The C-3 Summer Tour ‘08

Our “Summer Tour” to see family and friends was wonderful, busy, fast, and crazy too.  We started out in Colorado Springs with my parents and Grandma.  We loved the cooler, dry, weather, and Ford did too.  He enjoyed playing out on the deck every day, he loved looking at (and picking) Grandma’s beautiful flowers and herbs, and even enjoyed just relaxing some. 

We went to the zoo on my Mom’s 60th birthday, July 7th, and had an awesome time.  All the animals were out and were “on show.”  We fed and pet the giraffes (Ford did too) and saw the new Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit which was very impressive (and it didn’t hurt that it was actually “cool” that day!). 

  

  

It was really special to be with my mom on her 60th and to celebrate her!  I am very thankful to have her for my mom and friend.  Some of the things I admire and love about her: -She has always put her time to good use by volunteering and giving back to others -She is an incredible hostess and creates beautiful center pieces, delicious meals, and a very welcoming home -She always gives 100% to any project or job she is in charge of  -She is incredibly generous, especially with her family  -She always knows just how to love me (and Jeff and Ford) 

We had a great birthday dinner at a restaurant downtown, NOSH, that is similar to a tapas restaurant where you order lots of little items and share among the table.  It was both fun and delish!  While we were there Ford thought it was a fun game to grab Jeff’s beer bottle (no, he did not get a taste).  We discovered on this trip that Ford is into bottles, not his bottle to drink from of course, but any other type is great, especially plastic water bottles. 

We also were able to spend time with my Grandma.  It was so much fun to see her with Ford again and to see how happy it made her each day.  She couldn’t get over how much he moves his legs (constantly) and how he uses his feet as another set of hands with his toys.  Ford loved looking up at his Great-Grandma and touching her face and also liked trying to grab her necklace.

Ford also got to hang out with Bailey, his new best friend.  He laughed when Bailey licked him and gave him kisses and he loved pulling/petting Bailey’s fur.

 

Another fun thing for Ford in Colorado were the cats.  He thought it was pretty exciting to try and grab (or eat) Nellie’s (the grey cat) and Tyler’s (the white cat) fur.  Nellie and Tyler weren’t too sure about the pulling of the fur bit, so needless to say they weren’t around too much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the weather was so great we were also able to take Bailey to the dog park a few times.  Ford enjoyed seeing everyone (and the dogs) there, kicking his feet and talking, and being out in the fresh air.

 

Here are some other pictures from our stay in Colorado Springs.

After playing with Grandpa, Ford got very tired and decided snuggling was a good idea.

 

Loving being out on the deck!

Just having fun!

Colorado was a great start to our tour.  It was really hard to leave the wonderful weather.  Growing up my parents and I would go to the Pacific Northwest to visit our family each year.  Each time we had to leave my mom would dread going back to the hot Texas heat.  I finally understood exactly how she felt when we had to leave Colorado.  It was just so wonderful to be somewhere where we could be outside with Ford throughout the day.  Even though it was hard to leave, it was exciting to be on our way to our next stop. . . Fort Worth, Texas!

Our stay in Ft. Worth was quick and jam packed.  We were able to see a lot of friends, but unfortunately didn’t get to see everyone we would have liked.  We enjoyed staying with Jason and Kari, as well as the Hotchkiss family.  We were able to visit TCU and see the amazing new buildings they have been working on, the improved Frog Fountain, and even showed Ford the beautiful tree and plaque in memory of his Grandmother Patsy. 

 

It was pretty hot while we were in Texas, so Ford spent some time just chillin’ in his diaper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we were in Ft. Worth Ford was able to swim in a “big pool” for the first time at the Hotchkisshouse.  We all had a great time enjoying their pool while we were there!  It was fun to introduce Ford to Steve, Luke, and Macy (Brooke and Lisa visited in April).  Almost ten years ago I first met their family and crazy enough, Macy was Ford’s age!  It was great to be with their family and very special for me to see the kids interacting with Ford (he was non-stop smiles with them). 

Bethany and Briana and Hunter drove up from San Antonio and to spend time with us in Ft. Worth as well.  It was so good to see them and fun for Ford to meet Hunter and Bethany for the first time.  Hunter was so cute with “Baby Ford” as he referred to him each time.  Hunter wanted to hold him and if Ford was fussing, he would give him a “pep talk.”  For example, Ford was fussing because he was tired and ready for a nap, so Hunter told him “Baby Ford, do you know what we get to do after you take your nap?  After you wake up from your nap we get to go swimming!  You don’t want to be crabby while you swim do you? ”  It was very sweet. 

          

On Saturday, July 12, Ford was baptized!  He had all of his grandparents there, his aunt and uncle, and some of our closest friends.  One of our dear family friends, Fr. Mark and his wife Doris, drove in from Midland to baptize Ford.  I have known Fr. Mark and Doris and their kids since I was 3, so it was very special that they were there and did this for us.  It was also so nice to have the baptism in the home of our friends Amanda and Joseph.  It provided the low-key, personal environment we wanted and a perfect place for both the baptism and the brunch after.  It was also fun to see the 5 babies together, all born in the last 6 months, TCU class of 2030, and hilarious trying to get the pictures of all of them below. 

         

         

        

           

 TCU Frogs, Class of 2030:  Makenna, Lillie, Ford, Thessalie, and Charlotte         

Charlotte is the closest in age to Ford (only 18 days younger) and the two of them already have a pretty sweet relationship, as you can see just by looking at the pictures below.  And, I might add, they had their first kiss (although their parents thought it was way too early).  Joseph might try to tell you that it was all our son, but if you look at the preceding pictures you see there was some flirting on his little girl’s part too.  Ah, young love.

Yes, that is Ford planting a big smooch on Charlotte.  Amanda and I were cracking up when this happened.  Unfortunately, the dads missed it.

After our whirl-wind tour in Texas we headed to Shreveport, Louisiana.  We were able to see a lot of Jeff’s family, both on the Langford and Crane sides and had some time to just relax as well.  Not long after we drove in we went to Gramp Langford’s house where Ford was able to meet his Great-Gramp, his great aunt and uncle June and Rick, cousin Claire, and his great aunt and uncle Susan and Hal. It was special introducing him to the Langford family!  By the end of our time together our little man was pretty exhausted and enjoyed some snuggle time with Great-Gramp.

 

After visiting the Langfords Ford took a quick nap back at Grandad’shouse and then was able to see both Sandi and Patti, and meet Jeff’s cousins Amy and Patrick.  Ford also had fun playing in the car exersaucer that was at Jeff’s dad’s house on loan from Sandi (or should we say cousin Camryn)!  Later in the evening Ford got to swim in his Grandad’s pool for the first time!  He really enjoyed the pool during our visit (and so did we)!  He even had a new swim suit and float waiting for him when we got there! 

The next day Ford met his Great-Gram for the first time.  Ford is her second great-grandchild and we were excited to introduce them!

We were also able to celebrate Jeff’s dad’s birthday that day, July 14th!  It has been a few years since we have actually been with him on his day so it was fun to all be together to celebrate.  Sandi and Rene had all the Cranes over to their house for a very tasty grill-out feast!  Ford was able to see his great aunts Sandi and Patti again and meet his great uncles, Rene and Jeff, as well as cousins Trey, and his wife Erin and daughter Camryn, Michelle, Michael and Nicole.  It was fun to see everyone, to introduce Ford to the Crane family, and to get to enjoy a great meal together.  When we were eating birthday dessert Ford was very interested in his Grandad’s birthday balloons!

While we were in Shreveport we really enjoyed spending time in the pool.  It was both fun and relaxing for all of us.  We lathered Ford up with sunscreen and out we went each day!  Don’t worry, we did rub the sunscreen in, but thought he looked cute with all of it on his face. 

Before we left Shreveport Ford was given one of his dad’s old baseball caps (pictured above), which looked pretty darn cute on him.  Overall, we had such a nice trip and were glad to spend time in all the places we were able to.  It was wonderful seeing so many of our family and friends!  Thanks to all of our wonderful hosts!  We appreciate all you did to make the three of us feel so welcome and at home.