avocado mousse

We had new neighbors move into the cul-de-sac a few weeks ago. Ineka (the wife) is Dutch, and an incredible cook! She cooks amazingly healthy food, a lot of it raw. She told me how to make Avocado Mousse, and my kids love it (kids that hate avocados, mind you!). It is a super refreshing summertime treat. Blend 2 frozen bananas to 1 avocado, along with some almond milk (or rice milk) and vanilla. That's it! She serves it immediately, but we froze ours and had it this afternoon like ice cream. Mmmmmmm.

need i say more?

Pre-Camp Socks...

Post-Camp Socks...
Yes, these socks were the same bright white socks before camp (I suggest you click on the second picture to enlarge it, to really understand the degree of filth). I sent three boys to camp, and three boys came home with laundry looking very similar to this. At first, I told the boys to just throw them away, and then I realized...No! I'll wash them and you can use them for camp next year!

and the years fly by...

My oldest niece, Moriah, got married a couple weeks ago in Israel. Here is Moriah as a flower girl in my wedding when she was only 1 year old! (I could still eat her up - Would you look at those cheeks!)

And here is a picture of all 7 of Eric's girls on July 8th...Oh my! How the time does fly! Congratulations, Moriah! Shulamit, Moshyt, Eliorah, Miriam, Moriah, Gavriella, Malka

quiet house

We took the boys to Eagle Lake camp for the week yesterday. This was M's first time there, and he was beyond excited (if you've ever seen him really excited about something, you can imagine our car ride up the mountain!). We will pick them up again on Friday morning. The boys were a bit disappointed, as they all ended up in different cabins, but I'm sure they will get over that quickly! I took M#2 to Eagle's Nest day camp this morning (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). She was super excited, too, but a bit nervous as she didn't have any friends going with her. She prayed last night for a great counselor and a special friend. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my kiddos this week...for safety, tons of FUN, good friends, and most of all, that they would experience God like never before; that He would draw each one to His heart and they will be changed because of it!

outside M's cabin

let the battle begin...

Nope, this is not a party. This is what our yard looks like every evening, beginning around 4:30, and often lasting until nearly 9:00. There are about 5 or 6 kids not pictured here, and they ALL live on our cul-de-sac! Needless to say, this is definitely a family neighborhood, and our kids love it. Lately, the nightly theme has been "The Great Battle," with every weapon from swords to water guns to light sabers. The girls are just as involved as the boys, although in this picture, the girls are cruising in the background while the boys practice their moves.

father/son camping trip

Bob took M for a special camping trip this weekend. When each of the kids turns 10, they get a weekend away with dad. N chose to climb a 14er, C wanted to catch snakes and other slithery critters by a lake, and M wanted to go rock climbing/boulder hopping. They had a great time together, along with the dog! Sounds like they had tons of fun being boys and just being together.

Chopping up the firewood

All snuggled in for the night

Two dirty climbers

Now that, my friends, are some dirty feet! (Oh, the things you get away with when Mom isn't around!)

vail or bust

After 6 nights in our pop-up camper, we met up with my family in Vail where we got to move indoors! We shared two condos between the 17 of us! My brothers were referees at a lacrosse tournament, so their families joined them in what became a mini-family reunion. We had a great time together and the cousins loved playing together. There are three 1-year-olds in the bunch, so we all got lots of baby time! It made me even more sad to live so far away, though!

Taking in one of the many lacrosse games

pool-time fun

Quality time with the cousins

Abigail

Isabella

Levi

I was trying to get a picture of the girls in the birthday outfits I sent them, but they weren't thrilled with having to stand still!

Sweet girls

Cousins

Happy family on vacation

How the Yates men spend their time...
Morning milk...

Conversations with Uncle Bob

Happy boy!

onward to ouray

Our next stop on vaca was Ouray, Colorado. Oh my! We have traveled all over Colorado, but I must say, Ouray ranks #1 (or darn close) in my favorite areas. And that's saying something, cuz this is one beautiful state, my friends! We stayed at Ridgeway State Park where we had access to showers, laundry, playground, and a reservoir with a beach for swimming. Our highlights included Box Canyon Falls (unbelievable!) and Yankee Boy Basin 4x4 road (Bob will laugh and say it was definitely NOT 4x4, but I maintain that it was!!). I felt like I was in heaven, or Narnia, at least! The mountains were straight up, so GREEN, with waterfalls everywhere. The pictures don't come anywhere near how beautiful it really was, but they'll give you an idea...

anyone?

Anyone out there ever heard of O.A.R. (Of a Revolution)? Bob and I were flipping through the channels one night and came upon a concert on the high def music channel. We loved it right away and downloaded a CD that night...we've been listening to it ever since. Apparently, they are a band that started together in high school and have had a grassroots following for over 10 years! I am hooked, and thought you might enjoy a sampling...

long time, no post

We have been on vacation for the past two weeks. We had such a great time, it's hard to come back home and face the piles of laundry and unpacking! We spent 3 nights at Mesa Verde, 3 nights in Ouray, 3 nights in Vail, and 3 nights at my parents' house in Parker. I will blog each portion separately...

We left on June 22 for Mesa Verde. We went to church that morning, then drove the 8 hours there, arriving around 9:00. We spent the next three days romping around the ancient Anasazi ruins and going on hikes. The ruins are carved into the sides of cliffs, often with sheer drop-offs below. It was fascinating to think that people actually lived that way for hundreds of years.

Enjoying the shade of the cliff dwellings.

Inside a kiva

On a hike in the evening

Looking down at one of the ruins (Spruce Tree House)

C caught a Horney toad in our campsite!