Pine Grove Adventure Day

We spent the day out searching for a new place Jason had heard about. We explored the Wah Wahs and Indian Peaks and found some fun places to camp and explore. Our objective was to find the Pine Grove reservoir. The canyon is pretty with huge ponderosas and old mining buildings. We stopped there to picnic and climb around.  We drove until we were almost stuck and then tried some more.

We finally found the reservoir on the way out of the canyon.We'd missed it going up because I was pointing to something up on the mountain so we went right by it.

From here we could see across the valley to the Indian Peak mountain range.

(I spy Jason up in the trees)

Mason wants to know "is this cow poop?"

Poor Eli was still not feeling great. He slept most of the time.

Though Jase was hoping for Elk, I thought the antelope were awesome.  

 

When leaving the Pine Grove area Jason noticed one of our tires was low. We drove out to the main dirt road to change it. I was feeling proud of our level of preparedness, we packed extra blankets, food, water, and first aid supplies. One thing we didn't count on was a spare that didn't fit.  The surprise of not having a tire to switch out was quickly followed by the realization that we were really far out. We talked to some guys that drove by and then decided to slowly head out on the low tire. We went home a different way so that we weren't in the boon docks. We made it to the highway fine and it was still holding some air so we continued on. I texted Dad when the spotty cell service came through so he would know about where we were. Jason stopped at a ranch house and we were able to use an air compressor. The tire held all the way home and we felt lucky the problem wasn't worse. Poor Dad. He was all geared up and ready for a rescue.

All things considered it was a wonderful way to spend a spring Saturday.

Getting festive for St. Pats

The basement was finally ready for paint so we went bold and green for St. Patrick's. (These pictures tone down the "spring green" quite a bit.)

Just wait until you see what we paint for Easter!


{I spy Lightening McQueen underwear}

 

 

This is one of my favorite holidays so we had lots of fun getting ready throughout the week. We had company so I decided against the traditional corned beef, red potatoes, and cabbage. Instead we packed in tons of green veggies and had fajitas and quinoa salad. Oh, and spinach muffins but I had to fill them with pudding to encourage consumption.

I searched high and low for green punch. Not just any green punch but the kind from my childhood. It comes in a milk-style jug and tastes like melted popsicles. I've truly been craving it for years. I thought this would be the perfect occasion to indulge but alas, it was no where to be found. As I inquired at different grocery stores I gathered it may have been off the shelves for the years. I was tempted to buy as many green popsicles as I could find and try to recreate the flavor but gave in and just made lemonade. 

Guess what we got?!

This trail is right by our house. They just finished it. We're so excited!

I spy Ry, Mason, and evidence of Eli :)

Sympathy Pains

I am way WAY behind on writing. Life has been full. Full of fun. Full of family. Full of activities. But it's looking like I'll have some extra down time...

My dad had surgery this past week. It wasn't another big scary one, just a small scary follow up one. At work on Friday my stomach hurt a little and I joked to my co worker that I was having sympathy pains for my dad. By the time I was loading bags on the plane I knew something was really wrong. As soon as the plane was off so was I. I limped to my car and drove to Kristi's to pick up Eli. Jase and Mason were up the canyon on a Fathers and Sons campout. I couldn't get off the couch. Something made me laugh. Laughing made me cry. Finally, I decided to go home. Kristi had to put Eli in the car for me. Driving was only bad when I had to move my foot, and since I was driving the manual Ford, it was a lot.

The rest of the evening is a blur of really bad pain, calling Jason a lot even though I knew he didn't get reception, and various people advising what to do. I packed for the hospital and then decided not to go. Mom and Lisa offered a world of help but I decided I simply wanted to go to bed. Eli got up once that night. It was really hard to take care of him.

I spy my awesome dual side traction socks.

Saturday was quite the day. I woke up and the crazy pain gone but my right side felt like I had been kicked by a horse. Jason came home early from camp out with more good news. Mason had been sick and was throwing up. I felt better but realized better wasn't good enough. Jason took care of the kids and I went to the hospital. Lisa showed up to keep me company while they ran tests. Everything looked normal so when they said hurry and get into a gown the surgeon is ready to go I was really shocked. Lisa went to the kids, Jason came to me, and I went to surgery.

According to the surgeon my appendix was 2-4 hours from bursting.

Now I'm laid up, Mason is still sick, Eli won't sleep, and Jason is taking care of all of us. I still can't stand up straight but the pain is much different. The pain meds help the pain but make me sick and I have bad headaches so I'm not taking them anymore. Family help a ton. But I can't hold any of my boys and that is probably the hardest part.

Betty Bargainfinder strikes again

I love thrifting and yard-saling. It's getting to the point that I don't get much since I finally have my house all furnished and mostly decorated. Now that I work early Saturday morning I have been taking the long way home because I just.can't.resist.

Here are some things I'm just so happy about:

all the blocks for $1 (I spy Eli chilling out)

Eye sore? yeah but Ethan Allen headboard, free table, and antique cabinet from DI "make me HAPPY".

I scored this lawn mower from a yard sale. I excitedly called Jason since we've been trying to find a used one.
Me: Guess guess guess what I got?
Starr: What?
Me: A LAWNMOWER! For cheap!
Starr: Sweet. Does it work?
Me: Uh, yeah. They said it did.
Starr: You didn't start it up before you bought it?
Me: Uh, no.
Starr: But it works?
Me: Yeah... probably...
Starr: Is it propelled?
Me: Huh?
Starr: Does it look like it helps move itself foward?
Me: Uh, I'm looking at it and yeah... no... just wheels, no extra handle... so no.
Starr: Okay... What brand is it?
Me: I've never heard of the brand.
Starr: Okay. Um...
Me: It has a bag..
Starr: Okay bud. I'll look at it when I get home from work.

I realized it was a total impulse purchase but I was SO EXCITED when I saw it. I spent most of the rest of that day trying to get it to start, nearly ripping my arm out of its socket, cleaning it up, and eventually mowing the back yard. When Jason got home I tried to play it cool and aloofly mentioned I got it started as if it was no big deal. "Oh cool" was his response. I think he meant "how freaking awesome!"

the view from here

These are the thing I spend my days looking at:


1. Lucky Eli in a sling. I love having him close and also having two free hands. (thanks again Misty)

2. Mason playing in the backyard by himself. Sad, huh? Juggling the needs of the two boys is tricky. So I put Mason in the backyard and watch him from my open bedroom window while nursing Eli covered in blankets to keep covered from the cold air.

3. One of my "keep busy" projects. I've found it helps to have something to work on when we're up late at night or when I'm feeling less than productive. I've been working on converting all my home videos from VHS to DVD. My dresser is a jumble of cords and electronics.

4. Here's Mr. E giving me one of those looks. I spy the laptop on the bed. I'm on it a lot when I'm sitting around doing nothing (ha! I mean nursing all the time).

5. A view I need to see more often. The weather has been so cold that I don't dare take the kids out much lately. Thank heavens for the treadmill...Mason likes to take a turn and the sound puts Eli right to sleep.

6. Mace Face flashing that smile that melts me every time.

Marriage is what brings us together today...

I spy friendly cousin Clint

(sloppy editing, I know!)

My smiley boys

As close to a family pic as we'll get

Little Mister

yes, I DO have a million pictures of him

And yes, the door was actually open!
Beautiful day, beautiful place.

I Spy...

My alarm clock, my mimic, my comic, my joy, my Mason.

Starr saves Bambi

We went for a family drive to look at all the deer in the valleys. We had pulled over and were showing Mason a bunch that were right next to the road. While we watched they started crossing the road (why? Ask the chicken) and were jumping over the fence.

I remarked how much I liked watching deer jump with such effortless grace. Right then a little fawn didn't...quite...make...it.

(I spy bambi in the fence)

It was awful. It's foot was stuck in the barbed wire and when it went down the fence wire twisted tight. The other deer were concerned, but what could they do? One deer went to the thrashing fawn, nuzzled it, and walked away. I felt sick about it and was freaking out and practically crying. Jason, in his wisdom, waited until the herd had moved away and then went to the rescue. He was trying to get it out without cutting the fence. Finally he pried the wire apart enough that all I had to do was nudge the hoof out and it was free.

It was cool rescuing the deer. Would have been more cool if I didn't feel responsible in causing the situation in the first place. Even cooler if my bro-in-law Steve didn't tell me that once an animal goes into shock it usually dies anyway. Thanks Steve.

Piece of Cake

My sis-in-law Emily, my mom, and I signed up for a 4 week cake decorating class. 1 month later, 3 cakes, several melt downs, and we're done! It was a blast and we learned a lot. It was fun to take it with them, although I was often laughing too hard to keep a steady hand.

I'm not so sure such high levels of frustration are good for me, but class II here we come. What I lack in ability or talent, I make up for in optimistic enthusiasm.

Naturally, bringing home a cake every Thursday meant party on Friday, thus the inception of "Cake Night". The boys flatter me and pretend to care about frosting roses and shell borders. In turn I let them eat my creation and pretend not to care that hours of effort are devoured in minutes.

I spy Janett going in for the kill.