Can We Build It? Yes, We Can!

Sportster would know this is what Bob the Builder would say. He really enjoyed helping Grandpa and Daddy work on building the patio in our backyard. We are so thankful to my father-in-law for his know-how and hard work. We can't wait to get out there and use this new space as the weather permits.

Hooray, no more big yard projects!

Special Visitors

September and October have been busy months with visitors coming out to spend time with us. We are so thankful since time with our families is the best gift we all can receive from them. It is just wonderful for the kiddos to have time to be with their grandparents and enjoy the story times, the jokes and the fun outings we take together, to experience little bits of life together. Here are a few photo highlights of those visits.

A shot with Grandpa and Grandma.

Bundled up after swimming lessons, which Grandma and Grandpa and Great Grandma were able to watch.

Enjoying Smiley on the move.

Playing at Flying W Ranch.

Grandma found some friendly budgies at the zoo.

Grandpa making popcorn for the kiddos, complete with the Popcorn Song.

Storytime with Grandpa.

The kiddos with Great Grandma.

A piano lesson with Nana.

More fun with Nana.

If you are reading this and know us in real life, consider yourself invited! We'd love to have you here with us to share some days with you!

Time Flies!

We celebrated the birthday of our firstborn in September. Sportster turned 5. I think back to a little over 5 years ago when the thought and act of parenting was still so foreign and filled with so many questions. We are still filled with questions and seeking God for His wisdom, but the questions have changed. Nothing can really completely prepare you for the joy, the responsibility, the emotional challenge and the work of parenting. In the early days it is all you can do to just keep up with diaper changes and feedings and trying to fit in sleep whenever possible. Time has flown by since that time in our lives when Sportster was a newborn. Now he is on to writing his letters, learning to read, riding his bike, talking on the phone to his grandparents, and learning about the Lord. We are so blessed to have him in our lives! He brings our home so much laughter.

Here are few shots from his birthday. Grandma, Grandpa and Great Grandma were able to visit during that time, which made it extra special. On his birthday we went to the zoo and to his favorite restaurant and a few days later he had a special outing on the Royal Gorge Train with Grandma and Grandpa.

Blowing out the candles on the special cake made and decorated by Grandma.


Climbing the spider web at the zoo.


A fun meal out to celebrate.

Talking to Nana and Papa , with the assistance of Smiley.

Enjoying the train ride with Grandma and Grandpa.

Our little boy is indeed growing up!

Middle-O-Nowhere Adventures

Or, Reason #162 Why We Need A Cell Phone, or It Could Have Been Worse, or Sure Glad We Have AAA!

Our trip back home from FarmMed proved to be far longer and more interesting than the usual 6 hour drive back to the Springs. More than two hours into the journey we heard an awful banging noise coming from the front of our van. Within a mile or two we were on the side of the road where we spent about the next three hours on a 90 degree day with three young children. Actually, this really could have been worse as the place we pulled off had huge shade trees and one functioning swing for the kids. It was one of those small-town pull-offs that are intended for tourists that have a few picnic tables but still no bathrooms. This is when our cell phone, which we got just two weeks earlier, came in very handy. We've been holding out on getting one for years, but this van with over 190,000 miles is one of the biggest reasons we finally caved. The AAA membership that offers 100 miles of towing was also a big plus in this somewhat remote location. We ended up calling my mom to come and get us (somehow tow trucks can't accommodate 5 people, 3 of whom have car seats), towing the van back to the town nearest FarmMed (using 94 of our towing miles) and spending another night there before having the car fixed by a trusted shop the next day. Thankfully we were able to get home the next day without event, but somehow it seems this type of adventure may become more frequent until that fine day when we have saved enough for a van without so many miles on the odometer. Ah, the memories!

Still smiling!

Thanks Mom and Dad for another night of lodging and for coming to help us. We really hope we won't need you to do this again.

Labor Day Fun

The end of the summer was marked with a trip out to FarmMed. We always enjoy the quietness of the country, the room to let the kids run and the familiar comfort of being with family. This trip was no exception.

Back to Blogging

The last month and a half has been pretty busy for us, but I'm going to do my best to catch up with blogging, just like I am trying to catch up in the rest of my life. Learning to walk, swimming lessons, two rounds of guests, the building of a patio, a trip to FarmMed and a birthday have occupied our time and we are thankful for all the great memories made! Stay tuned for more details.

Simple Pocket Organizer

The other day I came across this at Goodwill. It was a canvas square measuring about 12" x 12" with 4 double ties on one end. I wasn't sure what it was but the price was right so I bought it. Even though I went to the maker's website, I couldn't figure out what its intended use was, but by that point I had an idea for a quick project.

I turned up about the bottom 3/8ths of the canvas and sewed up the sides, then sewed two other rows of stiching in the middle to make three pockets. Since the edges were already neatly finished, that was all I had to do except hang it up. I tried it out in the kids' bathroom where it hung on a towel rod. Although that was a good spot, I thought it might get more use on the changing table to hold lotion, diaper cream and other baby necessities.


This was a fun, quick project and I think I may like to make more of these with fabrics and embellishments to suit the place in which they will be used.

Total Cost: $.08.

Total Time: 8 minutes - most of that was uncovering the sewing machine from the pile of junk that had accumulated around it.