Family Reunion

My grandparents are truly two of the coolest people I know (and I'm not just saying that because they are my grandparents). Everyone who meets them says the same thing. They have been married for over 65 years, and they are more in love today than they were on their wedding day. Shan shared a bit of their story here. In order to honor them, our family and my grandpa who just turned 90, my mom put together a mini family reunion.

We all packed up and went to NE a few weekends ago. On the way, I told Shan and Jeff that grandma probably wouldn't recognize me with my new hair color. I couldn't have been more correct. Grandma walked into the house on Saturday and looked at me and then walked away. Knowing that she didn't recognize me, I grabbed her arm and said, "Grandma, it's me, Shiloh. I changed my hair."

You would have thought that hell froze over. She looked at me with the most puzzled look and said, "Shannon, did you change your hair? I don't like it Shannon. What did you do with your red hair? I like your red hair. You need to change it back to red."

I chuckled, thinking she was playing with me. "Grandma, I'm not Shannon. I'm Shiloh."

She stared at me. "Stop it, Shannon. You're not Shiloh. You're Shannon. And I do not like your hair."

I'm not even kidding, for over two hours, she just stared at me, called me Shannon and kept repeating that she did not like my new hair and she missed my red hair. (I should mention that Shannon was not around when this all took place-she was hosting a PC party at a nearby house).

Eventually Shannon arrived, which really threw grandma for a loop. She then looked at Shan, looked at me, looked back at Shan. She was SO confused. I kind of felt bad and probably should have called to warn her. Once she saw Shan and me standing side by side, she was able to see the difference. She finally started calling me Shiloh but refused to accept my new color. All she could do was stare, shake her head and say, "I do not like it at all."

The rest of the weekend went without a hitch (other than the HOT, HUMID weather and the stupid mosquito bites). We had a great time and, of course, had to snap some pictures.

Kye, Aydan (April's little boy) and Carson going for a ride with Dido

My dear Grandma Van

Me, Grandma and Katie (sis-in-law)

My pops

My mom's sister, Lisa, and Corinne

My grandparents great-grandchildren. We were missing a few, as they have around 13 great-grand kids. It's hard to tell from this picture, but the boy in the orange (on the far left) and the boy in the yellow (with his arm up) are identical twins.

All my cousins (four are missing)

The Kloepping clan (missing a few)

The Nichols/Anderson clan

My amazing grandparents, Bill and Van

Some of my Faves...

While home two weekends ago, I was able to spend some time with some of my favorite people...McGee, April and me

My dear, sweet April

Mike and I go back to middle school (Holly, don't say a word!)

Katie, April and me (we're missing Irish and McGee to complete the fab five)

Apparently green was my color of the weekend (yes, they are different outfits)

Bowling

When we were back home two weekends ago for a family reunion with the Kloepping side of the family, we were also able to meet up with the Nichols side of the family, too. We saw both sides of grandparents and almost all our aunts and uncles. It was great. The kids were able to play with their extended cousins (my cousins children) and all the little kids had a blast playing together. They tried their hand in bowling... Carson, the champion

Kye, the determined one

Case, the stubborn one

Corinne, the sweet one

Siahna sat this one out....

Joad, The Turtle

I have seen a lot of crazy things while living in Denver, but I have to say that this tops them all. The other day I was turning onto my street that takes me to my apartment building. As I turned the corner, I could see two cars stopped on the road ahead. Their flashers were on, and there were people standing out on the street. I assumed an accident had happened, so I slowed down so I could pass. What I saw was the craziest thing. There was a guy with a stick in his hand, and he was guiding a GIANT turtle across the street. I was so shocked at what I was seeing. The turtle was about the size of a basketball, and his legs were at least the size of my wrists. As I slowly drove by, I could see people running with cameras, getting out of cars, people coming off the golf course to see this turtle. I wish I would have stopped, but I was in a hurry to get home, so I kept on driving. I sent Shan a text telling her what I had seen. It was unbelievable. I even told Shan I thought it was a snapping turtle, as he had a sharp beak and a rigged back and tail.

A few days later, mom and I were headed to Shan's house for dinner, and at the exact same spot, there were cars stopping and people standing out in the lawn. I told mom that I wondered if the turtle was back. Sure enough, the turtle was lying in the grass. He wasn't moving and mom was worried he might be dead. I asked her if we should stop to take pictures and we decided to do just that. As we were stopping, a guy took his foot and touched the back of the turtle. He was NOT dead, as the turtle jumped and started walking toward the street.

I flipped a U-Turn and turned on my flashers. There were several people joining the scene, so we weren't the only crazy one taking pictures. Sure enough, it's a snapping turtle, which mom said are super dangerous. They can bite off a finger or break a man's wrist. Mom said once they snap on, they do not let go for a very long time. He had long claws and his tail looks like a dragon's tail. It was the coolest thing I've ever seen. I took the opportunity to take a picture of Joad (I named him). The guy made sure Joad didn't cross the street and made him head toward the pond instead.

Now, every time I pass the pond, I look for my pet turtle, Joad.

Marcy's Wedding

I attended a good friend's wedding back in April. Other than getting pulled over during that trip, which you can read about here, I had a blast with Marcy. I was a part of her wedding, which made it that much more special, and I am looking forward to having Marcy come visit in September for my 30th birthday celebration.

Marcy is the second over from the left in the black and white.

Water World

I've gotten a tad behind on blogging (and pictures), so I'll start at the beginning of my summer and work my way through.

I started out the summer at Water World with Britt and Amber. We had a blast, we hit the park early enough in the season that there were barely any lines, and we missed any afternoon storms. If you live in Denver, you have to go to Water World at least once a summer. It's a blast, and we made sure to do every single crazy ride.

July 4, 2010

Here are some pictures from the Fourth of July weekend in Glenwood Springs/Aspen. We rode down McClure Pass, and no one got hurt!

Corinne had to join the climbing. She's a tough cookie!

Siahna's first camping experience!

When you have to go, you have to go!

Carson and Kye climbed down into an ice cave. They had a blast.

When you go camping, you must bring your tutu, duh!