Tricks and Treats

Snow White and Prince Charming enjoyed their Halloween activities, which included a visit from Bud and Jo-jo. Sorry, I didn't get a shot of Dopey, whose costume was a floppy hat and footies. Priya was a bit cranky with a sniffly nose, which later developed into a raging ear infection, which merited an 8pm med-center visit. 

We've been busy switching out the kids' clothes for larger ones. This seems to be an ever-present job in our home. Silas always transitions into the next size before his birthday (a year ahead). Example, before he turns 4, he's in size 5. Speaking of rapid child growth, does anyone know if kids have "hormonal" days? I think they do...Silas has been aggressive and weepy all at the same time today.

Levi is crawling and sitting and wearing 12 month clothing...he's five months old!!! 

I'm pretty excited about an upcoming birth in town that I will be attending. This will be my eighth home-birth that I will be observing/assisting with. And...the first time I will have ever been at a birth without being pregnant!! I've also been weaving quite a bit, working hard to keep a deadline. OK, Mom, do you feel updated now?

Fess up

OK, I admit it, I joined Facebook. If you've missed me, that is where I've been. I know, I've betrayed the blogosphere for something cheaper and easier. I repent. I've had my little fling and now, I hope I will be yours yet again.

By way of keeping you posted: Levi is doing an army crawl/drag move and a steam roller type move. Silas is reading simple stories and learning to add and that princes fight dragons. Priya is a total riot, as always.

We went to Ft. Collins last weekend to visit Christian's brother and his family. My nephews are growing so fast up there!! We took some hikes and went to a petting zoo and enjoyed multiple late night chats. 

Also of note, Christian and I celebrated seven years of marriage last weekend. 

So, dear readers, I am sorry for my absence, but I've come to my senses and will be blogging more regularly now. Coming soon...Halloween photos and book/movie review posts. I know, you're on the edge of your seat already.

Busy Weekend

Last night, we were fortunate enough to see Trace Bundy play in our little mountain town. Trace is amazing, if you haven't heard of him, you should check out his music. He calls himself the acoustic ninja, and he is indeed so.

Today, the Lake City Wine and Music Fest is rocking the town park. We live a block away, so I'm at home with the napping kiddos for a bit. The aspen trees are at peak color. (Yes, it's fall here already). 

Tomorrow, we're planning a family hike to see more of the fall colors. 

We keep thinking things will calm down now that the summer is over....but that has not happened yet. We're still enjoying the great music this town has to offer and it seems we have folks over to the house at least three nights a week. We're never sure how long we'll be here, but we sure love this little mountain town and all the great people here. 

What we're growing,,,

1. Vegies

We have really reaped the benefits of our greenhouse and garden this summer. 

Tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, lettuce, sweet peas, carrots, radishes, onions, cilantro, basil, amaranth, sunflowers, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, serrano peppers, bell peppers, eggplant, corn, green beans.

My favorites: cherry tomatoes, sweet peas, basil...mmmmm

We made a lovely bruschetta with the tomatoes and basil that the guys brought home today. The greenhouse, visible from the road, has folks talking. Christian is going to build two more greenhouses this fall for some people in town. 

2. Our rug inventory

If you haven't heard, we have a small, but growing, weaving business. I've been up late these last few weeks making rugs for an Art show this month. Yes, we do custom orders. Yes, I'd love to make you one. Yes, we'll have a website soon.

3. Levi and his mohawk...the hairs are few, but the attitude is key

Levi at 3 months

Levi is by far the easiest baby we've had so far. He's happy when he's awake, he sleeps easily, rides in the car easily, loves to hike and walk (while strapped to his momma), likes other people to hold him, has a great sense of humor, and eats like it is a full-time job. He's pushing 16 lbs. He's tall, dark and handsome. Definitely has his momma's coloring (not sure on the eyes yet, but they are not blue). We are so blessed to have each of our wonderful children.  Although it was not our plan for last year...we are so glad to have a third one!!

First day...

Silas woke us up at 7:40 (hey, we're on a summer schedule) and said, "I heard someone say class was over, but I haven't even been to class yet." School anxiety dream for a three year old??! We stuffed some cereal in his pockets and he rode on the back of Daddy's bike to school (three blocks away). There are five kids in his once a week 3yr old pre-school class. I will say that they are some of the sweetest kids in town...and they are all almost four years old. So, they are older for the class. He learned how to play duck, duck goose; played a computer game with a fireman; and sang "the wheels on the bus." Next week: Calculus and 18th Century French Lit. 

Priya cried her eyes out when he left and said, "Silas is running away from me." He said, "Don't worry, you can come next year, when you're 3 and 1/2." 

We're going over to Christian's sister's house for the following menu tonight: beer battered and fried squash, zuccini and eggplant and catfish and chicken. Sweet potato and regular fries. Baked tuna steak. Custard and cookies. Peaches. If you don't hear form me, I've probably had a heart attack.

August in a nutshell

We went on a two week vacation and it has taken at least a week to recover. We left on August 3rd and went to California via Utah and Nevada. We were in Cali from the 5th through the 14th, then we headed home. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take too many photos. I will borrow some from Christian's family to post later. I can't give a detailed account...but here are some highlights of our trip:

For Silas, the trip was a bugcation. He found the strangest, largest bugs everytime we stopped the car (which with a nursing baby and a potty training 2 year old was OFTEN). He found a caterpillar of a hummingbird moth. He even got to look for grasshoppers in 110 degrees in the Mojave dessert.

We stayed in the San Bernardino Mts near a town called Lake Arrowhead, off a road called Rim of the World Highway. We were basically on a cliff about a mile (seriously) up above LA. We were able to sit on the edge and look over the LA area lights one evening. Amazing. 

The wedding of Christian's cousin was also pretty spectacular. The rehearsal dinner was on the viewing lawn of a restaurant overlooking Dana Point Harbor. As we toasted the couple, a huge harvest moon rose over the bay. David, the cousin, married one of the most striking brides I have ever seen (photos to follow). Priya called her the princess and kept looking for her from our hotel balcony.

We loved the Santa Barbara and Morro Bay areas. Beautiful beaches and cool towns. We found all the cool playgrounds in Santa Barbara, one like a castle, and one with whales you could climb. We had some tasty playground treats: corn on the cob on a stick with mayo, cheese, chili, salt and butter...and a mango on a stick made to look like a flower with lemon juice and salt (I skipped the chili). Silas met a girl who knew how to catch turtles in the pond.

We camped out in San Simeon for a few days, near Hearst Castle. Silas and Priya played at the campsite with Kaya and Kayo a girl and boy from LA who had a Japanese mother and a Dutch father. We showed them how to make s'mores. Silas wants to go back and see them someday. 

Priya's brightest moment, "Look, mama, I see somepin on that rock. It's, it's a....bear. Uh, it's kinda like a fish." Of course, she had seen her first seal. We also found a starfish and some sea urchins in the waves. 

We drove back through hot, smoky central California and stopped at James Dean's last stop to buy some chili lime almonds, before driving all day and getting a flat tire in the middle of the sweltering dessert and arrived in Las Vegas, where we saw two of Christian's uncles. 

Since we've been back, I've had the "home-grown-tomatoes" song stuck in my head because our greenhouse is producing the sweetest, reddest ones you've ever seen. I scrapped most of the skin off my right leg when I tripped while running. My children are suffering the effects of too much local sweet corn and peaches. I have washed 1500 loads of laundry. I've had company over for a meal at least five times. We went to a good-bye party for our friends Jordan and Charity, who took their beautiful little red head baby and moved to Utah. We went to a Green Party (the whole town came and everyone wore green) for our good friend Lucky, from Ireland, who f-i-n-a-l-y got his greencard, after marrying our other dear friend two years ago.  I've been weaving up a storm for an Art show coming up next month and Christian has been sawing up logs into siding for a guy in town. Deep breath in....exhale. 

still humming....."home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes, only two things money can't buy, and that's true love and home grown tomatoes....."