Sissies Reunited

Thanks to my wonderful husband for taking over for 4 days (with a sick Elise I might add) so I could spend time in Portland with my sister, adorable niece and awesome cop brother-in-law. Minus a few meltdowns from worry/panic over Elise, it was WONDERFUL! I am thinking a road trip next summer with the kids is in order...

Friday started with a jog on a beautiful yet windy morning then peeking in the windows of Heather & Jason's first home they will close on in the next few weeks

My first Trader Joe's shopping trip (and learning brussel sprouts come on a stalk)

Dinner at Cartlandia -- a land of food carts -- I got the reuben crepe and Heather got a spaghetti & meatball sub

Lastly the absolutely best night of my life!! My ride-along with Cop Joey--I wore my gold cop badge and I made him laugh when I showed up at the station. Before we even shut the doors on the cop car to leave, we heard a couple insanely loud booms. We slammed the doors and he took off-crazy fast-as I was trying to buckle up and ended up buckling into his seatbelt. There was a bad car accident at a large intersection nearby and we pulled up as a man was crawling out the window of one of the smashed cars. Some guy had been high or drunk and ran a red light going almost double the speed limit--ran into multiple cars and was unconscious. It was AWESOME! And I only say that because no one innocent got hurt. :) After that we went searching for a 15 yr old drunk girl who wandered off from a party with an older guy then a few traffic stops and a noise complaint. We then saw a guy driving drunk and I got to see the entire process from the traffic stop through his booking and put in a cell then taken off to the station downtown. The booking room was very interesting and very busy on a Friday night--unfortunately a lot of drunk drivers including a 16 year old boy. Lastly we picked up a suicidal woman at her home and took her to the hospital. It was an extremely eventful night. I have even more respect and gratitude for police officers and the things they do to protect us from this other world. They truly keep us safe and protected as they put their own lives and safety on the line. Oh and I am afraid to go anywhere at night now with everyone drunk...

Even though I was going on 5 hours of sleep, we headed out first thing to see the gorgeous Portland temple

Wandered the PSU Farmer's Market then the Portland Market downtown

Finally a little salted caramel chocolate ice cream that I may have fed to Allie

Oh and a stop at Voodoo Donuts before heading back for naps

Why yes, that is a Maple Bacon Bar

Sunday we drove out to the coast to spend the day and oh was it stunning! We went to Seaside first where we ate lunch and then I accidentally fell asleep. We then walked a bit at Cannon Beach. Must return next summer for sure!

Monday before my flight we went to Multnomah Falls. It was freezing so we made it super fast. I think the beautiful pictures speak for themselves.

Missing you already P, Joey & Allie.

Carrot Walnut Mini Muffins

If you know me at all, you know I love having muffins on hand. These are perfect as a quick, healthy snack or to throw in the lunchbox. I make a double batch and store them in the freezer to grab as needed. I found the recipe here.

Carrot Walnut Mini Muffins

Dry ingredients:

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup rolled oats

1 tablespoon crushed flax seed

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

dash nutmeg

1/2 cup brown sugar

Wet ingredients:

2 tablespoons oil

1 banana, mashed

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (or vanilla if you want sweeter)

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup craisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add wet ingredients. (Sometimes if it seems a little dry I add a tiny bit of milk here.) Stir and put in greased mini muffin tins. Bake at 400 for about 10 minutes or until toothpick poked in center of muffin comes out clean.

First Day of Preschool

Elise started her first day of preschool last week. I have her in one day a week from 9:30-1:30 and on the wait list for a second day. I REALLY enjoyed going to Costco with only one kid after a year of running every single errand with three kids. It was heavenly. Elise was so excited for school--especially after watching Grey go to school. She was very emotional though and had a moment of tears when I left. Apparently the teacher had to cut a chunk of her hair off because she got a car stuck in those curls.

She started ballet that same day too. She has been waiting and waiting for dance class. She could not contain her excitement and jumped right in and did great! She makes a pretty adorable ballerina.

Family Reunion 2012

Warning: Longest post ever. My mom & stepdad rented a beautiful house near Buena Vista for a whole week--bribing Heather & Jason to come visit us! We made some amazing memories together and I might already be planning next year's reunion...

Reintroducing Cole & Allie (1 week apart)--she is a little scared of him

Attending church together in Buena Vista in their tiny-adorable church house

Cake-making attempts - at least it tasted delicious

Visiting the ghost town St. Elmo

and having a picnic lunch in the trunk of our car

A gorgeous hike to Agnes Vaille Falls

Another incredible hike to the Lost Lake

(we were the ONLY people the whole time and it was breathtaking--although I am not going to lie--I was totally freaked out about running into a bear--I am sure they were watching us)

Working out & swimming at the rec center

Cousins bath time with the jets and bubbles

Reading on our balcony in the mornings

Beautiful bike rides

After-dinner walks

Trying to find syrup in the booming town of Hartsel, CO

The sheriff's office looks very professional

Eating most of our meals with the cute deer family

Late-night sissy time

I love my family. And Colorado is stunningly beautiful!

I blinked.

And somehow this little guy that I so desperately wanted to grow up a little bit (and stop waking me up screaming throughout the night) has grown up and left me for ALL DAY kindergarten.  I always thought it was so strange to be sad to watch kids grow up and become independent. But like every other humbling moment in parenting, I understand now.
It isn't that he is gone for the day--because my days are so busy and fly by. It is more that he has taken that first step of many to become independent and become his own person. I am thrilled for him and love watching him grow up--but a little piece of my heart has to go with him. :) They get to THE BEST age and then they leave you all day. Well I guess I still have another little boy keeping me up with his screaming throughout the night...

 Grey found his little friend, Preston, and they walked hand in hand to school the first day

 They found their other friend, Joey, and peered through the window of their classroom before school started.

Lily Pad Lake Hike

We took advantage of our weekend in the mountains for the Warrior Dash and stayed a few nights. The kids have been really into hiking lately, so we went on a hike Jared & I did when I was pregnant with Grey six years ago. A lot has changed since then!! Three more passengers. I am always amazed at how well Elise does with those tiny legs of hers. She walks the entire time and can't wait to go again. Hiking has become one of our favorite family activities. happy kids=happy parents

 Starting out on the hike with my little munchkins

 We made it to the lakes

 I get to snuggle Cole the whole time!

Warrior 2.0

Warrior Dash two years later--and surprisingly tougher! I especially loved running it with two of my favorite people.

Warriors Before (Pam, Christina, Carie)

 My cute little cheering team

 Jason, Pam & I watching the start

 Warrior Elise

 Warrior G (a lot changes in only two short years)

Just a little bit muddy after the race...