Tea Party

Banner's friends Bob and Sue Andrews gave Banner a beautiful pink cocktail gown when she was born. We've been waiting for an opportunity for her to wear it, but there have been no weddings, no balls, and no invitations to the governor's. And so we created our own event. A tea party! A party for the dress. So may we present, Lady Banner.
This is Banner's first time in a high chair. What a good sitter-upper! She can actually sit by herself for extended periods now. And when she falls she squirms onto her stomach.
Banner and mom - what a pair!
After some serious tea partying, Banner crashed. We felt that the dress didn't make the best sleeping attire. But she still has her fancy bloomers on!

Also in attendance were Kyla, Carol, Annabelle, Patty, and Ella. A lovely time was had by all.

Folks Fest

Last weekend we all went up to Lyons for the 20th anniversary of the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. This is the same crew that produces the Telluride Bluegrass festival, so it was an amazing lineup of musicians and just a fantastic atmosphere. If you have not gotten a chance to make it to Telluride...go. However, if you do not want the seven hour drive from Denver/Boulder, a festival at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch is a close second. It is almost like a mini-Telluride with the St. Vrain cutting the canyon to make a natural venue and cooling you off in the heat.

Excited to listen to some live music!

The lovely ladies listening and playing.

BanBan insisting that I should not take a picture from the middle of the river. Maybe she is warning me not to dip her bottom in the water if I hold her. Either way, very intimidating look...and funny.

Seeing Marc Cohn onstage!

Anyway, this was Banner's first time at the festival naturally and she found it a great way to catch up on some sleep as you will see below. Our friends Leslie and Carl were gracious enough to let us bring her to their place for the evening to sleep while we caught a raucously reflective set by The Swell Season. The passion he puts into his performance is riveting. I was just so grateful that we were able to allow Banner to experience live music, if only at five months, which is something I enjoy so immensely. The only music she makes right now is her "singing" and some digitized nursery rhyme from a plastic smiling star pyramid thing. I will find a way to reprogram those with The Kinks, or at least some Gershwin. We always had music playing in my house growing up whether from classical to smooth jazz to piano practice/trumpet/flute to my first cassettes. If she grows up to tour as a member of BanBan's Banana Bunch that would be great, but I would like her to at least appreciate the art and performance of music. Did some say pictures? Okay.

Courtesy of Cesar, this pacifier is now just barely big enough for her to use. We have not really subjected her to it much yet, but thought it was hilarious.

Lounging and taking it all in...reaching for the camera of course too.


Banjo Royalty: I could not help, but get a picture of Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn when they sat right in front of me during Joy Kills Sorrow. The two of them opened the day on Sunday with a gospel set; very moving.

This is Banner and me enjoying the St. Vrain in the afternoon. As you can see in the background, people tube down it during the festival. BV got her feet wet and splashed around, but that was about it.

This is the three of us during one of her naps. Keep in mind, there are still performers and people around, but she was spent.

BV doing her best imitation of Calamity Jane during another nap as Kristen lounges.

BV and me at the river.

BanBan waking up from another long nap with Kristen lovingly looking on. We set up her own cabana with an umbrella and she took advantage.

BV requested that we get a picture with Jenny Lewis. She listens to her enough that she even wanted a diaper signed, but we wanted to be respectful of the artists. Yes, I am rocking a bolo tie.

Banner super-psyched about a gorgeous day and listening to such a great lineup.

July time

Hmm - sorry it's been a while since we posted. It's been a busy few weeks - vacationing in Atlanta, Sunset Beach, and Charlotte, visiting family and friends. Banner has accomplished rolling over in both directions, though she chooses not to practice this skill often. She's also done with laying down - only babies do that! - and wants to sit (unassisted for brief spurts) or stand (assisted) all the time. She feels the need to grab everything and taste everything. Hopefully, one cup of coffee in my lap was enough to teach me to keep things out of her reach, but I'm sure we'll have more fun experiences like that. She's all smiles these days. except, of course, when she's avoiding naps. Overall she's lots of fun!
Here she is hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park over fourth of July weekend.


With Grandma and Grandpa Matthews at the beachIn her makeshift bathtub with Ellie the singing cow















In the ocean!




































Meeting my friend Liz and her girls, Lily Kate and Charlotte


















Hanging out with friends and family in Charlotte: friends Chris, April, and daughter Ethne, Grandma and Grandpa Nelson, Uncle Herbie, Aunt Sarah, and cousin Andrew, and Aunt Bethany and Uncle Adam!

Some old, some new

Enjoying the summer


"You may kiss my hand"


Funny family shot


Two thumbs up for her first outdoor concert.

Kristen and Banner decked out for the Kentucky Derby at our friend's place. I do not foresee BV wearing that whole outfit again, but sometimes you go all out for the Derby.


WonderMom! That is a salad, fruit smoothie, cookies and one enthralled-with-wonder BV.


This photo goes back a month or so, but I liked it. Okay, I guess she has been growing.


BanBan learning to suck on her hand when in deeply pensive moods.


Wide-eyed wonder I think they call it...

BV's first flight

Kristen and BV flew out last week to head to a conference in Atlanta and then to visit family. This is the two of them at the airport ready for the adventure. BV was loving the airport. I could barely say goodbye before she ran off down the escalator with a smile on her face. So far, there has been a lot to see for her and many different places to sleep and humidity. She does not like humidity. They are at Sunset Beach, NC now with Grpts. Matthews.

It has now been over a week since I have seen them and I have been having withdrawal. Fortunately I have had the World Cup and Le Tour to keep me occupied. Apparently she has been learning new tricks. No one has actually seen the process, but Banner has been rolling over now from her back to her belly. Hopefully we will get some pics or video of it soon. I think she just wants to perfect it for when her dad arrives.

Speaking of which, I just arrived in Charlotte to visit my family. (For anyone keeping track, my old phone number is defunct, so 303-359-7096) I still will not see K and BV until likely Wed. I will drive down to the beach to pick them up, visit the Matthews, and head back up here to Charlotte until Sunday. This will likely be the last time we see them for two years! They are heading to The Republic of Korea to teach English to local missionaries heading overseas. By then Banner will be able to speak Korean. We would love to go visit, but we will see. More pictures coming soon.

Thanks again for visiting and check out our new friends at www.onthegoodroad.com We met them through our goodie friends Travis and Laura and they are roadtripping the country to raise awareness of people doing the good work and God's beauty. If you like what they are doing, buy them a cup of coffee...or chai.

Jared week

Between Father's Day and Jared's birthday, last week was quite a week of celebration. Banner wore her special onesie for Father's Day. Many people at church commented on what a cute baby "he" is. Understandably. But I liked this onesie better then the girl options, which said "daddy's little princess". Anyway, we had a great day celebrating Jared as a father and celebrating our own great fathers as well. We love dads!







































The next photos are from Jared's surprise party - a birthday camping trip! Jared was (mostly) surprised, I think, and Banner did amazingly well. She was all bundled up and snug as a bug (still gets cold here in the mountains at night). Jared was also bundled up in this amazing sleeping bag with arm holes. Banner slept all night long! That's better then she's been doing at home. Maybe we'll move her crib out into the yard... Anyway, we had a great time helping Jared ring in the new decade.