Colorado trip - the railroad museum

Another of our favorite days in Colorado was going to the Colorado Railroad Museum with Grandpa. It is a great museum, with lots of kinds engines and cars to see and even climb on and explore inside. Elijah and Grandpa especially had a great time exploring and seeing the trains together.

Labor Day, and a recipe to share

We got to spend Labor Day with Jackie and Luke in Connecticut this year. We had a good time just hanging out - the kids played, the adults talked, we ate good food and played a fun game.

We tried actually taking some pictures, since we never do. Mostly, it didn't work out too well.

Molly was not going to sit there.

So, we tried to get just the older three. This is the best one.

But we did get this one - thanks, Luke!

While we were there, Jackie and I were talking and she asked me for this recipe. I thought I would put it up here, so everyone can try it! I've made this a couple of times, and we love it. It's pretty mild (and we like it that way), but using hot salsa instead of mild and adding Tabasco or a jalapeno would heat it up if you like it spicier. I prefer to use leftover chicken, or to marinate and then bake or grill it - I think it is less dry and more tasty that way. Of course, this way is very quick and easy! I don't think I let it simmer for that long, either, but it always turns out great.


Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or leftover cooked chicken)

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

1 cup frozen corn kernels

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1 tablespoon lemon (or lime) juice

1 cup chunky salsa

1 cup milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 can black beans, drained (optional)

tortilla chips

sour cream

In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the chicken in the oil for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and mix well. Then add the broth, corn, onion, chili powder, lemon juice, salsa, and beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the cheese and the milk; bring just to a boil, and remove from heat.

Break up some tortilla chips into individual bowls and pour soup over chips. Top with a little sour cream.

Yum!

Colorado trip - friends

While we were in Colorado we were busy with family a lot of the time, and some of the time the kids were either overly tired or not feeling well, so we didn't get to do as much visiting as we wanted to. We did get to meet our friends Tori and Matt at the park one morning. The boys had a great time playing, and we enjoyed catching up and talking about mommy stuff.

Picnic lunch

Yelling down the storm drain

Colorado trip - the "dinosaur museum"

Another one of Elijah's favorite parts of our trip to Colorado was going to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, or as he calls it, the "dinosaur museum." The museum is much too large to cover in one morning, but we saw the dinosaurs and some of the animal exhibits - the Colorado habitats, and Africa. Nana and Grandpa and Uncle Stuart all came with us. We had a lot of fun!

We walked in and what was the first thing we saw?

T- REX!

There were more dinosaurs and lots of other cool fossils

And animal habitat exhibits

I don't know if the museum designed things like this on purpose, but ...

there was a lot of climbing on things.

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to climb in to the exhibits!

Molly enjoyed everything a lot more than I expected - she was checking everything out.

I remember this saber tooth tiger (it roars when you put a coin in) as one of the coolest parts of going to the museum when I was a kid. Elijah did not like it - too loud! Maybe he'll appreciate it more when he's older.

Colorado trip - the Zoo

While we were in Colorado, we got to go to the Denver Zoo with Nana, Grandpa, Linde and the girls. We had a great time, and saw lots of animals. We had a great up-close view of the tiger and some snow leapords. Elijah was especially excited to see the lions, tiger, and polar bear since the Roger Williams Park Zoo doesn't have those animals. He was thrilled to see some of his favorites from his home zoo, too. ("Look, Mama! An African Crowned Crane!") Even the little girls enjoyed it, despite the hot day. All the kids spent a lot of the walking around time eating and drinking.

Elijah checking out the polar bear

He was big and very playful

The little girls did great in the stroller

The big kids walked and walked and walked - but we were thankful for their strollers by the time we headed out

Buffalo

Sea lions

Giraffes

Tallie

Molly

Piper

Elijah

Colorado trip - fun with cousins

The kids and I went to back to Colorado to visit for 3 weeks in August. We had a great time with Nana & Grandpa and lots of family and friends. My brother John and his family came out from Grand Junction to visit us twice, and Linde and the girls stayed for the whole first week. We really enjoyed spending time with them, and it was great that the cousins had a chance to play together! We also got to spend time with some of my cousins and their kids - Jackie and Jen were visiting Melissa during our trip. You can check out their sites for more pictures and stories of all their visits.

Elijah making a rock collection

Molly and Luke playing soccer


The girls busy with their rock coloring

Lily - rock chalk

Sophie helping Elijah with his rocks

Logan enjoyed his ice cream a little too much!

Nana reading with Elijah and Piper

Elijah and Piper spent a lot of time with the Play-Doh

All the kids loved playing the piano.

Watching train videos with Grandpa

Miss Molly - silly

Playing bubbles with Nana

Little girls playing

Elijah and Piper did such a great job together! Their mammas and grandparents were all surprised and pleased at how well they shared and worked together (most of the time). The little girls mostly played near each other, but they were cute, too. Tallie is just four weeks older than Molly, and it was fun to see how much alike they are, and all the things that they are doing at the same time. Tallie is walking better, and Molly is talking a little more. And of course, Tallie has more hair than Piper and Molly combined! It has been over a year since we had been together with John's family, and this was the first time that the little girls got to meet. We were so glad for lots of time to just be together!

We're back!

Hey! We finally have internet access again! I will try to get caught up on July, moving, August, and the trip the kids' and I took to Colorado as soon as I can. Here are a couple of pictures from the end of July to tide you all over for now!

Elijah's giant train tracks

Boxes are the best part of moving! They were using this one as a drum.

More posts coming soon!

Still here

We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please bear with us. We hope to have this madness resolved very soon! Life without internet access is no fun :(