July 25

Here's Sammy in the boat for the first time. Notice Daddy's skin color? Yep....Sammy and Daddy have the same skin. Watch out Sammy!







And here's Uncle Dave...oops!














And here's Daddy, trying to copy Uncle Dave.

July 24

See any resemblence?

July 23

Happy Birthday Uncle Dave!

How lucky is this? Uncle Dave celebrates his birthday while on the annual Teton vacation! We did what we always do for birthdays: ate and drank. Uncle Dave has introduced us to blue cheese stuffed olives. Mommy and I love these things. When Uncle Dave and Daddy order their Belvedere martinis, they have to order extra olives for Mommy and Mimi.

yum.

Sammy was such a good baby looking on while we stuffed our faces with much cow. or pig. And then we had the LONG drive back to camp...one hour...and we were sleepy after much cow. or pig.

July 22

See what we mean? Camp Cluster.

Nothing gets done easy or efficient with us. If there is a hard way to get things done, we do it. With a smile and a headache.










According to our Bike Master, this would be an easy ride with the little tow package. The only bike path we could find for Sammy that was paved. Everything else was dirt. And it usually went UP. And you all know how I feel about UP. This is over by Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole is probably what you're all familiar with. This is 11 miles from Jackson. Jackson Hole is the ski/golf resort. When we say we're going to Jackson you probably say Jackson Hole in your head but they are really two different areas. Jackson is the town. JH is an enclave. A very pricey enclave. You also might know it by it's local term, "Undisclosed Location".

July 21

Girls Day Out.

Mommy, Sammy, Auntie, and Mimi had a girls day today while the menfolk went a fishin'. Gah.

Anyhoo...we spa-ed. We went to lunch. It was mahvelous!

This is camping at its finest.

July 20

Aren't we a happy group? Official name?

Camp Cluster

One of my older brothers calls his place Camp Runamuc with all of his kids and grandkids. I thought that it was funny and planned on calling our place the Reno headquarters of Camp Runamuc. However after a few days with this group? Camp Cluster was born. You'll see why in a later photo. Here at Camp Cluster we have no phone reception except a 6 inch by 6 inch square on the dining table inside the coach. Maybe. If you hold your breath and touch the refrigerator. Maybe. So we don't have much interaction with the outside world. Here Sammy is hiding inside because the males of the family were deciding which would be the best way to set the grill up outside and start burning meat for dinner. While drinking martinis. I should really say that we ended up having mac and cheese for dinner but that wouldn't be fair to them. Their dinner was good!

July 19

I love to go a wandering

along the forest trail

and as I go I love to sing

with my baby bjorn on my back

ok, EVERYBODY:

Valerie, Valera, Valerie, Valera-ha-ha-ha

Let me guess...you don't know this song?

Today was the first day hike that Sammy went on. We decided, or rather the hike masters, decided that we would do a very easy hike, only 1.6 miles. Up. Did I tell you that we are currently residing at 6500 feet? And by 'up' I mean, climb higher? GASP. I decided that if we were to go on any more hikes, I would travel like Sammy did. Carried. Protected from the sun. Napping. We hiked up to Taggert Lake or Lake Erie, I don't know, I had oxygen deprivation at that point. Mommy then suggested that we go back via 'the loop'. Uncle Dave and Auntie Kenna decided to hike further UP to Amphitheater Lake. 8 miles further. maniacs. Anyway, the LOOP ended up being even longer going down than going up. We didn't see any animals; maybe because of all the gasping going on.

This was also the first day of Camp Cluster.

July 18

Hi all,

I've managed to finagle my way back to the lodge that has wifi and I can update to my hearts content. Grumpa is down at the river looking over some flyfishing areas. Mommy and Daddy and Samantha are taking a walk at Colter Bay and me? I'm blogging and trying not to get depressed about our vacation coming to an end. We leave for home on Saturday. I will try to get this all updated now.

Uncle Dave and Sammy looking relaxed and ready to begin exploring the Grand Teton National Park. Sammy seems kinda blase' about this doesn't she?

July 17

Our first full day of traveling from Winnemucca to Idaho Falls. Sammy was an absolute miracle baby enjoying her long ride. We stopped in Twin Falls at a local Mexican food restaurant that we've been going to for years even after they closed the first location, by luck we found them again. The men folk chowed down on huge burritos while Sammy looked on. This photo is after we got to our camp site in Idaho Falls. Don't we all look refreshed and content? One more day on the road with only a few hours travel and we'll be there!

All Hail WiFi!

Well, here we are typing like mad before A. the battery dies, or B. our masseuse arrives. yeah, you heard me. We are currently 'spa-ing' today as the men folk are out fly fishing on the Snake River. Here is what we've done:

slept
ate
slept some more
hiked
biked
slept
ate

you get the picture.

The daily photos will start next.

So Long, Farewell, auf Wiedersen, Adieu

Our family is about to leave on a two week vacation to Wyoming. We visit the Grand Tetons every year and this year we introduce Sammy to all that gorgeousness. We'll be camping, taking pictures, hiking, taking pictures, wakeboarding, taking pictures, golfing and taking pictures. Despite all this picture taking and my cutting edge knowlege of computers, wi-fi, and such, I'm not sure if I'll be able to upload vacation photos until we get home. Keep your fingers crossed that wi-fi has made it to Colter Bay. This is what we'll be living with for two glorious weeks:







P.S. If you think that this photo doesn't have a picture of Sammy in it....think again. ;-}

Toothless

What is she going to look like with hair and teeth? She's so damn cute now!

And yes, Mimi is at the computer, holding Sammy, snapping photos...multi tasking, baby!

(and getting squat done for vacation coming up)

Shout Out

Autographs

Grumpa wanted to have Charles Barkely sign this sun bonnet with a black Sharpie at the Celebrity Golf Tourney. And went looking for him! Can you imagine? Grumpa is a funny guy. Deranged, but funny.

She weighs 13 pounds 1 ounce today.

Celebrity Golf Tournament

Michael Jordan was the tallest celebrity we saw but...

She was the prettiest!

Anonymous

I love the fact that so many of you are commenting on this blog and my efforts. Most of the time, you sign your name but sometimes, um, you don't. You are making me jump mental hurdles early in the morning (note the time I post these blogs)...please sign your name or create a blogger account WITH YOUR PHOTO like me. I love you all...keep checking in or better yet, make it your www home page!

Betty Boop

Look at those lips...aren't they the most kissable lips you've ever seen? I see more of Mommy in this picture than ever before. Daddy is still in there, but Mommy's features are coming through now. Is it the slightly puzzeled look? No. Is it the air of alert contemplation? Nah....it's the hoodie!!!

Eyelashes

I wish I could make this photo larger because you would be able to see how much darker her eyelashes are getting. Mommy started telling me that Sammy's lashes were darkening but without my glasses on I had to take her word for it. Until today. They are darker. And longer. Mommy has very dark, thick long eyelashes. Most women are not so blessed. Oh? And I'm not bitter; no siree, not me. Hmph. Sammy will have Daddy's eye color and Mommy's eye lashes. Gerber baby, watch out!

Little Red Riding Hood

I love to scrapbook and I'm currently working on a layout that features this photo. I was showing Daddy the page and he came up with this title.

Wedding #2

Mommy, Daddy, and Sammy drove up to Elko for a friend's wedding that Daddy was a groomsman in. Sammy did very well in the long hot four hour drive to Elko. Good thing, because in less than a week, she'll experience her first trip to Wyoming and the Grand Tetons. And 13 hours in the truck. Aren't they a beautiful family?

Auntie Sheena

Meeting all the family at once gets confusing at this point for newcomers. A Sheena and a Shaina? In the same family? Well, yes. Auntie Sheena will be marrying Uncle Kyle next year and Mommy will become Auntie Shaina. This blonde cutie and Uncle Kyle will have gorgeous babies....but that's for somebody else's blog! As you can see, little Sammy just hams it up for the camera.

Raspberries

Sammy was giggling up a storm a few minutes ago when I was blowing raspberries at her. Both of us were laughing. Hopefully this will put a smile on your face too.





12 pounds, 11 ounces.

Four Generations, Part B

Here is another generational photo this time from Mommy's side. Here is Mommy, Sammy, Nana, and Wawa. Isn't Sammy lucky to have the amount of family surrounding her?

Uncle Dave

Officially, the 'Uncle' title will become set in stone on Sept. 6 of this year, when Uncle Dave marries Auntie Kenna. But we started calling him Uncle Dave once we found out that Sammy was on her way to us. Uncle Dave has promised Sammy that she will learn other sports like bike riding and hiking. He doesn't want her to get stuck in a golfing rut. Good luck, Uncle Dave. On our upcoming vacation, he and Auntie Kenna will be taking her hiking. He is very cute when he cuddles with his only niece.

Four Generations, Part A

This is the longest generational line on Sammy's Daddy's side. Sammy, Daddy, Grumpa, and Gramma Jeanne. This was also the first time that Gramma Jeanne met Sammy. And fell in love with her. Who wouldn't?

Chatty Cathy

Sammy is saying "Happy Fourth of July!"

Uncle Kyle

This is Uncle Kyle, Mommy's brother, with Sammy. It was the first meeting between the two of them. Don't Mommy and Uncle Kyle look alike? (I think that Mommy might be taller though) Anyway, Uncle Kyle is engaged and will be married within the year. Watch out, Uncle Kyle...your turn for babies is up next!

Auntie Kenna

If you've seen the movie Finding Nemo there is a scene 3/4 into the film that has a flock of seagulls eyeing some fish. One by one they start speaking until all the seagulls are crying out one word. This one word reflects Auntie Kenna's reaction when she sees her little niece.

Mine.

Mine.

MINE!

MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!MINE!

Air Potty or Gentlease, my ass

Samantha is not shy about sharing her inner most, um, well, she won't let pressure get to her, let's say. This is the formula she drinks. Even though it states, "For Babies with FUSSINESS or GAS" she is not a fussy baby. Note, I said she's not fussy. She is gassy. She toots, she scores. She can be sound asleep or wide awake, no degree of consciousness will hinder her. We should have had a hint from this photo taken while she was still in the hospital with Mommy and only a day or two old.

And while she can freshen the room with her 'odeur', she can clear the room with a dirty diaper. For example: Daddy loves to hunt and fish. With that train of thought, after Daddy bags the big game or lands the fish, he then cleans it. He has no problem doing that and has been doing that for a good 10 or more years. Cleaning out anything would make me hurl. But a dirty diaper? Daddy gags. He says he could gut a deer or pick up doggie poo without any problems, but Sammy's dirty diaps? He gets a little whoosy. If you haven't seen this video, check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTij4txO8Uk