Author: pazmeyer

guppies

You’ve never seen a happier girl than Miss Annabelle in the pool. She loves it. She has no fear. Miss Gwyneth is getting there. She still doesn’t love to put her face in, but she certainly loves to get in and splash around. They are both making huge progress and I couldn’t be  more proud of my little water girls. 
Since our neighborhood pool closed for the winter (booooo!), I signed the girls up for swim lessons at the community rec center. They are both thrilled. They go for a half hour Monday and Wednesday afternoons and then I let them swim for at least a half hour afterwards. Well, it starts as a half hour and turns into “10 more minutes, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassssssssseeeeeee!” and then ends up being another half hour of that. I don’t mind at all. They wear themselves out, I get to relax, and enjoy my book at the end of my work day, and Mr Meyer makes dinner and it’s on the table when we get home. Perfection!

dolphins

Gwyneth is a dolphin! Well, that’s the name of her soccer team at least. She has joined the Broomfield Soccer Club and is playing on a co-ed team this season. She was a bit apprehensive at first, but as the practice progressed she got more involved. She had fun and even asked to go back next week – very good sign. 
She sure does look cute in her little soccer clothes and shin guards. I think the shin guards are my favorite part. I’m pretty sure her favorite part is the snack and gatorade! 

gabriela

Annabelle and I were home long enough to unpack, do laundry, repack, and head to the airport. I do believe we were home for less than 24 hours!
My sister, Stacy welcomed a brand new Paz girl on August 5th. I took Annabelle out to meet her this weekend and what a stinkin’ cutie! She’s a really sweet baby, hardly makes a peep. Annabelle was thrilled to hold her and play with her cousins, Maeva and Eliana. 
We had fun-filled days on our trip including Happy Hallows and a trip to the local Children’s Museum. For our last night in town Carl watched the two little ones while Stacy and I took Annabelle and Maeva for mommy and me pedicures. It was a wonderful trip! I’m so glad to have the time with my sister, Annabelle, and my nieces. 
I’ve already booked my tickets to take Gwyneth out for a visit in October! 
In my haste to get packed and to the airport I walked off and left my camera battery in the charger. I pulled out my camera to take a picture of Miss Gabriela and NOTHIN’. I was camera-less for the weekend. (Yes, my body nearly went in to shock!). All I have are these shots from my phone….
San Fran bound
  Annabelle and Gabriela

Waiting for the roller coaster at Happy Hollows

  Annabelle and Maeva on the frog hopper

Eliana

Popsicle time

little spider-monkeys!

pedicure time

fort hays

This is where they shot many scenes from Dancing With Wolves. I have never seen that movie, nor have the girls for that matter, but B has and liked it and wanted to see the set. It was pretty darn cool. Gorgeous views.  A little old west town with old shops, a blacksmith, carriages, and an executioner tower. Gwyneth wanted me to take her picture with her neck in the noose. Nope! Although a lack of good taste has never stopped my camera, that was one shot I really did not want of my baby girl. 

We went on a beautiful hike — right through mountain lion country! There was a big sign that said that we were approaching mountain lion country and gave directions on what to do if we saw one. Um, I am an indoorsy kind of girl. Mountain lions were not on my vacation agenda. We didn’t see one and everyone had a great hike and I relaxed, breathed easier, and my heart quit pounding…when we safely reached the car.

We had an absolutely fabulous family vacation! We were all sad to head home. There was so much more to see and do. I believe there will be more road trips in our future.

south dakota

After our emergency room adventure we decided to play it safe and easy for the afternoon and evening. We relaxed and played around the hotel, took a scenic drive through the mountains, toured the Presidential Wax Museum and then had a quick dinner in Keystone. 

Sweet little G, such a good sport and such a cutie! 

Annabelle bounced back from her injury quickly, bad pun intended. 

stitches

Annabelle was running down a gravel road, tripped, and a rock punctured her forehead. There was a lot of blood. A lot. We cleaned her up and put a band-aid on it, but it was still bleeding so off we headed to the emergency room.  I guess it just wouldn’t be a Meyer trip without Annabelle getting bumped, bruised, or cut! 
Annabelle was pretty hysterical, but I managed to calm her down and the doctors numbed her forehead. She received two stitches and was a great sport. She received a new pink stuffed turtle from the doctor, a book, candy, and some juice. Even Gwyneth got in on the candy and juice! 
I thought for sure this would ruin our day, but Annabelle bounced right back! She informed me, even though it was just 2 stitches, “they sewed me up like a shirt!”. 

mount rushmore

What a wonderful long weekend in the Black Hills. This was our first road trip as a family of four! It took a little less than 6 hours to get to our resort in South Dakota. Not bad at all. The girls were wonderful in the car. Our hotel had a splash pool, play ground, bouncy pillow, and plenty of space for the girls to run and explore. 
Our hotel: 

The little camping cabins. These were so cute, but had no bathrooms. With two little girls on our trip — not happening.

Right outside our hotel room:

Our first morning we headed out for the all you can eat pancake breakfast. The girls were thrilled to be eating outside and ate their weight in pancakes.

Off to Mount Rushmore.

The girls didn’t seem all that entertained, but B and I really enjoyed the history. I didn’t think the girls really paid attention, but later in the day they saw a picture of the monument and said “hey, we’ve seen those faces”.  B and I have always wanted to go and it was well worth the drive.

sassy

I broke down and took the girls to the hairdresser. I wanted to let the do it yourself haircut grow out on it’s own, but it was a choppy mess. Annabelle got A LOT of hair cut off. She looks far too old for my liking. Of course, she loves her new short sassy ‘do. Gwyneth’s hair was salvageable and just got a trim. 
After haircuts the girls played on the apples at the Orchards. They didn’t mind the cold water and splashed away in the fountains! 

The evening ended with a wrestling match. Annabelle tends to start these things, but Gwyneth always seems to finish them! 

happy birthday, poppy

It wouldn’t be a trip to St. Louis, or Poppy’s birthday for that matter, without a visit to Morton’s. We were able to sit in the private room again which is a momma’s dream when entertaining 2 kiddos during a 4 hour meal. Madison made oysters and salmon on toast points for everyone. It’s her speciality and a job she inherited from her mother. The girls were angels (ok, maybe not angels, but very well behaved for about 3.5 hours. That’s angel status in my book.).
Poppy’s friends dropped of 2 bottles of champagne for us and the Morton’s staff treated us to a divine chocolate cake. Throw in a steak or two and it was a pretty spectacular meal. 

The girls used the extra chairs in the room to make a little car to entertain themselves. 

Poppy and the grandkids. Stacy and her girls were missed. (Maybe next year????)