Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Grill Master 2000
We upgraded from the little tabletop grill. It was time! Matt's grilled up some tasty meals already, and we have a great covered patio that will allow to keep using the grill all through the winter. On tonight's menu was grilled chicken (with a delicious marinade, compliments of Mom) and corn on the cob. Matt's done corn on the grill two times now and it seems to work out well. As long as the grill's on anyway, why not throw it on? Yum, yum.
Monday, September 13, 2010
New Jeep!!
Ok, new to US. It's a used car that I managed to get off the sales lot for only $5. (Decoded: I bought it at a garage sale. :) Charlie's cousin Kemper has the same one! It would be fun if they could get together and play bumper cars, but I don't think I'll be bringing the Jeep along in my suitcase next month. Anyway, I washed it right up and it's ready to go! I absolutely did not want to spend more than $5 on a walker, so it worked out great that I was able to find one at a garage sale. Also last weekend, I purchased an umbrella stroller, that looked like it had hardly been used, for only $4. I also scored a few more toys for Charlie at $.25 a piece. Boy, I just love garage sale deals!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Katie's Visit
My sister Katie came to Canon City, Colorado to visit us at the end of July. She intended to come out just to see us, but we had to show her a true Colorado experience. The four of us woke up early her first full day here to do a day hike to Lake in the Clouds in the Sangres de Cristo Wilderness Area. Here you can see the Sangres in the background in a quick pic with Charlie and Katie.
I know my eyes are shut in this picture, but it was such a cute picture of Charlie I had to put it in. He likes to go out on day hikes with us. I think he likes to see everything go by as we are walking along, especially the leaves in the wind.
Katie and I at the the lake after 3.5 miles walking and 2,000 feet in elevation gain.
I brought my fishing rod with because when ever we hike to a lake I like to bring it with and throw out a few casts. I actually caught one of my biggest trout on this trip pictured below. I know it doesn't look that big, but for me in these alpine lakes, this is pretty good.
Katie tried a few casts as well, although she didn't catch one she had a couple of hits and a couple follows. Unfortunately, we could hear a thunderstorm approaching and had to hurry down the mountain. We didn't quite make and ended up getting soaked. Although we had rain gear with, it's kind of lost its effectiveness so Christmas idea, Matt could use a new rain coat.
I know my eyes are shut in this picture, but it was such a cute picture of Charlie I had to put it in. He likes to go out on day hikes with us. I think he likes to see everything go by as we are walking along, especially the leaves in the wind.
Katie and I at the the lake after 3.5 miles walking and 2,000 feet in elevation gain.
I brought my fishing rod with because when ever we hike to a lake I like to bring it with and throw out a few casts. I actually caught one of my biggest trout on this trip pictured below. I know it doesn't look that big, but for me in these alpine lakes, this is pretty good.
Katie tried a few casts as well, although she didn't catch one she had a couple of hits and a couple follows. Unfortunately, we could hear a thunderstorm approaching and had to hurry down the mountain. We didn't quite make and ended up getting soaked. Although we had rain gear with, it's kind of lost its effectiveness so Christmas idea, Matt could use a new rain coat.Another good story. Julie and Charlie didn't quite make it to the lake so they headed down before Katie and I. We ended up catching up with them 10 minutes before we reached the car. When we reached them, Julie said she had just seen a bear about 30 yards from them. Definitely gave Jules a little adrenaline rush. I guess the bear didn't really pay any attention to them and sauntered off, but Julie was still a little unnerved.
The next day we took a short trip to my cube at the BLM office, so for those of you that will never see it in person, here it is.
Katie and I then decided to white water raft the mighty Arkansas River . . . on our floaties.
People do actually white water raft this thing just above were Katie and I put in. It was the monsoon season so it had rained a bit and the water was running high and fast. It made it a lot of fun, with a little added danger.
We were only tossed from our floaties a couple of times, Katie got sucked down behind a rock, and were banged on the rocks a little bit, but it was a lot of fun.
Her last full day here we decided to climb one of the Colorado fourteeners, Mount Yale (14,100 feet) in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area.
The day started out nice, but we had some rain showers move in before we reached the summit. Every once in a while the clouds would part a bit so we could see some distance away, but for the most part it was socked in. I think it was a lot of work for Katie, but worth it in the end. Here's a picture of us at the top.
The hike down was a bit easier than the climb up . . .
but Katie was still a bit tired.
It's always fun when family comes to visit, and we try to show them a good time. Hope you had a fun time Katie, Love you. Matt.
The next day we took a short trip to my cube at the BLM office, so for those of you that will never see it in person, here it is.
Katie and I then decided to white water raft the mighty Arkansas River . . . on our floaties.
People do actually white water raft this thing just above were Katie and I put in. It was the monsoon season so it had rained a bit and the water was running high and fast. It made it a lot of fun, with a little added danger.
We were only tossed from our floaties a couple of times, Katie got sucked down behind a rock, and were banged on the rocks a little bit, but it was a lot of fun.
Her last full day here we decided to climb one of the Colorado fourteeners, Mount Yale (14,100 feet) in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area.
The day started out nice, but we had some rain showers move in before we reached the summit. Every once in a while the clouds would part a bit so we could see some distance away, but for the most part it was socked in. I think it was a lot of work for Katie, but worth it in the end. Here's a picture of us at the top.
The hike down was a bit easier than the climb up . . .
but Katie was still a bit tired.
It's always fun when family comes to visit, and we try to show them a good time. Hope you had a fun time Katie, Love you. Matt.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Squash
Enough said.
Ok, I'll say a little more. Matt was in charge of taking pictures, which explains why Charlie's head is cut off in some. Matt COULD NOT STOP LAUGHING. I'm not sure who was more entertaining; Charlie attempting to eat squash, or his silly daddy, who could not get ahold of himself!! :) Charlie actually did really well with the squash and didn't ever refuse to open up and eat it. Sometimes it came back out, but I got half a jar in the little guy before we were finished. He had some rice cereal after the squash, much to his relief. A familiar taste!
Oh, and Charlie's nostrils stayed flared the whole time. I don't know what it is about flared nostrils that is so funny, but they crack me up every time.
The pictures are in reverse order, so scroll down to see the start of our food adventure!
Ok, I'll say a little more. Matt was in charge of taking pictures, which explains why Charlie's head is cut off in some. Matt COULD NOT STOP LAUGHING. I'm not sure who was more entertaining; Charlie attempting to eat squash, or his silly daddy, who could not get ahold of himself!! :) Charlie actually did really well with the squash and didn't ever refuse to open up and eat it. Sometimes it came back out, but I got half a jar in the little guy before we were finished. He had some rice cereal after the squash, much to his relief. A familiar taste!
Oh, and Charlie's nostrils stayed flared the whole time. I don't know what it is about flared nostrils that is so funny, but they crack me up every time.
The pictures are in reverse order, so scroll down to see the start of our food adventure!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Colorado State Fair
I've officially been to a state fair! I'm not sure if the DuQuoin (IL) State Fair really counts, since I think it's the "state" fair for the southern half of IL. Anyway, now there's no disputing - I've been to a state fair! It was a hot, sunny day to be outside, and even though it's not recommended, I went ahead and slathered Charlie with SPF 55. Yes, he was only 5 1/2 months, but I figured that the sunscreen would be way less harmful than a sunburn. It was a fun day! Of course, we ate food on a stick - chicken on a stick with vegetable fried rice. Matt and I split a plate so we could save some room for a treat later. Our treat? FUNNELCAKE. We downed it pretty quickly! I think we were subconsciously trying to eat fast so that we could get more than the other person. (Or was that just me?!?)
Just as we were getting to the fairgrounds, which are in Pueblo, Matt said to Charlie, "Do you want to see the moo-moo's and baa-baa's?" I nearly fell out of the car laughing!!! Still brings a chuckle to my lips. Matt busts out some pretty funny stuff. LOVE that guy.
Is this not the cutest little colt you've ever seen?? (I'm talking about the actual horse. "Little colt" is not a nickname for Charlie. Though he's the cutest little boy I've ever seen!)
Proof - our chicken on a stick!
It's pretty hilarious when Charlie kicks his feet up on the little tray of his stroller. What a little prince.
Yep, we walked through the 4-H barns. Some of those swines were running loose, which made me a bit nervous. Holy pig, batman. Those things are huge. My least favorite barn was the birds (ducks, chickens, pigeons, etc). Something about it grossed me out. Especially the pigeons. I really don't know anything about state fair animals and how that all works, but it was still fun to check them out. (Did I hear you ask if our stroller got poop on it? Well, yes. It did. Thank you for asking.)
My boys. :)
Just as we were getting to the fairgrounds, which are in Pueblo, Matt said to Charlie, "Do you want to see the moo-moo's and baa-baa's?" I nearly fell out of the car laughing!!! Still brings a chuckle to my lips. Matt busts out some pretty funny stuff. LOVE that guy.
Is this not the cutest little colt you've ever seen?? (I'm talking about the actual horse. "Little colt" is not a nickname for Charlie. Though he's the cutest little boy I've ever seen!)
Proof - our chicken on a stick!
It's pretty hilarious when Charlie kicks his feet up on the little tray of his stroller. What a little prince.
Yep, we walked through the 4-H barns. Some of those swines were running loose, which made me a bit nervous. Holy pig, batman. Those things are huge. My least favorite barn was the birds (ducks, chickens, pigeons, etc). Something about it grossed me out. Especially the pigeons. I really don't know anything about state fair animals and how that all works, but it was still fun to check them out. (Did I hear you ask if our stroller got poop on it? Well, yes. It did. Thank you for asking.)
My boys. :)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Say what...?!
I'm still not quite sure how this happened, but the other day, I had the most interesting encounter with a homeless man. In an effort to help a homeless man, whom I had seen frequently around Canon City, I purchased a Subway gift card at Walmart to give to him. I thought about other gift card options, but I settled on Subway thinking that he could get healthy, inexpensive, hot meals (therefore extending the life of this gift card). Well, when I walked over to the man to give him the gift card, he looked at me and said, "I won't eat at Subway."
I stood there, dumbfounded. It never entered my mind that this guy would refuse my offer. Is that big of me, or what?! I swallowed, looked around, gave him the most bewildered expression, and then muttered, "Well, do you know someone you could give this to?" He shook his head, no. His reason for not eating at Subway was that he doesn't agree with the investors. (Hmmm... interesting. I did some research and didn't come up with anything questionable.) He suggested that I look into it, which I did, and that maybe I wouldn't eat there after I did some research, too. After that, I turned - gift card in hand - and walked back to the car.
I came home and put the Subway card on the table. Later, when I explained the situation to Matt, I ended the explanation with, "HE'S the one who's homeless, yet I was the one who walked away totally embarrassed." I think I'm still trying to process what happened in that exchange (or lack thereof!) with the homeless guy.
The best thing that I can come up with is that I just got handed a plateful of humility. I should have just purchased a Walmart card instead of a Subway card, but I wanted the guy to use it for food (and not other addiction aids). Am I controlling or what? I tried to control what this guy needed, and even though I'm not homeless - and hope to never be! - I thought I knew what was best for him. Turns out I was wrong.
The end result is a heartfelt prayer to Jesus that if I need more lessons in humility, keep them coming. It's hard to take when it happens, but it's necessary for spiritual growth and character development. (Don't you love how I typed "if"?) Jesus had a huge heart for the homeless, so I'll keep asking for that, too.
Guess we're going to Subway for lunch for a while... :)
I stood there, dumbfounded. It never entered my mind that this guy would refuse my offer. Is that big of me, or what?! I swallowed, looked around, gave him the most bewildered expression, and then muttered, "Well, do you know someone you could give this to?" He shook his head, no. His reason for not eating at Subway was that he doesn't agree with the investors. (Hmmm... interesting. I did some research and didn't come up with anything questionable.) He suggested that I look into it, which I did, and that maybe I wouldn't eat there after I did some research, too. After that, I turned - gift card in hand - and walked back to the car.
I came home and put the Subway card on the table. Later, when I explained the situation to Matt, I ended the explanation with, "HE'S the one who's homeless, yet I was the one who walked away totally embarrassed." I think I'm still trying to process what happened in that exchange (or lack thereof!) with the homeless guy.
The best thing that I can come up with is that I just got handed a plateful of humility. I should have just purchased a Walmart card instead of a Subway card, but I wanted the guy to use it for food (and not other addiction aids). Am I controlling or what? I tried to control what this guy needed, and even though I'm not homeless - and hope to never be! - I thought I knew what was best for him. Turns out I was wrong.
The end result is a heartfelt prayer to Jesus that if I need more lessons in humility, keep them coming. It's hard to take when it happens, but it's necessary for spiritual growth and character development. (Don't you love how I typed "if"?) Jesus had a huge heart for the homeless, so I'll keep asking for that, too.
Guess we're going to Subway for lunch for a while... :)
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