Clean Up Day

Twice a year our town has "Clean and Beautiful Day" where citizens go around picking up trash. This year, I got the kids involved. They both loved it!!!...for an hour. Then we made it back home for a potty break, etc....Kaleb then went back out for another hour with me. Back to the house to get Klara and off to the park for free lunch...only for the workers. Everyone there (us too) were so proud of the little citizens helping to keep God's earth clean too. I'm sure they will be in the local paper. This is the aftermath. Just too funny....I felt the same way.

Naps

Can you tell they are related???
Both are out cold.

Kaleb's New Room

After 2 HUGE garage sales, it was time to do the kids rooms. My parents came up for the event. I wanted a nice look that they could grow into. Then for the phases of life, they can have sheets. But I'm not about to change the entire room 3 times a year depending on if Cinderella or Spiderman is cool this week or not. So first here is Kaleb's room. His room was pretty boring, so I went with a sports theme for him. That was easy since I already had the bedspread. So we worked off of that color scheme. My dad and Clif are getting his room preped.
The paint choice...almost done with the 1st coat. Later a 2nd was applied.

The resluts. I did the stain myself for the chair rail, name plaque and shelves.

The name plaque I made and I think it turned out really cute.

He is so happy with his room....and so am I. Klara's reveal will be soon. I still have a few more items to put up in her room first....but here's a hint....think green.

Butterflies

They did their thing and the butterflies are here. What delight. Everyone (even daycare babies) love watching them. We did however, release them yesterday so they could make new butterfly friends. Kaleb had a good cry, but then enjoyed watching mom clean their "cage". It was pretty gross. Did you know that butterflies have red poop!! Gross huh?!? I have tried to spare those pics for ya.

Wanted Pics

The kids asked to have their pics taken and they want to look pretty. So what is a mom to say?? No...I think not. Of course I took the pics and they turned out cute.

The Growing Caterpillars

Our caterpillars are now in their chrysalids stage. We had bought 10 caterpillars and they are all still with us! They came in 2 different containers with their own food. Wow how they grew so fast. About 10 days later, here they are now. Once they are in this stage, they are pinned to the mesh net where they will transform to butterflies. Now they have a place of honor...on top of the fridge where they will not be destroyed by the villians (kids).

Ceiling Fan

Yeah!! We finally got around to buying the ceiling fan for our front room....of course, now it's fall and we don't need it as much. Anyways, Clif had to run new wire for it in our HOT attic (if you couldn't tell). I'm so very pleased with the outcome and proud of him for another new adventure!

Home Depot and More Pumpkins

Klara showing off her cute outfit. We did the free Home Depot craft day.
The results. This is actually a bean bag toss, but the kids found it more fun to use as a mask.

My HUGE crop this year....I know, pathetic. Just wait until next year.....

And yes, another pumpkin pic. This was taken today. I'm so proud of this thing. I also have more growing too.

Various Kid Pics

Leaving CO, Klara picked me a flower.....roots and all. In Gunnison, like dad, like son. Checking things out with grandpa.
At home, being silly. Klara the princess has Kaleb in handcuffs.

A cardboard house they play in.

Looking through the window.

Hawk

Check out this hawk. Know where he is??? On my front porch!! What are the chances?!? I had the camera out taking pics of something else when I got upset. I thought a cat was on my porch. I was getting closer to the door to scare it away and saw it was a hawk, not a cat. Quick, turn the camera on. What do you mean the battery is low, just take the pic! Ahh, I got it! Then as quick as it appeared, it was gone. Pretty cool though.

Grand Canyon 2009

To continue our vacation, we took advantage of the free national park day.
Do you see what we saw???

We took a snack break before driving around more. It was hot and the cool shade was welcomed.

We stopped to watch the helicopters take off and land at the airport and we spotted the Presidents helicopter. Clif got this pic...luckily we went the day before the Pres visited the canyon. I guess it was a bit of a zoo the day he visited.

Four Corners

On the way home from Ouray, CO we stopped at four corners. You know, the place where all 4 states (AZ, NM, UT, and CO) meet. After a long walk and wait in the sun, we got our chance to take a pic. Kaleb got to be in 4 states at one time.
He now watches the weather channel and can spot where he was.

Ouray, CO 2009

We made it to Ouray this year for a family vacation. Gotta have smores!! Even if we have to make them over a grill (no fire pit in Gunnison).
Family photo. We took our trip this year with Clif's mom and dad (and doggie too).

We took the gondola in Telluride to the top of the mountain.

Another day we rented a jeep. This is at the top of Hurricane Pass. Got another photo op.

We had a wonderful vacation, but left wanting; a camper, truck, jeep and to win the lottery (that we never play) so we can have a cabin in the Colorado rockies.