Pagosa Springs

We sure have been spoiled this summer with another wonderful vacation! This time it was with Casey's parents, the Stahle's and the Sherwoods. Jaynie Stahle was kind enough to arrange for us to come stay in some time shares they own. When we found out they were in Pagosa Springs Colorado, we had to jump on board since that is where Casey and I went on our honeymoon. Pagosa is an hour away from Durango and is the cutest, most quaint little town with not much to do but relax, eat and enjoy it's beauty!

First things first we had to get there and what not a better way than cramming 6 adults, a car seat with child, plus luggage in a burb! It was about a 10 hour drive and I was kind of nervous on how well Lane would do. Thank goodness to a big screen dvd player and Open Season 2 (the animal movie as Lane calls it) we had very minimal incidences:)


I have no idea how many times Lane watched that movie, I had many others to choose from but for some reason he HAD to watch his beloved animal movie. You can see how upset one can get when they don't get their way...

A lot of site seeing was done. Jaynie is known as the Pagaso Queen and has been there many times. She took us on scenic drives with pretty views of the mountains around us.

I love his face in the picture below. Mary made a comment , something about taking away his red shirt that he carries around with him if he didn't smile and that was his reaction back.

He was also determined to get that squirrel to eat popcorn out of his hand.

On one of our drives Casey and Kody started to torment a bull which decided to almost give them a run for their money... I kind of wish it had because that would have been a great picture!


We brought up a bike for Lane to ride and played some baseball in the late afternoons



Pagosa even has a ZOO. Lane kept wondering where the monkeys and giraffes were but the elk and bears made up for it.

We had to get our soaks in at night. Pagosa has natural spring "hot tubs". They stink like sulfur and rust your fake jewelry but none the less are very relaxing! The Colorado river runs right in front of them so that is kind of cool too. Since I couldn't get in them Lane and I hit up the heated pool area.

We shopped down town,


"fished" in the river. (behind us you can see all the hot springs).


played games into the wee hours of the morning,

there was a lake behind our time share that Lane made sure we visited every morning. They went fishing once but had no luck catching anything.

I was most excited to go to the Choke Cherry Tree store where they make the BEST carmel's EVER! We even had to go twice to get our fill of yummy goods.

As always, fun things must come to an end. We enjoyed spending time with such great company, especially Papa and Grammy! What GOOD people they truly are!

Now, I am the worst when it comes to getting back in the groove of things after getting off schedule. I mean like not unpack for a good week and just grab things out of my suit case until it eventually unpacks it's self. I don't mean to toot my own horn here but sometimes, SOMETIMES I can surprise myself. All in one day after getting home I:

unpacked ALL of our bags,


washed, dried and folded all of the clothes,


went to TWO different grocery stores in one day (which I NEVER EVER do) and made

chicken caesar flat bread sammie's for dinner

plus these yummo desserts for many thanks to wonderful people


not to mention put a few things up for sale on Craig's list, watched some Curious George with my

little monkey, drop some moose poop and savory Pagosa carmel's off at my fams, and

last but not least have a low key yet rewarding FHE with stories from The Friend with the loves of my life.

There must have been something in that Colorado water... I wonder if I can order some online:)

Californ I. A.

Bless the first week of August because that's when my fam goes to Oceanside for their summer vaca! It had been LONG awaited for all year and it sure did not disappoint us! My parents are so nice to let us join them and it will be weird to think that next year we will have 2 kids instead of just our little Laners. I honestly can't wait!

Harbor Fish and Chips was discovered this year. My poor mom begged us to go all last year but half the fam rebelled. We decided to be nice and give it a try so note the smile on Casey's face with his taco in his hand. It was a definite winner! He HATES sea food so when he polished his off, I knew it was a quality place.

I had my morning exercise every day trying to put sunscreen on this little booger. Really, EVERY STINKIN MORNING! You think he would have given up or gotten used to it. Instead I got some pretty cool tan designs on my arms and legs from the 50 spf rubbing off of him while trying to lather him down.

We are Sea World junkies! I figured out that this was Lanes 4th time there and he is only

21/2!

We had an extra scenic view one day at the beach when we went down and found these

two plopped right in front of our canopy.

I love my brothers! They were always playing with Lane and keeping him entertained. The best was when Casey and I were harassing them about school starting the next week, David was trying to defend himself by saying "oh ya, well I'd rather go to school then have a kid and be pregnant". Haha ,ya I guess that does sound better for a 17 year old.

On the way home we stopped at Phil's, aka the BEST BBQ you will EVER have in your whole life!

I literally dance while I eat my ribs because it is soooo good! If we had one in AZ I would go once a week. I have been tempted to buy an airplane ticket to San Diego a few times just to eat there then fly home.




I am so glad we live so close to CA. It really is, I think, the best place to vacation. It was another great year! Love you LumLum's.

It's a MIRACLE

That's right folks, I actually MADE dinner!!! After weeks (probably a month) of drive thru's, restaurants, cereal, mooching off our parents, it was finally time to get back in the kitchen and save my poor family from home cookin' neglection. SOOO, to win their hearts back I made this fabulous:

BBQ Chicken Salad

1/2 head iceberg lettuce - chopped
romaine lettuce- chopped
1 cup frozen white corn- rinse under cold water, or fresh corn if in season:)
1 can black beans- drain & rinse
2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
2 medium diced tomatoes
1-2 avocados chunked- drizzle 1/2 lime over to prevent from browning

Ranch Dressing:
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup mayo
1 package Hidden Valley ranch mix
1/4 cup cilantro diced

bbq Chicken:
1 hour before, marinade 2 pounds chicken tenders in
1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt & pepper.
Place chicken on broiler pan and broil 4-6 minutes per side. Let cool then dice in cubes,
then toss with 1/2 cup bbq sauce of your choice!
On large platter, layer lettuces, corn, black beans, cheese & tomatoes. Top with warm bbq chicken and avocados!

Serve with ranch dressing, garlic bread or HOME MADE ROLLS!

I think it worked!

I had two very HAPPY boys at the dinner table!

They just might keep me after all:)