This the final lot!

After all the presents were opened, the adults were more drained than anything, this is about 9:30 at night.




































This was a Father's Day feast, at the local silver mine in Creed, Co.
The owner of the mine put it on for the community and this time they used it for a community meeting about reopening the mine, even though we told them we were not locals, they told us come on and enjoy. Great hospitality, something most of us still need to work on.
Lori took this picture of all the Crawford men, it is a favorite of mine.



Oh, by the way, the food was spectacular and all left with a few extra pounds.







Here is a glimpse into the future, me and my boy out checking out deer. These were behind the cabin we were staying in and were obviously accustomed to people, as they were not easily spooked. Lori was really impressed with them and upset that I could think of the shoot lines to take them down. Unfortunately Matty wasn't to concerned, but we can work on that!

But wait,.....there's more!

The aforementioned phone, I would wager that Dave might have taken the time to remove the batteries by now.

I tried so hard to get the picture when he framed his face, but I was too slow and all attempts at recreating failed, but this gives a good sense of what most parents feel after getting presents, and the child plays with the wrapping material.

Mommy and baby opening another present, foam blocks, which Matty promptly started to believe were for his mouth! Aunt Sharon is looking through a gift from the Grandparents Crawford, a book detailing creation.

Uncle James is enlisted to help with present detail, Matty seemed very interested in the shape blocks, but first James had to get through the plastic, it seems like they are making it tougher now a days.

Me again, trying to help Matty see how this was supposed to work. I never saw him putting the shapes in or trying to but it's there when his mind starts the problem solving spatial issues.

Maybe more later.

Birthday Party

Uncle Tom and Aunt Sharon gave Matty a cool toy (by both his and my opinion) a dump truck that makes noises. it didn't take Matty anytime at all to know what to do with this new object in the house.
I tried to help the problem solving capacity by turning off the noises, and though I believe that he made the connection that the switch was what stopped his fun, he couldn't slide it back over, maybe soon.








Matty still before the festivities fully began, playing with a ball, but still wanting to keep hold of the truck.














Mom Lori, (my sister-in-law) with homemade cake that was very tasty, but wasn't as appealing to Matty as the fig newtons were that she gave him in about two minutes after this pic was taken.





My mom, Nana, was pulled into the build-a-bear phenomenon when a friend told her that they could record her voice and put it in the bear. Not only that but if you squeeze the bear it has a heart beat! Grandma's who don't get to see the kids are easy for these guys.
Matty wasn't sure what to make of the fact that Nana was speaking, in fact he went for mom's pocket, looking for the phone that he was sure was the source of his Nana.










The dazed, deer in the headlights look, which really was, "hey give me back that present mom handed to you."
Life lesson; give the not so animated toys first, like a electronic phone, the kids will not want to look at blocks, clothes or you for that matter.

1st Birthday

Finally, the reason I came down. Unfortunately due to the time that has lapsed since I last had complete supervision of a small child, I had to learn the hard way to make sure that I was showered and fed before the parents left.
Matty obviously doesn't care I didn't eat, he was busy making sure that the toast was in his mouth. Lori says that he must pick it up from Dave, he tries to shove everything in at once!










Too cute!
Perfect pose for me, and cleaning the boy became a routine. Not sure about taking after Dave, looks like he gets food everywhere, according to those who know, that would be me.













Matty has a fascination with anything "techy", including but not limited to; my phone, laptop, remotes and even the DVD player. At this point he was after my phone on the end table next to the sofa. He started taking more steps unassisted this day and even completed a seven step walk.

Too many times I was amazed at the looks my boy would put out and so I took about 250 photos during my short time there.

Matty not happy. Not sure how long the net will work but I can tell you he does not like anytime I had to dart over it to sort out something.

More pics from the trip in October, more to come maybe tomorrow?

My Boy's 1st Birthday

I had a long layover in South Carolina, and so after taking care of essetials, I settled down to playing with images and this one spoke to me. The way the light played off the windows grabbed my attention.
I actually took about 10 pictures trying to get one that looked as I wanted it. She never looked up, never diverted her attention from the screen.





This terminal wing was just about dead at 10 pm, I am sure that this was just another day to these two but i am just as sure that they would have loved to get out, given the chance.

I tried and finally accepted this one as the best I could get, I will have to carry a mini tripod if I am going to take no flash pictures. What I would have given to had my 35 mil SLR with me, I knew I could get it with that!

This is in the main area of the Airport and thought of Matty, I would love for him to see it, as all the obects of flight travel around, with each level opposing the other.

Well, obviously Uncle James needs to get more on the ball; maybe that's why I am #2 son and not #1. My nephew, and Godson Matty, who has captivated entire families as only a baby can, enjoyed his birthday over a month ago and here I am just now posting about it.

Be gentle I am a noob at this, and still learning the blog world.

I flew from Mo to Fl and spent 3 1/2 great days making sure that Dave and Lori were not abusing him(thought about no party), and that he could still remember me.