Monday, June 30, 2008

Golden, CO


What a fun Saturday we had. We went up and visited a friend, Patty, that lives in Golden--Jim's known her most of his life--a close family friend. She took us to lunch at the Golden Hotel which is right along the Clear Creek. It was really beautiful as we lunched on the patio that overlooked the water. There were kayakers and it was just a lovely day--we couldn't ask for nicer weather.

We took a walk up the river--they have several "nature-y" sculptures along they way. The kids loved those! They had a mock pioneer town, with real chickens and people dressed as pioneers. Then we ended up going down by this great slide that has a mouth of a fish at the opening on the bottom. This was Kyle's favorite thing to do. He would go down, and just keep running up the stairs as fast as his little legs would take him.

At this same area, there was a concrete "jet-out" that went into the river. I was kind of scared, as the waters were rather fast and I could just imagine it sweeping a kid away...so we were super safe. It was COLD water! But, after a while, it was rather refreshing to stand in--kind of a neat thing, that you would think --in our sue-happy world-- wouldn't be so much allowed anymore, but it's cool that it's still there and able to be enjoyed.

My kids love rocks. They love to smash them, play on them, collect them...I find Isabel's backpack full of some "cool" rock she found at school or on the way home, or a cool rock that her science teacher gave her, or her bus driver...so I guess people know that she likes rocks! This has passed on to her brothers and they will go outside and play with rocks for hours. So, when they saw these big rocks to climb on, they were loving life!

I was impressed with Golden and want to go back and spend more time there. Maybe even try kayaking! They make it look so easy. =) It was really a beautiful place--it gets me wondering where else in Colorado we need to explore. Any ideas people???

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Heebie-Jeebies, Arg!!@#!@

I caught a vole. eeeehhhh. (I can't write the noise I'm making right now). The thing is, we noticed a small part of our yard had been "voled" but it wasn't bad at all and didn't stay, and you can't even see the remnants of it in our yard any more (lucky us). But this morning, I was up early to go water my garden, and at the bottom of my cement stairs, just out my door, was this little guy just looking up at me. When he saw that I saw him, he ran into our rain gutter (currently laying on the ground) and then jetted from there to under our stair steps...under the cement. Ok...look up on the internet..."how to get rid of voles." Have a few ideas, but really, that's the hubby's job (thank goodness for men).

Well, my kiddos were playing in the backyard, and Isabel says "MOM--there's a rat in our rain gutter." Evidently the little vole-guy likes to hang out in it. I said "Step away and be calm." I got a plate, put it on the opposite side of the gutter, and picked the gutter up...trapping the little scurrying thing. And it was scurrying, and my insides were quaking. I'm not good with things like this. I'll kill a little spider with a shoe, but anything bigger FORGETABOUTIT!! So, there I stood with a plate and a rain gutter and our furry friend inside. Thank goodness there was no way he was getting enough traction to climb up my vertical trap. "What next?" I'm thinking. "Jim will just have to come home from work! Plain and simple." No, we have a neighbor that can handle this and he's often home in the day-time. "Isabel--go get Todd next door." Phew--he was home and Todd was my hero today! He took the plate and the rain gutter and walked off cool as can be... This is why I'm so glad for MEN... (one of the many reasons)...but PHEW!!!

Yes, my skin is still crawling and I can barely hit the letters on the keyboard correctly. Ick! Now...if our little (hopefully dead) furry friend he has friends.....
Rory just said "That's cute...can we someday buy one" UM NO!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Last Day of 2nd Grade

I can't believe Isabel is done with 2nd Grade! It's gone so quickly. I know...such a cliche as parents say that all the time...but really, it did go quick!

I wasn't really ready for her to be in 2nd grade, and now she's done with it. In fact, I went to the time for the 1st grade orientation...thinking "She's in 1st Grade"--oops. Maybe this next year, I'll show up for the 2nd grade orientation?? No, I'll actually try to remember 3rd grade, 3rd grade, 3rd grade. (I have to say it over and over in my head to drill it in)


It's been a great year, and Isabel has LOVED being in Ms. Luebbert's class...she's done fabulously. Congratulations Isabel!

It's beach party day (hence the fun hair and lei)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

It's In! Better Late than Never!

We got our garden in! It was just about a week ago that I decided I wanted a garden. I've been thinking about it for a few years, but every time I decide I'd like to have a garden, it's too late...it's summer and the seeds should have been sewn. Well, I decided --I DON'T CARE-- that it's late in the season to get started...if we build it, at least we'll have it for the next several years.

With that attitude, I planted several veggies and even did an herb garden in an adjacent planter. I figure --whatever grows--great! If not, o.k. too. I've never done a garden, so this is a trial year, and I figure by the time I'm in my 40's (sooner if I'm lucky) I may have a successful garden.

My mother and sister really inspired me...they have great gardens and I've always been very impressed. I may just have a nice one someday too! A BIG THANKS to Jim, my hero that can do ANYTHING. He really worked hard to get this done for our family and I so love him and his being able to do any project. He could build a house on his own (given the time and $$). He amazes me and I just can't thank him enough!
I'll update you on the success.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

What I Just Read


Specials by Scott Westerfeld

My'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/18640834?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">

My

review: 4 out of 5 stars
I VERY much enjoyed this series...much more than I thought I would. This book had a good conclusion...although left me a little melancholy--wanting more and to tweek the conclusion for my own romantic purposes. I've never been "into" sci-fi or fantasy, but this may change my mind. The series was adventuresome and I couldn't stop reading. Good fun!

View'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/909838?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.