{fire and ice}

It's 10 degrees outside. Do you think we would stay in?

NO

That would be simpler, but not as much fun!

We bundled up the kids until they resembled Ralphie's little brother Randy on A Christmas Story, and headed out to Park Meadows for a chilly night of ice carving, fire juggling, hot chocolate, sleigh rides, Santa, and fireworks. The kids had so much fun, they never even mentioned they were cold. We were surrounded by the warm spirit of Christmas, dazzling lights, talented magicians, and enchanting fire and ice. Afterwards, we went home, watched a movie, and ate popcorn. It seems we are gradually transitioning from the dependent, whiny, stay-home phase to the independent, adventurous, making-great-memories stage.

YEA!!!

I don't know about you, but it is an interesting concept explaining to children the difference between the Christmas season and the actual Christmas day. Most mornings they ask us, "Is it the most special day, or still just the season?" The answer finally came from school, when they sent home a Santa Claus with a beard full of circles. Every day, we glue on a cotton ball. Christmas day comes after the last one is glued on. The last cotton ball also corresponds with the day we leave for Grandma's house- over the corn fields and through the ice...

{creative conversations}

Lately, we've had quite the creative conversations between curious minds. They go something like this:

Chad: "When I grow up, I'm going to have 5 kids. How many will you have Kate?"
Kate: "2, like mommy."
Chad: "Well, mommy is going to have more. I wish I could have 50 kids, but that would break my house!"

Katelyn mixing the tunes of "Frosty the Snowman" with the second line of "Joy to the World" was singing all day yesterday: "Frosting the Snowman, the Lord has come..."

Chad: "We give presents for Christmas, cause that's what the wise men gave Jesus. That's how I know I'm getting GOLD for Christmas."

Katelyn taking a shower for the first time, has her back to the water and keeps looking down. With water cascading over her head and into her face, she is crying. I encourage her to step forward and look up.
She sobs "But Mom, it's coming from the up!!!"

Chad's breakfast prayer: "Help bless me to be nice to my sister, help bless me to obey mommy and daddy, thank you for the food, and help mommy to make me a brother. Amen."

Katelyn's breakfast prayer right after that: "Help bless me to be nice to my brother, help bless me to obey mommy and daddy, help bless me to not have any more brothers. Amen."

Chad: "Do butterflies eat butter?"

Katelyn: "Mom, what are you doing?" (Chad and I are arranging wooden shapes into pictures)
Me: "I'm using my imagination."
Katelyn: "What is imadinatin?"
Chad: "It's like when I make a girl-eater with tinkertoys and eat you."
Later I walk in to find Katelyn in my makeup bag applying this and putting on that.
I gasp "What are you doing?"
Katelyn: "Using my imadinatin."

And the best of all, while Jon was reading and Chad lying on the top of the couch, Chad broke the silence with:
Chad to Jonathan: "Is it true that people go to hell when they die if they don't have God in their hearts?"
Jonathan: "Yes it is."
Chad to Jonathan: "I want to ask God in my heart."

{growing up}

What can I say? I have two crazy kids! And now they are a big 3 and 5 with personality, attitude, reasoning skills, enlightening moments, and the capability to drive me to wearing earplugs with their bickering. Just how did my mom do it? On their own, they each are wonderful to be around. But put them together, it will usually end in "he said he didn't like me any more!" or "she stepped on my bakugan!"... What is that you ask? I didn't know either until Chad begged for one for his birthday (it's a ball transformer). So, yes, this is a random post. I've got to get back into writing again. I got caught up in life and forgot to write about it! Jonathan and I started P90X 3 weeks ago, and I have also been sore for 3 weeks- but it feels good! The kids are loving their school, which they attend 3 full days a week while I am at work. Katelyn has started dance class, and Chad is interested in dinosaurs and tinkertoys.
Oh, and Toy Story and girl sunglasses...
It's snowing today, and I had a rare day at home, enjoying the coziness of Christmas decorations and mulled cider while reading the kids all the books they wanted.

{more fall fun...}

Pepper 063
Originally uploaded by WFMsouthglenn

And another one with their cousin Andrew...Thanks Alyssa for telling us about it!

{Fall Fun}

Pepper 062
Originally uploaded by WFMsouthglenn

Here's a picture of the kids at the pumpkin patch...Thought you'd enjoy it. They sure did because they got to dress up early!

{faaallling into place}

Lots of changes for us...Lot's of fun stuff too! We're getting into the "hang" of things as time seems to roll by quickly. The kids started school last month at Meadowood Christian, and seem to absolutely love it. They go 3 days a week while I am at work. We all leave early in the morning and come home altogether at the end of the day. The situation is ideal. Kate also starts dance class this week. Here are a couple pictures of their first day...

Last weekend, Michelle and Ted stopped in on their way to Guam. They rented a motorcycle and the 3 siblings and spouses went on a motorcycle trek up to the mountains. We got to see the last of the fall colors, soak in the hot springs, and spend a little time with our grandparents. It was an incredible memory for us all.

And just in time too! It started snowing as we left, and was in the 20's this past week. Very grateful for the good gear we all had! Michelle and Ted left Wednesday- we already miss them. Yesterday afternoon, we did the Toy Story in 3D marathon with the kids. Chad was especially elated with the 3D glasses!

{kate's birthday at the park}

Yes, the purple was supposed to be more of a lavender, but I got a little carried away with the red. Kate didn't complain though...any shade of purple will do!

{kids grow up}

I have been amazed lately at how fast my kids have grown. Everyone says it about their kids too- I know. But Kate is turning 3 this week!! Chad will be 5 in two months!! and they both start school this coming Monday. Time does not slow.

August has been quite a month for us, starting with Jonathan's surgery which he still has not completely recovered from. One week after his surgery, with his nose cast and everything, we went to the Honda dealership and bought a Civic (using our old car for cash for clunkers-blown head gasket the day before). I went to South Fork with Katelyn to see some of my family while Kara flew home the same weekend to start school. Around the same time, I sent in my application to Texas Wesleyan Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia. The month of September is looking to be the same kind of busy... But it's fun!

{Sunday morning before church- cutest video ever}

{4th of July}

Time has flown this summer, but we had such a great time the weekend of July 4th, I think I need to write about it. First, we bought an RV. And not just any RV- a 1984 Winnebago that Chad promptly named Harvey the RV as soon as we bought it. The kids were so excited- it was like Christmas for them. And we were excited too- they had been asking $8,000, and we got it for $1,000. Yes, everything works in it...and camping was so much more fun.

So, my sister and her husband flew out from New York and went to South Fork with us and Kara. And what a time we had! Friday, we went to the lake, then after a hike around it, drove to the delightful hot springs in Pagosa, right by the river. Yes. We are suckers for hot springs...one of the reasons we love Colorado. Anyway, Saturday, we rode the dirt bikes, made homemade strawberry ice cream, played corn hole... If you're wondering, it's kinda like horseshoes, but you throw bean bags (filled with corn) and try to get them onto the board and into the hole. Very fun. That night, while eating the ice cream, we watched fireworks on the hill at eye level while the booms echoed through the canyon. We even shared ice cream with the people parked behind us and made some new friends. Afterward, we had a bonfire and smores. Sunday, we were sad to leave, but we've decided to make a tradition of going south on the 4th. Thanks Michelle and Ted for coming out with us!

{WARNING: do not share the following story with your children!}

{so it all started when...}

...Jonathan and I thought we'd rearrange our room yesterday. We started painting a bookshelf (to match our bed) with paint that looked more like chocolate pudding than something that was meant to be spread onto a bookshelf. Which made us think: "Wow, homemade chocolate pudding sounds like a really good treat. Kate chimed in "Choplit pudding!!! Yummy, yummy!!! So while Jon continued to paint, I made the pudding (feeling a little bit like wonder mom) and gave a small bowl to each of the kids. When Jon called me upstairs to help him move the bookshelf into place, I left them unattended. Mistake #1. After a while, Chad came upstairs to thank me, and like clockwork, had put his empty bowl and spoon into the sink. Not 2 minutes later, Katelyn waltzes into our room looking like this:

Such a horrific and incredible sight, how could you react with anything but a gasp and hysterical laughter. Mistake #2. Of course the laughter was to keep from crying... Oh she had painted with the chocolate pudding all right...My carpet, that outfit, a library book on the bar where she had been sitting...all destroyed. Well, we banned her to the great outdoors where she sat licking her arms for the next 20 minutes (while we cleaned up), then on to her punishment: she got hosed off with ice cold water while screaming the whole time, and then a bit more "focus time"- about which I will not elaborate, but was thought to make a dent in that strong willed armor of hers. Did she learn her lesson? NO. Will she do it again? Well, it didn't take long to find out...Later that day, we found her up on the bathroom counter lubricating her hair and skin with Vicks.

{the best granola ever}

Walking through Whole Foods, I spied the most yummy flaxseed fruit granola. Alas, it was $7.49 a pound! I thought to myself..."I could make that!" So I got all the ingredients, and it was definitely a huge success. Such a healthy and satisfying snack... Here is the recipe that I used (with a few of my own variations). I did double the recipe.

2 cups old-fashioned oats (not quick)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup flaxseed (optional)
2 Tbs. dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup assorted dried fruit--I used mango, sour cherries, cranberries, and raisins all from the bulk
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup maple syrup (and/or molasses) I used half of each. You could also use honey.
3 Tbs. flavorless oil, such as vegetable or canola
1 Tb. water
1/2 tsp. cinammon

Adjust oven rack to middle position, and heat oven to 275 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch metal pan with cooking spray, then set aside. Mix oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt and Extra Ingredients --except dried fruit -- in a bowl. Bring syrup, oil, water and any Flavoring indicated below to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Drizzle over oat mixture, and stir to combine. Pour mixture onto prepared pan. Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps. Bake for 30 minutes. Stir in dried fruit. Continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Let cool. (Granola can be stored in an airtight tin for up to two weeks.)

For other ingredient ideas, go to http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/060226/060226cooksmart.html

{a lesson in perseverance}

At Tiny Town a couple weeks ago, our "meek and shy" daughter (hardly) demonstrated her skills. These two girls were chatting it up in their claimed playhouse, when Kate broke up the party. Notice the girls' legs up so that Kate could not come through... Most children would come running to their mom at this point, but Kate declared, "You are bein mean to me, an I'n donna put you in jail!" One picture says a thousand words!If looks could kill!She didn't care! Just made herself comfortable...Until she was queen of the castle!
I wonder what this story foretells in our vivacious Kate's future. She will overcome giants for sure.

{meyer farmly reunion}

We were reminded this weekend of just how refreshing family can be. With the Meyer reunion held at Mary's house in Wichita, we left Denver Thursday night anticipating a weekend of family fun. And fun we definitely had. I've also never seen so many kids in one place before! In keeping with the farm theme, we had wheelbarrow races, cattle round up (like a kid's easter egg hunt, but for cows), a weiner roast around the campfire, swimming, farm games, homemade ice cream, tractor and truck rides, seed guessing games, picnics with incredible food, and the highlight- grand(pa) ole opry. Here are a few of the pics... The rest are on Facebook and the family site (soon). Although I was not born a Meyer, I am more than thrilled that I have been adopted into the family. They say you marry your spouse's family. In this case, I am the lucky one. Already looking forward to the next time we all get together. I have an idea for that one: all the cousins and their spouses need to go out for an evening together on the town...

{here and there}

Wow! It's been a while since I last wrote! As usual, summer is underway, and with it, a host of things to do. Got my garden planted in mid-May, but the poor thing has had to battle with frequent spring rains and cool temperatures. So far, so good, but no products of my labor yet-except irises. Yay! After 3 years!

The last week of May, Jonathan went down to our property in South Fork, CO with 2 of his buddies from Wichita and put in the foundation for our cabin. It passed inspection and is ready to be built on. Our cabin floorplans were also just approved, so we hope to start building in July.

I went down to South Fork to see the finished product, then whisked Jonathan away for a weekend retreat in Telluride. A little R&R for our 6th anniversary. My brother and his wife were kind enough to take the kids with them to Kansas where they rendezvoused with my parents and siblings. The kids had a blast in the country while we got some much-needed time together and enjoyed the most beautiful scenery we've ever seen.

When we got back on Memorial Day, Kara (Jonathan's 18 year old sis) was at our house to meet us. She is living with us for the summer, and we couldn't be more delighted. What a joy for a mommy of 2 toddlers to have an extra pair of hands around the house! We only hope she is having as much fun as we are.

Enter the basement work... Our basement flooded last month, and much to our dismay, it was still in great disarray when Kara arrived. A literal booby trap to get to her bedroom in the back corner. This weekend, we got awesome new plush carpet, painted the walls, re-organized everything down there, and set up her room. Hopefully incentive for her to return after her week in KS for VBS!

So now we're packing for a family reunion in Kansas this weekend. We are excited to see family once again and catch up on all the news. We'll be seeing alot of you who read my blog- can't wait!

{fun at the Colorado Railroad Museum}

Our family excursion to the train museum was a fun and unique experience. And to top it off, a gorgeous spring day. There is a large model train display that is incredibly detailed.

The picture below was taken during a ride on the "Galloping Goose," a train with a truck engine.

{rite of spring}

I have been remiss in writing for a while. A lot has happened this month. My sister Michelle visited for 10 days of fun in March, bringing treasures from Japan and Guam. Just a note, bean candies (or whatever they are made of) is not to my liking, but the kids just loved them.

As Easter approached, Jonathan and I were reminiscing our childhood days and decided to buy chicks for the kids. After looking on-line for local feed and supply stores (most have closed down), we located a store (1 of 2 still open in Denver) with a new shipment in. When we arrived, we were greeted with a blast from the past. Entering a small store with dusty shelves half-hazardly arrayed with dusty items (some from the 1970's), we were greeted by a stooped elderly man and escorted to the back room, which was more like a treasure trove of old memories. There were layers and layers of chick holders, old feed bins standing empty, and a huge actually beautiful dark wood incubator about 15 feet long and 8 feet tall that must have cost thousands even in it's day.

In the store room was plenty of chicken feed for all chickens in Colorado for the next 10 years as well as what looked like every box that had ever been sent to this man. When we went to pay, the man added all the prices on paper and would only take a check, informing us that he would never trust "that new-fangled way of payin." He went on to tell us that his kids and grandkids were too "sophisticated" to ever want to take over his store.

We left both excited about our new chicks and saddened that our country has changed so much. It won't be long until there is only 1 store like this left around here.

So now we've had the chicks for almost a month, and we're down to four. Only 2 days had passed before Katelyn decided to learn a lesson on "fragility" and "death." She did not understand that they could not play as rough with the chicks as she does with Chad, nor did she like the fact that daddy had to bury it. She informed us that the chick could stay as a stuffed animal in her bed.

Now we have a partner in our "nostalgic adventure." My cousin came over with her 2 year old and, within a week, had 5 chicks herself. And it has got us to thinking about getting far enough out of the city to have a decent sized plot of land to cultivate our adventurous side...

{Easter box}

We got a box in the mail today, and among other treasures, was this dress that my mom made for Katelyn. It was an instant hit...seeing that the predominant color is purple!
Thanks Nana!

{March snow}

I'm thinking of a place where it is so warm and sunny that you, your husband and your kids (all wearing sleeveless) get outside and till the garden, plant spinach, clear out the flower bed, and get sunburned one weekend...then, 3 days later, go to work and by noon have a blizzard land a foot of snow outside and it takes almost 3 hours to get home...

Answer: COLORADO

Where you always live up for an adventure. The mountains keep you guessing.
LOVE IT
Yesterday, the kids and I played in the snow, built a snowman, went sledding...Next week, it'll all be melted and we'll be working in the garden again.Took this picture today as the snow was melting...

{cabin fever}

And on to our next project:...???!!!

Jonathan and Chad put this rough model of our cabin together in preparation for meeting with the building inspector. Needless to say, he was very impressed. Now, we're waiting for the bid on building supplies... The porch will face east and will actually wrap around the south and north sides as well. We plan to build two walls of built-in beds in the loft. Plenty for visitors...

Does anyone have any good suggestions? (other than coming down with us on vacation- which we already are expecting you to do!!!)

{sushi...fresh from the kitchen}

In accordance with our culinary adventures, Jonathan and I have tried something new and fantastic. Using our new rice maker, we made sushi rice and put it together with sashimi tuna, avocado, etc... We had to improvise the bamboo sushi roller.

It is FABULOUS!!!! And much less expensive then your local Lo Coastal Fusion.

Even the kids loved it...

And it's opened up a whole new shopping experience...we discovered the neighborhood H-Mart where we can get a 25 pound bag of rice for $12!
Here's the recipe we sort of followed...
http://www.mediterrasian.com/cuisine_of_month_sushi.htm