a word from Roxy

 Roxy here. Every Wednesday night the dad, mom, boy, girl, and the one that smells like pee go away to something they call D6. Is that some kind of vitamin or something? Anyways, the girl came home with this thing and put it on my face. Then she kept singing, "You keep your iPOD, I'll keep my iPATCH! You keep your iPAD, I'll keep my iPATCH. You keep your iPHONE, I'll keep my iPATCH." I do not understand.

 Apparently the boy is blind as a bat. He put his magnifying glasses on my face and I could not see a thing. 

The boy just finished a book called "Hank the Cow Dog." I think that explains this form of torture. Yee-haw you little stinkin' jerk.

More Colorado

Most of my week in Colorado I had no car and was pretty much stuck at my dads house with the kids since everyone was at work. Even Jason was working in Denver for three days. I would have visited more family during the day while everyone was a work but that's a little difficult without wheels, especially when you're out in the country. Oh well. Another time.
While everyone was at work I had to keep kids busy and out of trouble. We did school work, water color painted, read lots of books, watched movies, went on walks, took naps, and just played a lot. One morning we made forts. The evenings were spent gardening with grandpa, coloring with grandma, making music, taking long baths, and snuggling on the couch for a movie or reading.
Here's a few random pictures and some from the fort morning.

Having fun with grandma's clothes pins.

For some reason this little hill in the backyard is the place to rub dirt in each others hair.

Coloring relaxes Grandma's and kids.

Learning about accompaniment while singing along to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I even got out my old clarinet and played a little bit too.

Grandpa is pretty great at entertaining the kids.

Forts. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

It's hard to believe that just a few days ago we were high up in the mountains. It was so exciting to start the drive to Estes Park and start to see the outline of the mountains. It had been way too long for me! And how sad it was to drive away and watch them fade out of sight.
This was the kids first trip to the mountains. I was so excited for them to see them. Caedmon was very set on collecting some mountain rocks. Payton kept telling Reagan that God made the mountains.
I LOVE the mountains. The smell instantly takes me back to Horn Creek where our family used to go for a week long conference every year when my parents were missionaries. Pop and I talked about those days some. It made me really miss being a kiddo.

Skipping rocks at the lake in Estes after a picnic lunch.

In Rocky Mountain National Park. First family trip to the mountains!

 It was still too early in the season to get to go higher. But we still had an awesome view! It was cold and windy!

Having a snowball fight with Grandpa.

In some spots the snow was still above the kids heads. 

 Even Minnie Mouse came up the mountain. Very important.

Hidden Valley Trail

Next year I'd like to take the kids on a horse back ride in the mountains or spend a few days camping. .. we'll see.

You don't see that in public school

I asked my Pop to share with the kids some of his gardening knowledge during our Colorado visit. So far they've learned a little bit about manure tea, composting, starting plants indoor, and have helped plant a few rows of corn.
They are learning how different things are here. Back in Ames we don't have a lot of weeds that produce stickers. Ouch! The kids are learning fast that shoes are a requirement while playing outside.

Time for tea! Manure tea that is. Or poop soup as some gardeners call it. The baby plants love it. You don't see THAT in public school!

Helping grandpa plant some corn.

Hooded Towel

My brother Nate and his wife Emily are expecting their first kiddo next month. Last weekend their friend threw them a baby shower. Sadly I couldn't go because they live in Oregon but it was fun to get something made and send it in time for the baby shower.
I made Miss Meschke a hooded towel and paired it with some Burt's Bees soap and lotion. It will be very big for her for a long time but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. Emily's cats name is Stella so I personalized the towel a bit. Miss Reagan modeled it for me before I put it in the mail.

Tortellini Salad

A while ago when some friends had a baby I took this salad to them for supper one night. She asked me for the recipe so I thought I would just put it here to share. So here ya go Steph.

Tortellini Salad

2 12 oz pkg Cheese Tortellini cooked, drained, and cooled
1 11 oz pkg cherry tomatoes cute in half
1 16 oz can black olives cut in half
2-3 big hand fulls of fresh baby spinach

Dressing:
Whisk together
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar
3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
1Tbsp dried Basil
1 tsp sugar
dash of salt and pepper

After pasta is cooled combine ingredients. Add fresh baby spinach right before serving.
*To make this a main dish I add cut up baked or grilled chicken breast.

the fart gallery, i mean art gallery

Payton drew a lot this week.


This is me when I was growing up and on a trip with my stereo and luggage. Luggage with stickers of myself and my iPOD.

Reagan told Payton to draw a baby crying in a crib. The bear kinda freaks me out for some reason.

This is our new house. You can go in and out the door and up and down the stairs in our new house. Just so you know.

This is a girl with a bunch of tattoos and a fancy bra. She grows giant eyeballs in her flower garden. Does she look like a snob or is it just me?

Girl with curly eyelashes and dyed green hair.

Carnival Band. Complete with baby grand piano. This is my favorite!

 

This girl is playing with her fake bugs while her mother is out. I think the one eyed bird must be babysitting? I love her lips!

Longing for a tropical oasis?

Another project!
Last week I finished spraying our coffee table and side tables a beautiful "tropical oasis" teal. I really like how they turned out. The teal looks REALLY bright in these pictures. It looks much better in person.

Before and afters!

This came from Jason's parents too.  

These next two pieces were giving to me from a friend.

I also recovered our old pillows with these two fabrics to match. It all turned out pretty cute!