Into the woods

This past weekend was our annual anniversary camping trip. Matt & I were married in the woods, honeymooned in the woods, and it seems fitting that we seem to always spend the weekend of our anniversary camping.

This was Eden's first camping trip, and if I'm counting right--Owen's 5th or 6th.

We had planned on taking the camper (borrowed from our friends) up the Poudre Canyon to our usual camping site. We had planned on leaving early on Saturday. Here's to the best laid plans...

Problem #1: Owen woke up with a cold. We decided the family really still needed to go, so we continued getting ready.

Problem #2: The lights wouldn't work with the camper/truck, so pulling said camper would be illegal. We decided to tent camp instead.
Problem #3: Our tent is a two-person, and has a hole--hmmmm....yep the kids are small enough, but the hole...if it rained we'd be up a creek (no pun intended). My dad had left us a bit of cash last fall & I had put it aside for a new tent. So, we did a bit o' research on the net & headed to REI for a new tent. Just our luck--it was the annual garage sale. We got a great deal on a great tent & we were off.

For some unknown reason, at some point on Saturday morning we decided to be spontaneous & go somewhere new. I left it to Matt to be the guide.

Problem #4: The campsite was closed due to snow. Big bummer.

We pulled over close to some trail heads so that I could feed Eden, and we could decide on plan B. Owen & Matt took a walk while I fed Eden. They returned shortly, Matt grinning, Owen crying. Matt & Owen had found a beautiful site within the Nat'l Forest about 100 yards off the road. Being that it's the Nat'l Forest it has up sides (free) and downsides (no toilets--must use bush). Oh--Owen was crying because he didn't want to come back to the truck, he wanted to stay in the woods. We decided to do it--mind you, I had prepared for car-camping, not backpacking. I hadn't exactly "packed light." We strapped Eden on my back & began hauling gear down to the site.
We had a great time, despite all problems and can't wait to go back. (This time with a lot less "stuff.") It was stinkin' cold Saturday night, and after attempting to sleep with two children in our sleeping bags we've decided the next camp purchase will be their own sleeping bags.

Here are a few highlights in pictures:

Owen the Pioneer

On Saturday Owen visited a small farm, and spent the morning pretending to be a pioneer. He husked and ground the corn to feed the sheep and chickens, and he fed hay to the sheep and horses.

We had a blast!

[Feeding the sheep with dad's help.]

[In the chicken coop, feeding chickens. Owen also found eggs in the nests.]

Owen really liked the horses, though he wasn't quite ready to pet them. He did pet the sheep and chickens. I think his favorite part was the covered wagon ride at the end of the day.

What Grows in Colorado

Matt and I have this fantastic argument going about what will and will not grow in Colorado--at least what grows in our garden.
Being that he truly has the green thumb in the family, and comes from a long line of green thumbs--he is definitely more of an expert on garden growing. (Which of course, for me means that I don't have to do any yard/garden work--no complaints there.)

I, on the other hand, believe that nothing grows unless you attempt planting it (except for random weeds and seeds that take root of their own accord, but I digress).

Years have gone by of me suggesting wild things to grow in our Colorado back yard--avocados, bananas, cranberries (yes, I realize we don't have a bog), and the like.
This year I finally convinced him to attempt potatoes. Guess what? They appear to be growing extremely well (who's to say what's going on under ground, but if the top is any suggestion--we'll be eating fresh french fries soon).

Well, the other day I gave Owen the top to a pineapple I just cut & suggested he go plant it in the garden. (Owen takes after his dad when it comes to gardening, although he has his mother's humor and is willing to plant anything--coffee, pineapple, and random toy cars.)

This morning Matt comes in from watering the garden with a smirk on his face.
"The pineapple is growing," he says. I just smiled at him.

Songs, Sitting, and Trying to Crawl

Pictures

On Friday, I took Owen to the park, and Matt stayed home with Eden. When I came back I saw the camera sitting out, and I asked if he got some good pictures.

Matt said "Our kids just DON'T sit still long enough to take a picture!" I smiled. Now I know it's not just me.

That being said. I began downloading pictures off the camera today, and saw that there were 103 to download. So, I'm thinking it's been awhile since I posted any pictures on the blog.

(Keep in mind--the majority of those 103 are blurry & unrecognizable as pictures of our two adorable kiddos.)