4th of July Play Day in the Park

Our Parks & Recreation department puts on a Play Day each 4th of July. This was our first year to attend and the kids really enjoyed it. It was plenty hot but they didn't seem to mind too much. There was 20 old fashion games and free food for everyone. Here you see Lauren playing Quack Attack. At the completion of your first game of the day, you received a medal & ribbon to wear. Then upon completing any further games throughout the day, you received pins to place on your ribbon. Lauren came home with quite a few pins.

Lauren & Andrew both enjoyed the parachute. I felt sorry for the girl running this one because she was working hard with the kids and in the direct sun. It was hot!

Harvest

Seeing my children riding the combine with Grandpa brings back a lot of memories. I spent a lot of time sitting on my water jug seat. There was no such thing as a 'buddy seat' when I was little so I used the water jug or curled up with a roll of paper towels and snoozed away.



Andrew wasn't so sure about riding but once the combine was close enough that he could see Grandpa inside, things were good again. They both loved the ride and I think would have spent several more hours out there if time would have allowed.





You can see it was kinda dirty out there by the looks of Grandpa's shirt. Lauren got filthy getting off the combine and was quite delighted by it! :)

Backyard Pool

Lauren is so excited that our new roof is complete so we can ditch this 'kiddie' pool and break out the big pool. We really couldn't have asked for better timing either as the water will be nice and warm for our 3 day weekend coming up! :) I'm sure setting up the pool with be our project for tonight. Now, I just need to locate the chemical. . .


Andrew loves to splash. Really he just loves the water. He has no fear which is good and bad. He managed to dunk himself the other night and it didn't even phase him.

Wild Animals of Estes

Big Horn Sheep
Elk













We also got to see a bear but he/she was too quick for us to get a good picture of. We were quite lucky and pleased to see so much wildlife in our short stay.

Estes Park

Elliott and I took a little road trip to Estes Park to visit Craig & Anne a few weeks back. We left the kids with the grandparents and I was kinda nervous as this was going to be Andrew's first overnight without me. Well, I had nothing to worry about as he did great. His only new trick of the weekend was to climb out of his crib at my parents house. They devised a game plan to head off his efforts and all was good again. So many 'thanks' go out to our parents for offering to care for our children so we could take a much needed adults only weekend. And 'thanks' to Craig & Anne for being such great hosts and tour guides. We had a blast! Just wish you guys lived next door instead of 7 hours away. :)

Oatmeal Brulee w/ Ginger Cream

Yum-O!! Andrew & I gobbled this up for breakfast this morning. Elliott & Lauren didn't think so much of it, though. Try it and let me know your thoughts. I don't think you'll be dissappointed!






Oatmeal Brulee with Ginger Cream

CATEGORY: Breakfast/Brunch
METHOD: Broiled
TIME: Prep: 30 min. Broil: 10 min.



Ingredients:

GINGER CREAM:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 slices fresh gingerroot (about 3/4-inch diameter)
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

OATMEAL:
4 cups water
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

In a small saucepan, bring the cream, ginger, cinnamon and orange peel to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; strain and discard the solids. Stir in syrup and nutmeg; set aside.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring water to a boil. Add the oats, apricots, cherries and salt; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in brown sugar and 1/4 cup ginger cream. Cover and let stand for 2 minutes. Grease four 10-oz. ramekins with the butter; add raspberries. Spoon oatmeal over the top; sprinkle with sugar. Place on a baking sheet. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 7-9 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Serve with remaining ginger cream.

Yield: 4 servings.

Lake

This was the kids first trip to the lake. (It happened almost a month ago!) Lauren was quite excited to head down to the water. We all knew the water was way too cold for a swim but she didn't care. She and Andrew played and splashed around for quite a while and then it happened, she got a little too deep . . . soaked to the core . . . so she had to make the ride home in her shirt and wrapped in a blanket. I know, I know . . . what kind of mom am I to take my kids to the lake without a swimming suit or extra clothes . . . but this was a totally impromptu trip so I was not prepared. Oh well . . . they had fun and that is what matters!

What a great daddy . . .carrying her shoes so she could sink her toes in the sand.

Trying to hold Andrew back from making a break into the lake. He has no fear.