Happy Birthday Dad!

Tried having our own celebration - but it wasn't the same without you!
Love your Colorado kids.

stealing from my sis

Copied this post from my sister - who is a wonderful mother, sister, and memory writer... read on...

rambling thoughts. . .

I've been thinking a lot lately about my grandmother - my dad's mom. She passed away in 2006 and is greatly missed. You know how it's those little things or moments that remind you of someone? That's what usually happens for me. When I'm drying the dishes and using one of those embroidered flour-sack towels, I think of Grandma Marie. I had a set that she made and for a long time wouldn't use them. They were special and I didn't want to ruin them! But grandma would have wanted me to use them, so I did. And they are no longer white, and they are fraying and many have holes. A mention of that to my mom, and voila! I had an entire new set of these towels (thanks, mom). And even though I use these new towels made by my mom, they still remind me of Grandma Marie.



Knox blocks. Any idea what those are? C'mon - the jello squares made with flavored Jell-O and unflavored gelatin? Grandma made them for every family gathering - orange and yellow for Thanksgiving, red and green for Christmas. It isn't a holiday unless I make those and I always make sure to remind my kids how Grandma Marie always, always made knox blocks.



Hot cocoa. This might have only happened one time, but I vividly remember Grandma making me hot cocoa in a very tiny mug. For some reason, that mug made it taste oh-so-much better than usual. I wish I had that tiny mug and saucer.



Lace cookies. Or were they called butter cookies - whatever. They were the thinest, laciest cookies you could practically see through them. And they were so yummy! The calorie and fat count was likely so high they'd never be made by today's moms, but I'm glad Grandma didn't worry about those things. She often served us graham crackers spread with frosting for a snack. My kids get apple slices or something equally healthy and not nearly as much fun.



Rumikub. Grandma loved to play games and this was one of her favorites.



Jesus. I have a children's book that I read to my little ones about the fruit of the spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, g00dness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The story encourages children to do the right thing and then explains "that's Jesus in me." Grandma Marie had Jesus in her -- and His light shone brightly to all through her. I know that she is in Heaven with her Savior and she is wrapped tightly in his arms and perfect in her spirit.



Grandma Marie was a stay-at-home mom before it was called SAHM. Back then, it was a housewife. Even more than that, she was a farmwife. I can only imagine what her days were like as a mother of young children. She raised 4 boys on a farm without the conveniences of today. When the monotony of my day gets to me, or the kids are making me crazy, or I haven't even made a dent in my to-do list and dinner hasn't even crossed my mind, I think of Grandma Marie for a little perspective. A long day with the kids? There was no option to call Grandpa on his cell phone and ask if he'd please pick up dinner on his way home. Oops, I mean supper!

(just found this draft in my postings and am posting it as is . . . unfinished as I was likely interrupted while writing. Thanks Grandma for all the memories!)


So reading this made emotions bubble over in my heart and through tears I am not able to compose my thoughts. Here is hoping I will post again soon with the grace and thought my sister does.

Back to Work - But Summer Isn't Over Yet

Getting back into the work schedule is going to take us a little adjustment. When I returned home on Thursday - after 6 for the 3rd time this week - Aaron (who was able to finally get home a little earlier) was totally out on the couch. After meeting a friend on Friday after work, we decided we were too tired to head up to the Orchard for live music. Can it really be we are getting old, or is it just our bodies adjusting to the work schedule of "back to school"?

So, even though there were plenty of items on our "to do" list, we opted for accomplishing a minimal amount by getting out of the 96 degree heat of the city. Off we headed to Boulder for lunch, to Ned (for shopping), to Moffat tunnel for a scenic drive, and then to Boulder Creek to climb out on a big rock and enjoy the sound of the water rippling down the late summer creek. To our delight, a gorgeous black bear was grazing on the hillside as we drove away from the creek. The perfect topper to our mountain day. (no pics to share for this one, as Aaron left his camera home for this adventure, but we both have an awesome snapshot in our memories)

May you all capture some end of the summer memories as August comes to a close.

Dad's Sale...

was this weekend. I guess they've been cleaning and preppin' the machinery for the past few weeks. Luckily he has good friends nearby to help him get it all ready, since all of his children are currently hours from home. Of course, we all would have made the trip had he needed us. Mom was busy with preparations as well. She cooked up her famous BBQs and soup. (Which is why Aaron, Adam, and I are having BBQ Charlene Style tonight.) I can't believe he is out of the farm biz. He called today to let us know everything went well. Whew... I think he is sleeping better now. Time for the next chapter. We love you, Dad, and wish you the best!

Does Anyone Even Look?

I check blogs on a regular basis. Living so far from my family and dearest friends, this technology tool allows me to stay connected. I am always excited to see the latest pictures and everyday anecdotes. I even try to leave a comment to let them know I've been "visiting". My wondering is . . . does anyone visit this blog (with posting often separated by months)?

Aaron's Milestone Birthday

All Aaron wanted for his birthday was to spend some time in nature with his wife. It was a beautiful day in the Rocky Mountains. The warmth of the sun and the rippling winter waterfall cannot be truly captured in a blog. And unfortunately there are no photos of the humungous bull elk we kept our eyes on as we climbed the rocks along the alluvial fan. He grazed just above the main waterfall as we rested on a cold rock in the sun's rays. Here's a shot of the gorgeous day we enjoyed.

As we hunted for a cabin we could possibly call our own, we came upon a cute, hunting fox. (Check out the following slide show.)

To top off the day, Adam brought home a delicious cake from Cold Stone.

Happy 40 Honey!!

Estes Park Fox Spotting