Harry Potter and Fort Fun Friday ~

 

(image courtesy of the official Harry Potter website / Warner Brothers)

Once again, i think we were the last people to see the final movie in the Harry Potter series...but i didnt mind the wait...no lines, no crowds, an empty theater, and the seats of our choice!  

Since Jordyn was born, we had not seen the Harry Potter movies in the theater, but instead waited to buy them when they came out on DVD...but we decided we would all go to see the last film in the theater, and i am so glad we did!

I know Jordyn is a little young for these movies, but she absolutely loves them.  This is the first time Justin was able to come to the movies with us too, so it was a special day!  It was a fun and emotional experience...the last movie of the series, after 10 years of enjoyment!  I knew the storyline so the anticipation was great!  Ill admit it...i cried, i cheered, i applauded with laughter...its been a while since a movie touched me like this!  An awesome experience indeed!
After the movie, we decided to head over to Fort Fun for pizza, beer, and games!  Jordyn LOVES this place...the mini carousel, the giant wave slide, the paddle boats, the arcade games...but this time she got to ride on the Go-Carts...and that was a blast!  Jordyn and Daddy rode, while i laughed at the spectacle before me.  Why is it that the most memorable and special moments in your life are not photographed...thats right, i left the camera at home.  Sometimes i feel like i miss the moments because im always trying to capture them with my camera, so yesterday, i went without.  Ill never forget the look on her face as they drove out of the gate...her hair was blowing up in the air like Don King, and the look of terror and joy on her face as the other cars raced past her was classic!  She was laughing and hollering at Justin..."faster daddy faster...dont let them beat us"...and then when he went fast, she'd yell "too fast daddy, too fast".  She was grinning from ear to ear as they circled the track, and i had tears in my eyes as i laughed watching them!  

At the end of the day, Jordyn cashed in her prize coupons.  She picked out three plastic dinosaurs, a wind up lady bug and a giant pixie stick (great suggestion daddy...ill be sure to let her eat that on your watch).  What a fabulous family day!

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Thirty Three

 

Week Thirty Three : Waters Edge

I was really pleased with the light in this one, so i thought it would look nice in black and white.  Digitally painted in Photoshop.

And dont forget...theres only a few more days to sign up for my 500th post blog giveaway!

Summer Play Date ~

Hurray...we were finally able to schedule a play date with some of Jordyns school friends before the season ended!  We had tried on several occasions, but either someone was sick, out of town, or had other plans, and sadly, the entire Summer passed us by.  So, two days ago, totally last minute, i decided to schedule a little play date barbecue for today, in hopes that a few of her friends could make it....and happily, they did!

 Jordyn and Andrea are starting kindergarten together on Monday, and Oriana, who was in preschool with them last year, will be going back to preschool next month, so this was a nice way for the girls to spend some time together before they get separated at school.

 They had such a good time, they didnt want it to end...and i have to admit, i had an absolute blast too!  Justin grilled us chicken and hot dogs, but the kids could barely sit still long enough to eat...there was too much to see and do...so, with ketchup on their faces...they ran off to play, while the moms got to relax and visit....hurray for adult time! :)

What a magical afternoon...lots of laughter, fun and wonderful memories were created today!  The perfect end to the season ~

Back to School Count Down...

That's right...school starts in just 6 days!  It seems like we were cheated about a month or so this Summer with the gray, rainy days lasting through June and then the Summer colds we all got, but i hope that means we will have a nice long Fall like last year.  With the gorgeous weather, we have been enjoying lots of outdoor activities...bike rides around the circle...trampoline fun...and of course, playing in the river.

The river is nice and low at this time of year, so its perfect for Jordyn to play in...and dont worry, we weren't sending her downstream on that inner tube...its actually tied to a rope!

She loves to climb out on these rocks and pick off all the moss...and then she likes to throw it at the kittens....look out kitties!

 

Today we headed over to Jordyn's school for kindergarten testing, and i am proud to report she did fantastic!  I was worried she would be a little rusty after the Summer break, but the teacher was really pleased with her skill level.  I wish i could take credit for it, but really the credit must go to Ms. Bev and Ms. Donna, her preschool teachers.  Thank you ladies!

So, to celebrate, we went over to the Hill Top General Store for some ice cream!  This is the cutest little store...filled with all kinds of crafts and antiques, as well as groceries, and each room is uniquely decorated.

Of course, the view out side the store is rather lovely too...

ahhh...the dog days of Summer...

p.s. be sure to check out my 500th post blog giveaway...ill be drawing a name on Sunday!

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Thirty Two

Week Thirty Two : Dodecatheon

also known as a shooting star (a flowering plant in the primrose family)

This is one of my favorite wildflowers up here...it grows in the sandy banks along the river, and with the high water we had this year i didnt think i would get to see any.  On a stroll along the island this weekend i found a small patch of them blooming and it made my day.  Hope it makes yours too.  This photo was not altered.

500th Post Giveaway and Quilt Show ~

 Thats right folks...can you believe this is my 500th post!!!  When i started blogging, i had no idea how much i would truly enjoy it...meeting so many wonderful people on line, learning so much, and of course, when the year is up, i have my blog printed into a book and its a fabulous keepsake for my family. (at least, thats how i justify all my time on the computer :)  Anyways, please read to the end to find out about my giveaway.

 The annual craft fair and quilt show was last Saturday and we had quite a turn out!  Folks look forward to this all year, however, last years show was canceled due to the construction of the fire station, so this year, it was not to be missed.  There were over 70 quilts to view, which made it difficult to vote for my favorite one.  They all had their own beauty and charm to them...but i posted a few photos of some of my favorites...

 I had three quilts in the show this year, two created by me, and one that was purchased on ebay.  Its always fun to participate in the quilt show, its humbling and inspiring at the same time!  The quilters in this canyon are amazing.  Theres a quilt group in the canyon called the Poudre Piecmakers, and every year they make a quilt to raffle off.  I havent won yet, but i keep buying my tickets!

 And now its time for the 500th post giveaway...

These two gorgeous patterns have been in my stash for a couple years now, and neither one has been used.  I would love to make them someday, but as its been a few years, i dont think it will be anytime soon...so they should go to a home that will use them and love them :)  To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and i will draw a name on Sunday.  Please tell me what you enjoy about my blog, and if you are new to my blog, tell me how you found it and i hope you will visit again :) 

Mountain Pine Beetle...They're Heeeere!

 We've seen them making their way over the mountain...killing hundreds of trees along the way, but we hadn't spotted any in our backyard until today.  There was rumor of trees in the neighborhood being attacked by these bugs already, so we decided to check out the island to see if we had any yet...naturally the kittens came too.

 Well, sure enough, we spotted about 15 trees on the East end of the island with the telltale signs of mountain pine beetle infestation.  These plugs are covering the trees, some worse than others, but sadly, all of them will be turning brown soon.

 Heres one of the little killers still lingering on a tree...and here is a shot of one of our trees already starting to turn brown.  I know its all a part of nature, but the beetle kill in the Rocky Mountains has been rather devastating over the last few years, and the rolling brown mountains are a sad sight. (not to mention a fire hazard).

 And speaking of sad...we discovered Jordyns bouncy tree finally broke...it too, was invaded by the pine beetle and she was rather upset.

 She has played on this tree since she was a baby...it curved down on the far left, so she could sit on it and bounce like a teeter-totter, and when we would go for a stroll on the island, we always had to make a trip to the "bouncy tree".

 We promised to carve something neat out of the old tree for her to keep, but when daddy cut the tree down she found a whole new use for it...

 Now its "balancing tree"...because of its curve, it sits about 7 or 8 inches off the ground, and once again, she can walk and bounce as well as balance on it!  Nice save daddy!

 So, with dried tears, we headed back to the house for some cuddling and play on the trampoline with daddy, while mommy took photos :)  These two aren't having any fun~

Meanwhile, our neighbor Mena stopped by for a visit and was assigned an important task...

Justin put her in charge of the hose to the fire pump to blast large amounts of water into the holes a rodent has dug up in my flower garden.  I have to admit, i was envisioning little geysers popping up all over the yard with animals flying out of the holes, but no such luck.  At any rate, Justin and Mena had fun doing it, and perhaps it disturbed the vole/shrew/mole...or whatever the hell it is, enough to chase it off.  If not, my garden is going to be destroyed too.  Wish us luck! :)