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.

Memorial Weekend

Each year we go to the cemetery for services on Memorial Day. Both of Elliott's parents play a large role in the activities of the morning. Lauren is a Jr. Auxiliary member so she gets to participate as well.

Then we all go to the farm for a huge lunch and lots of play time for the kiddos. It is a lot of fun with all 5 kids running around.





Here are the Jr. Auxiliary members that helped with the program.











Here is Lauren & Grandma giving the opening prayer.















Here is Andrew and his great uncle Mike. Both of my kiddos love this guy! :)


It was really nice to see him and a couple other family members that we don't get to see very often. We don't live all that far away but it seems our trips home are getting fewer and fewer each year.

Program

Lauren had a great time at her program. The theme was Nursery Rhyme - A Year in Review. Lauren was a spider and got to come to the front of the stage and sing Itsy Bitsy Spider with a couple other classmates. Then it was off to the gym for punch and cookies.

All of her grandparents made the trip down for the program. She was so excited that everyone was coming to see her! Someday, she will realize they were all on the road four times as long as her program and really appreciate it. Andrew enjoyed the program also. . . any time there was a second of silence you could hear him asking, "Done?" The pew in front of us thought he was pretty funny.