Basye VA

Grandma Chrissie, Jence and I went to Basye Virginia (pronounced Bay-see; we had to ask) for a week. We had a few complications upon arrival, but all in all we had a wonderful time.

There really isn't anything in Bayse itself except for a ski resort. We rode the chair lift to the top of the hill, which Jensen seemed to enjoy very much. He is turning into a real boy.

A typical Grandma Chrissie moment.
The resort has summer activities like mountain boarding and grass skiing, which we would have liked to do, but had a baby with us. They also ran a zip line down the mountain, which is what we opted for. Mom wanted to take a look at it before we committed, so here's Jensen- taking a look...

We saw an ice cream stand- mom's favorite, and it had Hawaiian shaved ice- my favorite...I ended up stopping there a few more times...
We're trying to give the big monster more walking opportunities, though it's not his favorite pastime... He is looking less and less like a drunken sailor. He still won't even consider standing by himself, unless you trick him into it .
Grandpa Ron informed me that these displays are Garner traits. He claims it's okay because they turn into good people in the end... how far away is "the end"? No, I'm just kidding- I think this face is hilarious. Loud, but hilarious.

In the spirit of making the kid walk (I'm not wishing away his babyhood, and I know it will be hard to chase him around, but he is SO heavy- I just can't carry him around ALL the time!) we got him a walker toy. I had been thinking that he was nowhere near ready to walk, but then he stands up behind the walker and starts picking it up to change directions! So, I'm thinking he's just a stinker.

This is in ride on mode. Still a little small for that.

Stinker.

This is our favorite game these days. Talking on the phone. He's been doing it for months. Everything goes up to the ear. Or the neck at least. And since he neeeever stops talking, that part of it is business as usual.
Apparently this particular conversation was noteworthy...

He has started following in the steps of his dad- a real "DIY" kind of guy. Let the games begin. This particular moment he didn't want the peeled banana.

Here's mom and me at the top of the zip line. We had a lot of fun.

And back to Mr. Monkey See, Monkey Do. You see he has my powder brush- which he is always trying to yoink-
Aaaand what else do you do with a powder brush than rub it on your face?

More food.

Our last stop was the Luray Caverns. He was so good down there- I'm afraid that it was because it was cool and that he takes after his Grandma Chrissie and becomes a crank pot in the heat (and I mean that in the nicest way possible, mom!)

I thought this was neat- this huge stalactite broke off the ceiling a few thousand years ago, but didn't break because the floor was mud at the time.

Jensen was more interested in the cave than in the camera, I guess.

There was an amazing area with a shallow pool that reflected the whole ceiling. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen in a cave, and you can ask my husband, we've seen a lot of caves.

Outside the cave, someone was getting restless.

I wanted to include this picture so that everyone could get a sense of the ordeal it is to change a diaper- I usually have to pin him down with my legs.

Aaaand finally, sleep! Though for this to happen a curtain must be drawn to separate him from us, please note the blanket hanging from the handle, otherwise he WILL stay awake for the duration.

*Fourth of July*

Jence, Grandma Chrissie and I went to Crocker Park for their festival thing-a-ma-jig. They had a ton of classic cars, balloons, music, food, and SALES! Of course we were wearing this year's matching flag shirts.

Thrilled...
Aaaand cookies make the world go round.

"More!"
Helping himself.
He calmly let the lady take his fingerprints. They didn't turn out at all, but I think that must have been the quality of the ink or something, because he was astoundingly good.

In the evening we went to "Bay Days" to see the fireworks. It was fun to be in Bay with all the people and near the fair with the music and everything. Kerrie, Grandma, and Kiki came with us.

See the lights of the fair? And the smile? Cute little monkey.

Jensen's first fireworks! He really seemed to like them. (Kiki did not! I had totally forgotten her phobia...sorry Kik.)

Isn't that cute? (He has Kiki's leash in his hand. She was hiding under some lawn chairs)

Auntie Ker with us watching the "firecookies" as Becky would say.

Tired baby! We had to wait a loooong time to get out of the parking. Little monkey was so tired he couldn't even finish his cracker!

SKUNK!

Kiki and I went for our pre-bedtime stroll last night (late of course).

On our way home Kik took off into a yard- as she frequently does. (We walk without a leash- bad, I know, but she needs to run and we live way back off the big roads.) So- I continue on my way, and after a little way turn around and see her back there, sniffin' around, so I call to her to hurry up-and she comes bounding out of a different yard than where I had been looking at her...meaning the critter I had been watching was not my dog- but in fact was the skunk that my dad had informed me has taken up residence under the shed out back. So of course Kiki sees the potential new friend and jaunts right on over to introduce herself. It's dark out, so I can't really see what is going on, but I'm yelling at her to come to me. (Which anyone who has seen her chase squirrels knows is useless.) But she surprised me by leaving the critter and coming to me rather quickly- hissing and wheezing... oh no.

At first I thought that nothing had happened- I couldn't smell anything, which I still don't understand. But she started freaking out, rubbing all over the grass- and then the smell hit!

So thank heaven for internet, early bed times (for keeping babies out of the way while you clean up) and a dad who is willing to get out of bed to help!

I made the cocktail that was recommended the most online. Unfortunately she got sprayed in the face (being the same size as the skunk). Keep in mind this is all at midnight.

She had to sit with the solution on for a while- I felt so bad for her! She was shivering so badly and breathing like Darth Vadar. Poor little girl.

And the worst part- she haaaaaaates getting rinsed. Especially her face- presicely where she was sprayed. And it was so cold!

Aaaand- round two!

I ended up having to pin her down pretty tightly. She was trying so hard to get away from the water. I think, though, that seeing her struggling, not away from me, but trying to get into my arms, and how she was freaking out, but didn't even attempt to nip at me as I sprayed her down with freezing water on a cool night while her eyes were stinging and she was afraid of drowning, gave dad a new found respect for just how good a little girl she really is. (He, inexplicably, has never been a Kiki fan.)

And then I blew her dry because she had to sleep in the shed- ironic, since that is where Mr. Stinky lives- so I couldn't let her freeze with just a towel drying.

AAAnd... after all that she still stinks. And so do I...Lovely.