Sunday, July 27, 2014

Rogue Camp 2014!!!

Warning: Photo Overload!!!  Rogue Camp 2014 was another outstanding event...and what sticks out in my mind is this...FABULOUS MUSIC...lots of dancing...great stories and laughter...new friends...new foods...a dangerous treasure hunt...recumbent tricycles...lots of nastrovias...a giant glowing teepee, and more laughter!  It was a magical weekend, and a great way to spend time with friends we hadn't seen all year!  We had visitors from all over the country...Texas, Idaho, New Mexico and even Iowa!
The first Rogues to arrive were Donovan and Kat, arriving at noon on Thursday!  An hour later Andrew and Sarah arrived, and then Bob and Rachel...and later, a few more folks arrived, and the party began!  We had a quiet fire up at the house, enjoyed some brauts and dogs, and great conversation!  For some of us, we only get to see each other but once a year at rogue camp, so we had lots of chatting to do!
On Friday, the rest of the Rogues started to roll in...and the music and laughter really kicked into high gear, as did the pygmies!







By dusk, everyone was here, so we dressed up to ring in the night with some dancing by the fire!  Note to self...Jordyn has almost outgrown all of her garb...time to get sewing!

Naturally, the Nastrovia tent was rocking with laughter and good times...and the music was incredible!  Most of us stayed up wayyyy tooooo late...and some of us had wayyyy tooooo much fun!

Morning brought about another gorgeous day!  We had been getting rain all week, so the sunshine was perfectly timed and happily received!



Brent and Kim have started a new business building and selling recumbent trikes, so they brought 10 of them up for all of us to enjoy!  These were quite a hit with the kids, as well as the adults!  Thanks for sharing them with us guys!

Another big hit at the party was Jon's Rogue Cream Ale!  Everyone looks forward to trying out his new batch of ale, and this years was not to be missed!  Now, I don't normally care for home brews, but his cream ale was really tasty this year!  Thanks Jon!


Next up...the Treasure Hunt!
The teams had four challenges, and after completing each challenge they were given a clue...
Some of the challenges were more difficult than others...
but the kids were determined to be victorious!



As the hunt came to its climactic end...two teams were neck in neck.  However, Lochlan and Christine beat everyone to the treasure and were racing across the bridge to the finish line...that is, until the kids from all the other teams found out about it!  They seemed to come out of the woodworks to claim that treasure, and down went Christine! (no worries, shes okay...the treasure chest, however is another story)
So, down she went...down went the treasure, falling open and spilling its contents everywhere...and down went the kids...at first it was like a pinata breaking open, kids everywhere, grabbing goodies with delight...but then it turned into Lord of the Flies!

But everyone turned out unscathed with a bounty of treasure...even Christine and Lochlan enjoyed a bottle of Captain Morgan that was in the chest!  Huzzah to another wonderful treasure hunt!
After battling all those pygmies...the pirates were hungry and ready for a feast!  Nevin brought up some green chilies from Texas and made chili rellenos for everyone...and they were delish!  We also enjoyed our traditional fajita night, and naturally there was way too much food! 



Jordyn headed up to Aunt LeAnns for a sleepover, but before she left, Jon gave her a birthday present...a Sonic Screwdriver!  She LOVES it!  Just look at that smile!  :) Now she is a true Whovian!
As the sun set, and the nappers awoke, everyone dressed for more frolicking and fun down by the fire! 


We usually have some day trippers stop by on Saturday,  so that makes Saturday the biggest night.  This year several folks from Archer's came by and they spent a great deal of time doing damage in the nastrovia tent :)  I helped them by serving up numerous nonstop nastrovias!




And a fantastic time was had by all!  I am truly blessed to have such a creative, magical, talented, hilarious group of friends!  I love you guys!  Namaste!!!

Frasera Speciosa ~ Monument Plant

 Frasera speciosa, also known as monument plant, deers tongue, or deers ears...grows anywhere from 20-80 years, but only blooms once before it dies. Last year Jordyn and i discovered one that was past its bloom, however, this year we have found a few new ones that are about to bloom! We will keep visiting this gorgeous wildflower, to witness its glory...so stay tuned as we post pictures of its progress!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Jordyn is 8!!!

 This morning Jordyn reminded us that it was her birthday!  We laid in bed and looked through her baby book, while she asked questions about the day she was born.  It was fun reminiscing, but on with the gifts!
 Jordyn only asked for one thing this year...a Harry Potter pillowcase.  She wanted me to make her one, but Harry Potter fabric is a bit of a collectors item now, so it was expensive and hard to come by...so i surfed the net and found this cool pillowcase instead!  Its much more colorful and pretty in person.
 Here she is kissing her new T-shirt...
 And this is why...
 Jordyn has recently become obsessed with Doctor Who, and she loves the 11th Doctor, so the T shirt and the Doctor Who character encyclopedia was quite a hit!
 She also received these two dolls from the Ever After High series...Raven Queen and Apple White.  Later that evening, Jordyn and Daddy were playing pony rescue with her My Little Ponies, only this time the ponies had a Tardis that she made out of cardboard!  Gotta love her imagination!
Happy Birthday Sweetheart...We love you!