Sunday, June 22, 2008

It's Monday morning, and I already miss the weekend...

I LOVE weekends. I'm always a little blue on Mondays when everyone goes their separate ways after all the family togetherness of the weekend.

So...here's a quick rundown of our weekend...

Ice cream at the Rock House...YUM! It was just the girls and us on Friday night because Will had a sleepover. The girls were feeling left out so we took them to get ice cream. I didn't have any (hard!) because I'm trying to get off sugar. I've tried off and on since March, but I always cave and give in. Three days without it, and so far, so good. I'm also trying to eat less meat. I hesitate to use the word "vegetarian" but I'm trying to eat veggies in favor or meat these days. So far, so good there too.

In light of those two dietary decisions, I made a trip to Whole Foods on Saturday. John had to run to the mall, and I don't know if I've told you lately, but I strongly I detest the mall. I don't think I've even stepped foot inside the place since Christmas, and I had no intention of doing so on Saturday. So, the kids and I dropped him at the door and headed to Whole Foods.

I was in heaven. I love, love, LOVE that place. I could spend all day and a small fortune in there. I bought a few things that I can't find anywhere else, and we took our sweet time looking at all the beautiful cheeses, seafood, and produce. My kids love all the free samples!

If you don't live close to a Whole Foods, I'm sorry. If you do, please tell me you love that store as much as I do! The only store I might love more is Trader Joe's (though I've never actually been there), and I'm so sad we don't have Trader Joe's in Colorado.

Yesterday morning, John suggested we take a family hike. I love it when he makes suggestions like that!

We went to North Cheyenne Canon...a GREAT city park...and hiked up above Helen Hunt Falls. The hike was short and very steep, but the views from the top were beautiful!

I was kinda hoping to see a bear. When we drove up to the visitor center, they had a board with some wildlife sightings listed, and people had seen some bears within the last week. We didn't see any, and that's probably a good thing. I always think that would be fun, but I'd probably freak out if I met one on the trail.

The kids did great on the trail, but they were very thankful when we said it was time to head back to the car. We stopped down the road, and found a huge rock to perch on for a picnic lunch. Beside the rock was a little stream, and the kids had fun wading in it.

It was a beautiful day, and we had a great time. The temps were perfect, and everyone was in a relatively good mood. Of course, any day spent outside in nature is a great day for me!









On the way, home, we stopped at the recycling center and dropped off our first, BIG load of recycling. I wish I had taken a photo because you can't believe how much stuff we were able to recycle in one months time. I was proud!

We made it home and my kids watched Camp Rock for the bajillionth fourth time since Friday (thanks to my sweet friend who taped it for this cableless family!)


And we all had a good laugh about Jack, our fly-stalking-then-eating-beagle. We haven't turned our AC on yet, so we've had our windows open, and with open windows come flies. Ugh. John told me that Jack has been catching and eating them. ICK! GROSS! Sure enough, I was sitting on my bed (watching Camp Rock with the kids) and Jack started going crazy chasing a fly. He caught it. And you know the rest. Blech.

I'm off this morning to my moms group at church. This morning I'm up to share my testimony. Yay! Happy Monday.

This evening, I'll draw a winner for my GIVEAWAY. It's not too late to enter!

16 comments:

Janna Widdifield said...

Sounds like an awesome weekend. We had a pretty full one too with my parents here, but I'm not sure I'm going to find time to post...

Kelly said...

The weekend sounds wonderful. That trail is beautiful. I wish we had a whole foods - I would love it if we did! and your family is TOO cute!

Kelly said...

The weekend sounds wonderful. That trail is beautiful. I wish we had a whole foods - I would love it if we did! and your family is TOO cute!

Deidre said...

I, sadly, can sing all the songs already to Camp Rock because that is ALL E has been doing - SINGING! She had a little slumber party (with cousins) on Friday night to watch it. It's now the new obsession.

I love the pictures! What gorgeous scenery you get to look at, Meredith - seriously, it's breathtaking!

Regular, with half and half and raw sugar said...

Mer - we LOVED to go to Cheyenne Canyon! We had this special rock by the stream that we would picnic at all the time. That trail made me miss CO so much!!! Thanks for sharing the pics!

Teri H said...

Yes! I do love Whole Foods! But I don't like their prices... my oldest son's girlfriend works at the one by our house. If you have a Sunflower Farmer's Market near, check them out! I LOVE that store! And their prices are competitive with the regular old grocery store chains!

Beautiful area where you hiked!!! Sounds like a great family weekend!

Unknown said...

Wow. You sure don't see that IA. So jealous!

JenB said...

What beauty you live in! Great pics. (and loved the flip-flop pics on the other post!) Here I'm letting my kids eat ice cream for dinner and you're taking yours hiking.

Kecia said...

Love your beautiful pictures! And your weekend sounds so nice.

Gretchen said...

We have a WFM about 15 miles from here? It's really that good, huh? Okay...maybe a summer excursion for us. :) I love me some TJs, and if CO never gives up the blue laws about selling cars and booze on Sunday, chances are, you won't get a TJs. I heard that over 50% of their sales was wine and beer--makes sense, because, like the food, it's really well priced. And if you want to know why I know this--I asked! I was bummed that I could never find one in Ft. Collins, Denver, Bldr, or Castle Rock. :)

xxxooogretchen

Heather said...

What a precious family and fun weekend! And those pics of the hike are amazing! Makes me want to move there!
Love ya!

Unknown said...

I'm with you on the Monday Blues! It's always so hard to go back to work after a great weekend!

The pictures of your hike are amazing. So green an beautiful.

Speaking of beautiful! I love the new profile pic!

Girl Raised in the South said...

Meredith, I somehow completely missed your giveaway, my loss. Such a nice one, and I truly cant believe you'd like to run into a bear. We have, three times, and it was the scariest thing ever. I seriously pray against it every time we go hiking. You're obviously much braver than me!

His Girl said...

One more reason for a 7000 feet trip for the HisGirl family! Jack the Beagle needs to teach Sydney the beagle how to catch flies!!!

great pics! looks like a great time!

Jackie said...

Amazing pictures!!

Jenn said...

I love all the outdoor activities your family does - what gorgeous views!

I really enjoy Whole Foods too! I enjoy looking around at everything (especially the cheese and fruit) b/c the prices are a little steep to do all my shopping there. Love the foods they make that are ready to take home for dinner.

Not a mall girl anymore - would much rather order on line. Is it the stage I am in (little kids) or am I just getting old? :o)

Camp Rock was on at my house again tonight. My boys really like it - they think Shane is "cool".

Great job on the no sugar! Hope the testimony went well.