High Country Color

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."
- Elizabeth Lawrence

This is exactly how we felt this weekend. We have so much here at home that we could do...laundry, for instance. Or a very serious shopping trip to Costco. But instead, Saturday morning, we quickly loaded the car with bicycles, water bottles, and micro-fleece and headed for the High Country. We meandered up to Conifer and then over Kenosha Pass. We had planned to stop there and let the girls run around on a short hike, but the place was packed with "peepers" (as the "leaf lookers" are so affectionately known in Vermont). So we drove on into Fairplay and then over Hoosier Pass into Breckenridge. We stopped for lunch, let the girls play, and then zipped on over Vail Pass to the Mountain House. Hailey and I went for a bike ride while Hanna napped (exhausted from all that driving, I guess). Then it was dinner and we all settled down to watch...SEC Football, of course. (Some things cannot be completely ignored.)
Today we got up and around and headed up to our favorite place in Eagle County, Piney Lake. The hills were just lit up with yellow, orange and the occasional red. We hiked along Piney Creek for over and hour, then had a picnic before taking out the canoe. It was too perfect for words. Gary took off to get in a run while the girls and I played, took pictures, and just relaxed.
Now we are home, the girls are sleeping, the laundry is waiting, and tomorrow it will back to our routine...but we are so happy we "took the time to sit still and watch the leaves turn".

Important Health Advice for Women

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Chardonnay.
Chardonnay is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about
yourself and your actions. Chardonnay can help ease you out of your shyness and
let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about
anything.

You will notice the benefits of Chardonnay almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to! live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living.

Chardonnay may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing
should not use Chardonnay. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, drymouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke.

WARNINGS:

* The consumption of Chardonnay may make you think you are whispering when you
are not.

* The consumption of Chardonnay may cause you to tell your friends over and
over again that you love them.

* The consumption of Chardonnay may cause you to think you can sing.

* The consumption of Chardonnay may make you think you can logically converse
without spitting.

* The consumption of Chardonnay may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.


Okay, okay, not my typical post...but, those of you who know me well will certainly appreciate this. It is certainly not characteristic of most of my posts about my sweet girls...but, I couldn't resist. I can think of few folks "out there" who can relate...
CHEERS!

New Big Girl Bed

Hanna has now graduated to her BIG GIRL BED. I think it has been more emotional for me than her. She has made the transition beautifully. I, on the other, am so sad to see the crib go. Another milestone...another step away from "baby". (Insert sigh...). On the bright side though, snuggles are much more accessible...

Movie Night in the Fairy Club

UPDATE: For those of you who guessed; the girls watched Toy Story...hence the newest song on our soundtrack...


The other night it was nice and cool so Gary set up a movie for the girls in the backyard, perched up the "Fairy Club". They have done this the past few summers, sometimes when their cousins are over. It's great when there is a bit of chill, so the girls get get all bundled up and snuggle underneath the down blankets. What fun! I think you can tell from the girls faces, they loved it. You can't see it, but there is a big bowl of popcorn between them! Now, can you guess the movie they watched???

Trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota

Last week we took a much needed break from the "back to school" rushing around and headed north to South Dakota. Gary's parents, Nana and Pop are visiting for a couple of weeks from Alabama and none of us had been up to Mt. Rushmore or the Black Hills so off we went. The trip was fabulous. We had such a great time seeing new sights. We are already talking about going back in the Spring to do more hiking and biking. We stayed in Rapid City which worked out great. It was so easy to get out and about and do so many things. I do have to say that this little "neck of the woods" will do anything to make a buck off of a tourist. They have more "cheesy" tourist attractions than any one place should have. And some of it stuff that doesn't even belong there...like a reptile garden where you can see alligators. I don't get it. And another place called Cosmos that has something to do with extraterrestrial experiences. I don't know that I'd pay the 15.00 for it, but hey, somebody must. We did some of the more obvious tourist things. We rode a steam train from 1880, went to a Chuckwagon dinner and cowboy show. They had pony rides for the girls and gold panning. Then dinner was kicked off with a Wild West shoot out. And I must say that the "Biscuit Bandit" was quite the cutie...He played guitar after dinner in the Cowboy Band and watching him was certainly the highlight of my evening. We went to the Badlands, which looks an awful lot like western Colorado and Eastern Utah and having passed through there several times, I never would've willingly paid admission to see it...But in South Dakota, this deserted wasteland (albeit, somewhat interesting) is a tourist attraction. We actually paid $15.00 to tour this "National Wonder". And then it was a stop at the infamous Wall Drug. This place is a drug store that is completely out of control. Started back in the 1930's as a place for hot, weary travelers to get "Free Ice Water", this place now has everything from cold beer to Minnetonka Moccasins...and every kitchy nick-nack you could think of that has anything to do with Cowboys, Native Americans, Hunting, Rocks, or Dinosaurs. They have it covered. Oh, and a doughnut shop, an ice cream shop and a diner. It was actually where the girls had the most fun. Custer State Park and Needles were well worth it. We can't wait to go back again. We enjoyed seeing all of the wildlife...the girls couldn't get over the herd of "Begging Burros". You have to see it to believe it.
All in all we had a great time and Hanna is still talking about her friends George, Tom, Teddy and Abe.
Day One: Mt. Rushmore and a Train Ride

Day Two: Badlands and Wall Drug

Day Three: Custer State Park and Needles

Some Thoughts About Home....Feeling Sentimental

I've got my memories always inside of me
But I can't go back; Back to how it was
I believe now I've seen too much
But I can't go back; Back to how it was
Created for a place I've never known

This is home
Now I'm finally Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I've been searching For a place of my own
Now I've found it
Maybe this is home Yeah, this is home

Belief over misery...I've seen the enemy
And I won't go back; Back to how it was
And I got my heart Set on What happens next
I got my eyes wide It's not over yet
We are miracles And we're not alone
And now after all My searching
After all my questions
I'm gonna call it home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see The sunset
I'm gonna call it home
Now I know Yeah, this is home
I've come too far Now I won't go back
This is home

lyrics by Switchfoot

Our oasis...

I had no idea when I met my husband that he had such a green thumb. He loves all things plants. We have lived in our house for four years now and he has change virtually every corner of our backyard. About a year after living here, my uncle, a landscape architect, drew up some plans for us while we were visiting them at their home in California. Gary just took off with the ideas and now, four years later, we have the most beautiful sanctuary. It has been quite a process, from breaking up concrete, to fixing drainage problems, but he has loved every minute of it...well, maybe not the drainage problems. We are so blessed to have him create such a wonderful retreat for us. Hailey has even taken on an affinity for backyard chores. She is great at helping with the planting and the watering. And we are just thrilled to see Hanna run around barefoot in the soft grass. Thanks Gary, for all of your hard work. We love it!

The ABC's of ME....

Since it is BACK TO SCHOOL TIME, I thought I would do this. I read it on Rachel's Enjoyable Journey. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy!

A. Attached or single? Attached...but usually fetching something for a small one...
B. Best friend? OF COURSE...
C. Cake or pie? Pie...hot...with ice cream
D. Day of choice? Thursday...it all started when it WAS a great TV night (Friends, Seinfeld, ER when it WAS good)
E. Essential item? Suddently, it has become my XM Radio...try Channel 18...Kenney Chesney all the time!
F. Favorite color? Pink...it's a girl thing
G. Gummy bears or worms? Not of fan of all things gummy
H. Home town? Grand Junction, CO
I. Favorite indulgence? a great date with my hubby
J. January or July? January....Hailey's birthday, Gary's birthday, the New Year, and Skiing!
K. Kids? Hailey and Hanna
L. Life isn't complete without? Gary, Hailey and Hanna...
M. Marriage date? July 15, 2000
N. Number of brothers and sisters? Two sisters...1 older, 1 younger
O. Oranges or apples? Apples...but only in the Fall when they taste the best
P. Phobias? A very busy Wal-Mart...which is why I shop at Target...but a busy Target....I could go crazy...
Q. Quotes? any verse from the Bible that speaks to your heart when you were least expecting it...God is in the whispers.
R. Reasons to smile? my family
S. Season of choice? Spring...great skiing, and great biking here in Colorado...AKA God's Country
T. Tag 5 people: You decide
U. Unknown fact about me? If I tell it won't be unknown...
V. Vegetable? OLATHA Sweet corn!
W. Worst habit? Dishes...
X. X-ray or ultrasound? X-rays far out number ultrasounds for me...knees beat children 4-1
Y. Your favorite food? Pizza...anytime, anywhere, anykind...
Z. Zodiac sign? Aquarius

First Day of School

Friday was Hailey's first day of 1st grade at her new school. She was very excited and had a great first day. Hailey is our little student. She absolutely loves to learn. Of course, back to school for the kiddos means back to work for Mommy. (insert sigh). We had a great summer, though. I think Camp Mommy was pretty okay...I had fun at least. Hanna also started at a new daycare a couple of weeks ago. The first day was a challenge, but now she goes in without any tears. She is such a trooper and has adjusted so well. We are so proud of our "little learners". Here's to a great year.
The "official" first day photo.
Sisters...so sweet!
What a pose...Hanna looks like such a big girl!
Walking in to school...ready to go...
Hailey, already hard at work in her classroom.

A Message of Hope

This is the interview with Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth that appeared recently on Good Morning America. I know that the grief they are experiencing is not a lonely grief. So many people have unfortunately lost a child in whatever sort of unfortunate way. It is just amazing to hear this family be so honest about their grief...and their hope. They are very blessed.
As I have heard before, " on this earth Maria Sue danced with a prince...Now, she dances with the King."
What a story of strength...and then of course, faith, hope and LOVE.
I hope you watch when you have a moment...and if you are inspired, the family is on Larry King Live on CNN tonight. (Check you local listings). God Bless.....

Trying to Be Green

I have to vent because the most annoying thing happened at the grocery store today. I went on one of my "major" shopping trips so I had 6 large, reusable bags with me. After over an hour of wandering the aisles and filling my cart I went to check out. Our store is usually great about the reusable bags. These particular bags I even purchased at this store. They are pretty ugly and emblazened with the store's not so attractive logo, but they were only $1.00. Honestly, it really is more about saving the environment than making a statement with a $12.00 canvas bag from some snobby, ultra-liberal health food store like, W.... F.....s. Anyway, I digress. As I'm checking out I tell the bagger (a VERY elderly man) to fill the bags as full as possible. I've managed this big of a trip before with 6 bags so I know it can be done. A few moments into the 'scanning of the groceries' it is taking this guy FOREVER to bag them and I have hungry children waiting. So, I help out and don't really pay attention to everything else going on. Well, I pay, begin to leave with my cartfull, and notice that I have several PLASTIC bags piled on top of my cart. Mild annoyance begins to set in. As I begin to load the groceries into my car, my level of annoyance begins to escalate. I lift one of the reusable bags out of the cart and there are 3 items in it! Now, I understand that the bagger didn't want to overload the bags, but he was packing them for ME to carry. Not HIM! I start going through everything and repacking and when it is all said and done I get ALL of my groceries into MY six bags and, in the process, I empty SEVEN plastic bags. This is what the evil plastic bags contained:
Bag #1:1 package of cheese
Bag #2: 1 mini-side of pork ribs
Bag #3: 1 cantaloupe
Bag #4: 1 bottle of juice and 1 bottle of creamer
Bag #5: 1 pizza
Bag #6: 1 rotisserie chicken
Bag #7: 1 1/2 gallon of chocolate milk.

Is this not the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard?

Now, you have to understand that it really takes an effort (for me anyway) to get into this new habit of using my reusable bags. First, I have had to find a place to store them when they are not in use. Then, I have to remember to take them with me if I am headed to the store. On top of that, I have to remember to take them into the store with me once I get there. (I certainly hope someone else can relate to this. If not, then I really am losing my mind.) To top it off, I can't count the number of times I have gotten all the way into the store, with two girls in tow, and have turned around to go back to the car and get the bags. Not always an easy task. Ask Hailey about the time it was pouring rain...
Anyway, if someone brings their own bags, suffice it to say that they don't want plastic bags. Cram it in, lay in on the top, put it underneath the cart basket; I'll even buy another bag if I've gone over my bag limit. But please, I'm really trying here...Don't use any more plastic bags.
Geesh!

Now We Know....

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY.....

(Having a laugh with Hanna after bath when she appeared in Mommy's PJ's).

Getting There is Half the Fun

Our neighborhood swimming pool is about 3 blocks away. Before Hailey learned to ride her bike, Hanna rode in the wagon and Hailey pulled. Or they both sat in the wagon, and Mommy pulled. But NOW, Hanna tells me, "I can do it myself, okay?"
She needed a bit of a break. She says to me, "It's so hot, mama. It's hard. I need some water." Keep in mind this wagon is loaded with 4 towels, a pool bag full of toys, a cooler of snacks, 1 inflatable fish, and 1 noodle. That's a lot for a little girl.

But, off she goes again...
And then it's time to cool off in the pool...My little trooper.

From Field to Fork

We have had so much fun this month heading up north to Brighton, CO for Jr. Farmer Days. Berry Patch Farms hosts children ages 6-8 years old to participate in the three week program. The first week the kids learned about farming equipment and rode on a tractor to plant sunflower seedlings. We brought home our own seeds and now have new sprouts in the backyard. Last week they learned all about weather and farming. They used cloud spotters to see if rain was on the way, and learned how farmers handle hail storms and cool late summer weather. This week the kids went into the fields to harvest vegetables and then they cleaned, chopped and cooked yummy pasta, rice, salad, and soup for everyone to enjoy.
While Hailey is at her class, Hanna and I spend time picking flowers, berries, fresh basil, carrots, currants, whatever is ready to come in. They have a great produce stand in the barn with so many fresh vegetables, jams, honey from their hives, etc. I am so grateful to have found this great opportunity. I think it is so important for children to understand that there is so much more to our food than heading off to the grocery store. It is a true labor of love that gets the food from the field to the fork. And it was so great to see my girls trying new veggies like zucchini, beets and squash. God has given us a miracle in our land and I hope to pass along a love for "harvest" to my children. There is so much to learn from weather, and planting season, and then waiting patiently for those tomatoes to come up in July and August, instead of having them trucked in from California, or even South America where they have lost all of their flavor during the miles in a freezer. Besides, thinking about all of the money spent on the fuel to get those "fresh" tomatoes to us in December is a bit unbelievable. We are certainly making new efforts to support our local farmers at farmers markets and buy local to reduce the unnecessary burning of fossil fuels. Enough of my soap box though. If you are really interested, go read Barbara Kingsolvers book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It's an eye opener. If not for you, but for your children.

Tiny Town

It was a fun day up in Morrison today with the girls, Gramma, and Emerson and Sutton. We took them to Tiny Town. It is just that, a tiny town. It was built beginning back in the early 1900's and was started by a man who built the little buildings as a playhouses for his daughter. Much of the original buildings are still there, as well as many others that are replicas of many historical sites in Denver. Very cute. But, of course, the biggest hit is the train ride. Lots of fun!