etc. Tori consistently brought us diapers and bottles so we would change and feed our little girl.

During her trip to Oklahoma, Samara decided to give her parents a break on several occassions, letting us sleep during the night for 5, 6, and once, 7 hours!! We decided to take a family photograph to document our happy times!

The weather in Oklahoma was typical for July: temperatures in the upper 90's to lower 100's with high humidities. When temperatures reach in the 90's in Colorado, people complain about the weather being HOT! I laugh and explain how 95 degrees in Colorado is not the same as 95 degrees in Oklahoma. Samara was able to experience this on several occasions when we would go outside for a walk, which would abruptly end after 5 minutes due to sweat soaking Samara's hair (of course, this was followed by a squak of discomfort!)! As a result of the heat, Samara developed her first rash: a heat rash!

We were also able to visit with some of our friends from the Tulsa area during the trip home. Everyone thought Samara was cute (of course, no one would say to our face that she is ugly!) and enjoyed holding her. One of our friends' (Brian and Kelli) child, whom is 1 year old, did not like the attention his mother gave Samara and felt a little jealous (and also was able to connect on a couple of small "punches" to Samara's head). We also stopped in Wichita to visit Mike and Gioia and their two daughters Eden and Aiden. The girls were happy to see us and meet Samara!

As is life wasn't good enough, Samara and I decided to tag-team some milk and cookies. I ate the cookies, while Samara choked down a couple of ounces of milk. It was a pleasant experience!! Here's to good times!! Until next time!



--Chris

Expedition to Rocky Mountain National Park

Sheldon (Shana's nephew) and I ventured out on a hiking expedition to the Rocky Mountain National Park (on July 3rd) visiting such places as Granite Falls and Big Meadows. We also traveled on the Old Fall River Road, which existed prior to Trail Ridge Road that most visitors drive. The hike to Granite Falls through Big Meadows was 5.1 miles roundtrip. Before the hike, Sheldon was very animated about the chance to see Moose and Elk up close (he wanted to cary the 5-10 pound backpack and soon realized this was too much to carry), but he did not grasp the concept of a 10.2 mile hike. The path to Big Meadows took us 45 minutes to complete (1.8 miles) and ended with a beautiful panorama of Big Meadows. Unfortunately, the hike began with cloudy skies and Mother Nature decided to rain on us about 15 minutes into the hike! Great Stuff!! Sheldon spotted our 1st moose at Big Meadows, who was liesurely grazing in the distance. From Big Meadows, we started hiking toward Granite Falls and were told by several fellow hikers that there were a group of Moose a few hundred yards ahead. We spotted the moose, there were three, and took some photos. It was here that I became aware that Sheldon was afraid that the wildlife was going to attack and eat him (he had been carrying a large stick and had stuffed rocks in his pocket for protection).

We made it to Granite Falls by mid-afternoon; a little damp from the rain. Sheldon had been complaining about the hike for about an hour (and voiced his concerns about becoming a meal) and was very glad to reach our destination. We devoured our food and played in the nice "cool" mountain water for about 30 minutes before heading back. The return hike went fairly quickly according to Sheldon. Before we reached our vehicle, we stumbled upon a mother moose and her young calf, which was a pleasant climax to our long day in the Rock Mountain National Park.

--Chris