Sunday, July 31, 2011

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Thirty

Week 30 : Cherries
This photo was taken right before harvesting the tree...which had to be done immediately before the birds ate them all :)  No digital painting here...just a good ole photograph!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Keeping Cool in the Summer ~

 It was 96 degrees up here today, which is pretty hot for the canyon!  So, what do we do to cool off....besides going in the river....water guns and slip n slides......



 Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
 Earlier this week we picked up some school supplies for Jordyn...she has her list from school and is having a lot of fun picking things out.  I love her lunch box choice!
 Thanks to my little garden helper, i might actually have a decent harvest this year.  Of course, everything is a bit behind due to the weird weather we had this summer...but look at those cherries...
 Dont they look delicious?  Yeah...the birds thought so too...so i had to pick most of them this weekend before they snagged em all.  I think i have enough for one pie though, so that works for me!
Jordyn was a little disappointed i wouldn't let her eat more of them off the tree, but she agrees a pie would be delicious too...so we compromised...she got some, i got some, and the birds got some.
Looks like the bear got some too...from the freezer that is!  We share a freezer with Justin's Aunt up front, and it seems someone left the garage door open on Thursday night and this is what we found Friday morning.  doh!  He didnt get away with much...a few pounds of meat and some fish, but sadly, he destroyed the freezer.  Anyways, thats our weekend on the mountain...stay cool! :)

Friday, July 29, 2011

Rogue Camp Reminiscing ~

 Well, its been 5 days since the last rogues pulled outta here...and its taken me that long to recover and clean, so i could finally sit down and post about another fabulous Rogue Camp!  If you follow my blog at all, you know we host a party/camping weekend at our place called Rogue Camp.  About 50 friends show up from all over the country to attend, and a good time is had by all.  Some folks come dressed as pirates, others fairies and maidens, and some just wear the craziest stuff in their closet...but all come to have fun, relax and laugh with friends!  The first rogue, Talon, showed up on Thursday around 1:30...and that kicked the event off for the weekend.  Most of us havent seen each other since last years Rogue Camp, so we all have a great time catching up!
 Sarah made these fabulous signs for the island, and they really added to the atmosphere!  (thanks sarah) If you look closely, you can see a pirate and a pygmy in the background!
 Justin and Korey do battle for the hidden treasure...
 Meanwhile, Jordyns team found the treasure!  And look at that gorgeous treasure box that was made by Shavonne and Justin.  It too, was donated to Rogue Camp for future treasure hunts.  Isnt it great having creative friends! :) (thanks guys).  The treasure box conveniently holds a large gallon size bottle of Captain Morgan spiced rum too!  But dont worry, there were prizes for the kiddos as well...chocolate coins, beads, eye patches, and other fun pirate bling!
 Here is a photo of our fabulous treasure chest maker with his little tricycle pirate in tow.  This event is quite magical for kids as you can imagine!  Hell, its magical for us adults too :)
 An annual event at Rogue Camp is Combat Croquet!  These rogues play croquet all over the island...thru rocks, bushes, trees and campsites.  Here Torin is laying down the rules of combat croquet....which means, there are no rules, more like guidelines!
 The food at Rogue Camp is always in large supply and delicious!  No one goes hungry!  Here, Cookie, Bob and Brent, cook up a storm on fajita night!  We had shrimp, chicken, steak and pork...and it took all three of them, with a BBQ and two camp stoves to complete the task!
 Just look at that table of fabulousness!  There goes my diet!
 The weather was wonderful, if a bit hot!  In fact it was the hottest weekend of the summer so far...but no worries, we just jumped in the river to cool off!
 The nice thing about Rogue Camp is there is plenty to do...fishing, hiking, eating, drinking, crafting, dancing, music, eating, swimming, yoga, fencing, archery, lounging...did i mention eating?  And at night, we would gather around the fire for drumming and dancing under the stars!
Here is Jordyn doing a solo dance routine...i wish i had her moves!
 and dont forget the nastrovia tent...
 This tent is set up next to the fire pit, where you can go in for a refreshing nastrovia shot after dancing and playing music.  Some folks spend a great deal of time in here as laughter abounds within those canvas walls.  Even the kids like to visit.
 Then its back to more dancing...and more nastrovias...
 On Sunday, while kid-free...a few of us decided to take our lawn chairs out into the river...each time a person wandered by, they saw us lounging in the cool refreshing water and decided to join us.  Pretty soon we had the whole gang out there.
 We enjoyed cocktails and more laughter...and when we ran out of beer, Brent brought his cooler into the river so we wouldnt have far to go for a refill.  Then we challenged ourselves to finish off all the half empty bottles of booze laying around...tequila, cinnamon whiskey, and rum!  Yikes~
 I havent laughed this much in ages, and this was by far, one of my favorite moments of the whole weekend! 



 What an incredible group of people!  Im sooo lucky to be surrounded by such talented, funny, creative, exciting and wonderful friends!  My heart is full!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Twenty Nine

Week 29 : Night Dancer
Photo taken during Rogue Camp...a get together we have every year at our place.  Taken without a tripod, and then digitally painted in Photoshop.  A few days late, but that's to be expected after having 50 people at your house for 5 days!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Secret Agent 005 ~

  Secret Agent Jordyn shows off her new spy clothing and spy case that Christy (her godmother) put together for her, for her 5th birthday.  Jordyn recently saw the movie spy kids and decided she wanted to be a spy, but it was top secret, and she wouldnt tell me about it, only Christy. 
  Inside the stylish spy bag are handcuffs, different badges, a walkie-talkie, clip-on ear phone, police baton, money, tablet and pencil for taking notes, and a finger printing kit.  Look out James Bond...005 is on the scene!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Birthday Extravaganza!!!

Warning...photo intensive blog :)
Saturday was Jordyn's big 5th birthday celebration with family and friends...and it was indeed a celebration!  She spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa Bruen's house on Friday night, while Grandma and Grandpa Williams set up the trampoline they bought her in the meadow.  When she arrived home on Saturday afternoon before her party, she discovered the balloons in the meadow...when she ran towards it, she realized the balloons were sitting inside a trampoline.  Just look at the sheer joy on her face, as her cousin Daniel casually removes his shoes to join her :)
  
The birthday theme was unicorns and rainbows, so it was a bit of a fantasy party!  Christy and Mckenna decorated the cake...isnt it cute!  Make a wish sweetheart! 
The weather started out nice, but then it decided to rain.  Thankfully we had plenty of room under the awning for everyone to stay dry, though some opted to get wet on purpose :)
We decided to do cake and presents during the rainstorm...


and thankfully, after we were all done, the rain conveniently stopped, the sun came out, and the activities continued!  We had 12 kids and 27 adults (not counting Justin, Jordyn and i), so we had a lot of folks running around playing on the trampoline, throwing frisbees, playing lawn golf, splashing in the kiddie pool, blowing bubbles, and of course, having a sword battle down on the island!
Looks like the pygmies are beating the pirates!
Then it was pinata time...


It was a magical birthday indeed!  Happy Birthday my sweet 5 year old!  I hope this was a birthday you'll never forget!  Many hugs and kisses to you ~  XOXOXO

Friday, July 15, 2011

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Twenty Eight

week 28 : play-doh
Another shot taken with my new lens and not enhanced in any way....im lovin this new lens :)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Look Whos FIVE!!!

 Thats right...the big 5!  Which means...kindergarten, big girl stuff, attitude, curiosity, humor, fashion, laughter....and presents!  We opened presents first thing in the morning...hurray!  Mommy and Daddy got her a Kingdom Lego set, a princess carriage playmobile set and the play-doh ice cream shoppe....oh, and a Barbie bike!
 
After presents, Grandma Kristi came down for some cake and more presents...
 Then it was time to try out that new bike!  Daddy took her for a practice run up and down the driveway (which was hard with all the uneven ground)...

And then Grandma got her bike and they both went for a ride around the circle...

Weeeeee!  Its great to be 5!  Happy Birthday Sweetheart...We Love You!!!  XOXOXO