These are my children...

 

 

Usually in need of a good scrubbing and combing...but happy. I always did wonder why my mom never combed my hair when I was little:)

Another Camp Collage

 

While the kids were busy building teepees and trying to catapult each other off young trees, I decided it was better not to watch! Here are a few photos I snapped while trying to look elsewhere:)

Happy Autumn!

 

I know, I'm a little late, but we've just come off the mountain. So, my Fall collage is a gift to all of you who have never experienced Autumn in the Rockies. And to those of you who have, it's a reminder that you need to come back:) If you'll look closely at the "Aspen" picture, you will see our camper at the end of the trail.

Kids Having Fun

 

We've been camping this week, and while Mike was out hunting, the kids had a wonderful time playing in the stream (and in the mud!) Mike hasn't gotten his other elk yet, but we're headed back out again tomorrow.

More Homemade Things

 

We're having to keep ourselves busy since our company left. We had such a great time with Wayne, Paul, and Steve Lavy, and Paul Ritchie. Steve and Paul R. headed back last Saturday, and Wayne and Paul left us on Wednesday. We hope they all come again soon and bring their families! Katie cried both times when the guys left:( So, to occupy ourselves, Katie, Hunter, and I made peach jam (which was supposed to be for Wilma, but Wayne was just too anxious to get back!), and homemade laundry detergent. So far, I've done 3 loads and the clothes have been just as clean or better than with store-bought detergent. Here's the recipe, should anyone care to try it. (It's supposed to end up costing $.04-$.08/load)
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent: 2 bars grated Ivory Soap, 1 c. Borax, 1 c. Washing Soda (not baking soda). Process in Food Processor until well-blended. Store in airtight container. Use 2 T. per large load. (Don't expect many suds)

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

 

Our good friend, Lance, had an abundance of colorful tomatoes in his garden. He gave us a couple of box fulls, so we made our very first batch of spaghetti sauce today!

Stories to Tell

 

Here are a few shots with definite stories behind them. The gruesome headwound pictures tell the tale of a 4-wheeler accident, and a night spent in the Emergency Room. I only wish that I had my camera in the ER! Thankfully, Steve is fine (25 staples later). Now that is one hard-headed man! After finding Wayne's elk, the guys arrived home before I did. When I did get home, it was to the glorious sight of dinner being cooked and dishes being done. Now this is a sight I don't see everyday! Definitely a Kodak moment! The final picture of Wayne is for his "Babe";)

Wayne's Elk

 

They found her! Wayne shot this cow elk in the evening; the same evening that I (Kim) was bear hunting. It was pretty exciting because Mike and I saw 4 cow elk making their way down the trail toward Wayne. Mike heard Wayne shoot his bow. A little while later, we saw 3 cows making their way back up the trail. Yes! We started to gather our things so we could help Wayne blood-trail his elk, when Mike spotted the 4th cow - now, about 5 minutes behind the others - trying to keep up with them. We could tell she'd been hit, and Mike could see the entry hole through his binoculars. We met up with Wayne to begin the search, but night was coming on and we didn't know for sure which game trail the elk had followed. The guys decided it would be best to come back and try to find her in the morning. And find her they did! Here she is with the mighty hunter that felled her- that would be Wayne:) Congratulations, Wayne!

Wilma - This One's For You:)

 

Some friends, and fellow hunters, are here from Ohio this week - Wayne, Steve, and Paul Lavy, and Paul Ritchie. So far, they've only had one day of hunting without rain - and that day, Mike took a cow elk with his bow, and the guys helped him pack it out. But the elk are bugling now, and the rain has cooled things off - so hopefully tomorrow will be the day! This collage is for Wilma, who is missing her honey and the Western Slope of Colorado. You had better be here next year, girl! (Click on the collage if you want to see it better)

Past my Bedtime!

I am weary - OK, I am exhausted! I did it to myself on purpose today, actually yesterday now. Sept. 10 - 1 year ago - my wonderful, big brother beat me to Heaven. (He always was competetive:)I love him; I miss him; I think of him so often. Mom and I talked often of Michael when she was here to visit. It was such a good time. She flew home Tuesday AM, so I decided to keep extra busy Wednesday. I made bread and cinnamon rolls (that's what Wayne will be having for breakfast, Wilma;), worked up a couple more boxes of corn for the freezer, ran errands, ran out of gas (not a fun story), got things arranged for Children's service at church, dropped off my children, picked up Paul at the airport in Grand Junction (the hunting party is now complete!), fixed supper for some hungry hunters, payed bills, clipped coupons, etc. I have made it through the day. It is past my bedtime. Goodnight.

Katie's 1st Horseback Riding Lesson

Katie had her first horseback riding lesson last Wednesday. She is soooo excited and has a wonderful teacher, Heidi Simpson. Heidi is teaching Katie to groom and saddle the horse, as well as ride. And Gram Gram got to be at her first lesson!

 

Come on Down To The Farm

Mike wanted everyone to see this. Just turn off my music before you play the video. Enjoy! (Thanks, Joe, for the link!)