We did a 2+ hr hike on Mt. Falcon today for Father’s Day. The weather was warm, comfortable when the breeze picked up. But sure tuckered out me & the kids. Pictures are up on shutterfly.

Next weekend, camping!

And post-tornado:

Sorry about the lack of posts. Part of it is laziness, and part of it is waiting for something to happen that is worth writing about.

Where do I start? Um, I made some new friends. I’ve been visiting the Mile High Mamas website for a while, and then there was a post about free zoo tickets. so I grabbed some and found out which other mamas were going and could we meet. I was so nervous, it felt a little like high school, would they like me? Would they already be clique-y? Well, they were awesome, and my kids were happy to meet new people too. *Pictures are up on Shutterfly*

Sunday Elijah was invited to Connor’ b-day party at Party On, where he climbed and explored in a few inflatable structures. He had a blast. While we there, Daddy & Miles were out shopping at REI & B&N. Meanwhile, our side of town was being pelted with golfball sized hail and a tornado touched down at Southlands. Now if you’ve visited us, odds are high we’ve taken you to Southlands, so you know the proximity we are to the mall. Our house saw little damage, we are having the roof inspected just in case. The only visible sign of a storm was the hail on the lawn and Lola took a hit. I think she’ll pull through she’s a tough little tomato plant!

Elijah is on his last week of school. I found out his teachers (all but one) are leaving to teach somewhere else next year. I’m happy he’ll still have one familiar teacher, and hopefully a few familiar classmates.

Our camping weekend is just 2 weeks away, and I was excited to hear that there are going to be 3 weekends this summer where National Parks don’t charge an entrance fee. I want to take advantage of that and Geoff is keen on trying to camp again this summer.

I’m off this morning to buy a wagon from someone off Craigslit. The kids feel in love with one when we were at the zoo, so I figured our best (and cheapest) bet was to get one second hand.

I’m gonna close with a quote from Peep.
Beaver Boy’s Dad: Never touch a beaver’s dam sailor!

Okay, so she doesn’t look like much in this picture, but this was the day we brought her home (5/5). Lola, is our tomato plant. I have big dreams for her, to grow yummy tomatoes for my family to enjoy (I don’t eat tomatoes). The thing is, I don’t know what I’m doing. I haven’t grown a plant before, so I’m just watering her everyday and talking sweet to her. Oh, and trying to protect her from over eager toddlers wielding shovels.

If this proves to be a success, we will expand to a bigger garden next year, instead of just one pot.

I’ll keep you posted, as I’m sure you are riveted.

For Mother’s Day, from the men in my life.

Old Town Fort Collins

We traveled up to Fort Collins this weekend for Geoff to run in the Ft Collins Marathon. It’s about a 90 minute drive north of here. Lovely town, and I would have liked to be able to see more and dine at some of the interesting place we saw. We had our pasta dinner at Canino’s, which was located in an old house. Geoff dined on spinach lasagna, I partook in the pesto pollo. The warm fresh rolls were delicious. Service was great, and we were even greeted by the owner, Clyde Canino. If you’re headed that way, you must check it out!

It rained as we were leaving the restaurant, and continued to do so through the night. It made for a beautiful Sunday morning, great weather for watching a race. We got there in plenty of time to see Geoff finish his race (you can read his race story on his blog). We headed back to our hotel for him to shower up before we headed back home.

The town was bigger than I expected, I guess I thought it was smaller. What I did see of the CSU campus was very nice. Old Town Ft Collins reminded me a little of Pearl Street in Boulder, with less hippies.

Now I’m on the hunt for another Colorado city to visit on a day trip.

I feel like I’m neglecting my blog, but I really don’t have anything to say. I’m just dawdling along in my world, trying to stay sane, whilst I spend my day with two very active toddlers. I thank God we don’t have more kids, because some days I feel so stressed.

I have some things I’d like to do this year, and wondering where I will find money for those, as well as the huge goal of saving for DisneyWorld. Add to that, we still have bills to pay, and that pesky green card application…

On a sunnier note, we’re taking a trip up to Ft Collins for Geoff’s race on Sunday. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Colorado. And watching Geoff run is exciting. I hope to amuse the kids while we wait for the finish (and hopefully his BQ). We’re going to have to take 2 cars, since I don’t love Geoff enough to get up at 4am to drive him to the race. 🙂

ABC is going to air the last few episodes of Eli Stone this summer. I’m pretty bummed that a great show like that wasn’t more popular. I did discover a new show on the Science channel, Mantracker. It’s a Canadian show (been airing there since 2006). Even Elijah will watch it.

So that’s all that is going on. I’m pretty much content and stressed, and missing my family. I haven’t seen my mom since August, and likely won’t see her until January. I don’t even know when I’ll see my brother. Right now, I’m hoping to see Kelly sometime this year. 🙂

I will close with a quote from Amadeus.

Salieri: I will speak for you, Father. I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am their patron saint.

I wanted a post title that would encapsulate several things I wanted to blog about.

1. Family. Good visit with Nana & Grampy this last week. They got in the day before Geoff’s first half marathon, where he kicked ass. I’ve never seen him finish a race so strong before.

2. Travel. Took a trip back up to Steamboat Springs. It’s a little different in the spring/late winter. Chillier for one, and most of the stores close early.

3. Date. Got in a dinner alone with my fella. We settled on McCabe’s, and it was lovely.

4. Easter. A busy morning of hunting for eggs (both at home and church. Church played a snippet from Passion Of The Christ, and I was crying. There is one line that always gets me. Part of it is a reminder of his sacrifice, part of it is just being a mom to a son.

5. Justice. While walking Elijah to school, a car went through the stop sign while we and the crossing guard were in the crosswalk. A big no-no. And as luck would have it, there was a cop car at the corner where we parked. He flashed on his lights, and followed the car into the school parking lot. It totally made my day. The number of times I’ve seen cars drive through the intersection while the crossing guard is still in it… it’s nice to see someone get busted.

So that’s life right now. Elijah is back in school after 2 weeks off for Spring Break. Bible Study is wrapping up this week with a feast, and I’m still training.

I’m gonna close with a quote from Clue.

Wadsworth: I can explain everything.
Cop: You don’t have to.
Wadsworth: I don’t?
Cop: Don’t worry, there’s nothing illegal about any of this.
Wadsworth: Are you sure?
Cop: Of course, this is America.
Wadsworth: I see.
Cop: It’s a free country, don’t you know that?
Wadsworth: I didn’t know it was *that* free.

Sorry, I don’t have the time to think up some clever April Fool’s joke for you.

I finally uploaded the pics of our trip to White Fence Farm with Chad & Khara. I also have only one (or two) thank you cards left to write and mail. This is from the boys’ birthdays. Yes, I’m slow. I even blogged on my training blog. Look at all I accomplished this week! 🙂

Right now, I’m trying to get my house in order for my in-laws arriving on Saturday. This means a big clean & organization. Some things I have to leave until Friday, because I know someone will get those things messy before Saturday comes. Geoff has a half marathon on Sunday, so we need to make a sign. I still have a stain on my carpet from the last sign we made (oops).

I’m in a Disney mindset again. Trying to keep on top of my plans. It’s very silly, because rates for next year won’t come out until August/September, and promotions might be after that. But hey, the boys & I have saved like $130 already. (Most of that is money they got for their birthdays) Still not sure who is joining us in WDW, the people I have spoken to personally are in the not likely column, but I’m not giving up hope yet. Why is it so expensive to fly to Florida?

Andy Hallett, who played the delightful Lorne on Angel, died yesterday. It’s sad, he was only 33. Congestive heart failure. So I’ll close with a quote from Angel.

Lorne: My psychic friend told me I had to come back here. I didn’t believe her. Then I realized I did have to come back here, because – I really always thought I had to come back here, deep down inside, you know? I had to come back here to find out I didn’t have to come back here. I don’t belong here. I hate it here. You know where I belong? LA. You know why? Nobody belongs there. It’s the perfect place for guys like us.
Angel: That’s kinda beautiful.
Lorne: Ain’t it?