Every naptime and bedtime...

... I put Carson on one side of the crib, Luke on the other, and Luke immediately crawls over to Carson and lays right on top of her. Poor Car-Car...

Little Bear Outdoor Adventure Camp

We all spent the last week of August at an adventure camp for Christian homeschooling families in Westcliffe, CO. It was interesting sharing a 400 square foot cabin and one bath for 5 days, but everyone had lots of fun otherwise. Some photos....

Luke found a new best friend - Emily. He was quite smitten with her. He had lots of fun with her while Mommy got to enjoy listening to some great speakers! We'd like to adopt Emily - she's so sweet - but I think she's more interested in adopting Luke. :)

Owen and Eli got to re-enact WW II battles each day. They started off with prayer....

... and then off to war!

Eli got in the action as well with his musket and coonskin cap.

Daddy and Luke waiting patiently for the dinner bell to ring.

Carson is in no hurry for dinner when her thumb is handy.

Scout and Riley love their new coonskin hats!

I know, I know, there's something wrong with this picture. Could someone please teach her to sew a quilt or something?

Flexiblocks

S'Mores!

Jimmy built a little fire pit with the boys yesterday and then they built some makeshift benches. I can't wait to make some s'mores!!

Owen

Part of the reason we moved to Colorado was so that our children would spend more time outdoors. Eli, Scout, and Riley play outside all day long. Owen, on the other hand, is more of an inside child, unless we're going hiking or four-wheeling. He really loves to hike. But other than that, I have to make him go outside. Today I said, "Owen, why don't you go outside. I want you to spend one hour at least each day outside." So what does he do? He grabs a book and heads to the deck.

Red Rocks Park

Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre is about 40 mintues from our home. We had a great time, except for the fact that while we were hiking I got stung by a yellow jacket. Man, did that hurt! I'm just grateful it didn't sting one of our children.

I love this weather!

We're having a beautiful early afternoon thunderstorm right now.

Salad and Pizza Night

We start them early on the salads...

Yummy red peppers!

Some chicken!

Eli and Scout made us some yummy whole wheat pizzas!

New Table

We bought an eight-foot picnic table at a farmer's market. We sure have a lot more elbow room!

Isaiah 55:12

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

I just cannot believe how blessed we are to have these views every day!

What?!?

Jimmy's reaction when I told him we were expecting another baby......
(just kidding)

OH my goodness...

I am very grateful to this guy. We were up late tonight reading The Secret Garden, and I was just about to shut down the computer when ANOTHER mouse ran by me. Arrgghh.... It looked to be a baby. Did you know mama mice can birth over 100 babies in one year?! I'm losing my compassion..... Owen caught her in a plastic container and we relocated her in our backyard. My neighbor Scott tells me for the $25 I spent on my humane trap, I could have bought a LOT of poison pellets. That's starting to sound like a good idea. All righty, no more mouse pictures, I promise.

Yes, we caught the mouse!

I'm sure my husband will be thrilled to know that we spent $25 at the bird store yesterday so that we could catch our resident mouse humanely. :) After breakfast we're going to hike a mile or two and then let it find a new home. Of course we'll leave it a supply of food, because even though it's gross, I'm still compassionate. :)

WHY is my husband never home when I need him?!

I had a pet mouse in junior high, but now I do NOT like them! Of course Jimmy is out of town, and Owen and Eli are sound asleep, so they can't save me.... Yuck!

Went hiking tonight with our Neighbors

Here we go!

Our neighbors Mishaun, Oliver, and Hannah

You can see our home to the left of the road

Some ponds next to our property