Sunday, September 28, 2008

1 to 1 to Ice Cream, Hospital Corners, and Velveeta (also known as family ties)

This weekend we hosted a couple of my cousins for the Nebraska/Virginia Tech game. Although the Huskers did not come away victorious, we had a nice time chatting and catching up. It's so funny to have family around that have experienced many of the same (and different) things that I experienced growing up. During the evening we covered topics from how to make the perfect pink squirrel (I piped in with "1 to 1 to ice cream") and it pretty much worked. For those interested, it is 1 ounce of Creme de Noyaux, 1 ounce of white creme de cacao and about 3-4 ounces of ice cream. Yum!  This was the first time I have had a pink squirrel outside of the bar in Dodge, Nebraska. I think we all agreed these were pretty darn tasty (and that the bar has been skimping on the alcohol all these years). 

While digging through my cupboard to find food coloring for the kids' version of our pink squirrel, my cousin noticed that I organized my cupboards with Velveeta cheese boxes. And as expected, I had various powdered mixes for sauces in them. Oh, how disappointed we were when we learned my other cousin had actually purchased wicker storage baskets for her cupboards. Apparently, this is what happens when one moves to the suburbs. :) I proudly still use the boxes to organize various items in my cupboard. 

I also got a lesson in how to make the bed. Apparently, I was never taught correctly - although I did participate in 4H demo on the topic (which ended up with my laughing so hard I had to get a tissue from the judge to wipe my nose). Anyway, Chele and Christine taught me the correct way to make a bed with hospital corners. Of course, I am not sure it matters as Marshall doesn't like his sheet tucked in on his end of the bed and I have now relegated changing sheets to the cleaning lady - one less thing to worry about!  

Although the visit was short, it was a great, quick trip down memory lane. Cousins hold similar, but different memories than direct siblings and it is always funny to hear how each remember one past experience or another. We all come from the same family tree and yet, each branch is very distinct and different. I guess that is what makes families such interesting groups of people. Shared experiences and yet, completely different lives - each wonderful in their own way. 

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Jay and Julie's wedding

Here are pictures from our weekend at King Mountain Ranch outside of Granby, Colorado. What a beautiful wedding and a wonderful weekend with friends.

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Wonderful (busy) weekend



How nice it is to sit and watch some football, fold some laundry, and relax tonight. Friday night we took the boys to their first Rockies game. It was a beautiful night for baseball, beer, and junk food. Tanner and I took off early, but Marshall and Drake stayed for the fireworks. They were both so well behaved (Tanner got a bit ansy), but it makes it so easy to take them places when they listen and behave so well.

Saturday morning brought a trip to the mountains for us and Nadja and Ryan babysitting for the boys. According to Nadja and Ryan, the boys behaved and I will believe them so I can feel good about our night out. We feel so fortunate that we have such good friends that were willing to watch our kids so we could have a wonderful night out.

We headed up to King Mountain Ranch near Granby and arrived around noon. We were able to check out the ranch, have some lunch on the porch and get ready for the 3:00 wedding. The weather cooperated perfectly for the outdoor wedding, cocktails in the courtyard, and then thankfully, there was a tent for the reception as the rain moved in. We had a great time eating, drinking, and dancing. We then moved back to the ranch and had more drinks, and did a little bowling (in the oldest automatic bowling alley in Colorado). Yes, I won. :)



Sunday morning we had some breakfast and headed back down to Denver. Both Marshall and I really thought the aspen has turned more specular in the 24 hours we had been up there. And then, Marshall got a last minute call to go to the Bronco game so he was able to enjoy a beautiful day for football and an exciting Bronco win. A wonderful, crazy weekend.

Thomas the Train







A few pics of the our visit with Thomas the Train. The boys were REALLY great.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Michigan Pictures

Here are more pictures from our trip to Michigan. What a great time!

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

Weekly Update



The last week has been a pretty nice week. Last weekend, the 4 of our were home alone for the weekend for the first time since the beginning of July. A busy couple of months for us. Last Saturday, we took the boys to Elich Gardens. We took the light rail the boys really enjoyed all the activities - the ferris wheel, the carousel, the kiddie rides, and Drake just taking it all in - was very special to see his eyes just light up looking at all the "big rides".




Last Sunday, Uncle Matt spent the day with us before he took off for Brussels. We enjoyed having him here to spend the afternoon, take in a bike ride, and enjoy some food and drink.

Monday and Tuesday were spent with Drake home sick with a fever and stomach flu. Marshall stayed home on Tuesday to help with Drake which was really nice. It was reminiscent of paternity leave last summer. Thursday night we went out for Chipotle and then swimming. Tanner REALLY enjoyed the big slide - he could not get enough of it. Drake is really getting comfortable in the water which is so fun to watch. A good week.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Go Blue!


What a wonderful, wonderful vacation we had in Michigan over Labor Day weekend. Jacki and Sean were wonderful hosts and it was great to have the sisters all together without kiddos running around. We even had the bonus of my cousin and her hubby joining us for part of the weekend. To able to take in downtown Ann Arbor, the campus, the bars (beer pong anyone?) and a college football game in an extended weekend was just great. It has been quite some time since I have taken in that much alcohol over a continuous period of time. What fun!

And do they know how to tailgate in Michigan - on the golf course fairway! It was pretty amazing to see so many cars and the golf course just packed with professional tailgaters - yard games, BBQ's that hook on your hitch, tents, individual port-a-potties in camoflage tents - it was all there and more. I guess that is what happens when you get 108,000 of your closest friends together on a Saturday. Jacki and Sean had us taken care of with our tailgating as well - I was quite impressed.

Of course, the time went way to quickly as it always does when you are with family (ok, it doesn't always fly, sometimes it creaps along with family), but in this case, we had a fun-filled weekend that provided many great memories. And time away from the kiddos always keeps us in check as well. Was great to have some "us" time - we took full advantage of it for sure.