Flower Power

I don't know why or who got me interested in perennials, but for some reason I love them!! I want my yard to be this big beautiful green place where the only word to describe it would be "lush", but unfortunately we do not live in a rain filled climate and we do not own a well. So, I am doing my best to grow my flowers as best as I can. Last year I ordered one of my flower gardens thru a mail order company, and the other garden I purchased at Home Depot. I am fairly pleased with both this year. Here is a pic of the mail order garden...

Shasta Daisy....

Red Coral Bells....one of my new favorites....

Something purple that has seeded itself.....anyone know what it is????

Day Lily....

Pink Cone Flower....

This second garden is on the side of my house.....

Columbine.....

Russian Sage...

Stella De Oro Lilly....

Salvia......

I have some other little finds in my yeard that I especially like.Tiny bird bath that sits at my front stairs.......

Rose Archway to the back yard....

Mailboxes surrounded by a sad little clamatis, some day lillies and some cosmos that haven't flowered yet...

Bird bath in the back yard that my father in law made....don't you just love it!!

Flower boxes in my back yard that my husband made me....love them!!

My back yard....

Kids play area....

And now for the bigger picture.....this is a view from the front walk.....not so lovely huh!! We are in the process of putting in a sprinkler system and seeding the front yard. As for now, the kids are loving playing in the dirt!

Fun on the Fourth

***Happy Fourth of July***

We made the 3 hour trek over the mountain to celebrate the festivities in Gunnison. Yet again fun times were had!! 23 or so of Matthew's family participated in the fun and we had a great time together. There were many fun events going on. The hot air balloons flew the morning of the fourth. We were up early enough to go down and watch them set sail....very cool. Matthew and I had the chance to ride in one when we were dating. I highly recommend it! if you ever get the chance!

Parker, Spence and Madison

One landed right in the middle of main street...

There were festivities in the park all day long, so that is where we were most of the day. Matthew cousins Mitchell and Mason have a band called Half Aspen and they were one of 4 bands that played until the fireworks started that night.....

Parker trying to skateboard......

Still in love.......well usually........

Matthew, my wildflowers, inlaws, Kirsten and her wildflowers....

My little family...

Olivia and Elizabeth...

They had bike decorating for the kids and then the police escorted them down the main street in a parade all the way to the park....lots of fun!!

Kirsten and Spencer....

My wildflowers and their decorated trikes.....

Madeline.......

Fun at the park....

Madison and Daddy dancing the evening away...

Greg and Cindy....

Madison and an unnamed girl who she palled around with.....

The gang just chillin.....

The wildflowers and daddy.......

Gotta love that cotton candy.....

Kirsten and Robin in the festive spirit...

Matt saluting the flag....just thought that this was a cool picture...

Enjoying the fireworks.......

On Saturday night we went to my family's cabin and celebrated with my Aunt Donna and Uncle John and my parents.....

Grammy Patty and Papo Larry with the wildflowers....

We had a great time with everyone and we were reminded once again how lucky we are to have such a close family that actually enjoys one another!! : )

June- The Month of Many Firsts

It seems like this month we have a lot of firsts in our household...meaning the first time these things have taken place:

*We were gone for 2 nights and 3 days from our wildflowers.

*The wildflowers spent the night at Grammy Patty and Papo Larry's house.

*Parker slept in his crib converted into a big boy bed.

*Parker fell/rolled out of his big boy bed at 1:30 in the morning.

*Parker peddeled his trike

*Madison peddeled her trike

*Parker said the word "helocopter"

*Parker pulled a dresser over on himself....yes I about fainted when I seen this big dresser with my tiny little guy trapped under it!! He was ok, just freaked out.
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Faces only a mother could love......(after a long day of playing in the dirt)

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Last week I served Mexican Stuffed Shells for supper. It was a hit!! Even the wildflowers ate them!! So here is the recipe in the hopes that your wildflowers will like them as well!! Enjoy

15 uncooked jumbo pasta shells(I ended up using more than this)

1 pound lean ground turkey/hamburger

1 can enchilada sauce

½ tsp dried minced onion( I did not have any)

¼ tsp dried basil

¼ tsp dried oregano(I did not have any)

¼ tsp ground cumin

½ cup fat-free refried beans

1 cup shredded Cheddar

Cook pasta; drain. In a nonstick skillet, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in enchilada sauce and seasonings; set aside. Place a rounded teaspoonful of refried beans in each pasta shell; then fill with turkey mixture. Place in an 11x7 inch baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and bake 350 for 25 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Makes 5 servings

I serve them with spanish rice, sour cream and salsa.