{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!