Farmer's Market

One of the kids favorite Indiana activities is to visit the weekly Farmer's Market.  This was our shortest trip - it was hot & we had a second adventure planned - I didn't even take out my real camera.

It's so much larger & plentiful than the little plant sales & burrito stands we have out West. The kids were disappointed that the cloggers weren't performing today, but their eagle eyes spotted a face painter.

Can't you almost smell this basil? We were headed out for another adventure we couldn't get many vegetables. It was so hard to walk by such amazingly fresh produce. I was planning menus in my head as I walked by all the beautiful vegetables.

The kids were thrilled that Nina found some $1 bouquets and that the bouquets withstood 4 hours in the hot car before they were transferred to fresh water. It was hard to send Nick home today, but the kids were happy that he gave them a virtual tour of the house & confirmation that the dog was happy to be home. It's been a great first week and tomorrow is sure to be another jam packed adventure.

Camp - Week I

The twins had an awesome first week at REAL camp (not just summer camp at their school). From the time we pick them up, until they fall asleep, they are singing all the songs they've learned.

Greta & Charlie have done several art projects including these shadow chalk drawings.

It's hot & sticky here. We are greeted each afternoon by rosy cheeked kids who are bustling with excitement.

Mary, Mary

Apparently, vegetables like water. The gardens here are amazing & put poor Nick's backyard tomato patch to shame.

Cool Times

It's been tough, but the kids are finding a thing or two to do to kill their boredom while in Indiana.

Sweet Boy

Mom, this is what I wanted to do on the horse in Texas but my mind told my body not to.

Santa Fe Opera: Griselda

Last weekend, the kids spent the night with friends & we headed off to the Santa Fe Opera. I was so excited for this evening - the opera is legendary here. People travel from all over the country to New Mexico for opera season.

Though my phone doesn't take the best photos, you can see that the Las Conchas (i.e, fire that shut down Los Alamos for a week) is still burning. 

We arrived early - just as the tail-gaiting was getting started.

But, we attended a dinner & were privileged to hear the director & set designer speak. I wish we had that luxury with every performance! It was nice to have "permission" from artists to think this particular opera was bizarre (which is exactly what we thought as we read the synopsis on the drive). Nick likes the hdr function on his phone, but it takes multiple images & merges them. So, if people are moving, it leaves a weird result.

The theatre has a roof, but no sidewalls. It was HOT that evening. The set was very vibrant and abstract.  The costumes were very unexpected. The director called the opera - avant garde (meaning "odd"). It was such a great people watching experience - standing room only crowd.  I can't imagine standing to watch the opera for nearly 4 hours. They have great opportunities for families to experience the opera at a reasonable price. It's on my "to-do" for next year. I think Ella might enjoy the experience.

It was a late night - nearly 1 am before we made it back to our hotel. We grabbed a quite breakfast at the Chocolate Maven before heading back to round up our kids.

Great Wolf Lodge - Dallas, Part 4

On Day 3 of the Dallas trip, we headed to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas - a water park chain.  By this time, the twins were exhausted!

The Lodge is very watery/non-camera friendly. And, the emphasis in this 20 hour window was on playing , not taking photos so please excuse the camera phone pics.

First Impressions from the kids? This is going to be AWESOME!

Second Impression from the room? This room ROCKS! Any parent that has shared a hotel room with kids knows how hard it is to go to sleep at 8 pm when the kids need to go to sleep. With the "cabin" built into the room, the kids had enough darkness that we could stay up, sit on the little deck & watch TV without disturbing them.  

The only improvement would be a set-up with three top bunks - Greta lost the coin toss.

For dinner, we ventured off hotel property & into Esparza's.  The corno-a-rita was an experience!

The water park adventure was expensive, but memorable. The kids played non-stop for hours.  Ella & Nick rode every slide at least once. The twins went down the big slides a few times, but had a great mini-slide play area where they were very happy. 

You have to be a guest at the hotel to use the park and with a hotel stay, you get access on check-in & check-out day.  Needless to say, by the time we headed to the airport, everyone was exhausted!

Sunday Dinner - Lemon Trifle

I served this dish on Easter & forgot to share the results. It's a tangy, sweet treat! You can watch Tyler Florence make the dish right HERE.  I'm sure you could easily substitute your favorite pudding if lemon isn't your thing. I'm a sucker for any dessert involving fresh fruit. I thought it was perfect for brunch. It would also be a great way to end your summer BBQ. 

Fabulous Fort Worth (Dallas, Part 3)

Before our last Texas adventure, Monica & crew took us to the best tourist attraction ever.

Josh has been to the rodeo before & his bull was ready to put up a fight. Ella was ready for more.

Charlie was all business, but Lucas was ready for some adrenaline!

I'm sorry to say Greta didn't have any fun at all.

It was hot, hot, hot.  When Nick ordered a drink, I put a request in for a fried pickle.  He ignored me.

We used up all of Monica's spare quarters waiting for the main event.

After a little play time, we were ready for the Longhorn Parade.

Everything is bigger in Texas!

These animals were so pretty.

And they were on a mission to get to the end of the road. No stopping to visit, just marching forward.

As we left the bathrooms, something was brewing in the courtyard.

A trio of outlaws were causing some trouble.

The situation turned tense.

And it got loud.

Our little law men were brave & visited the outlaws after the show.

What a tremendous visit we had in Fort Worth! Thank you Markleys for opening your home - we had a fabulous visit! We can't wait to get our families together again.

Fabulous Fort Worth (Dallas Part 2)

After a quick trip with GG, we headed to Fort Worth to visit my friend Monica & her family. We have been friends since law school & trekked across Europe (with Christy) more than a few years ago! I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see these boys in person! I was in Portland for Monica & John's first date. Ella was born just before they got married. When Ella was about 9 months old, we were in Portland. Monica visited us in Salt Lake City just before I had the twins. But, this was the first time the kids were all together.

Nick is a Rangers fan. He was thrilled that the Markleys were up for meeting us all at a game. 

It was Texas hot.

We found ways to keep cool (baby wipes: not just for babies).

Thanks to Monica, we had awesome seats.

It was an exciting game. 

Lots of home runs.

Lots of celebrating. The kids all made it through the game without complaining. That is what you call a successful outing!

After cooling off, we took the game on the road. It was really impressive to watch Josh in action. He is undoubtedly the most athletic kid I've met.

And Sammy. So silky soft & happy. Hogan would have loved to meet you.

Dallas Bound

We spent Memorial Day in Dallas. Day 1 started with a visit at GG's (Nick's Grandmother). She hadn't met the twins before so we were glad to make this trip.

It was unbelievably hot! We alternated inside time (Nick's Grandfather built an underground house that stays nice & cool) and outside time. Climbing the mesquite tree. Playing frisbee. Looking for bugs.

Then, we'd hurry inside for a bit to cool down. GG taught everyone how to play dominoes (Mexican Train). I'm not sure, but I think she's trash talking Nick. GG's a fierce player.

We are so impressed that GG's property was immaculate.  She is certainly a hard worker.

We had a lovely visit & were so touched that GG opened her home to our craziness!