Mike's old " new" job

Mike has been working the last (nearly) two months on the Burn/Trauma unit at the University of Colorado medical center. He's really enjoyed his co-workers and the patients. There is a comradery amongst the team that he didn't feel at U of M and an atmosphere that Mike will flourish in career-wise ( there is lots of opportunity for his advancement in the nursing side of things and the research side). So it's no surprise that Mike immediately accepted the offer to forgo another cycle on the travel nurse team and stay on the unit permanently. His manager has heard nothing but great things about Mike who's co-workers have all ranked him in their " top three" of nurses to work with and there is speculation that Mike will soon be promoted to charge nurse! To top that, he's received many compliments and sentiments of gratitude from patients and their families . I am so proud of Mike and we are so excited for what's to come in Mike's career!

If you wanna know more about UCH's burn/trauma unit, click here

Cousins

I can never pass up on a chance to get a picture of Mack with family, especially cousins. Cousins are built in best friends. I know for both Mike and me, our cousins are apart of many special memories. So, though they quarrel and tattle sometimes, I know that Mackenzie will look back on memories with them and feel the same way.


Times when the kids are together is often bittersweet since it makes me miss the Hansford crew who are in Arizona. I can't wait to see them again . Until then, I hope they can feel the hugs and kisses we are sending their way every day.

Check out Mack's self designed cowgirl outfit:

First summer zucchini

Look what Mack found in the garden yesterday:
Everyone is already standing in line for Gram's zucchini bread!

Oh, Colorado!

Something about the summer scenes around here make me want to learn more about nature photography! Check out these pics I snapped tonight. One side of the house was surrounded by these thick gray clouds while the other was a beautiful , clear sunset!


The BRIGHT sunset on the western side:
Gus isn't sure he has the same appreciation as I do:

More odds and Ends

Here are a few snapshots that didn't really fit into other blogs but I thought would be fun to share them:

This is Mack playing house with her little friends. I will try to get a video of her playing because her conversations and interactions are so involved now. The other night after I'd put her to bed, I heard her telling her stuffed animals " Now you sit here and you here and I will drive. Don't touch this, though. It might be hot. OK? Excellente! ( with Spanish accent and all! ) "
Another toad friend wasn't quick enough to escape Mackenzie's grasp. She is really gentle with them but I don't think there is any such thing as " gentle enough" for these guys:
Mack's become quite the little artist. Here's her drawing of a cat. Do you see how she wrote the word next to it all on her own?


I found this shirt on clearance for $3 and I could not pass it up. I cannot think of a more perfect shirt for our little Mac' N 'Cheese lover. It's a size 6 so I'm hoping that means we'll get lots of use out of it.

Gram's on the mend!

My mom has surgery last week to remove two bulging vertebrae in her neck. The surgery was done with the hopes that she'd regain the use of her hands and alleviate back pain. It was a very long and complicated surgery but it seems the desired goal was accomplished. Although mom hasn't had the energy to fully test the surgeons work, she has been able to paint for a little while with no pain, something she hadn't been able to do before.

This picture of my Aunt Janis behind the hostess desk at the hospital still makes me smile. I am glad she was there to make the time pass . She has always taken such good care of my mom.

My mom is not one who slows down easily. Here she is her first morning home checking her garden:


And of course, she had her pajama clad partner in crime right beside her for the excursion:
Mack was pretty worried about Gram's after the surgery but the incision site didn't freak her out as much as the neck brace she wore for a few days .All in all, Mack is loving having Gram's home every day . I'm not sure what she's gonna think when it's time for her to go back to work!

Being Free!

We made the most of the long Independence day weekend by filling it full of food, fireworks and fun! With mom having just had surgery, we tried to keep things fairly quiet around the house. On the 3rd, Mack and I traveled to Keenesburg for a BBQ with the Reynold's clan. Mackenzie had a blast playing in the water with " the boys" ( as she refers to Brock and Malachi) before eating and then heading to watch fireworks.

Mackenzie's first look at fireworks. " WOW!" She exclaims:
Mack's favorite type of firework " Spaghetti"


On the fourth, my dad grilled sausages and hotdogs as well as the best , fresh corn! Later, Mike built a fire pit and we roasted marshmallows, made s'mores and watched the sun go down. Once it did, Mike set of a few fireworks to celebrate the day.

Mack made this flag all on her own!:
Grammy sent us a July box of goodies which included these shirts along with many other fun treats:
Mack waiting for the fire to get going:

There it is! Bring on the marshmallows and s'mores!


My dad in deep thought: