The Farmer in the Dell

We recently visited Miller Farms to pick our own produce. For $15/pp you get 5 large grocery sacks full of whatever you can pick. We ended up going late in the evening, about 2 hours before closing, and we cashed in on a great deal.

Weekend Drive

Bucket List #35: Have an entire weekend to ourselves without the kids or big plans.

Lets face it. When we get babysitters it is because we have BIG plans. HUGE plans. Plans that are gonna be OUTTA THIS WORLD! For once, we just wanted a weekend with NOTHING to do. That included being parents (only for just a bit though).

Friday night we hung out at Toby Keith's Bar and Grill with some friends - and rode the bull - which we will not post the videos...something friends should never do...

And then got up at 6:30 the next morning (because we have been conditioned to do that from our little lads) to take a drive in the mountains to see the colors change.

Then we got home late, ate some yummy crock pot soup of tomato, basil and Parmesan, watched college football games, fell asleep on the couch and went to bed early. Of all the weekends we've had this summer, this was probably the best one!

Happy First Day of Fall!

Tailgate Party

Everyone tailgates. But not everyone tailgates in the dining room. Recently we invited some friends over for a tailgate party. Each were to bring their BEST tailgate dish to share. Theo tapped a pony keg, set up one extra TV and we stuffed our faces until we could no longer say that we were "comfortably satisfied".

There were 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for the highest votes on the food dishes.

1st Prize - A $30 gift card to the Broncos Sport Store at the stadium when to Luis (14) who made homemade salsa using vegetables straight from his garden.

2nd Prize - A six-pack for a beer variety went to The Thomas Family for their delicious taco dip.

3rd Prize - A Long-neck Beer Bottle Koozie in the shape of a jersey went to Jen who brought her homemade chili.

Although these results are suspect in that I'm pretty sure I caught these winners red-handed a few times adding tally marks a time or two...or three...or ten!!

While the adults watched the game inside, the plethora of kids found many things to do to busy themselves.

An Apple A Day...

Last year, when the frost took all the blossoms from the orchards in Penrose, Colorado at the Happy Apple Farm, we were unable to go pick our own apples. However; this year, was a different story.

I wanted to take the boys down during the week, but it never happened with crazy schedules. We were fortunate enough that we were able to go one Sunday morning with Dad and we were in luck because Papa was also in town and we got to go with Nana and Papa. Such a special treat.

Airplanes, Hotels, Pools, Oceans...Oh MY!

Its hard to explain where this is on our family's bucket list. For Aidan, it was number one. For Luke, eh. I'm not sure he really even understands what a bucket list is. For Ted and I...Its a close 2nd...or even 10,000th...depending on the angle you look at it from.

We took the boys to San Diego for 4 days and 3 nights. This was their first time sleeping in a hotel. First time in an airplane. First time seeing the ocean. Sweet bliss for all.

For the first time, the boys hear about where we are going. Not the reaction we were expecting.


Not 2 seconds later did this conversation happen. More of the reaction we were hoping for.


The rental car was a hard thing to sell to Luke. It wasn't Mama's or Daddy's. I think he did ok.

Airplane.

Once on the plane, Ted rode with Aidan and I with Luke. The poor man next to us had to listen to Luke buckle and unbuckle, and buckle and unbuckle his belt for 2 hours. I said a prayer for him that night so that he didn't have nightmares over seat belts.

Aidan's first glance at the ocean:

Luke's first glance at the ocean:

The sand at the ocean is NOTHING like the sand at our mountain lakes. First noticeable difference number 1.

Waiting on the edge. He found his happy place.

Aidan, ocean....Ocean, Aidan. Finally you meet.

Luke, ocean...Ocean, Luke. Finally you meet.

"Hey, mom! When do they turn off the waves?" -Guess who just came back from Water World?
Noticeable difference number 2.

All we heard from Luke were giggles.

And that it was cold.

Wave chasing sure is a blast.

It really never gets old.

He was in his own little world building a castle around him.

He's a pretty cool guy.

Rolling around in the sand proved to be just as much fun as rolling in the ocean.

Awe struck by the band serenading us by the pool.

Chick-fil-A in bed, yes please.

Seal watching day. Of course with Buzz Lightyear and Optimus Prime.

Each time the seals would bark, Luke would giggle.

See, I was here on vacation too!

Hmmm...bet you can't guess where Luke gets his dark eyes from.

The cove where divers enter and exit the water was beautiful. At high tide, these rocks are underwater. Beware: in the little cave, the rocks move...darn those crabs! YIKES!

Looking for sea creatures.

We looked like ragged parents taking a 6 year old and a 2 year old on vacation. Nonetheless, we have a little photographer on our hands...good job Aidan.

Boogie Boarding. The absolute highlight of the trip for Aidan. And Theo.

He was in love.

Luke and I hung out on the shoreline chasing waves.

After an hour of boogie boarding, it was time to cuddle. I did not complain.