Zuzu plays it cool

We tried to get Margaret to do something interesting. But she wasn't having it. At the end of the video I foolishly say that I can get her to laugh. I couldn't.

Here is 30 seconds of Riley's best attempts. (This will only be interesting to grandparents and people who own a dog named Ottie.)

Holy Fire

Cleaning the house to the angsty magic of Arcade Fire. Margaret is singing along with troll grunts and squeaks. Half inside the fridge trying to find THAT smell when suddenly I am breathless with happiness. Absolutely dizzy headed with the greatness of OUR lives. A more cynical person might chalk up the event to the surprisingly pungent power of a month old cucumber I found behind the milk. I know otherwise. Canadian alt rock is good, God is great and I am happy.

Oh, New Mexico

Last installment of pictures of a vacation we took a month ago. Yeah, sometimes I am not that all that on top of it.

On the way to Mesa Verde we squished in the car like sardines. I could only get half my face in the automobile. Riley and Jaimie were not so lucky.

The making of a troll photo

Us at the top of the catwalk. The water was freezing and full of little white boys.

Summer lovin' never felt so good.

Riley and I on the way to the rodeo. Ahhhh so sweet.

"hmmm, do you think I can get a pair of red ropers out of this old guy?" (yes, she can!)

Daniel loves the schming too!

This is a medium size childs hat and it fits her big ole' noggin. I was shocked too.

Grandma Kimmy and Zuzu Zimmy

The best little frozen custard stand stand in New Mexico. Oh Caliche's how I miss your frozen touch.

The travelin' troll

Margaret is my favorite toy. Some people need ipods on their vacations, others need constant internet access. Me? I just need a smiling, drooling, troll-like little person to do my bidding. Staging these traveling troll pictures was so much fun I plan on doing it into Margarets young adulthood, if not longer. You may be asking how I plan to hoist my fifteen year old daughter over my head at every monument and point of interest. It's simple...she ain't heavy, she's my Zuzu.

Margaret's face when we told her we were leaving on a roadtrip. The Zuzu loves the smell of gas stations and the sound of fuzzy midwest radio stations. But really, who doesn't?

700 year old cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde. Zuzu is nonplussed.

Once we arrived in New Mexico Margaret decided that she likes it hot. Her Daddy is rightfully concerned.

Nellie's is a Las Cruces institution known for it's red chile and floating babies. Talk about fusion cuisine!

I know what you are thinking, that yellow thing is the biggest baby catcher you have ever seen!

Sometimes we take my baby to bars. Sometimes.

We wanted a picture of Zuzu in front of a "Welcome to Texas" sign, so we drove into a town that makes Compton look quaint and then held my baby high up in the air. Yeah, we should totally be parents.

Because if she turns into a PETA baby my Dad's family won't love her. Pro hunting propaganda courtesy of my cousin Mike.

Ronald Reagan had his shoes shined here. I finally convinced Riley that rather than licking the shoe stand, a more fitting tribute might be to set his daughter precariously on the high set chair and then back away. He did, she almost fell, and it was worth it.

Bye till next time!!!