A Little Bit of Walking, A Little Bit of Dancing

Asher Loves to Read

Party like it's October 13th

October 13th is cause for celebration in the Woytek Family. Not only is it Asher's birthday, it is also Uncle Jeff and Aunt Michele's wedding anniversary. So, for Asher's birthday bash, we partied like it was 10/13 on the 16th. Friends and family came from near (across the street...actually, WE went across the street to Bruce and Danielle's), far (family drove from Pennsylvania), and REALLY far (Pop-Pop joined the grandmas just in time to celebrate). Asher ended the day in contention for the most spoiled child in the world, but that's only because we have so many wonderful friends and family!

Hanging out in the new chair, waiting for the celebration

Asher's new Hog

Apparently, an engineer's dress code does not include pants

That is what doctors call a "Blue Icing Coma"

Birthday at the Pumpkin Patch

Because Asher's first birthday was on a Wednesday, his birthday bash had to wait till the weekend. However, he was lucky enough to have his Nana and Mimi show up early in the week. Cori played hooky for the day (Jimmy seems to be in a state of perpetual-hookying) and we headed to Duffield's Farm in Sewell, New Jersey for the day. Asher made it through his first corn maze (also known as a maize maze), took a hay ride, picked a pumpkin, and capped it all off with some apple cider doughnuts and presents at home!

"Hey, can someone help me pick this thing up?"

Heading through the Corn Maze

With Nana and Mimi on the Hay Ride to the pumpkin patch

"I...want...THIS ONE!"

"I'd pose for the family photo, but this is way too interesting."

My Proud Mountains

My home is Colorado

With her Proud Mountains tall

Where rivers like gypsies

Down her black canyons fall

--Townes Van Zandt, My Proud Mountains

For those of you unfamiliar with Townes Van Zandt, he's the writer of the Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard classic "Pancho and Lefty." Though Van Zandt was not a native Coloradan, he lived there and the mountains made quite the impression on him. Perhaps growing up in Colorado, we often take the beauty for granted, but on our trip home this summer, we tried to take full advantage of the outdoors. We hiked Jack's Trail in Gunnison, the Grand Mesa with Mimi and Papa, Rocky Mountain National Park with Uncle Justy and Aunt Cami, and rode the gondola in Breckenridge with Nana and PopPop. Asher loves his backpack, but we have a sneaking suspicion that the young man will no longer be so fond once he starts doing some hiking of his own. After that happens, stay off the trails, because there will be a wild man on the loose!

Disclaimer: These pictures have no order.

Asher on the Gondola in Breckenridge. "Hey, who's that good lookin' guy? I like his Phils hat."

Mommy and Asher in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Woytek Expedition. This was Lincoln's and Heath's first long journey in the backpacks.

Dad and Asher on Grand Mesa

Asher and PopPop in Breckenridge

Grand Mesa

Hiking down in RMNP

RMNP

Aunt Cami, Heath, Uncle Justin, and Linc

Cousins!

If you did not know, forgot, or need reminded, the Woytek clan was expanded by five last year. On the latest trip to Colorado, Asher joined all of his cousins for the very first time. What's more, they all gathered at Baba's for a pre-Baptism party. There, Asher joined up with Nora, Lincoln, Heath, and the newest addition, Ella. But Asher's trip was also highlighted by seeing other cousins, too. David, five days his senior, was there. Cousin Katie made the trip for his baptism, and Asher met his first Alaskan, Jozey.

Asher and Ella with Mimi and Aunt Keitha

Asher and David working on the car

"Hey David, if we push hard enough, you think we can break the latch?"

"Mom, we're outnumbered!"

Asher and Katie at Baba's

Rumor has it that Jozey packs out moose on her back during hunting trips, so carrying around Asher was nothing!

Pop-Pop with the boys: Asher, Heath, and Lincoln

Who needs Q-tips when you have Asher's finger?

Pop-Pop and Nana with all five grandkids:

Lincoln, Nora, Asher, Heath, Ella

Asher and Nora, best buds

Christening

Asher was baptized in Gunnison at St. Peter's Church on the Feast of St. Dominic. Ol' St. Pete's has a special place in all of our hearts. Not only was the Parish of our youth, but the Parish in which seven immediate family members were baptized, confirmed, or both. So, why not make it eight, right? Before once again becoming Texans, Jeff and Michele became Godfather and Godmother to our "made man." It was a wonderful celebration...and the first time all five Woytek grandkids were all in one place!

The kickoff to the baptism was a dinner at Baba's. While there were pictures that came out much better, this seemed to be a fitting example of life-since-children.

Fr. Steve welcoming the Church's newest member. Asher undoubtedly enjoyed being the center of attention.

The Curtis Family

The Woytek Family

Goin' to the Chapel

Our trip home to Colorado was a whirlwind. Baptism, check. Wedding, check. Engagement, check. Here are some pictures of Sandra's and Scott's wedding celebration. Mimi was married on August 14th in Grand Junction and our little Woytek-Curtis Family Tree expanded in a joyous occasion.

Not the whole Wedding Party, but wedding partiers nonetheless

The happy couple, just minutes before game time

"Let's get ready to RRRRUUMMMBLE!"

The Saguache Connection: Cori, Aunt Pam, Aunt Lynn, and Grandma Billie

Three Amigos? More like the Three Stooges.

New York, New York

The last stop on the Mendelson-Woytek Summer Tour 2010 was New York. Ah, the Big Apple. We shoved as much as possible in the two days we were in the city. Times Square. Check. Little Italy. Check. Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Central Park, Yankee Stadium. Check. Asher was amazing in his backpack...a real trooper. We think he's now well acquainted with the MTA Subway system, so he'll be the tour guide on the next trip.

Asher at Stage Deli on Broadway taking his first bite of cheesecake.

From Left to Right: Alisha, the Naked Cowboy, Cori. Wait, the Naked Cowboy?

Brooklyn Bridge

Asher was far more impressed with the traffic below than with the Frenchman taking our picture. Fromage!

New Yankee Stadium for the Yanks-M's game. Asher felt obliged to wear a Yankees shirt as he was with the New Yorkophile Mendelsons. Daddy, however, wondered how much trouble he could get into with a Phillies hat...and a Mariners shirt. The answer was none. The Bronx ain't so bad. Go figure.

From Asher's Crib to the Cradle of Liberty

From Atlantic City, we headed to the City of Brotherly Love, aka The Cradle of Liberty, aka Philadelphia. We hit all the major attractions, from Independence Hall to the Art Museum to everything in between. It was a whirlwind of a day, but a great time was had by all. We started with cheese steaks at Pat's and Geno's (Pat's unanimously won the taste-test), headed to Old City for a history tour, walked to City Hall, Love Park, saw "The Thinker," posed with Rocky's statue, and had ice cream at Reading Terminal Market. The day was capped off by Russ and Alisha making fish tacos with ingredients bought at the Market!

Independence Hall

Asher's second to visit to the Liberty Bell

Asher's first taste of a Snow Cone in Fairmount Park

The Galapagos Islands' most famous animal...the Philly Phanatic in JFK Plaza

The City of Motherly (and Fatherly) LOVE