Summer is almost here.

I love summer time. I love that our schedule is free from all

activities like gymnastics, reading classes, school

(well, I'm sort of sad about that because that is the only

time I have to my self) but, i just love that we

have no place to really be at a specific time.

I love staying outside late and playing in the

back yard watching the kids ride bikes, take late

night walks, and playing in the water. I have to

say though I hate the HOT weather that is on it's

way in. That is the one thing I dread

about the summer here in Texas.

I got in my car yesterday and the

temperature said 100 yes, folks it is here.

With the weather so hot during the day

what do you do with your kids?

I need ideas for the summer.

Yummy Muffin recipe.

I don't know about you all but getting my kids to eat breakfast is not an easy task. All they want to do is play. No time for eating in the am for them. I know that they both love muffins but not all muffin mixes are that good for you. SO, I came across this recipe on one of my favorite recipe websites. www.allrecipes.com It is so fun! You can search for recipes and then add them to recipe box. I find so many wonderful recipes on line and can never remember were I had come across them. Here you can file them away on your very own on line recipe box. LOVE IT! But any who... I came across these little muffins. Very tasty and a bonus they are healthy too!

Morning Glory Muffins.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I used 1 cup of all-purpose flour)
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (I used 1 cup of whole wheat flour)
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 apple - peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 egg
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup apple butter (substituted with 1 cup of applesauce)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (omitted these because my kids won't eat nuts)
• 2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ (omitted this just because)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly oil 18 muffin cups, or coat with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, apple butter, oil and vanilla.In a large bowl, stir together flours, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in carrots, apples and raisins. Stir in apple butter mixture until just moistened. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about 3/4 full.In a small bowl, combine walnuts and wheat germ; sprinkle over the muffin tops.
2. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15

We shall see if my two little monkeys will eat them in the morning. Ha! I'll let you know.

I leave you with two pictures of my little cuties.

Now this is a horse I'll ride.

We all know my track record with horses. Well, it's not good. But I have finally found a horse that I might ride again. These little darlings are about 3 ft tall from the ground to the top of their heads. Now were talking. I mean if I was riding one of this little cuties and he begin to buck I could just stand up and their you have it no one gets hurt. Anywhoooo my mom told me about this place just outside Brenham. It's a miniature horse farm run by nuns.

I love this picture of Andie.

Andie loved petting the horses and looking at them.

Gray took a few looks and then he found some

sticks which seemed to be of more interest to him.

He tried to poke the horses in the eyes a few times. Boys are just so

different from girls I am learning very fast.

If you are looking for something to do near Brenham check this place out.

You could get some Blue Bell Ice Cream while you are there.

http://www.monasteryminiaturehorses.com/index.html

Toys, who needs them?

My kids would prefer to play with an old beat up box. It cracks me up. They had so much fun with this box and their daddy.

Who's in the box?

Gray's in the box.

Who doesn't want to share the box?

Who's in the box?

Andie's in the box.

So there you have it folks, I am not buying my kids toys anymore I think I'll just scavenge around in other's trash and get them so good clean junk.

No trip to Colorado would be complete without...

Casa Bonita. Yes, I said it, a trip to Colorado must include a stop at the great Casa Bonita where the food is less than desirable but oh so fun for the kids. Like I said, Stephen grew up going to Colorado and most of his trips also included a trip to Casa Bonita. I guess Stephen's memories are quit fond of this place. Maybe the food was better tasting when he was younger or he has forgotten. Needless to say the kids totally enjoyed it. Gray was fixated on the stage and the performers. Can I call them that? At any rate both Andie and Gray loved it.

Look Paul and Stephen were even having a good time. Ha!

The best part of Casa Bonita is the all you can Sopapillas!!! You just raise your little red flag and moments later you have basket full of those lovely things. YUM!!

Rocky Mountain High

Well, we decided to take sort of a spontaneous trip to Colorado in the new year. Stephen loves everything about Colorado. I have to admit Colorado is one of the most beautiful peaceful places I have ever been to. God is so creative isn't he?

Last night, I was trying to count how many times I have been to Colorado and I honestly can't tell you. Prior to knowing Stephen I hadn't stepped foot in Colorado not so much as even flown over the place and now after almost 14 years with him I have totally lost count. I guess he is slowly transforming this city girl into a wilderness girl. Well, not totally, I will also travel with my make up and flat iron.

Back to the trip...we decided we would take kids with us because neither one of them had truly seen snow. I'm talking snow that actually sticks to the ground. Andie is now 4 and half (and she will tell you that half) which is a great age to get them on skis. I didn't learn to ski until I was in my early twenties and it is much harder to learn when you are older so I've heard. Let's see...I've been skiing three times and I have taken lessons each time I have gone. I think it finally clicked this time. I'm not breaking any records but I can get down the mountain in one piece and with all my gear. Actually, I skied my first blue this year. WooHooo! I totally slowed Stephen and Paul down but I did it. Thanks guys for being patient.

Here are a few photos from our trip. I'm sad to report that we didn't get many pictures of Andie skiing. The few that we got you really couldn't see her.

Gray in his ski bib ready to play in the snow.

Look at Andie she was trying not to act excited

about going out to play in the snow and go tubing.

Such a stinker sometimes!

I just love this picture of her.

Andie tubing. We took her tubing on the first

day just to sort of get her in the mood for skiing.

Our thinking was if she likes tubing she may not

be so apprehensive about going skiing.

While went tubing my mom stayed back and

entertained Gray in the snow.

He was not so sure of this white stuff.

Gray's first snowball to the face.

Give him time and he will be pegging us all.

That kid has already got an arm. You

should see how he can chunk an orange.

Andie got to cook us pizza one night for dinner.

We went to the place called Pizza Carlo where

they have something called Kids in the Kitchen.

They let the kids tour the kitchen and see how pizza

is made and then they get to make a pizza for the family.

She loved it. All night she kept asking,

"How do you like my pizza?"

Look how giddy this girl is, she's getting fitted

for her skis and ski boots. I love it!!

We had a great trip. Stephen and I have been talking about the trip and how things have come full circle for him. We went skiing at Copper Mountain many things have happened there at good ol' Copper. Stephen grew up going to Copper Mountain with his family and has many wonderful memories from all of his trips. We got engaged there Dec 16th 2000 and now we are taking our kids there to ski. How fun is that?!

Round 3...

Yes, Christmas was done in 3 rounds this year, Christmas at home, Christmas with Zarro's and then Christmas with the Thomas'. My kids were loving it. Andie LOVES spending time with her cousins. It's so cute how she gets so excited at the just the mention of seeing one of them. Now, Gray was not feeling his best. Even though the poor kid had hand foot and mouth he still was a trooper. What the heck is that virus anyway? Here are a few photos of Christmas with the Thomas'. Another great celebration!

Just before the unwrapping began. Notice you can see the floor.

Grammy and Andie with matching aprons. Grammy's said, Grammy and Andie's said Grammy's helper. So cute!

Uncle Stephen searching for something on the internet with both Wesley and William snuggled up next to him. It was so cute to see them so interested in what he was doing.

Andie got a telescope from Grammy and Granddad. She had been asking for one for quite some time. That was defiantly the highlight of her day. However, have you ever tried to teach a kid to look through a telescope? It's not that easy. Once she got it down though she was so excited.

Gray got himself a nice set of golf clubs which he was also very excited about. I do have to keep an eye on him with those suckers because he has been known to use them as a weapon. In fact today, Stephen was sleeping on the couch and got clunked in the head with one of those things. I have to admit it's sort of funny though.

A completed puzzle by Grammy and Andie. Grammy is definalty Andie's little playmate.