Happy Birthday to the Big C! He wanted German Chocolate Cake and boy was it yummy! Love that frosting so much. Why isn't it used in more things other than this cake. Why doesn't somone invent cookies with it?

I realize that this is two weeks ago and actually it looks so different from then and now. I wouldn't believe it though if I wasn't taking pictures. The cucumbers are definately on the slow growth plan. If we're lucky we may be able to do our pickles in September at this rate :).

Edie and her food...a very cute combination. I love how she looks a little terrified while eating the avocado and then purely happy when eating the rice cereal.

Here we are at Chatauqua Park. Wesley was sitting on Amelia's lap, but it looks a lot worse than that. I have no idea what they are doing. I love Lauren and Timmy's poses.

Here's the fam all together at the ranger station...minus Tommy. If I had photoshop I'd put you in.

Along the estes park river walk.

More elk along the road, but this one above is in Estes Park.

I thought this looked really pretty, but it is of even more elk. This one is within Rocky Mountain National Park.

While leaving the ranger station we met a coyote who would not get out of the road.

What a cute pair!

Lauren is chillin' in Natalie's sunglasses.

Now here's a closer look. How many can you see now? I couldn't believe how many there were.

Can you find the elk in this picture?

On the way back from Dream Lake.

This is at Rocky Mountain National Park just before Memorial Day. The Jim and Chris Willford families were attempting the "Dream Lake Trail". When we arrived we found it to be under 2 feet of snow, but we did it anyway. Under pressure by the pouring rain and kids we shortened it to just the Nymph lake trail. To Dream Lake: We'll be back and conquer you yet!

Things are looking up. I'm going to keep you in suspense since I haven't gotten new pics for a little while. I'll have to do that this week.

This one is our plot before the plants...not much promise.

What started out as such a wasteland and slowly become a community garden. We decided in April that we really wanted to have a community garden. We have wanted a garden for a loooonng time, but obviously apartment living is out of the question. I tried to convince the management here that a garden in the place of the crab grass would be an outstanding idea, however they are slow to agree. Nevertheless our garden dreams have now been fulfilled at a nearby school (The Bradley International School).

Here's our video from our camera...too bad I talked in it.

My dad made a video of the Easter Egg Roll that we did on a sand dune a little south of Blanding, UT. This place is awesome and we are soooo glad that Reid's wife Stefani and her family welcomed us into their family tradition of rolling easter eggs down the sand dune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFpz4u5LcVc

This is a window arch, but there wasn't a sign so I don't know what the official name is.

The base of Delicate Arch with Lauren, Chris and I.

Chris and Edie resting at the opposite side of the Delicate Arch area.

What a fun trip! I totally would do it again in a heartbeat. So worthwhile. And the drive along I-70 was gorgeous. Thank goodness we had relatively good weather. It wasn't until we hit Vail on the way home that we happened into a terrible storm. Thank goodness they didn't close it like they did this last weekend.

The top pic is of the girls in front of Balanced Rock. The second is the walk back to the trail from Delicate Arch...don't slip. The last is the popular stop to take pics at just before the Arch.

Arches National Park

We all went up to Delicate Arch. What a fun time!

We happened upon this recipe in a Reader's Digest Healthy Heart cookbook. It is really yummy! And since the kids love blueberries...they had purple lips, mouth and clothes...oops. We did not do the additional blueberries and sour cream on top.

Blueberry Bavarian

1 c. low-fat milk
¼ c. non-fat dry milk
2 pkgs (12 oz each) frozen blueberries, thawed
½ c. plus 1 T sugar
¼ t. salt
1 c. fat-free sour cream
1 packet unvlavored gelatin
¼ c. cold water
½ c. fresh blueberries (opt)

1. Combine milk and dry milk in small bowl and whisk until well blended. Place in freezer for up to 30 min.

2. Combine frozen blueberries, ½ c. sugar, and salt in medium saucepan over low heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until sugar has dissolved, berries have broken up, and mixture has reduced to 2 ¼ c, about 10 min. Let cool to room temperature. Stir in 2/3 c. sour cream.

3. Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in heatproof measuring cup. Let stand 5 min. to soften. Set measuring cup in small saucepan of simmering water, and heat until gelatin has melted, about 2 min. Let cool to room temp.

4. With an electric mixer, beat chilled milk until thick, soft peaks form. Beat in remaining 1 T. sugar until stiff peaks form. Beat in gelatin mixture.

5. Fold milk mixture into blueberry mixture. Spoon into 6 dessert bowls or glasses. Chill until set, about 2 hours. This next part is optional: at serving time, top each with a dollop of remaining sour cream and fresh blueberries.

202 cal. Per serving

Today was a very long day. Somewhere in between the beginning and the end there was a trip to a mall during a blizzard, which isn't the smartest idea, but it wasn't snowing when I left so how was I supposed to know. Add a couple of other not so great things to this and that would paint the picture of this day. This picture was taken a few days ago, but it represents just how cute and wonderful Lauren is. As I was sitting on the couch this evening with Edie, I was finally taking a mental break and staring at the ceiling. Lauren asked me what I was doing and I said that I was trying to find my happy place. I looked down at her and she said to me, "Oh I see your happy face". And she smiled. I love that girl's smile. And of course I couldn't help, but smile back. So I found my happy place after all.

Edie's first rice cereal experience. I can't say that she was thrilled, because she wasn't and she still isn't very much. In a very bizarre twist of events, however, our older two girls have discovered how much they 'love' rice cereal. Of course they like it even better with cinnamon sugar. I tried pureeing some rice in the blender to see if I could achieve the same consistency and taste. Amelia was game for it, but I think she was just humoring me. It certainly didn't seem the same.

So we decided Edie loves her foot. She will take off her socks and then put them in her mouth. Her picture of her at her 20wk appt when inutero she had her foot in her mouth. I would scan it in if I had a scanner, but you'll just have to believe me.

Thankyou Katie, Jim and Grandma for visiting. Sorry it has taken awhile to post these. The top is at Hammonds Candy's http://www.hammondscandies.com A very yummy place.

Lauren's dental problem has taken a turn for the worse :) And the picture below is when she fell asleep with sunglasses on. What a cutie!