a vacation

My friend Karin (who I went to visit in July) asked me about 6 weeks ago if she could come visit. I thought she meant just sometime in the future- but she meant right now!! So she booked her tickets and came to see us this past weekend.

What fun we had!

She got here Friday evening. She was more than happy to come with us to the head football coach's house for dinner that night- and she fit right in!! After that, Josh stayed home with Brecken so Karin and I could have girl time in the hot pools under the stars. Girl time is not something I get a lot of, so it was so nice!

Saturday Josh, B and I decided to show Karin the mountains. We stopped at my school first to show her around, and had lunch while we were in town. Then we made our way up to Aspen Alley. I was so excited as we got up there- the trees were absolutely gorgeous and bright yellow. We've never been able to get to Aspen Alley in all it's glory; it's either been green, or the leaves are gone already. So I was pretty sure we were going to hit it at the right time, after seeing all these great trees! However, we got there and the Alley was GREEN! It was still beautiful though, and the weather could not have been any better, so we had a wonderful time walking around.


That afternoon we relaxed, hit a few stores downtown, and played at the park. After a delicious dinner, Karin and I took Brecken swimming.

Sunday, we all went to Cheyenne so Stacey could take B's 4-year old pictures. I'm always amazed at what she gets! I posted the link below. Karin got to see her first oil wells, the smallest town in Wyoming, and the state capitol all in the same trip! :)

Karin, we had a great time with you. Thanks so much for everything you brought. The lamp is burning every night! :) Brecken is in love with you. COME BACK SOON! We miss you already!!

this year's pictures!

Stacey, as always, did a great job! Here is the sneak peek- can't wait to see the rest!


http://staceyjphotog.blogspot.com/2010/09/socks.html

crabapple jelly

I have a million crabapples on my tree out in the front yard. I usually just let them run their course, fall of the tree, let the deer eat them. I felt creative this fall, however, and since one afternoon I found myself home a whole hour early, I decided to make jelly. Brecken helped every step of the way!

Crabapple Jelly:
10 cups prepared crabapples
5 cups water
5 cups crabapple juice extracted from apples
5 cups sugar
1 box pectin

Wash picked apples by placing them in a large bowl of water. Let soak for 10 minutes. Any worms in the apples will float to the top.

Halve the apples. It's easier to pull the stems out after you cut the apple in half.

Put the 10 cups of apples in 5 cups of water and boil for 15 minutes. Stir, but do not mash the apples! After 15 minutes, strain the juice from the apples. You can add 1/2 cup of water if you need it to make the full 5 cups of juice. If you need more than 1/2 cup of water, put the apples back in the pot with as much water as you need to get 5 cups of juice, plus 1 extra cup to account for evaporation. Strain again, until you have your 5 cups.

Add pectin to juice and dissolve. Bring to a hard boil for 3 minutes.

Add all the sugar at one time. Stir to dissolve and bring to a hard boil for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat. Your mixture will be like syrup but should coat the spoon.

Pour mixture into canning jars, 1/4" from the top. Add lids and rings. Put in a big pot of boiling water to seal the jars. I boiled the jars for 20 minutes. Take jars out of boiling water. Let sit for 12-24 hours without moving them. Check jars to make sure they sealed by pushing the little button on the top. Refrigerate and use any unsealed ones within 3 weeks.

dinnertime conversations

Josh to Kara: Got any plans this weekend?
Kara: Nope, you?
Josh: Nope.
Brecken: I DO! We can go to Disney World, ride the rides, and then go shopping at store after store! Then we can come home!

and then later...
Brecken: Mommy, when will I get hair in my armpits?
Me (while trying not to choke): When you're big.
Brecken: But I am! I'm already FOUR!

4 years old

Boy, how time flies. Can't believe my little baby is 4 years old today.

party, party, party!

We spent the weekend in Lingle for Josh's annual golf tournament with his dad. We had a great weekend, even though we didn't get to see much of Josh! Lennie and I spent Saturday morning shopping in Scottsbluff, and the afternoon at Annie's house, playing with the kids.

After the tournament was done for the day, we went out to the club and had dinner with Josh and Craig. After dinner, Josh, B and I went to Pee Wee's to hang out for a while. We left when Brecken announced he was ready for bed and headed to the door. :)

Sunday, Lennie, B, and I went out to lunch with Pee Wee and Aunt Mae. Then we headed over to Pee Wee's for a little while. It was good to be able to spend time with her!

That afternoon, Brecken was really antsy for his birthday party that was Sunday evening. So Lennie and I took him out to a farm to pick some vegetables for us to take home. There's nothing better than fresh sweet corn!!

FINALLY it was time for the birthday party, and he didn't have to ask anymore, "Please, can I just have a teeny tiny peek in one present??" :) We had a great time with our family and friends that were able to come! Brecken got a lot of great presents, including a TAG reading system from Josh and I and lots of books to go with it from other people- he's been reading it ALL DAY today and letting us know how fun it is!! He also got the dolphin pillow pet that he's been begging for for months, from Pee Wee, a TAG interactive U.S. map, a play-doh spaghetti factory, some new shirts and flip flops, a new movie, lots of great stuff!

It was a great weekend!!