July 23 & 24 -  Family Strong and Fun!

This is my niece Jennifer.  Gorgeous inside and out!  

We traveled to Buena Vista, Colorado specifically to be able to spend a few quality hours with this young woman and her long-time love Robbie.  We are so glad we did!

Jennifer is my brother Lee's youngest daughter.  I wish I could find one of the first pictures of us together, she was one years old, or nearly one years old, and I spent 3 months helping the family while her mother recovered from surgery.  She took her first wobbly steps in my presence!  

She has grown into an amazing adult, mom and partner.  I have seen very little of her over the years, but each time I do the connection is instant, the love is strong and I am filled with pride for the strong, beautiful, intelligent woman that she is.  (not that I had anything to do with it, just family pride, :) )

We spent two  evenings together, just hanging.  Her son Aidan  (17?) was away on summer vacay, and I'm super sad I didn't get to see him this visit, but we were thrilled to just get to hang out together for awhile and catch up on life.  

4 of 6, vs 1! I'd roll over on my belly too, wouldn't you?

One love we share is for our puppies.  Robbie and Jennifer have 6 dogs!  6 adorable dogs!  Two are young blue pitbulls, Kya (sp) and Zeke.  Oh my, these two pups are energy personified, incredibly handsome, intelligent and friendly.  They are going to be GORGEOUS adult dogs.  They call them
'the bigs'.   They also have 'the littles'; four jack russel terrier 'mixes', all distinct in their personalities.  (Excuse me for not remembering the names right now).  There is Momma dog, Auntie dog, and two boy dogs puppies (adults now).  Each one so unique not just in looks but in personality.  They obviously rule the house. 

So... imagine ... I arrive with Tucker!  He did not know what to think.  He wanted to play but also was obviously afraid. They all wanted to let him know he was a visitor in THEIR home.   Was I nervous?  You betcha.  You know how we are  with Tucker.  Spoiled doesn 't begin to describe it.  I wanted to let him 'play' but also really didn't want anybody to get hurt.  There were a few nerve wracking moments but in the end they really did well.  It was fun to seem them all eventually play.  (Sidenote:  I'm sure J & R thought I was a nutcase as my bossy alpha personality came out and I tried to play pack leader to their pack.  LOL.  Hey, I come by my alpha personality in a long line of strong alpha women.  My reality.  Just ask John. ) 

Ha.   Did I mention my amazing favorite oldest brother Lee was there during our visit?  Hey, other brothers, notice I chose my words VERY carefully there, you are all my favorites but he is the OLDEST.  Lee is our family's rock in many ways.  I never have enough time to enjoy his company but each time I do I'm reminded of what an awesome humane being he is.  It was really great of him to make the long drive down from Denver to see us and we really look forward to seeing him and hopefully Donna in the weeks ahead. 

What a great time together!   I love family, so awesome to spend time together in the 'workshop'!

Okay... these pictures of me suck.  I feel so old.  LOL.  I definitly need to make an effort to take more and better pictures.  I need to find and exploit my 'good side'.   Ha!