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mondays.

August 20, 2012

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annie – 2nd grade talby – 5th grade

sean – 6th grade scott – freshman

dorks.
i didn’t see that the boys were not smiling….
oh well.
memories.

school is in full day swing already and i am enjoying the quiet days.
i can say that because then i love when they come home so much more than when there is no break for months.

lauren’s first day was on a day with two-a-day volleyball practices so she left on her first day before 6 AM.
that is why she is not pictured. 🙂

ok…
now i want you to click over to read about the CRAFT WEEKEND that we had two weeks ago.
it was another amazing time.
God is so good.

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Amber - You know what’s so crazy about blog land? I was looking at these pics and thought to myself ” huh, i remember when Annie was starting preschool” its just so neat to have memories about someone elses children. Even though the majority of us will never meet, its like we Know each other:-) thanks for sharing your fantastic kids!

Sandy - *Sean not Shawn. Ooops! Sorry

Sandy - Beautiful cildren. I CAN’T believe Annie is in 2nd grade already! Seriously?! Also, shocked at how much taller Shawn is than Talby and only being one year apart. Scott and Shawn don’t look too happy about school starting. Here’s to your whole family having a great year!

elisa - The last picture cracked me up. So familiar!!

kerry - we’ve got 2 weeks left – lord give me strength! 🙂
Have a great year Duerksen kids – my kids are so jealous you don’t have to wear uniform! xx

Mary - what a beeeeauuutiful family you have!
blessed, indeed!
xoxo

happygirl - You have the best looking family, EVER!!!

Angie - Shew, how lucky you are to have them all in school. I’ve got another 4 years or so before that happens!
You have beautiful kids 🙂

jackie grandy - I am so laughing at the photo of all the kids especially the boys. They look so thrilled to be having their photo taken, not!
My kids start Wednesday. Where did the summer go?

tinycandi - My daughters start second and fifth grade tomorrow! 🙂

the whyte house - my friend’s second grader asked my kindergarten son, “how was your last day of freedom?” LOL. i am woo & hoo’ing everyday at drop off. haha. love school.

Alicia @ La Famille - they’re all getting so BIG!! happy first day to YOU!

Leah - Great pictures. Is Lauren a senior or in college?

Lori Austin - We have a few more days of summer before our first day. Sigh….
We also have a dress code at our school so no super cute bicycle dresses.
Bummer!!

Chrissie Grace - I’m laughing at the boys. They look thrilled! haha As thrilled as my 7th grader did on his first day 😉

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last day of summer F U N!!!

August 17, 2012

i was really ready for school to start but feeling like this summer was missing some FUN.
you know…REAL fun.
i felt tired and busy all summer.
and a bit checked out.
at the store i got the last minute school supplies i had forgotten before and as i grabbed the shaving cream that was on my grocery list…i had the idea.

shaving cream fight.
it's been two years.
we needed to bring it back.

after dinner that night i called them out for a surprise.
i was nervous they were going to think they were too old for it.

clearly they were not too old for this awesomeness.
well, scott was…but you could tell he really wanted to come out.
isn't it a bummer to get older and put all these "rules" on yourself?
because are you really ever too old to be in a shaving cream fight?
the answer is no.

i keep a few wet rags nearby for when someone gets it on their eye or mouth.
there were no tears this year or fighting.
YAY!!!

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the yard smelled amazing.

waffle really wanted to come out and play.

she did throw it at me.
it wiped off my camera.
and i had it all over my shirt….but that is no biggie.

best picture ever!!!

i sent them to the trampoline which was like i told them to get a third scoop of ice cream!
they were so happy.

THEN i turned on the sprinkler under the trampoline and they cleaned most of the shaving cream off of them.
they eventually went in one at a time and showered while i sprayed down the deck.

it was the pefect last night of summer activity.
they said so many times how fun it was and how awesome all that shaving cream felt.

smile.

at least we ended on a good note.

goodbye summer.
you were too hot and kind of sucky…..autumn i expect more from you!

my advice today:

GO BUY TEN CANS OF BARBASOL AND TELL YOU KIDS TO GO NUTS!

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craft weekend post is coming on monday!
did you think i forgot?
no way…. those posts just always have so much goodness they take a long time to write. :)

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Lisa - Oh cool! We JUST did the SAME thing. I want to show you our shaving cream fun I just posted. 🙂 It’s here: http://www.mooreminutes.com/2012/08/juicy-sno-cones-and-shaving-cream-fights.html Ummm…yes, I’m being “that girl” who puts links to my site in your comments lol… 😉
I’ve been loving your “in the moment” photos and am happy I found your blog! Have a super weekend.

Kristen - LOVE this idea. We did it our last day of senior year in high school and I forgot how fun it was. My kids would love this!

playmobil - I can see that you kids really enjoy that activity and the bonding. I think they will love to do it always.

Jennifer - I always love your shaving cream posts with the kids. Really cute!

kristen - you are such a cool mom!

joyce - That looks like sooooo much fun!! WIll have to try it with the kids

Rebecca W - so fun!

Donna R - My daughter LOVED these pics! What a great way to end the summer.
Anxiously awaiting the craft weekend post! 🙂

Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - Looks like a perfect end! Our summer has been hot and sucky too….just waiting for it to end so we can all start over. Still two weeks here till the kids go back to school. May have to give the shaving cream a whirl too : )

happygirl - LOVE THIS. Why did I never think of this when my son was small. This looks like a blast. Thanks for sharing. My grandchildren (God willing) will have a shaving cream party.

Carolyn - How awesome! I was looking for some fun last-day-of-summer activity, and I think this is it! My kids will NOT expect it at all. 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration! Oh- and I loved seeing and hearing all about your trip to Colorado. My husband and I lived in Colorado Springs from 2001-2005 and although I’m glad to be back in Pennsylvania, seeing those pics made me miss Colorado! It is a beautiful state!

Su@TheIntentionalHome - I remember organizing a shaving cream fight for our church retreat one year. We were a small church. . it was received well by some but others had thosse “rules” for themselves.
Here’s our tip. . before the fight. . stick a straight pin in the nozzle of the shaving cream can and then put a lighter to the nozzle so that the nozzle melts and the opening is only a little pin hole now. . that way the shaving cream will shoot really really far.
You are a fun mom. I want to add more fun to my motherness. I am going to steal your idea. . and surprise the kids with this next week. We do not start school til the 27th. . I am so ready.

Joy Foster - Hey Meg! ( said with cool calmness..even though you are like a celebrity/BFF to me all wrapped up into one beautiful gal) WE love shaving cream in our house! My children have autism and this is a favorite sensory activity!! Loved seeing that a favorite activity of ours is one that you chose as the coolest last day of summer activity for your sweet kids!! Thanks for loving on the rest of us by being the Mom God created you to be!
fyi..my husband will often say..Who are you reading/talking about..and i will say.. “Oh, my friend MEG in Kansas” ( said without the stalky~mc~stalkster effect ) :/
ps..i loved seeing your pups in the background of the pictures..Waffle was so funny..and the neighbor’s doggie looked suspicious…wink wink.
With a Joyful heart!
Joy

Jenn B - That’s awesome! How fun!

Michelle Whitlow - I am TOTALLY going to do this!!! How fun!!!

Shannon - You’re such a fun mom!

peta - love this! might add to our summer (Christmas) holidays activity list.
Love Talby’s suit. Can I ask where it is from?

Jennifer W - I could smell the shaving cream while I read this! Where is the outdoor movie blog? I thought for sure that would be your end of summer activity!

Debby - You should make it a Dream Whip or Cool Whip fight. Now, THAT would be awesome – and tasty too!!

elizabeth - Yes I am doing this too. I feel like I didn’t do enough fun things with my kids,but this is going on the to do list for sure!

Ani G W - Ever since I saw this on your blog, we do it every summer. I think this was our third year. My 9 year old and my 4 year old beg me to do it now… My 2 year old LOVED it this year too and cried when all of the shaving cream was gone. Thank you for this idea. It is a tradition now, thanks to you, and one we LOVE!

Angie - My kids would love this although I might use Cool Whip as an alternative to shaving cream. I have a 2 year old and I can see that being an “in your eyes” kind of disaster. Love the pictures. Your right, your never too old for a shaving cream fight 🙂

seriously sassy mama - I think I know what I am doing with the girls the day before shcool. it is perfect that I took the day off!

W - Can remember your post about the shaving cream party two years ago. What a great thing to do before summer ends!

Heather - I have to do this with my kids! Thanks!

Tracey - We do the shaving cream fight too! We haven’t had it yet this year. Last year I got the idea to have them wear their pool goggles during the event so that there was no tears over cream in the eyes. I think their fave part might be the hose down at the end! 🙂

DLG in Mich - That’s an awesome idea! Totally stealing this. Thanks!

Nicole - Sean is seriously the cutest kid ever!! He looks like such a kind person.

Jill - One word! LOVE!

ira lee - we did a shaving cream fight at my daughters 14th birthday party. it was amazing!!!!! so much fun!

Alicia @ La Famille - you are the funnest mom. ever. the end.

Jessica - I need to do this. Looks like a good time!
btw… I found a KU tshirt at a thrift store (in New Jersey) and bought it for my son. He loves it!

Lee Ann - I think we just may have to do this! And after all of these years reading your blog, (our girls are nearly the same age) I still laugh that the girls have so many of the same clothes. Anna has the same swim suit. Always brings a smile to my face.

Kristin - Hmmmmmmm to somehow talk my husband into allowing this to happen. It would be so good for HIM!
What a blast 🙂

angela - Love this. They will remember this for a long time! (We made the mistake and got menthol one time…burned their eyes like crazy!!) Love all the pics! What a fun night!!!!!

Carey - Love it! We had a shaving cream day in toddler time at the library this summer during the reading program. Not quite like this though! At first, my 2 year old wouldn’t even touch it but once my 4 yr old son taught her to put it on herself, well, they were both covered!! So much fun. Thanks for reminding me of this fun idea!!

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window shopping

August 16, 2012

i had some time to myself last Saturday while Craig took the kids to Worlds of Fun.
i think i am the one who had the fun.
i only spent money at the Gap outlet…everything else i enjoyed with my eyes.

francesca's and pottery barn.

sur la table and anthropologie.

pottery barn had the world's biggest lamp !

my mom and sister joined me later and we celebrated my mom's birthday with an amazingly yummy dinner outside on a second story patio…it was so nice.
we talked till it was dark.
had birthday desserts and laughed a lot.
i needed that night….thank you to everyone who made it happen. 🙂

the next morning we visited my
grandmothers.
they are both living in the same assisted living facility.
Sean wore his new hat he won at Worlds of Fun.
it was my favorite.

where is your favorite store to window shop?

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winner of the Kaboo Purse….

Lindi said…

Love the yellow Tina! Such a fun, happy colour and perfect styling. 🙂

Reply August 07, 2012 at 08:31 PM

send me your mailing address Lindi!!!!

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Wendy - I agree, love those shoes! where? where? 🙂

Barbara - I am always window shopping love the same stores you went to, Sur La Table is my all time favotite your Grandmas are so adorable.

Lindi - What a perfect day. 🙂 I, too, love those sandals. I hope you bought 2 pairs for when the first ones wear out!
So excited to hear I won the bag. Jumping up and down. lol
I’ve already sent you my snail mail addy.

cindy - I’m patiently waiting for a Craft weekend post 🙂
looks like a PERFECT day!

Lennie Jackson - Looks like fun!!! I live in St. Joseph, we are 50 miles north of Kansas City so we are frequent flyers at Worlds of Fun. Are you going to post on Craft Weekend? I can’t wait to see your new projects and what you and Lisa crafter up!!!

Charlene - Always love browsing your pictures…but more then that I LOVE your hair!! Have a hair appt today and if I was brave enough I would chop my past the shoulders locks and try a style similar to yours. Sorry for the random comment, but I am always admiring your hairstyles 😉

rachel - looks like you had a lovely time! 🙂 isn’t it so awesome when you can go somewhere all.by.yourself?! 🙂 btw…used to go to worlds of fun when i was younger…good times. 🙂

Kristin S - Ack, those turquoise sandals!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very fun day-summary.

Nickie - You might appreciate this episode of This American Life:
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/443/amusement-park
Ira Glass goes to Worlds of Fun 🙂

Erin - Looks like a perfect day to me 🙂
Love those turquoise shoes! Where are they from!

ko. s - I love to window shop! Pottery Barn and a local store called Styers are my two favs! Love the picture of all the coffee mugs! Yes please!

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last day of colorado.

August 15, 2012

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more playtime in the streams.

adventurers.

brave explorers.

and after that….WET.
oops.
we got dry clothes on and headed on towards home.

a m a z i n g.

and the very last thing as we headed home…. RAM crossing!

pretty cool.
up higher on the ledge was the rest of its family.
yay colorado….thanks so much for the memories!!!

OK…. here is where i speak from the heart……………………………………………………………………….

colorado was beautiful and i loved being there together.
even when it's not perfect in my famly…or there is fighting or yelling or things not going as planned.

i can be honest and say that vacations are sometimes overrated.
we put pressure on everything to go just right….fun fun fun…..smiles all around.
and you know what…

it doesn't always go that way.

and that's o-k.

no family is perfect.
and neither are we……not even remotely close.
my kids fight.
with each other and with me.
it can get really tiresome.
it exhausts me greatly.

but i love them deeply.

i say this because it would make me sad if looking through these pictures of our trip someone would say "i wish my family was happy like that" or "they always look like they are having so much fun"
and did not think about the reality.
the reality is that we are normal…sometimes happy, sometimes grumpy, sometimes hyper, sometimes loud, sometimes kind and sometimes mean.
you never know with five kids what will happen in the next minute let alone a 9 hour drive.

i am guessing you can relate to that.

i hope.

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Jan Eitzen - Oh, my gosh! Thank you for posting those beautiful pictures of Colorado. We used to go almost every year, but now it’s been way too long. I’m missing it so badly my heart aches. — I always told my kids, “You just wait!” And that phrase has stuck and been a joke for a long time, altho’ I haven’t heard it lately because the waiting is over. Dean and Amy have four beautiful children and I’d forgotten what it was like. When you’re kids start having your grandkids you’ll remember all over again what it was like, but it will be much more funny, cute, and enjoyable the second time ’round. But now, as you can tell from comments here you’re not alone altho’ it feels like it sometimes. Most of the stories in the Old Testament deal with difficult children–even King David was disobedient to God. Another one of my favorite sayings: “This too shall pass.” (I try not to overuse it, but Amy usually knows when it’s coming) 🙂

julia - I meant “bit”

julia - Thanks for that last big Meg – lately I’ve been thinking, why am I looking at this, when I’m on instagram. Everything looks so perfect. I know things aren’t but it’s so easy to pretend when a picture just shows a tiny little bit of life. anyway, I was thinking also when I saw that lake…I bet there aren’t any alligators in there to worry about. Deep thoughts.

Michelle From Australia - Being Australian, we have a 14 hour flight to get to LA. And another 5+ hours AND a layover or two if we want to go to the East Coast of the USA. Which means by the time we get anywhere, good behaviour has just about disappeared 🙁 But fingers crossed come November magic will happen and we will bounce off our flight at LA looking happy. It won’t happen but a girl can dream can’t she??

christine ishmael - My parents took us to Hawaii for a MONTH, a whole month when I was 13 and I was such a jerk the WHOLE time! My older sister likes to remind me of what a jerk I was…I still feel bad for my selfish behavior…we do our best to make things so picture perfect and I’m sorry, kids are moody lil suckers!

karen gerstenberger - We just came home from vacation, and yes, I can relate to that. Bless you for keeping it real.
I have started a new blog, in case you want to visit:
http://www.abundantlivingaftercatastrophe.wordpress.com
Hugs from Karen (Gberger)

ira lee - you are exactly right about that! and i deeply appreciate your honesty. it is hard to have patience and grace when your kids are fighting about something- again. or. they. just. won’t. listen.!!! i am learning to be more patient, kind, and understanding yet persistant and fair with punishments and -ahem- yelling! lol wish i could keep my cool, but after the hundreth fight and its over sharing the stupid ketchup i can totally loose it!! thanks for reminding us that this is life, and we must always strive to be better mommas!!! and i love the pics, wish i was there right now!!

Prairie Jenn - Colorado is so beautiful! I could live there if I just didn’t love the wide open space here so much:)
Love your honesty! Families aren’t perfect…vacations aren’t perfect, but sometimes the photos make it look that way.
Yay for keeping it real:)

Su@TheIntentionalHome - Oh yes. . totally can relate. I wrote a blog post called “Are Family Vacations Worth It?” and I read it before every trip we take to remind me, give me perspective. . .if interested, here is the link: http://www.susoutter.com/2012/02/are-family-vacations-worth-it.html
We share similiar heartbeats. . I can relate.
Your pics make me want to take our family to Colorado next. We were there for our honeymoon 20 years ago (backpacked 6 weeks out west) and I so want to take the kids. And that first pic. . are those colors for real? WOW!! Just amazing!!

happygirl - Gorgeous pics and a RAM. I had to climb a mountain to see one of those. You were so blessed. Thanks for the disclaimer on the fam and your normalcy. 🙂 I kinda thought you may be a normal family, but I appreciate the confirmation.

Christy - The pictures are beautiful and it looks like you had a lot of fun. I love the one of Annie that looks like she is in the Karate Kid pose! And the ones of Talby helping Annie. So sweet!

Kat - *Nods* oh yes I can relate!
with four kids there is bound to be someone in a bad/grumpy/sad/difficult mood on any given day.
You just have to roll with it huh?
Thanks for sharing the reality of every day life, even on holidays!
I also find it exhausts me greatly, but like you I love my kids deeply.

jenrobburton - Beautiful pics, and thanks for your honesty! It can be hard to remember that blogs, Facebook, Instagram, etc. are often only showing the good moments and that everyone has bad days, troubled times and things that don’t live up to their expectations.
Great quote I’ve seen floating around … “The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.”
Glad you had a great, if not perfect, trip!

meaghan - HI! so fun to see you in MY state lol 🙂 glad ya’ll had a good time! it’s so gorgeous huh? sigh. i’ve oddly spent summer with my fam in texas. hmmm… hooottttt

Shannon - Beautiful pictures once again! So nice to hear now and then about the reality of family. I already know quite well how family vacations go and I only have 2 young ones so I could only imagine the chaos with 5 growing kids who all have their own personalities.

Elizabeth - I can totally relate! Thanks for such a honest and authentic post.

Jody - Man, I must admit I am tiring of blogs that show us the constant trips they go on, the cute cute homes they have or their outfits for the day – so it is refreshing to read you reminding your readers it’s not all perfect or smiley as the photos lead us to believe. And that there is more to life than showcasing our happiest selves ALL THE TIME – that does not bring any of us any closer…
Thank you!
(I sound like such a cranky pants in this note, Im sorry meg!!)

Michelle B - I love your vacation pictures. Colorado is awesome! We just got back from the Wisconsin Dells – drove there from Northwest Iowa, so a fairly long haul. With three young kids along (almost 8, 6 and 2). And your last comment on this post reminded me of what I wrote on my blog just the other day about our vacation pictures…”And I might have been tired and cranky myself and lost patience with both boys…yup, we are like a real life family and do things like that.” I guess I was feeling like I was showing to much “perfect”. I too get comments from people thinking we are “perfect”. Actually I worry that if people hung out with us in real life – well they might be let down. I try to keep it real on the blog – but I also don’t like to vent or complain about my husband or my kids on the internet. I always figure I have friends and family to vent too if I really need to. My blog is for happy stuff – however people got to know – we are human and a family it isn’t always pretty. So I appreciate you saying what you did in this post. Because I feel you – all so well 🙂

Shar - Expectations, the curse! We all have them and likely as not there will be a glitch. But, that’s okay, we just keep coming back for more. Love your photos and the fact you do keep it real, as mentioned! So, thanks!!

Clementsclan - Ha ha ha, don’t know if you read these comments Meg, but well done you! I could have cried. We haven’t had a stress free family vacation since the kids were little! It seems so much work, for so little reward. But yet we keep on doing it. So it can’t be that bad. Luckily we have short and selective memories! Love the pics, keep ’em coming. Thanks for keeping it real!

jeri - Glad you enjoyed our fine state! I get that you’re a Kansas-girl and not a mountains-girl, but there’s no place I’d rather be than in some sort of mountains.
I agree that vacations are over-rated. I love to travel but not with kids. There is nothing worse than being on a beautiful God-inspiring mountain and have your kids being mean and hateful towards each other. Almost makes me want to throw them off the mountain…aw, not really. Our recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains was probably the least “painful” trip we have had in a long time.

shiela - just lLllllloooOoovVveEeee the nature n all…gorgeous!

arlene - Loved your post and all of the wonderful pictures. Colorado is beautiful. We have taken many family vacations there through the last 40 plus years…all 1200 mile roadtrips…one way, that is. Would not trade those memories for anything.

jackie grandy - Gorgeous pics Meg. I love the mountains of Colorado. I feel the same way about vacations, especially when you visit family. We’re on vacation now visiting my husband’s family in MN and its great, but trying to coordinate activities that everyone likes is challenging. We have 9 cousins and 4 families to coordinate. It’s almost too much family togetherness. I sometimes feel like my kids are happier at home hanging with their friends and chilling out rather than running around trying to fit everything into a week. To me a vacation is hanging on a beach, sleeping in, being lazy and eating amazing food with family and friends. I want to come home from vacation relaxed and ready for life not get home fatigued and stressed because our trip wore me out. Today I said no to the crazy and packed water park and yes to catching up on my blog posts with an iced tea on the back deck.

Donna R - It’s so easy to look at pictures on a blog and get lost in how perfect someone else’s life is. Thanks for keeping it real! Love that about your posts.

Paula S. - Yes! What is that saying again about don’t compare your blooper reel with other people’s highlight reel? Anywhere there are people there will be problems, but many blessings too!

Lennie - Beautiful pics! So glad u are real and relatable!

Toni :O) - I totally can relate and that’s the reason I love your blog like so many others…your honesty and realness…we all get it. I go through life daily wondering if I’m a good enough mom, a good enough wife and a good enough employee. I look at SO many of my shortcomings but then have to realize I’m doing the best job I can do and I know how to do. When it comes to vacations, man it can totally be exhausting vs. relaxing when taking kids along. I always try to keep in mind I’m creating memories and just go with the flow. Someday though, I look forward to those vacations with just my hubby sitting on the beach somewhere enjoying a good book and listening to the water…that’s it, NO OTHER EXPECTATIONS! Cheers!

Sunny Haynes - Oh vacations! Can you really call them that with kids?! The memories are wonderful and you do things that you don’t do in your normal, everyday life but work, stress and breakdowns seem to increase! We are headed on vacation next month but we are going with 2 kids and 4 adults…maybe the extra set of adults will help with the chaos!

Angela - Girl….if I could record the bickering on vacation, no one would read my blog. The end.

Heather - God, I love you Meg. I am having a bit of a down time right now in my life. Nothing big, just on the down swing rather than the up swing, you know. Bit of strife in the marriage, bit of doubt of whether or not I should have ever become a mom, in a rut with where I’m going. And it can be daunting to read blogs and see how much better others are doing things.
We do need to constantly remind ourselves that what we read on blogs, and Facebook, is a polished version. Nothing wrong with that. Just needs to be remembered or your own life starts to feel like a turd amongst diamonds. 😉

Maureen S. - Love out west so much. Great pics as well. We had our vacation this summer at a cottage in WI and had friends and family up as well. Mid week I was feeling very babyish and put out that no one was helping very much. All i was doing was cooking, cleaning and hanging up wet towels. Thought of our house 3 hours away that was all quiet and clean and thought I would like to drive right home and be by myself, now that would be a vacation. I went out on the screen porch where my husband was reading with a glass of wine, completely oblivious to my martyrish state of mind and vented. Felt much better after he promised that he and the teenagers would help more, and laughed about how I would never have lived it down, if I had left them on vacation in a huff. Most of the time, moms just have to rise above it and adjust our attitudes to have a good time!!

Red - This is so, so true! And this is why I keep coming back to your blog. Thanks for sharing that.
And. Just this thought. Recording the happy moments is part of the reason why I blog! I tend to remember the yelling and the grumpy moments and the negative. When I blog I do package it all a bit more positively (because I don’t like to barf the downer stuff all over the interwebs). And I have noticed that it subtly changes the way I remember our lives for the better! I have more positive, happier memories because of the way I write about my life on my little blog for my friends and family to read. And I think that’s a nice side effect of blogging!

stephany - My parents live near Mt. Evans!
We just returned from a road trip to Idaho with our family.
So true what you say…it’s not always as perfect as the pictures.
It’s all part of being a family.
You’re a good mom…and inspiration.

J.B. - When people marvel about how well my kids get along because they see so many photos of the twins in harmony together – I tell them, “If you have noticed, I do not shoot videos.” tee hee
Thank you for reminding us that the ideal we have in our heads is not real life nor is it developmentally appropriate! I shall embrace the chaos and let my selective memory keep our past vacations serene!

Molly - I really like reading your blog Meg. I discovered it through Crystal’s blog, and her blog through her Etsy shop! I like reading your blog because you do keep it very real. I like that. I am an adoptive mom to one special needs girl with ADHD and her older sister who is ADD. Sometimes you want to see the pictures and see what fun the blog writer is up to, but you also like to know that they have issues, fights,etc. within their family and that sometimes it’s hard, but that you love your children deeply. And you keep it real, but fun. I love your craft ideas (my girls love to craft, I really need to make more time for it, and your Sonic happy hours. 🙂 Glad you had a good vacation. I have been to Durango and Silverton CO once. I loved CO.

jacqui anderson - meg, this is why i love reading your blog because you keep it so real. i would totally have seen those photos and thought wow wish our family vacation was cruisy like that!! thanks again for being honest with us xx

ginger - Thank you for your honesty!!!!! Everytime my family goes on vacay with my husband’s family (cousins, etc.) I always set myself up for disappointment!! We are all flawed people and I only wish our vacations could be as great in real life as in my mind. =P

Lindsey - That is why I love you, Meg! You keep it real for the rest for us!

colleen - love this post…and appreciate the honesty… what a neat vacation as I complain about packing for mine which begins Friday… Thx for this post!

allison - Its true, because I can hardly look at the pictures, because they do make me feel that way. I try not to, but I do. Why are we not that happy, content, etc..It is hard.

sarah - Ugh, I’m missing Colorado so much now. Your pictures are great. I grew up there, but am now firmly planted (yet trying not blow away in all the dust storms) in Arizona.
I miss the green, and the trees and the streams, and the sky. I’m so glad you got to spend time with your family, no matter what moods they are in.

jen smith - it’s so easy to compare our lives to other bloggers. when we go on vacation i always wonder why my kids aren’t perfect like every one else’s and then reality hits and i realize that all families struggle with the same things. every other blogger’s struggles mirror my own. as i look at my own blog and our last extended family vacation no one would know that i wanted to shake my BIL and SIL and tell them to discipline their kids, no one would know that we were frustrated that all of our plans didn’t go as planned, or that that many people trying to make a decision on where to eat could be so complicated. they only see the good and that’s why blogs are so great. they help us to remember the good things and not all the other unimportant details. and as my kids grow up and read this blog sometime down the road that’s what i want them to remember too.

Heather - Yes, vacations can be stressful. The best part about taking pictures is that later on, you can look at them and remember the experience of the place and all the fighting and grumpiness that was going on at the time seems to fade away from memory.

Kirsten J - Can sooo relate to that – it wouldn’t be a trip if I didn’t end up crying in a corner somewhere – I’ve even been known to cry in Downtown Disney and threaten to hop a plane home. Yeah, a little dramatic. But the good outweighs the grumpiness. And we never take pictures of those grumpy times so we mostly remember the happy times 🙂

Taryn - Hey Girl! Just couldn’t help but comment…we loved being with you guys during your time here! We loved seeing your family and love each personality you have “under your wings.” I’m so proud of all your processing and the way you love your family deeply! Can’t wait for the time when we can process together face to face again. Love you!

Dawn Gross - amen

Nicole Q. - Well said.

Amy K. - Some vacation I will take a picture every hour on the hour, no matter who is crabby or fighting, so we will remember it how it *really* was! As a bonus, taking pictures of screaming kids might shock them into NOT screaming. =)

Tiffany - You said, ‘it doesn’t always go that way’ …I’d like to add, it almost never goes that way (for us). But it makes for great pictures and good stories. My cousin once shared that with me, that she explained to her older son, don’t let all your memories with your sister be angry ones (due to fighting). And I thought those were good words to share. Happy Wednesday Mama Duerksen.

EmilyK - Have you read “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin? I’m at work right now and don’t have the text in front of me, but just started to read it last night and one of her points was to make every day count, not just the “special” days. And I think that is something that you actually do! I feel the same way about holidays. I love holidays and think they are important, but so is every other day! (My brother in law gets all upset when things don’t go perfectly on say Thanksgiving…) At any rate, I highly recommend “The Happiness Project.” I’m only into the 2nd chapter and it’s very good!
Thank you for your honesty!

Laine - This is why I love you and your blog. =) Thanks for writing this!

Ashlyn@Pinecone - I can relate for sure! My kids are great on long drives – but lets face it – we all get grumpy and tired. My girls (3 teens) and I took a all girls road trip to Northern MN this summer. It took about 22 hours to get to MN from NY – and we all had our moments. The photos however – make it look like we are happy all the time ; )
Your pics of Colorado are truly gorg! A ram? Crazy!! xo

brooke - unbeleivably beautiful pics. oh my. a trip to colorado is one place i hope to visit. your post was so real. thank you!

Lori Austin - More beautiful pics. Thanks for keeping it real.
Our family can barely make a 4 hour drive…ugh!

Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - Meg — Yes, yes, yes!!! Family vacations are what I call business trips because I’m still “working” and “on call” the whole time as their mom – never get a day off from that one and I wouldn’t trade that for the world. It is exhausting, we do get tired and cranky and we do bicker but we also have fun and laugh together too. The fun part of a trip somewhere new is the experience and memories we make — good and bad. It has helped me a lot to change my attitude about trips and road trips lately to view them as adventures and to EXPECT things to go wrong and to expect things to get ugly sometimes, it’s much easier that way when they do and will…much better than when I used to set off on a trip with my family and expect everything to be sunshine and rainbows the whole time. We also throw in plenty of sugar and junk food — it seems to help if I let the rules bend more on vacation and cut myself some slack. xoxo MaryLea

ingrid lapp - I loved the last part of your post. The thing is, when I look back at our vacation pictures, I forget that our 9 year old was a hot mess at supper e.v.e.r.y. night because he spent the entire day in the ocean. I look at those pics and remember how perfect it was to just be a family and be together. Glad you are honest and open, it’s the reason I love your sweet blog so much.

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colorado….gorgeous.

August 14, 2012

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on the same day that we took the long hike at the Colorado Trail we also took this hike.
very steep and high and making me think i may have a heart attack.
from being out of breath and from the heights at the top.
i think i was so tired from the hike that i couldn't worry too much about the cliff my family was climbing on!

IMG_5536-33
behind her? drop straight down to death.
but smile and don't think about it.
breathe.
deep deep breaths.
IMG_5527-32
i sure do love that kid.
he said over and over on this trip "I LOVE COLORADO!!"
and he meant it.

they were having so much fun jumping and climbing all around.

YAY!!!
here we ALL are in one shot.
rare happenings for the Duerksen family.

we spent awhile shooting around on the basketball court at the bottom of the trail.
(remember?…where i won the game of around the world….i don't want you to forget that)

this boy eats and breaths basketball.

"no smiling. don't do it! don't you dare!"
it works every time.

melts my heart right there!

even in hiking boots!

we enjoyed dinner on the deck watching the sun set into the mountain.
then played Whoonu.
it has to be the prettiest game we have ever played. :)

two deer came up on the driveway again during our game!
so cool.
colorado is awesome.

the next day we went white water rafting but i have NO pictures of it.
i was trying not to be nervous.
i wasn't nervous to do it…nervous to put my kids into it.

and like it has been before…it was nearly dull.
nothing scary.
no reason to be nervous about it.
and the kids thought it was pretty cool (and not dull) so that is the point right?

have you gone river rafting?
were you scared?
or was it like the lazy river at a water park like mine was?

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kim - I’ve never been to Colorado, but it looks beautiful! I just moved to Idaho a year ago, and I love it here! I’ve been white water rafting 5 times! 🙂 I love it. The run we take has class 3 and 4 rapids, an adventure for sure! I have never fallen out of the boat before, but my brother and his friend did (it wasn’t in a rapid, but on what they call “splat rock” where they bring the boat on top of a rock and slide back down) this last trip we took. He got stuck under the boat for what felt like forever but it was probably only 15 seconds. I was totally scared for him and he didnt even want to go on the trip. ha. But he laughed about it, and actually had a great time. Thanks for sharing your vacation pictures!

Sarah - Love the pics! Definitely great to see the whole fam! And Talby has a great jump shot! I hope she likes basketball because she might just be good at it! Rock Chalk!! ;D

Makila - The family shot took my breathe away. I love seeing an entire family in one shot. Love! Great pictures!

Mindy Harris - megan you are really hilarious! just hit my funny bone tonight. the pic of craig like the brawny paper towel guy, on the cliff, is precious. we have good Godly men, we do!
love all these pics. we honeymooned in colorado. have only been back ONCE (in 9 yrs) since. i miss it so!

Jeannette from Plant City - Colorado looks very similar to Jackson Hole, Wy…..we spent a week there this summer and it was beautiful!! Love the family pics, you are truly blessed. My husband and I went white water rafting down the Ocoee River in GA, same place they used for the summer Olympics in 2006 i think. It looked very scary and I was terrified at first but once we got going it was a lot of fun!!

Brenda - I can say also that i love Colorado. It is so beautiful!! My bro and sis-in-law live in Pagosa Springs. Every time we visit I always marvel at God’s creativity and power. How could anyone deny it? Looks like you had a great family time. You may have been out of breath from the elevation. I have suffered from that many times. Thanks for sharing your photos-it makes me want to get there soon.

Shannon R - Colorado is gorgeous. My MIL is originally from there are I’ve been once to visit. I hope to get back. I’ve been rafting only one time. My husband and I went when we visited my SIL when she was living in Uganda. So my first experience was rafting down the Nile River. Don’t worry it’s so rough crocodiles or hippos don’t live in that section. Crazy scary but very fun. Yes, I would do it again. I do have pictures of the last set of rapids. We had to take our boats out of the water and walk around them. Translated it’s called “The Bad Place.”

Lori H - The photos are beautiful, but the one of the straight drop down to death made me nauseous with worry! haha. You are braver than me.

emily - I went white water rafting with my husband and some friends in Costa Rica, the boat flipped four times in choppy brown water, it was the most terrifying experience of my life. It doesn’t help that I don’t really like the water either.

Jamie - whenever i see pictures of your family together i often remember when you shared your wedding photo at the altar and that you remember exactly what you were thinking at that moment. your prayer to god. he has been so good to your sweet family and he blessed your prayer that day. and you in turn have blessed so many people with your sweet spirit, your craftiness, and so much more. jesus shines through you!

Kristi - Love, love, love. I grew up going to my great aunt’s cabin in Colorado in the summers. That state will always have a special place in my heart.

Jennifer - I’ve never been white water rafting, but I bet it’s scary–especially the first time. Beautiful pics and it looks like you all enjoyed some wonderful family time.

amy jupin - i love the fam pic.
i love seeing more of lauren.
she’s gorgeous.
and craig’s dunk?
niiiice.

Alicia @ La Famille - looks like a fantastic trip! great way to end the summer.

julia - how about an airboat ride in the Everglades? Can be fun!

Janel - We have some amazing white water here in Colorado! Some of the most advanced rafting, class 5 which is expert only, are only 45 min outside of Denver. I have done class 4 and one 4.5 run. The last time i rafted the boat flipped once, but I was tossed out twice that particular day. The first time I fell out because we hit a rock just as our guide was explaining that the run up ahead is called the “terminator” and would be our first class 4 of the full day trip. He was explaining how we would maneuver thru etc when I fell out. We also had kayak riders to assist our boat because the river was treacherous, near end of season. I had to swim that run backwards head first. The water was running about 40 miles an hour and I could not turn myself around. The kayak dude stayed with me to the end of the run. I nearly died that morning. Scariest thing ever to happen. The end of the day the boat flipped, we all swam for our lives and I have never been again. Twice in one day and I wasn’t gonna push my luck.
But I am so glad I did love it once and I was good at it too. It is a rush for sure!
If I ever make it to craft weekend, I’ll tell you some more fun stories! Hint hint!

alyssa - My kids talk about our trip to colorado last year all the time. One of their favorites for sure. Ava said everyday we were there that when she gets older she will get married and move to CO…we’ll see. Such a good family bonding spot for sure.

Lisa M. - Beautiful pictures! So nice to see the one with all of you. It seems we don’t get to see the two oldest very often…so nice to see you all together in one picture! So glad you had a nice time…and yes, those cliffs looked VERY scary!!

happygirl - CO is so beautiful. When they were having the fires I just cried. Great pics. Your family is just… gorgeous. I’m a lazy river kinda girl, myself.

shauna - so great Meg!
what a fun trip!

Kristin S - So glad ya’ll loved Colorado!
Very fun to see your whole fam together too.
I love white water rafting but I also love tubing down a river. Chill. Fun. Relaxing.
You have one beautiful family, Meg.

Amy Griffin - You have a BEAUTIFUL Famliy

Stephanie - Gorgeous photos! So glad you had a wonderful family vacation!
We went white water rafting this summer, it was awesome! Level 2 & 3 rapids, lots of fun! You have to work hard through the rapids, great teamwork!

Jamie - Where is CO were you? I just moved to Denver and need some great places to explore! This one would top my list!

DanaD@BoysMyJoys - Looks like it was a great trip, and EVERYONE had fun! 🙂
Those are the BEST!
I know this is off the subject, but I have your BBQ Meatballs baking in the oven right now and that has me thinking… if you’re looking for some blogging inspiration, how about another Duerksen Family Recipe post!
My family always cleans their plates when I make your recipes! 🙂

Lisa - Ps- Colorado is very similar to here I live in the high desert of Oregon. Beautiful mountains, hikes, rivers etc. these pics made me remember how much I love where I live. Glad you had a great trip!

Lisa - 1. Love the family photo you got
2. Impressed with your husbands dunking skills
3. Loved river rafting (love anything to do with being on or in water) but was a little nervous the one part that had huge rapids

angela - Yes, I’ve been. And yes, I was scared. Lovin’ all your pics! So glad you got a family picture…rare for all of us!! Good times! Love it!

Sarah - I love Colorado too.
I went white water rafting there my senior year of highschool (the only and last time I’ve been) and I fell in. It was freezing, but not as bad as I thought it might be. 😉

the domestic fringe - Gorgeous photos! That one of you and your family is great. Glad you enjoyed Colorado. I’ve never been white water rafting. I’d really like to kayak. That’s my water goal.
~FringeGirl

Megan - We went while we were on our honeymoon (also in Colorado) and LOVED it! Super fun and not scary.

Melanie - Thanks for sharing!! Isn’t hiking the best thing to do as a family? Something about exercise, fresh air, and a common goal seems to get everybody in a good mood. . . at least for a while. Love seeing your pictures. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Heather R. - Great pics! We did go white water rafting on the Arkansas…so fun, and cold, and scary. I hope you guys enjoyed your break. 🙂

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well…..we’re back.

August 10, 2012

IMG_5353-1

we loaded up and left for colorado on monday.
i am not a mountain girl but i can definitely appreciate the glory of it.

it was so awesome to get a break from the HEAT that kansas has had.
i LOVED colorado's weather.

the home where we stayed had deer everyday that came by to eat.
never in my life have i been this close to a deer.
it was pretty amazing.
and he reminded us all of waffle. :)
they shared facial expressions.

we hiked around…this trail was not steep but a definite steady incline.
i was WAY behind my kids.
i couldn't begin to keep up with them.
except annie was with me…she and i were the same pace.

we had a sandwich break in a clearing.

a horse stopped by on his own hike.
oh my girls were thrilled to get to pet a horse!

isn't it crazy how beautiful it is?!
God really rocked it when making Colorado.
no holding back here.
it's gorgeous.

and this is the point in the hike where i told annie i would pay her a dollar to not cry or whine.
i really did.
and it really worked.
she had just thrown herself on the ground crying "I'M TIIIIIIIRRRED!!!! I WANT TO GO HOOOOOOME!"
and we didn't know what else to do.
so we bribed.
and then she and i held hands and played the alphabet game through the forest naming things we saw in alphabetical order to distract the both of us the rest of the hike.

when i made it to the car a good 10 minutes after my family…seriously…we went on down the road exploring.

we pulled off the road at an open spot to let the kids climb around on rocks.

who is that man child?

i was trying to get a shot of craig and i but someone moved in on his dad.
🙂

the current was pretty strong and moving quickly…but not deep.
i was keeping a close eye on everyone of them.
of course…several of them slipped and fell down.
oh well.
good thing they are washable.

i have always ALWAYS loved watching my kids play in water.
it is the best.
they lose themselves…they get silly…they fall in…they try stuff that is a little scary.
i was so happy for this 15 minute stop.

have you been to colorado?

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Becky Fouts - I think you were close to something , to my way of thinking, a little more exotic than deer, that’s an elk! your family is just beautiful, thanks for sharing so many awesome experiences with us.

Lori S. - I live here in Colorado, coming from Iowa. The weather here is outstanding! I’m glad you had a fun vacation here in our beautiful state!

April R - <3 Colorado
we spent last summer there unexpectedly and we fell in love with it
you are right on - God sure did a spectacular thing there :)
thanks for all the pictures, so cool that you're family made memories there
btw, my son's 12 and we call him "man-child" too - feels like I blinked and he turned into one!

Gram - I love your pictures of my beautiful state. I was born here and have never lived or wanted to live anywhere else.

Dani - I love Colorado! We went every summer when I was a kid. I will never forget the first time I saw the mountains! We rounded a curve and there they were…. BEAUTIFUL! I agree God showed out when he made Colorado! Being from flat ole Mississippi, makes me want to see mountains every year!!

Pam - I LOVE Colorado. We just moved our youngest daughter out there….to live life as she says. I would move there in a heartbeat if hubby’s job allowed. I grew up going on 5 week trips every summer and we almost always started each trip by going to Colorado. I love to go into the back country down around Crested Butte and Telluride. I felt for Annie. I remember many a hike when I was young that I just knew I was going to die…all day long we hiked…to get to a lake and then back to the car. But glory how gorgeous!

Joelle - thanks for bragging on my homestate! I’ve had the opportunity to travel the US and Canada, and have also lived on both coasts…California and Florida and I have to say Colorado tops it all! Beautiful scenery, great weather not to mention culturally diverse. My last stint was 8 years in Florida before I convinced my husband it was time to rally the wagons and head West! I am so glad to be back…

Lori Austin - Fantastic vacation pics. Just beautiful!

carolyndewey@cox.net - After California, Colorado is my favorite state. Never get tired of the beauty. We just had three days in Breckenridge. That’s a place you should visit! We were to be there five days but had to make an emergency trip to CA for the funeral of a very dear friend. Such a big loss here, but heaven’s gain. And yes, I agree, God really rocked it out when he made CO. No pun intended!!!

warhammer space marine - This family is an inspiration. Not all family is given a chance to explore together a beautiful place like this. This will be a memorable vacation for a whole family. If we are so tired from the noise and pollution from the city, this is the best place to be.

Georgia - Awww i love your family, your such an awesome mum 🙂 x

Heidi of Operation Organization - we lived in denver for 3 yrs. loved every ounce of it. would go back in an instant if there was opportunity – hubby completed his masters degree there, then it was on to AR for the Phd, and now we find ourselves in MN. whew, maybe a vacation rather than a move would be just has good – ha! 🙂

Katie - Tell me, tell me how do you carry your camera with you so much, especially on that hike???!!! We went to the beach and taking my camera everyday there was a pain in the patooie! You were carrying extra weight with it compared to everyone else!! It takes a toll on me at least to carry my camera!
You have such a cute fam – just love your pics!
How do your kiddos do in the car on the drive? with #5 on the way for us the whole car/vacation/hotel thing has been on my mind – not to mention how in the heck are we going to get them to all their “activities” as they grow! Thanks for your blog – you give me hope large families can work!

Tracey - LOVE the pic of you and Scott!! You’ve got to print that one out for yourself!! We went to northern AZ and the Grand Canyon this summer and it was glorious, and the weather was WONDERFUL!!!

Lisa - We went from Vermont last year to look at colleges for my son. He decided at the last minutes to go to Universit of Vermont. Yahooooo! But Colorado is spectacular. He just loved Boulder!

Lisa M. - Thank you for sharing! I’ve never been to Colorado, but have heard wonderful things about its beauty. So nice to see all of your kids too. Looks like they were having fun!

Heidi Bohrer - Jen, we moved to Castle Rock from KS right at last Christmas! We live in the Meadows! Love it here!

Lindy Tade - Meg – long time reader her (taddietales from way back) and you are one of the few blogs that I still read, only because I went back to work and have ZERO free time. You always make me smile and remind me of the things that are important.
I am a blessed soul that is lucky to live in Colorado and enjoy her majesty everyday – my drive to work every morning is straight towards the Flat Irons and Boulder, so I see some pretty amazing views. But you posting photos and showing our beautiful state through another set of eyes makes me SO proud to live here and reminds me how wonderful it is. I am thankful that you have an opportunity to come and experience God’s Country in its finest glory.
Thank you for your presence and beautiful soul.

Susan - We are there right now! Escaping the Texas heat! We stay at a place called Fun Valley (near South Fork) about 30 miles from Pagosa Springs! I am overwhelmed with the beauty. We rent a cabin on the Rio Grande for a week each year! There are tons of activities for the kids too!

Amy - Our family just got back from a trip to Colorado. So many of your pictures and comments reminded me of my own family. I also had to bribe my youngest daughter to finish up a hike. She and I lagged behind and played 20 questions to keep her mind off the hike. And my kids loved playing in the mountain streams too!

niwotwindows@comcast.net - We live in CO too! Love it! Favorite time to go to the mountains in the summer.
Cindy

Terrie G - Miss Colorado! We have done vacation there many times.
This momma got a little freaked out the last time we went.
My MIL had been to the cabin – yes rustic, only 20 gal hot water tank,
old time wood stove…etc. – before us and said that there was a
mama bear standing in front of the plate glass window smacking at the
hummingbird feeder. Well, when you have 2 younger kids, no cell phone reception,
no phones, and hardly any neighbors…makes a momma nervous!
One of our best vacations though…I had crafts every day, hiking to the saw mill,
Baldy, Raspberry, the Cregs, Kids liked the crafts the best…no tv, so I kept them busy!
OH MY! Feels & looks like Colorado here this am!! Windows open & I just had Momma Deer
& her babies in my backyard!! Pictures downloading now!! 🙂

Cari - Lurker here…we just spent a week in Colorado. It is so beautiful there. Our plan is to get our kids through school where we live now and then move there. 6 more years to go!!!
Cari

Natalie - My family visited GrandJunction twice to watch my baby brother play in the Junior College World Series! It was 2 trips I will never forget, breathtaking! You are right, He didn’t hold back!! Now, you’ve got me itching to go…

colleen from alabama - Beautiful! Have only been to Colorado in the winter. Have been several times to ski and it is just breath taking. It is a Loooong way from Alabama and a little too expensive to fly all four of us. Wish we lived closer. It was fun to see Lauren. I always wonder what she is up to. I have a 12 year old first born daughter and i can imagine she would not be too eager for me to post her face or activities on a blog. 🙂 maybe just her but i always wonder if she and lauren are a lot alike.
ps… i hate to hike. Annie and i would get along just fine. I like to be outdoors but only if i am doing something besides camping or hiking. Don’t mind long walks in cool weather but much prefer level ground… or a mall 🙂

Ann Marie - I grew up going between my grandparents farm in Cottonwood Falls KS and Manhattan KS but live in CO now. Miss KS everyday! My entire family is still back there and hopefully one day I convince my husband to let us move back to KS. You actually took my Aunt’s family pictures on my grandparents farm in Cottonwood. Beautiful place.

jaxc - I was lucky to live in CO in the late 60’s early 70’s before the smog and building boom and when the movies “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and “Paint Your Wagon” were released. I wanted to live in the cabin in the Molly Brown movie The foothills were wild and not filled with subdivisions. Every summer weekend we camped at Eagle when it was just a few houses. In winter we skied at Arapahoe basin when it was just a tow rope and cost a dollar a day, and Breckenridge was not quite finished then so was cheap for a day ticket. Saw John Denver many times when he was just starting out and we paid just around a $5 cover charge. I have travelled extensively and nothing has equalled the beauty and enormity of those mountains. They make the Blue Ridge look like hills. Hmmm, think I’ll plan a trip . . . .

Michelle From Australia - I landed at Denver airport in 1993 when flying between NY and LA. That is my only time in Colorado. I can only dream about how beautiful it is…..

Shannon C - OK – so I don’t know if I have yet to ever comment on your blog but read it all the time….and oddly enough, we were JUST on this SAME EXACT TRAIL last Saturday!! Kenosha Pass, right?! My kids played in the same teepee thing made out of sticks! 🙂 We moved to Colorado from Pittsburgh last January and I am still adjusting but just love the days we go exploring in the mountains (we live in Littleton). Our four kids (ages 6, 5, 3 and 12 months) can’t get enough of it out here!

Valerie @ Chateau a La Mode - Looks like a fun time and it was very beautiful. I’m with Annie. In my vocab HIKE is a four letter word 😉

mae - Going in a week and a half!! Woohooo!!!!

betsy - I was just in Denver, Avon & Vail (for a hike) at the end of July with my girlfriends. I’m definitely NOT an outdoorsy type of girl … but it is just so beautiful there … it’s hard not to fall in love with all of it! Glad you had a nice family vaca before the hectic school year starts again. 🙂

Jen - We just moved from Kansas to Castle Rock!Just for the beauty of it all!

elma - Beautiful pictures and it was good to see all of your kids!!!

Amy - Oh how I miss those mountains! We lived in the Sangre de Christo mountains for 18 months and then Colorado Springs for nearly 3 years. So much to do and see always! Glad you got some concentrated time away with the family 🙂 Just think of all those awesome memories you made!

Southern Gal - I hope to visit Colorado one day. We have the Blue Ridge Mountains that we love to visit on our side of the continent. 😉 When Rebekah and Jacob were little (6 and 4) we hiked up a long mountain trail. Jacob sped up that thing while Rebekah complained every step of the way. On the way down it was just the opposite. We couldn’t win for losing. We still love to reminisce about those sweet days.

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Ive never been to Colorado but we’re slowly making our way around the US with our girls each summer. Last year we did New England(gorgeous!) and this summer we did Virginia(wild ponies on Chincoteague Island, then lots of historical sites). We’ve also been to Washington,DC, Gettysburg and Disney World.
All that to say, your pictures could make an amazing commercial for Colorado’s travel business. Great shots!(Annie cracks me right up…cuz Id be doing the same thing myself…and if someone offered me money Id jump up and run:))

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Haha! Dr.Quinn used to be my favorite show when I was younger!

jenni@talkinghairdryer - A is for aspen tree…love them!

Heather S. - Another KS girl and I’ve been to Colorado at least a half a dozen times in my life. I so love the grand beauty of it all, but when you get right down to it, I’m an ocean gal!

Stephanie - Went to Colorado a couple of times for ski trips as a teenager. It was absolutely beautiful! But like you, I am not a mountain girl. I prefer wide open spaces like in the plains and hope someday to live there again (we’re in Florida right now).

Carolyne - Thank you for sharing Meg – you captured Colorado beautifully.

Nikki - Ah, I’m tearing up here! I’ve been lucky enough to live here in beautiful Colorado almost my whole life, but next year the military will be moving our little family on. You’re so right, God rocked it!!!

Lisa - You’re not a mountain girl….wait, what??? lol 😉 You captured some GORGEOUS shots, wow! Simply beautiful.

Niki - Glad you made it back safely and had a wonderful time, Meg!! I know it was a well deserved break! One week until our vacation to South Dakota!! 🙂

Kristin S - Here’s my other observation. I say this EVERY time I drive across eastern Colorado and catch my first view of the Rockies.
Pretend you were one of the people on a wagon train across the country. You’ve braved the Mississippi. Survived what is now Missouri and Kansas and eastern Colorado. You see the Rockies.
What the heck made anyone go OVER those mountains? Can you imagine?
I would have settled in Colorado Springs. Right there with Sully and Dr Quinn.

Kristin S - You and Craig still look like teenagers. Crazy amazing.
I spend every other summer in Colorado in training with the ministry I work for. So thankful they chose that beautiful state!
Also, my mom lives in Colorado Springs and works at Compassion so I’m there at least once a year.
Not sure I’d want to live there long term but I sure do love to visit!

Shannon - It looks beautiful Meg! Poor Annie with all the hiking, good thing we parents always have bribery right 😉 Love the pic of the rocks in the water looks so peaceful and simple.
Have a great weekend

Leah - Gorgeous photos! Never been to Colorado, but now I want to. By the way, I’m so trying the bribe strategy for my daughter. I hate the whining!

Heather R. - Just moved this summer from Kansas to Colorado Springs. It is beautiful here. We’ve already been able to hot air balloon ride, hike, white water raft. Stunning. You are right God rocked it when he made Colorado. 🙂

beth - We live in CO, right smack dab in the Rockies! We’re transplants, like so many, but it is beautiful. Glad you enjoyed your visit!

Alisa - We went to Peaceful Valley Dude Ranch in Estes Park for our honeymoon. So fun! It is my only trip ever out west. (I’m a Georgia girl!) Loved your pics!

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from the week…

August 1, 2012

orange dress. souvenir from NYC for me.

scott is starting to drive. :O annie can flip from the diving board!

zinnias in the garden. watching You've Got Mail for the 100th time.

i found this funky owl lamp at the antique store….then found it's twin! did not buy = $60 each.

i finally cleaned the craft room up. added a new plate to my collection.

bought 25 cans of spray paint at Home Depot. Craig's 20 year HS reunion :)

time flies by at the laundromat with the Avett Brothers. Julie & Julia also 100th time.

time to make a garland. i have a spray paint addiction.

this is enabling my addiction. um…yeah…i had to get glasses….hmmm.

new quilt for $7.50…sweeeeet hot dog.

1. turquoise cords from target
2. canvas i loved at hobby lobby
3. book i want
4. new pillows for the craft house annie has NEW freckles on her cheeks!

started this book & i feel something…
not sure what it is yet.
i will keep you posted. summer's superstar.

what did you do this past week?
did you make anything?
did you go anywhere?
did you spray paint for 3 hours?
did you go to a class reunion?

tell me.

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Lasso the Moon - Big fan of Jen Hatmaker, and her blog. Met her at a conference this year, and she’s the real deal. Read “7” but haven’t read that one yet. It’s next. I’m glad you read it! I’ll have to pick it up soon.
Anna

carol.davis2@verizon.net - talby not tally…stupid auto correct!

carol.davis2@verizon.net - i pulled up my carpet up and faux painted the concrete slab in my craft room this week :)) I want to make that sunshine pic or maybe hang letters on a branch like harper…TOO STINKIN CUTE! LOVE! btw…you look like tally with those glasses. very cute 🙂

Amy - What did I do last week? I attended the birth of my adopted baby boy!! (Our first child!!) I’m just now home and getting caught up on what I missed in your blog! 🙂

Carol S. - Morning Meg, loving your blog right now. Loving all these links of inspiration. This week I did a couple MAJOR things, moved from Chicago into a new home in Knoxville, TN and (drumroll please) started a blog to keep my family and friends informed of our changes. So now I can imagine what you go through to manage this fab blog! Keep going, loving the sunshine pics, it’s the only way to go through life. Thank you God!

katey - I went to the world’s longest yard sale. Amazing. Not all yardsales are created equal. I found awesome vintage items. I ran out of money twice!! So I got lots of stuff to get creative with.

Jen - :O :O :O …scary how fast they grow!!!

Anita - Hi Meg, I sort of made something this week that I wanted to share with you….Imstragram pics on magnets!! Love love love them 🙂 I have a picture of them done on my instagram I’m anison on Instagram if you want to check them out.., but you check out the stickygram website it has all the details. I’m definitely ordering more this week! Fast turn around to, I got mine in 7 days UK all the way to Australia. Have a great great weekend!

tasha - you are freakin adorable with glasses!! seriously! cuter than lisa loeb with glasses!

Jeannette from Plant City - That mug from NYC would be the thing my husband would bring back for himself. He loves Starbucks!! I have cans of spray paint in the garage waiting to be used, haven’t had the time yet. This week has been all about Band Camp and so will next week. We are going away for the weekend to a nice hotel(my husband has to work and we get to tag along) that has a 1/2 acre pool with 12 waterfalls and slides as well as a 21 acre lake that they have water activities you can enjoy. My weekend is going to be spent soaking up some rays and enjoying my kids 🙂 The one and only bad thing is…..the hotel is right near Disney so I hope that it is not too crazy with the tourist, maybe they will be visiting Mickey or Harry Potter!!! By the way seeing Scott driving giving me anxiety because my 15 year old is right around the corner for his license and it scares the crap out of me!!!!
Have a great weekend!!!

Routhie - WHERE DID YOU GET THAT ORANGE DRESS?! Sorry for the capslock, but that dress is divine and I must know. Kind of afraid you’re going to say it’s old…. Your glasses look cool. I had to get some myself and find them to be invaluable now. They can hide sleepy eyes (to an extent) and can be a fun fashion accessory after a few years of collecting frames. 🙂

Carrie - I have paint in my basement, I was going to drag the paint brush out and paint some shelves, then wash the brushes, etc. You have inspired me, I am going to buy me some spray paint!! My girls can play in the back yard while I have some spray paint fun!

julie - Interrupted. In the amazon cart. Oh oh. Next week I am going to be all messy.

Heather - Gasp! You did NOT spray paint those black floral tole trays, did you? Did you??? Please, please tell me you didn’t! Or tell me they were in horrible condition. And if you did spray paint them, don’t go to Etsy and see how much they sell for now. If you spray painted them already, you don’t want to know.

mollie's mom - I spray paint every day… well,maybe only 6 days a week 🙂 and that caviar is a garnish.

lauren - my son was in new york the same weekend you were and he bought me the SAME mug!
and that caviar is a garnish.

jeri - I wish I had made something this week. I mostly drove my girls back and forth to ice skating practice (3 days), went to Target (and will go again today), registered the girls for school…18 days and counting, washed all clothes to pack for vacation, made a packing list for vacation, started packing, ate yogurt at Smart Cow, and slept til 9 a.m.

Lisa - I’ve helped at VBS this week – made dinner each day for the VBS workers (we hold our VBS in the evenings). Cut off 10″ of hair to send to Locks of Love (still have more than 10″ left, haha). Started putting together a scrapbook/photo album of our daughter’s wedding. Watching a lot of Olympics. Last night, I started reading a book about the origin of hymns. This morning I turned 47. Hmmm. Really?

Lindsey - I like your glasses! The only thing I have made so far was a cute embellished skirt for my daughter. It was rainbow! I am hoping that I can make some more fun stuff today since we are home sick. I would LOVE to spray paint for 3 hours. Hmmm. What could I paint?

amber - I did make a garland:)! For my baby boy’s room. And, I love it. Love that boy too. Squishy, drooly, & oh my sweet. Anyway…I need that spray paint handle. Awe-some. Thanks for sharing your week. Your family is so cute & so are your new glasses:).

Lori Austin - Orange dress – love!!
Welcome to the glasses club – blech!
You’ve Got Mail – the best!

Jill - Love your movie choices!!! My favs as well. Hmmm…. I didn’t spray paint for hours, but I DID paint for hours…. painted my 1980s china buffet… updated the hardware… LOVE it!!! Used Annie Sloan paints and wax… AMAZING!!! Have you tried it?

Sara - I can’t focus on anything except-
You do your laundry at a laundromat now? For a family of 7…seriously?!?!?!
I am so sorry.

tess - I have totally seen “You’ve Got Mail” at least 100 times – I just love it!

Han - “What are you doing?? That caviar is a garnish!!” Yes I love You’ve Got Mail.
I have three favourite bits, first when they kinda cross paths on their way to work but just miss each other each time, then when they are in the market talking about NY152 and then at the end “Don’t cry Shopgirl, Don’t cry” awwwwww!!!

amy - I just finished “Interrupted”. Great book….NEW insight into truly living the life of a witness. Very challenging for my heart to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk — in a traditionally unconvential way. Loved it. 🙂

Amanda - That rustoleum primer is like THE BEST THING EVER.

April R - you’re so sweet to “ask” us all what we did/made/saw this week 🙂 and look at the variety of responses…
my favorite things I did this week: sat on the porch and listened to a thunderstorm (all by myself), played wits and wagers and bananagrams with family (that was FUN!), got to see my sis-in-law for a bit (surprise!), and did epic amounts of laundry (yeah for a good washer and dryer!)
what a blessing this blog is 🙂 thanks very much!

Risa - We had our 10 year reunion the week before! Where was the 20 year hosted? Ours was a super low-key backyard barbecue and everyone loved it. Hillsboro people are good people! 🙂

Juliann Brenner - Hi Megan – the quilt looks a little like a pennant quilt (I am a terrible speller these days….). Anywho, I wonder if the H.Depot guys thought you might be a graffiti mama-haha (again with the spelling). It was nice to see pics and read of your adventures with jenny. Al and I got away for my 40th to a cute little town in Southern Indiana without kiddos – that’s my big news for last week….

jenrobburton - I cleaned out my son’s closet, which has heaps and heaps of bagged baby clothes … waiting on the next baby … which is waiting on my husband to decide it’s OK to have the next baby.
Pulled out toys from the back that I got at his baby shower! Now he can actually play with them! And his room is much neater now.

tiffany gardner - My two big kids went back to school today. Always makes me a little sad. It made baby brother very sad. Thanks for cheering me up with your blog… my fav!

renee - i prepped for my first day of school (teacher) and started today! no kiddos yet… just training 🙂 oh and i schedule our 20-week ultrasound appointment!! yay.

Megan H. - Where did you get that attachment for your can of spray paint!? I have never seen one of those!
And I planned/attended my grandmother’s funeral. Maybe next week will be better? I’m hoping my instagram pics are least happier next week 🙁

Joy - I went through our entire book collection to weed them out. I gave away one.
That’s progress, right?

Krista - You’re looking tiny in that dress, whatever you’re doing, keep going!!
Love your glasses, sorry they somehow show up with age….
“What are you doing, what are you doing? that caviar is a GARNISH!!”

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Those cords are calling my name AND so is Interrupted. Now, if that’s not a conundrum. I can’t wait to see what you think of the book.
What did I do? Besides clean barf off bedding and carpet? Uh, I painted a table bright green! And ordered a new shower curtain. And packed a few boxes. But only a few.

Tanya - I finished the book The Happiness Project this week and just finished reading Seven in a day and a half and I’m about to move onto Interrupted…
Love the orangey dress…nice with a tan yes?

Jenny B - So fun! I just got that exact Target pillow! So cute. I think the new glasses make you look younger and skinnier! Seriously! 🙂

tara pollard pakosta - hmm where did we go? the pool and the beach and shopping in greenbay WI.
celebrated ava’s 11th birthday!
love the freckles pic of annie!
tara

Sonja - That caviar is a GARNISH! I <3 that movie.

Janelle - scott is starting to drive :0

Tiffany - My dining room table was too clean, BORING, so I started projects this weekend too. Yay for getting it *ish done and having a little crafty fun. Love those freckles, oh they make me smile. And THAT CAVIAR IS A GARNISH…you should maybe add ‘As Good As it Gets’ to your 100 Watch List, it’s a new fav for me. Happy August.

Logan - I have that same dress, I think. Love it!

Mindy Harris - the picture of you in glasses is gorgeous! so so so so pretty. you rock those glasses big time.
i love the trays you are spraying, both with and without spray. i think it would be hard for me to spray them. i am curious to see what you are making with them.
shawn and i went to manhattan (kstate-our alma mater) to dink around for our anniversary.
but then we had a funeral to go to in ellinwood. his gpa chet, who was 95, went to heaven.

Heather - I’d love to go to Home Depot and buy 25 cans of spray paint-each one a different color, but…my husband would think I was off my rocker. Love the pictures!

Ann - I spraypainted this week too…15 cans used to make my girls’ bunkbeds white. Pretty sure I might have some neurological damage from all those fumes, but they look pretty awesome! Who cares if I can’t walk a straight line anymore?

elisa - Whoa I bought that canvas from the artist at the Country Living art show last year. Probably a lot cheaper at Hobby Lobby!!

happygirl - This was a good week in pictures. Love the glasses and the spray paint shooter holder thingy. And nothing is cuter than a sprinkling of freckles on a cute little nose. 🙂

Kristin - FYI, I love your blog! 🙂 I have one of those spray paint squeeze things. It’s wonderful! I also Can not believe that quilt for that price, awesome! 🙂

Sara Torbett - I loved this post. 🙂 Cute glasses too! I helped host a Craft Day at my house, and we made yarn pom-poms and yarn crafts galore. Fun :). Today-getting the neighbor’s help to chase our bull out of the yard. LOL.

Kristin S - So much goodness in one post.
Still loving that orange dress on you skinny mini!

angela - well yes, i did paint…thank you for asking. 🙂 A monogram for my front door. I also washed a couch cushion that one of my perfect grands poured milk on. Have you ever smelled a sour couch cushion? Don’t.

seriously sassy mama - Swimming, painting a dresser mint green, and two lamps yellow!

sarah - I want turquoise corduroys! I like saying those words together too.
I painted 2 bathrooms, ran around getting ready for school, and putzed around enjoying the last days of summer.

jen - what did i do this week? {today!}…i turned 35. yeah and yuck at the same time. hope you have a great rest of the week!!

melodee - oh a new driver how fun! we are on our 3rd teen driving and it’s scary but so cool for them! hope to see your finished garland!

Lori H - That orange dress is so cute! And I like your glasses too. No big happenings this week at our house. I think summer used to be alot more fun.

erin j - I LOVE freckles on little girls!! I love them on big girls too.

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