Like a Giant Pumpkin to the Slaughter: A Pumpkin Party to Remember

September 30, 2013 By

Last week was a blur as I chaperoned Hadley’s three-day camping trip and returned home to throw our annual pumpkin party the next day, followed by the chaotically fun giant pumpkin weigh-off.

Translation: I barely slept.

We always invite oodles of friends and setup the party in our backyard, which, between that and our neighbor’s lot where Jamie grows the pumpkin, there is plenty of room to roam. But this year, we had a further complication: lots of rain. We have a good-sized four-bedroom house but it is certainly not big enough to comfortably house 60+ people but that’s exactly what we did.

That was only the tip of our muddy iceberg that night.

I expected people to un-RSVP due to the inclement weather and, if we’re being honest here, I kind of hoped they would so we would have a more manageable crowd. But we have wonderful, supportive friends (yeah!) and a deluge of them waited until the very last minute to say they were coming (not yeah!)

The motivator was probably my Facebook post that announced the party was still on despite the rain with the promise of mud wrestling in the pumpkin patch.

We told our friends to dress for the weather and that they did. Though Meredith went a wee bit overboard with her dorky umbrellas.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

Admission to the pumpkin party is your favorite pumpkin dish and we had two tables full of pumpkin rolls, pies, cookies, pumpkin seed guacamole, cinnamon rolls, cakes, dips, pumpkin-spiced hot chocolate and so much  more. I made two new treats that will become permanent fixtures–pumpkin magic cookie bars and pumpkin oatmeal bars (recipes forthcoming). It was one of my favorite spreads ever.

And I’m not just talking about the middle-aged spread I had after sampling them all.

Usually when it’s time to cut the pumpkin off the vine, everyone races out to the pumpkin patch but we had three kinds of people.

1) The “been there, done that” types who opted to stay inside.

Note: My unsupportive children were numbered among them. The Pumpkin Man may disown them for this major trespass.

2) The “I’m intrigued but I don’t want to get wet” types. These people crammed inside near the back door and the more interested sorts stood on the deck so they were able to dash back indoors if they got too soaked.

3) The “I’m all in” types.

These hearty  souls were rewarded with quite the show and major complications surfaced because:

1) It was raining. In case you’d forgotten that.

2) It was muddy.

3) Stanley the Pumpkin weighs several hundred pounds more than Jamie’s previous gourds.

Usually, Jamie and a few of his buddies adjust lifting straps around the pumpkin, they attach it to the forklift and the machine very carefully lifts it off its bed of sand onto the flatbed trailer while the crowd cheers.

But this year, there was muck everywhere so the backhoe could not get enough traction to lift the pumpkin out of the patch. After several failed attempts (and a backhoe that literally almost tipped over from the weight of the pumpkin), Jamie and his pit crew changed strategies. They  knocked down one of the poles supporting the hail netting so the backhoe could go in at another angle.

As we watched the drama unfold, one of our drenched-to-the-bone neighbor’s daughters raved to me, “This is your greatest pumpkin party yet! The rain! The mud! And they might not even get the pumpkin out of there!”

She sure has a differ view of greatness.

After what seemed like an eternity, the deed was done. Jamie and his buddies looked like the Swamp Things as they emerged from the patch and I was horrified when I saw one of them had blood all over his face.

“What happened?”

“I’m not sure. I was trying to push the backhoe when it got stuck and I got bloodied up.”

It was the Great Pumpkin’s first sacrificial lamb. But I’m sure it will not be the last.

Be sure to read the details of the weigh-off and the Great Pumpkin’s final weight!

Filed Under: Humor, Jamie, pumpkins Tagged With: , ,

The List: Outtakes from a Marriage

September 25, 2013 By

Last week, I was crazy-busy with a deadline, making dozens of cookies for the local flood relief command center, doing laundry and dinner preparations were on the forefront of my mind because we had invited the woman I visit teach over for FHE as well as a new couple in the ward. Jamie, like the saving angel offered:

“Do you need me to go to the store?””

“Yes, you would be a lifesaver, THANK YOU! Let me write a list of a few things.”

“OK.” I wrote the list and handed it to him.

“Oh wait. I just remembered something else.”

“OK.”

A few minutes later, after I’d made a double-batch of cookies, I realized I was out of brown sugar. I was remiss when I thought he had already left for the store. But then, WINNINGLY, I spotted him in the backyard!

“I just remembered something else: brown sugar.”

“You see, this is why I hate going to the store for you. You keep adding things to the list. And you already put brown sugar down.”

I should be married to myself; I can anticipate my own needs before I even know about them.

So, off he went to the store and I had a conference call. A few minutes, I heard him try to beep through on my phone. I didn’t pick up; what else could he possibly need? I had pretty thoroughly expounded upon everything with the list.

I grabbed a second phone and tried to call him back while juggling my other line. He didn’t pick up.

When he arrived home with a few grocery bags, I queried:

“I tried calling you back. Why did you call?”

“I lost the list.”

Filed Under: Humor, Jamie

Why I may be the best wife in the world

September 21, 2013 By

Next week is allllll about pumpkins with our infamous pumpkin party and weigh-off. If you’d like to guess the weight of the pumpkin, be sure to go here. We’re giving away tickets to Elitch Gardens’ Fright Fest for the three closest guesses!

On a side note, I’ll be chaperoning Hadley’s class camping trip for three days next week, which makes for an even craaazier week for me.

But abandoning Jamie, Bode and Fat Kitty has been forgiven because of The Denver Post’s article 10 fun things to do in Denver before summer ends by John Wenzel. The reason? Not only did I score a very generous mention of the weigh-off but a nice picture of Stanley the Pumpkin and our cute neighbor Stella.

Let the pumpkin games begin!

Filed Under: pumpkins

Nintendo 2DS: Coming to an Excited Kid Near You

September 19, 2013 By

Every year, our friends at Nintendo swing by Denver to show us the latest and greatest on the market. Last year, it was the WiiU, and this year it’s the 2DS handheld, which will be released on Oct. 19. We got one of the first looks and they had enough security there to make sure we didn’t keep on looking by walking out with if afterward. :-)

The Lobby’s lovely back patio

We congregated at The Lobby, a welcome reprieve after all of our flooding and rain. But forget the charming courtyard with flowers, ivy and delicious food (caramel-bacon ice cream Sammies, anyone?) When we pulled up to the restaurant and saw a huge Nintendo-theme trailer, the kids went wild.Seeing is doing with Nintendo so after a brief overview, the kiddos and adults were set loose to try out all the new games and devices on the back deck and also in the decked-out trailer. Both kiddos fell in love with Pitkin 3 (can you say Christmas present?) and we all really, really liked the new 2DS. In fact, while the kids eventually gravitated back to what they were familiar with (the 3DS), the adults and I universally agreed we preferred the 2DS. Not only is it a more light, affordable ($129.99), family-friendly unit but I prefer its flat, tablet-like design because it’s easier to hold and navigate…the perfect starter device. All the capabilities seem to be the same so I think it will be a winner in the family market.

Nintendo 2DS

There’s nothing quite like a Nintendo event.

The best way to describe it: an anti-social, social bonding experience.

When Bode first entered the Nintendo-themed trailer, he marveled at all the technology and peppered the PR rep with questions.

Q:”Where do you drive this?”
A: “All around the country showing people the games.”
Q: “This is your job?”
A: “Yup.”

Let’s just say Bode has new career aspirations.

Bode is my Nintendo guy and I can get him to do pretty much anything in exchange for some highly-coveted Wii time (how do you think I potty trained him?)

Hadley, on the other hand, can take it or leave it but I think she found her game, Animal Crossing. You essentially design your own world with the perfect house, outfits and animals while learning life skills with in-game currencies but with a lot more depth than in your average Webkinz or  phone app. The interactivity is mind-blogging; when you play it adapts your scene to whether it’s night or day and as the seasons change in real life, so do your scenes. That’s only the tip of the iceberg, of course.


I knew she was having fun when I brought her an extra-gooey brownie (her favorite) and instead of inhaling it like she usually does, she reprimanded me, “No dessert, I’m busy right now.”

The 2DS may be my new diet technique.

Filed Under: Bode, Hadley Tagged With:

Colorado’s Floods: A Lesson in Gratitude

September 18, 2013 By

Like many Coloradoans who were not directly impacted by the floods, I felt at a loss about what I could do to help. I have been filling in for several weeks as Bode’s Primary (Sunday School) teacher and our lesson was on prayer on Sunday.

We talked about all the many things we can thank Heavenly Father for and also what to ask for. A big item of discussion was people impacted by the flood and I tried to drive it home that prayer without action  is pretty darn fruitless so I’ve been looking for ways to teach my kids to serve. Later that day, we drove about a mile from my house to survey some of the damage. We are on the very tip of the worst of it and our house was mercifully spared. Friends a mere mile away received evacuation orders.

On Sunday, we went to survey some of the damage and yesterday, I went for a ride along my favorite trails. Rebuilding will take months.

I can’t even imagine the devastation if that was your home underwater.

We caught wind that an area fire station had become a makeshift command center for the National Guard who were battling the floods and they were in need of food donations. So, the kids and I gathered together oodles of snacks, made dozens of cookies and a couple of huge cards. As we were going to deliver them, I received a note from Bode’s school that the local food bank also needed items for flood relief but we decided to stick with the original plan with the command center and send some different items back to the school.

I’m so glad we did.

When we pulled into the parking lot, I felt like we were in a war zone with heavily armored army vehicles and I suppose we were.

I have the utmost respect for the military but have never really been around them. I’m not sure what I was expecting when we walked into the fire station’s command center…maybe a cheerful PTA volunteer mom greeting us…but that wasn’t it. About 25 exhausted men and women from the army were resting for likely the first time in days. Their eyes lit up when they saw the kids walk in, armed with oodles and oodles of cookies.

Bode and Hadley gave them the big cards they made and, get this, these amazing men and women stood and clapped…for us.  I mean, my cookies are good but standing-ovation-worthy? :)

In all seriousness, the whole thing was deeply moving and brought tears to my eyes as we turned around and clapped, thanking them for all that they were doing.

It took a few hours out of our lives but I hope it is one experience these kiddos of mine will never forget. I know I won’t and I’m so grateful for the many people who are on the front lines every day.

 

 

Filed Under: Colorado, LDS

Lessons learned at 5 a.m. and 5:10 a.m. and 5:20 a.m….

September 17, 2013 By

We learned a couple of things when our fire alarm falsely went off starting at 5 a.m. this morning:

1) Bode can sleep through anything.

2) Fat Kitty (who’s still MIA) is a “save yourself” kinda cat.

Filed Under: Bode, Humor Tagged With:

Four (Funny) Reasons Why You Should Ski This Winter!

September 16, 2013 By

We had a summer of non-stop travel and capped it off with a glorious trip to AAA Five-Diamond The Broadmoor over Labor Day. At a recent party, our neighbor queried, “So, when is the next big trip?”

Silence. Chirping crickets.  Could it be–the very bane to our existence (travel) and we had no future plans?

But then I remembered: Ski season is in a few short months! As we prep for back-to-ski season, I’ve compiled four fun(ny) reasons why you should hit the slopes.

Our family’s first time at the “top of the world” together

1) The Best Family Bonding Happens on a Ski Vacation

There is nothing my family loves better than cruising down the slopes in a Wonkaesque world of white–we’re like the Cleavers on skis, only cooler (literally and figuratively). Last year was the first time we were able to ski together  as a family with then-6-year-old Bode and 8-year-old Hadley and it was epic!

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to even hit the slopes to have a memorable time together. Many people dismiss a winter vacation in the mountains because they don’t ski or snowboard. All you need to do is love the outdoors and cozying up indoors.

Most resorts offer so much more than skiing. Last year alone, we hit hot springs and hot tubs, ziplined, tubed, raced down an alpine coaster, played in a snow fort, skated on a lake, snowshoed, took a sleigh ride to dinner, indulged in gourmet foods, played games by the fire, roasted s’mores and got pampered at the spa.

OK, maybe I didn’t do the last item but you’d better believe it’s top priority this year.

 2. You Win Parent of the Year Award (if they survive)

Daughter’s first difficult terrain

I’m all about teaching kids to do hard things and learning to ski can be hard at first. But after years of ski school, a few meltdowns and even a faked injury (yes, Bode I’m talking about you), both of my kids are good skiers and on track to becoming great.

A couple of years ago, my daughter and I were taking our last run of the day when I took a wrong turn. Instead of staying on a nice, easy cruiser, I led us to the point of no return with an intersection that had three options: a double blue advanced intermediate and two double-black black diamond (expert terrain) trails.

Haddie was a solid intermediate skier but as I looked down at the double blue’s steep, bumpy terrain a feeling of dread came over me. I didn’t let her in on my trepidation and explained our predicament.

“OK, let’s do it!” she fearlessly said.

“Really?”

I don’t know why I was surprised since we didn’t have any other options, other than being carried down on ski patrol’s stretcher. And so she gunned it down that mountain, never complaining and even squealing with glee.

That was the beginning of the end and soon she’ll be dragging me down the mountain. Hopefully stretcher not included.

The kids three years ago when I found my packing sanity

3. My Best Organizing Tip and the Day I Lost My Sanity

Winter sports get a bad wrap because there is a lot of equipment to remember: goggles, long johns, gloves, scarves, helmets, socks, ski pants, jackets…the list goes on. I’ve become a master of organization and now put all of their accessories in an over-sized Ziploc bag, which cuts down on the chaos when it’s time to get up and go.

Except for the first day of ski season last year when my son’s glove was nowhere to be found. I was positive I had set it out in his bag the night before so its whereabouts was a real head-scratcher. Had Fat Kitty eaten it? Was I officially out of my mind? Bode had lost his back-up pair of gloves and touque (Canadian word for ski hat for any uninformed Americans) the week before so it was a do-or-die situation.

Or rather, a find-it-or-freeze-your-hands-off scenario.

After about 20 minutes of looking, my wise husband investigated Bode closer.

“Bode, what is that?”
“What is what?”
“That lump underneath your ski pants!”

Bode looked down and sure enough, there was a subtle lump near his calf. Sheepishly, he removed his ski pants to discover the MIA glove. The velcro on the straps had deviously attached to the inside of his ski pants.

Even the best plans are not fool-proof. Obviously. Signed, -The Fool.

4. Skiing/snowboarding=the best kind of stupid

Last year, we took my husband’s brother Chris skiing at a local resort for his birthday.

As we huddled together for warmth on the chairlift, we gazed down upon the wind-whipped chutes, marveling at the forests that were forever slanted from the gusts. Snow swirled around us and as we climbed higher, our world was temporarily blotted out completely white.

I turned to the birthday boy. “Chris, can you even believe we’re doing this?”

He paused, laughed and then uttered what will become my motto on all such bitterly cold days on the slopes: “Yes, but it’s the best kind of stupid.”

Hear, hear.

Bring on the 2013/14 season.

=====

I am participating in the Back to Ski campaign, which was started by family travel blogger Mara Gorman in 2012 as a way to get families off the couch and on the slopes.  During Back to Ski Week 2013 from September 16th to September 20th you can enter to win some fabulous skiing prizes at the Back to Ski website.

 

Filed Under: Family, Family travel, outdoors, skiing

Severe Flooding in Colorado

September 13, 2013 By

First, there was Calgary.

Now, Colorado.

Four straight days of rain have resulted in historic rainfall across the 150-mile expanse of our Front Range with flood waters wreaking havoc and thousands evacuated. Washed-out roads, bursting dams, ditches-turned-raging-rivers, washed out roads and bridges and mudslides are everywhere. We live on a hill so are currently safe but our small city is being hit; our rivers are flooded and a nearby reservoir was breached, resulting in notifications from our Water Treatment Center to conserve water. On the news this morning, they reported Boulder alone has received 5.3 billion gallons of rain so far, equal to about 10 feet of snow.

First the wildfires, then record-breaking heat for most of September and now this. Forecasters are calling this the flood of the century of “Biblical” proportions.

I don’t see Noah breaking out the arc anytime soon but one thing is for sure: Colorado needs a lesson in moderation.

Stay safe, everyone!

Filed Under: Colorado Tagged With:

True love in the form of a hot dog

September 12, 2013 By

Hadley and I aren’t big fans of hot dogs so I never have them at the house unless we’re planning to roast them over a nice campfire.

However, I recently saw some healthy-ish all-natural chicken-pineapple hot dogs made by Aidells Sausage Company (which we love) so I figured I’d take a chance.

They were a hit!

Hadley gobbled hers down in record time and I asked what she thought.

“I love it, Mom. And it’s not one of those things I’m saying so I don’t hurt your feelings. I really love it.”

“You never do that.”

“True.”

Filed Under: Hadley, Humor

On Being Unaccepted

September 9, 2013 By

In the LDS Church, everyone is assigned home (men) and visiting (women) teachers to come by once a month to check in with their assigned people in the ward. Yesterday, our home teachers Kent and Jordan came by to visit and impart some words of wisdom.

Of course, we can never make things easy on anyone.

Kent shared a nice story by Elder Kopischke from LDS General Conference (read the full talk “Being Accepted of the Lord” here):

When I was a boy, I remember my father sometimes taking me with him to work on projects. We had a little garden a few kilometers from where we lived, and there was always so much to do to prepare the garden each season. We worked on the gazebo or built or repaired fences. In my memory this work always occurred in the freezing cold, heavy snow, or pouring rain. But I loved it. My father would teach me how to do things with patience and acceptance.

One day he invited me to tighten a screw and warned, “Remember, if you put it in too tight, it will break.” Proudly, I wanted to show him what I could do. I tightened with all my might, and, of course, I broke the screw. He made a funny comment, and we started over. Even when I “messed up,” I always felt his love and confidence in me. He passed away more than 10 years ago, but I can still hear his voice, sense his love, enjoy his encouragement, and feel his acceptance.

Kent turned to the kids.

“I’m sure you guys help your dad with stuff, right?”

Long pause. “Not really.”

I jumped in. “They help Jamie with the garden but mostly, they help me and I’m always working with them on cooking and housework.”

Kent: “Oh.”

Me: “But kids, what is the moral of this nice story Kent shared?”

Silence.

Jamie jumped in: “THAT THEY NEED TO HELP ME OUT MORE!!!”

Better luck next month, Kent.

Filed Under: Humor, Jamie, LDS
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