First Thing

I LOVE how kids look and act when they wake up very first thing in the morning! Bed head, groggy voice and sleepy eyes. It is an irresistible recipe for snuggling. Nathan had gotten in bed with us during the night and I just happened to have my camera next to me when he woke up.

We started to giggle and laugh and it ended up being one of those mornings we could not stop!

I love this kids' personality...so fun!

Letters

The other day we all were writing letters to different people. Nathan brought me his. He must be missing our elf, Frizz who left us after Christmas to be with Santa.

"Dear Santa,
Have a nice time with your elves.
Love,
Nathan"

Perfect Pancakes!

I have been on a search for the best pancake recipe for...a long time! These, my friends, are your lucky discs of joy. We love them so much, here at our house, that most of the time these are what we serve when we have "upside down dinner."

Serve with a little butter, real maple syrup, scrambled eggs, a side of turkey bacon, and a glass of orange juice. Or just by themselves- they won't disappoint.

I left out one little secret... they are whole wheat!

2 cups ground white wheat
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk- I use low fat = still good

Mix all together and pour 1/4 cup of batter on hot buttered griddle.

I got this from my mom, who got this years ago from Caroline Shaw. I'm passing it down and hope it ends up with my great, great, granddaughters.

*I have to add that my mom thinly slices bananas on them when they are on the griddle and boy howdy...good!

Kendallisms

Look! I gave my corn a haircut!

The Past Meets the Future...

When I was little and lived in New Mexico, we would come to Colorado for summer visits to see Aunt Pam and Uncle Wes, Tiger and Allison. A highlight of our trip always included a visit to "Airplane Park." As we reminisce about those days, who ever would have thought that we would continue on the tradition with the next generation?

So here we are with all these cousins doing the same fun things we used to do. Wave and ride the train, catch crawdads and minnows, eat cherry picnics, and spend HOURS in the stream-running in the water and squishing the sand between our toes, laughing and not wanting the day to end.


Later that night, Papa lit up the sky as he put on a firework show for the kids. I love how in this picture, my mom and I have the same expression...awwwwww.

Hike

It's funny to think that a hike could be so relaxing and enjoyable. I loved every second. Extreme beauty doing a 360* from every angle. Tons of deer with little white bums and fresh air.

I loved when the boys ran and ran stopping only for a drink or when they heard us telling them they had gone too far. Kendall and Mikey did pretty good. Kendall on Justin's shoulders and Mikey on Sara's hip a lot of the way- just the way they like it:).

It was fun to "bring up the back" and talk with Sara while soaking up the sun in the perfect temperature.

Backyard.

Whenever I think of summer, there isn't usually much than can top a lazy evening, in the backyard... with a tent. I love these clean jammied boys waiting so anxiously for Justin to get the tent up. Everyone is happy and each has their blanket they will contribute to the new hideout, ready for an adventure that begins...now!

Bleachers... Tons of Bleachers.

What do you do with 5 boys ages 6,5,4,3,and 2 with tons of energy, you ask? Take them to Red Rocks with a picnic lunch and let them climb, run, eat, and listen to the awesomely loud music as crews set up for the Disco Biscuits!

And the adults get the bonus of some amazing calorie burnage, too!

What was so Funny?

I love watching these boys have a good laugh! I'm not even sure what exactly it was was that they were laughing about, perhaps some jokes or a good story? It sure was contagious! Pretty soon we all joined in and I had a blast catching this moment.

Beginnings....

I love a fresh start. A clean slate. A new calendar year. A new season.

We welcome summer with open arms. We look forward to the quiet lulls and the crazy chaos that these few months will bring.

Cheers to lemonade stands and staying up late. Family picnics and suntans. Vacations and visitors.

And speaking of visitors...the boys are back in town!