The boys school is out on their 2 week fall break and we've been trying to find fun things to do so last week we went south of Colorado Springs near Florence to the Happy Apple Farm to pick pumpkins. Liza has been begging for a pumpkin ever since Payton got one from his class field trip at the beginning of the month, however she wanted a pink one. When we woke up the weather was cloudy and cold and we almost didn't go, but decided to anyway. I was so glad that we did because it was so nice. The temp was about 75 degrees and the kids loved every minute of it. It was a great way to spend a beautiful fall day in Colorado and the drive was very pretty with the fall colors. The twins loved getting their pumpkins and were able to find little ones that they could carry all by themselves as well. On the way home I even ran over a tarantula! It was sick! Then all I could think about was that we were out in that pumpkin field and there were probably tons of taratula holes. EWW!! It gave me the heebie-jeebies. Glad I never saw one up close and personal. Under my tire is good enough!
We returned last night from our annual vacation. This year on the itinerary was Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta. Barry's family has a reunion every 3 years there. All of Barry's siblings and 19 of 20 grand kids in attendance.
We decided to split the traveling up in to 5 hour days to make it easy on the kids. We left a day before we originally planned and stayed at our ex-bishop's condo in Grand Junction. It was great seeing them and we were so grateful for his hospitality even if he was laid up. Then on to Highland UT where we stayed with some of Barry's cousins for a few days. The kids had a blast and of course we did too. It was the best place to stay since they have 7 kids and our family of 7 was just absorbed into their daily routine. They had 2 boys just Jared and Payton's age and they were thick as thieves. We had a serious melt down when we pulled away from their house to leave for MT.
We stayed 7 days in MT at my mom's house. We took the kids to the park to hit baseballs and Jared is a slugger, Payton did great too. Jared was hitting balls clear out into the outfield. We caught up with old friends and hung out and ate a lot. I also was able to go to my favorite restaurant in all of Dillon, Sweetwater Coffee. It seriously has the best food around. It's a quaint little coffee shop with some of the yummiest sandwiches and drinks. Can't wait to go back next year. We enjoyed doing fireworks out at the ranch and it brought back a lot of memories. One of my favorite things about going to the ranch was when I walked in it still smelled like my great-grandparents...in a good way, not the bad old people smell. It was quite different looking at those chairs sitting empty. I have many a memory staying up late with grandma in that rocking chair in the same spot playing gin rummy.
Fishing with my grandpa. Payton reeling in this 15.5" 2 lbs rainbow. Jared was the only kid brave enough to eat some of it. Payton isn't much of an outdoorsman. When my grandpa went to cut it's head off he freaked out a little.
When our week in Dillon was up we loaded up and drove the 7 hours to Lethbridge, Alberta Canada. We attended at BBQ for Barry's aunt and uncle who celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Just days before we celebrated our 9th. We drove out to the farms that Barry's cousins own and rode dirt bikes, quads, horses, shot clay pigeons, and gophers. Al, Barry's cousin's husband is always good to take me out to shoot me some gophers.
Jared had a blast on that 50. He only spilled twice. Guess who wants his own?
Liza had some trouble touching Nikita at first then wouldn't get off her. She was a good old nag. Guess who wants one of her own?
On Sunday the 12th we checked into the Waterton campground. Barry's cousins had pity on us camping with the twins and offered us their trailer. Thank the Lord for that because it rained hard for 2 days. It was somewhat miserable on Monday and most of Tuesday but we were able to hunker down in a camp kitchen and build a fire for warmth and to dry wet clothes. I mostly stayed in the trailer for the first day as Liza was sick and running a fever and I didn't feel any need to take the babies out in the rain, plus I was exhausted and needed some rest myself.
When we woke on Tuesday it was more promising than Monday and we got out and saw 4 black bears. They were out in droves due to the rain the previous day. We rain was great for the area because the lake rose a couple of feet and water was rushing out of the mountains. We went on a small hike to Blackiston Falls which were beautiful and at some point during the hike Jared decided that it would be a great time to have to go #2....um where? Dig, squat and bury. As we came down from that little adventure it started to rain again. Grrr. Most of the reunion activities were cancelled so our little group plus Barry's 7 first cousins, spouses and kids all hung out in the camp kitchen. We got cozy.
This black bear was on the side of the road and we got about 8 feet away from it with our van. I opened up the sliding passenger door to get this picture. He was beautiful.
Jared with cousin Ethan wishing they could go swimming in Red Rock Canyon. Just a little too cold this year.
Wednesday was much better with sunshine and warmth. We went to Cameron Lake which straddles the US/Canada border. It was a great day to be at the lake. Some went hiking others kayaked. After that I took Payton to go repelling. Barry has a cousin, Patty, that is one tough broad. We hiked up a smaller portion of Bear's Hump, a popular destination and repelled off a 50 cliff. Payton had no fear and went 3 times. I went twice and nearly wet myself the first time and couldn't believe how brave Payton was. He now wants to be an avid rock climber and repeller.
Jared getting what he deserved!
Wilderness timeout on a stump!
The brave repeller! Guess who wants his own repelling gear?
We said our goodbyes Thurday morning and went back to Dillon for some R & R and to wash a stinky bag of wet clothes. Barry's brother Collins and his family tailed us to my mom's house for a much needed break of traveling. My great uncle Jim came over from Bozeman to visit us and meet the twins. We stayed one more night in UT Saturday night and got home Sunday night making our vacation this year a full 3 weeks.
We had a great time and enjoyed seeing all the family. It's so fun building relationships with the cousins and watching our kids make some of the same memories that Barry and his siblings made as kids. We are looking forward to next year's cousin reunion in Moab and also seeing all of my family in Dillon next July.
Look at our new trick! We can sit.
Sawtooth was carved by a Glacier on 3 sides. Native translation is "fingers that touch the heavens" Barry's dream is to hike it one day.
I figured that I should post a couple of pictures from Christmas before it's too late. We had a wonderful Christmas this year and were so blessed to have our entire family home and out of the NICU.
We were able to have a visitor this year as my mom came to help with the babies. She came on the 16th and left the 30th. The kids loved having Grandma here for Christmas. We were able to sneak away in between feedings and do some shopping together.
On Christmas Eve we read the story of the birth of our Savior, while the kids played wise men and watched a DVD about it also. We ate our annual waffles with strawberries and ice cream for dinner and capped the night off with the movie A Christmas Story. We of course left out cookies and milk for Santa and boy did he pull through for us this year.
It was a great year and I can't hardly believe that 2008 is over. 2009 has a lot to live up to.
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Last night our basketball season officially ended by a loss in the 2nd round of the playoffs. It was a disappointing loss in overtime but now Barry can move on with his life and endure the bitter cold that is now upon us during track season! But with track season upon us it means that there is only 3 more months of school left. There's a light at the end of the tunnel finally and we will finally be able to spend some time together.
The past few days we have been able to enjoy some springlike weather and have gone to the park and the kids have been able to ride their bikes and scooters. Yesterday was in the 60s and today a storm has crossed the front range and is now 25. Brrr. Fortunately we were able to soak up some rays yesterday in preparation for today.
Friday night Barry and I sat the kids down and spilled the beans of our summer plans. We plan to meet Barry's sister Cindy in L.A. and take the kids to Disneyland and Sea World. We are stoked and can't wait to go, minus the drive. The kids literally jumped up and down for about 30 minutes after we told them. Payton has been telling everyone that we are going, and I quote, "There's lots a of screaming and a roller coater." (exact wording included). They are super excited to see Mickey and all the Disney characters. It will be great for the kids to get to experience this with their cousins also.
Thursday night Barry decided to drive to Durango, CO with another coach and watch the teams that we were to play last night. They had an enjoyable time but it was a long time in the car. Durango is 5 1/2 hours away. Barry got home at 3:30 Friday morning. He took "a sick day" at school and I was able to attend the temple Friday morning. It was a wonderful experience. I haven't gone to the temple in about a year and a half due to pregnancy and nursing, but I was finally able to get my rear in gear and drive to Denver.
Yesterday I got a wild hair and asked a friend of ours who ran the Bolder Boulder with me 2 years ago if he'd run the Colorado Springs Half Marathon. Just in case you aren't savvy in running that's 13 miles. What? I'm going to have to start training soon. I also hope to be able to run the incline here in Mantiou Springs. Some pretty lofty goals but I'm excited to push myself to the ultimate limit. Training begins as soon as there are some consistent warm days.
Barry is also on a goal orientated trek. He actually plans to cut back his soda consumption and drink water. Wow. For those of who who know Barry this is serious. He was chatting with his friend on his way to Durango and Phil stated that his goal weight was 180 and Barry commented that his goal weight was Phil's current weight plus some. Please pray for us as we challenge ourselves!
Christmas Eve we put together a skit of the birth of our Savior. I played Mary, Barry was Joseph, the boys were shepards in the field, and Liza was baby Jesus. She wasn't too happy about being put in a pear box for the manger but luckily it goes fast. Payton is still talking about Liza being baby Jesus. After our skit we watched Luke II which is a movie that is put out by our church depicting the birth of Jesus. It's a wonderful movie. After that we bore our testimonies about the Savior. It was absolutely beautiful. We have begun a tradition of dedicating Christmas Eve to our Lord and taking some time to reflect on his life and ministry upon the earth.
This is my favorite holiday drink. It's super easy and absolutely delicious!
1/2 c. water
1 1/3 c. sugar
3 squares unsweetened chocolate (Baker's)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. almond extract
1/2 pint whipping cream
milk
1. In a saucepan bring water, sugar and dash salt to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes.
2. Melt chocolate in above mixture.
3. Chill.
4. Add both vanilla and almond extract and stir.
5. Whip cream and add to chocolate.
6. Place a spoonful of chocolate in a cup and pour hot milk over and stir till chocolate bits are dissolved.
This is the way hot chocolate is supposed to taste. It's definetely not low-fat! Hope you enjoy this drink as much as we do!
We are having our annual Christmas party tonight with friends and we were asked to bring an appetizer and a dessert. I always make the same appetizer and it's nothing too fancy but this year for my dessert I found this delicious cake (scroll down a bit on the link) while blog stalking. I decided to try it. It simply looks too yummy to eat. Much to my surprise it turned out fabulous and by far the prettiest cakes I've ever made. Here is my rendition:
This is one of our favorite Christmas movies of all time. The narration is hilarious and the events that occur just make us belly laugh. There are so many great quotes from this movie that we recite throughout the month. Can you guess the movie by they picture? What's your favorite line from the movie?
