Family pictures at American Basin

American Basin is a GORGEOUS place 20 miles or so - but close to an hour drive in a 4x4 - away from Lake City. It was SUPER cold, but we braved the cold to take these pictures. It was a pretty bumpy ride up and back, but somehow the little man took a nap. What a trooper. Don't be surprised if you see these again on our Christmas cards.

Colorado fishing pictures

It was neat for me to get to see how interested and excited Paul was about fishing. The 3 guys were up at 6am almost every morning to go catch fish. Most of them were caught at Deer Lake.

Patrick was pretty psyched to see a beaver at Deer Lake. We decided to name it Marsha, since her animal personality is a beaver. It was pretty funny to hear him talk about Marsha the Beaver.

We caught (I say we because I was there, not because I cast a rod) 23 fish that day at Deer Lake! We had a great fish fry with our fish, hush puppies and potatoes. Mmmm! It seemed like every time someone cast, they caught a fish. I sat on a rock and read a book and took pictures. I also had taken a pretty nasty fall that day, it was only about a foot and a half, but I landed on my knee. Thankfully, it's just sprained, but that didn't do much for me feeling old a day after my birthday.

Patrick was into fishing as much as a 3 year old can be. At first he thought we were going to catch "cod fish," but then we told him they were rainbow trout. He liked catching the "rainbow fish."

Family Vacation pictures

The cabin was perfect size with a perfect deck. The weather was perfect - sometimes hot and sometimes cold and rainy. We had fun laughing at stories and each other. I had a great birthday shopping and eating gourmet pizza and playing cards.

Patrick enjoyed the new adventure of the mountains and the forest. We would talk about what animals were in the forest. He tried to tell us there were giraffes in the forest. In addition to his adventures to find pinecones and flowers, he loved to throw his football down the mountain and then go get it. He really was a good little mountain man.

If you have a sec, Google "Alferd Packer." He is a notorious cannibal from Lake City. Our cabin was less than a quarter mile from the "Alferd Packer site." The whole town (all 315 of them) is obsessed with the cannibal. I thought it was kinda funny, but everyone else thought it was pretty creepy.

Last week of Swim School

This week they put on life jackets and jumped off the diving board! Paul knew one of the other life guards from Tramps, and he asked him on Tuesday if Patrick could jump off and Ed said sure. This time - his first time - it was with NO life jacket. As you might expect, he jumped with no hesitation. And didn't even wait for "3," he jumped on "2." He was a bit disappointed when he had to wear a life jacket when the whole class jumped. Am I ready for this little thrill-seeker, daredevil I've got on my hands?

My birthday reminds me how blessed I am

My birthday reminds me of just how blessed I am. . . to have been born into such a loving family, to have met a wonderful man, to have created such an amazing little child, and to have so many caring friends in my life. For all that you are to me, thank you. I am truely blessed to have you in my life. Here's to my 32nd year of life, laughter and love.

Fun with Bubba & Grandma

Happy Birthday, G Christopher Snead!

For all you do, this blog's for you!

BOYS BOYS BOYS

Look at all these boys! They are all 5 and under. We took this pic at my mom's family reunion in Slaton last Sunday. Left to right. . . Brady Bednarz (Chris & Keri), Kotten, Tyson and Ben Bednarz (Nathan & Stephanie), Braden Bednarz (Chris & Keri) and Patrick. Can you even imagine the trouble these cousins are going to get into???!!!

Happy Birthday, Sweet MK

Sending lotsa birthday hugs from Lubbock to Frisco for my sweet friend, Mary Kate. Everyone who knows her, knows what a bright shining examples of God's love that she is. She has always been a source of strength and support for me. What a blessing it is to call her a friend.

First week of swim school

The tie "noodle knots" around their waists to let them really swim. You have to look close in this picture, but you can see him all the way across the pool in the green noodle. they swam all the way across and back, widthwise, in this Olypmic regulation pool. That's pretty far for a 3 year old. That'd be far for me! (But that's not saying all that much.)





















Patrick really enjoyed his first week of swim lessons. I am glad we got him into a "class setting." He likes to have Danny's undivided attention like he likes to have our undivided attention. He is having to learn to "share the spotlight."

Watch out Matthias

It's The Hot Cookie's Birthday!

Patrick wants to wish Hot Cookie KIM HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Here's Kim kissing Ava.



















Patrick took this picture of me and Kim.

Patrick the Beaver

Patrick recently watched a Curious George episode about beavers and beaver dams. Last Friday when we were at my parents' house, Patrick decided to pick up sticks and make a beaver dam - or "vever" dam as he called it. He had picked up almost EVERY stick in the back yard. When he couldn't find any more, he announced "I need some more dam sticks." My mom and I DIED laughing! We told him he needed "more sticks for his dam." TOO FUNNY!

More surprises for the BIRTHDAY GAL

Flowers from Josh & Meghan (on the table.) And Patrick greeted her with the yellow flowers (behind her ear) when she drive up in the drive-way. What a way to win Doodah's heart!
























Here are 'THE GALS." Usually you can find them making "kissy-faces" but this evening it was just good friends and good conversations. Except for the **** discussion . . . hee hee



























Dad surprised Mom with dinner at the house with the Jackson's. He cooked dinner for Mom - pan seared beef fillets with tomatoes and purple onions, and baked potatoes. But she wanted to make the salad. Good Man that Rick is, he played with Patrick while Dad cooked and Mom and I were with the ladies!

I hope I am THIS happy and have THIS good of friends when I am 53 years old! LOVE YOU, MOM!!!

Birthday wishes to MARSHA ANN BEDNARZ TYE!!!

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Mom/Marsha/Doodah!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

This was her birthday dinner Paul & I made Sunday night. Grilled tuna steak, grilled bacon-wrapped shrimp, grilled veggies, roasted potatoes and mint tea. Followed later by apple crisp. I am pleased to say, there were no leftovers.

Patrick's First Day of "Swim School"

Today was Patrick first swim lesson - or swim school as we have been calling it. He was a little hesitant at first, but then he was psyched about it. Today he was the first to volunteer for everything and then wanted it "again! again!" Then he was easily distracted while it was the others' turns. I am excited to see him progress the next 2 weeks. Right now he is saying the water is "too big."

And then Paul and Patrick had to come be "knights in shining armor" rescuing their "damsel in distress" when I ran out of gas. Hey, everybody does it once. I figured I'd be the one to make fun of myself before Paul does it. I ran out of gas in the Big Lots parking lot, so I walked over and did some shopping.