My Cousins Wedding!

My cousin and her long time boyfriend got married last weekend. Thankfully, after some convincing they decided to have a big reception so we could all celebrate with them! I think it is fair to say it was a traditional Mexican wedding complete with a ton of good food, the money dance and this hilarious dance all the single (and some not) guys did for the garter! I would have to say the best part was the dancing. It was fun and we are so happy for them! Congrats Amanda and Luis!

Swim Lessons!

Declan just finished his first swimming lessons at the Commerce City Rec and let me tell you that boy is a little FISH! He had a great teacher, Kayla. After all of his classes his eyes would be bloodshot from having them open underwater! He probably spent like 80% of his time underwater! Needless to say he passed! He is such a character. He asked his pregnant teacher one day if she ate a baby and that's why it was in her tummy. He also asked her one day while they were learning the chicken-airplane-soldier thing for their arms if he went and sat in the corner if his chicken would die. Where do they get this stuff?

Camp Out #3- Leadville, CO

Warning! Picture Overload! I like them all and couldn't narrow it down!

We went camping (again) this weekend up to Halfmoon Creek in Leadville. It was kind of a spur of the moment trip with my parents. I mean really- who is crazy enough to go camping on the 4th of July along with half of Colorado?!? We are! We went beyond all of the paid and packed campsites up a four-wheel drive road and found "the perfect spot". It was so pretty- next to the river, away from other camp sites, had a big fire pit, perfect views- it was only lacking a bathroom. I also discovered that I am a good camper for a 2 night campout- I wake up cranky on the 3rd day- it stinks (literally) being dirty for that long!

It may appear that I took a picture of some random trees but no- look closer, Jason is up there! The kids thought that this log propped up like a bench made for the perfect horse!

Declan was thrilled when we actually poke a stick around in the fire. That was not easy for this paranoid Mama to watch!

I'm not sure who was more excited that my parents could come- me or the kids! It is hard work taking kids, especially a one-year old camping and so it was nice to have the help! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Declan wanted to play in the water so bad and he did so good just looking and throwing pine cones and logs in until it was actually time to get in. Then, once he could get in it lasted all of 2 minutes and he was crying because it was too cold- not that I blame him- I wouldn't have wanted to get in either!

Ladies, if you're all wondering how you can achieve this style I will let you in on a little secret...ready- here it goes, first spray in some bug spray and then a few hours later some sun screen, repeat the process every few hours for 3 days!

And of course, Declan's favorite part of the weekend...riding dirtbikes! And finally, we'll be home for a couple of weeks- just long enough to let everything air out before the next big annual Kovach family campout!

Vegas Baby!

Shortly after our last camping trip, Jason met us in Palisade and drove over to Las Vegas for a Judd family Reunion! It is my Great Grandpa's children's reunion. It was fun to see that side of the family since we only see them about once every 3 years! But more than that we got to see my sister (and Keve)! We did go down to the strip one night and see the fountains at the Bellagio and enjoy a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity- or rather my sister and Mom did and I mooched a taste off of there $10 drinks! We also discovered Yogurtland and Cupcake Lane Bakery. I love finding fun little places like those! Along with eating, visiting with family, eating, shopping and sight seeing we spent a few hours by the pool! We had a lot of fun and can't wait for the next one!

Camp Out #2- Vega Reservoir

My Aunt Heather had some time off of work last week and wanted to take her boys camping but her hubby couldn't go with so we made this a Mommy's only camp out! We took advantage of my Granny and Papa's trailer and headed up to Vega Reservoir near Palisade, CO. The weather was amazing! I've never camped when it was as warm before, one of the days it was in the low 90's!We fished, did some crafts, rode bikes, rode the four wheelers, watched movies, roasted marshmallows, made homemade ice cream- all the good stuff! We even tried a new camping friendly breakfast- omelettes in a bag! It was so nice to not have to crawl out of the tent first thing in the morning to pee but I sure felt like we were kinda lazy just because we could be! We all had a good time but man, it sure is a lot of work to go camping without Jason! By the time this summer is over we will be the camping experts!

Palisade Vacation

Declan, Delaney and I headed up to Palisade, CO last weekend to spend some time with my grandparents. We were only there for 4 days but we did so much!

Declan got to ride the ATV"s with my Papa. I just love that tough boy face! And there he is staring cross eyed into his fancy little drink. (Super-easy-gotta-try-it: Fill your cup 1/2 full with sparkling water/soda-think pomegranate or blueberry lemon and add a few scoops of lemon sorbet-delish and it feels so "exotic")

There were some things that I really wanted my Granny to teach me how to do while we were there. The first was lye soap. It's the best for getting stains out of clothes and is something my mom, and obviously her mom always used so I figure I better know how to make it! It was amazingly easy- time consuming but easy (although very toxic and not good to make around kids!). The second was lavender wands. My Granny made one for Declan when he was a baby and it still smells good. My Granny also taught me how to use her totally awesome wheat grinder. That baby grinds like 10 cups of wheat in less that 10 minutes! Then of course, I had to use the flour to make some whole wheat cookies which may not sound that great but were so good! And every night was not complete without some homemade ice cream. She's got one of them there wicked Cuisinart ice cream maker things. (Who gets excited enough to say wicked about an ice cream maker?! ME!) We had vanilla the 1st night, coconut the 2nd and 3rd and cantaloupe the 4th night. Of course we ate our ice cream while catching up on the latest movies (He's Just Not That Into You, Bride Wars, etc.). My Granny is slightly obsessed with Twilight so naturally we watched that one too.

The kids liked hanging out with Papa too. He was supposed to be working but got lucky enough to spend a few days with us! My Gran even indulged Declan with a tea party! I can remember so many tea parties with her when I was younger!

The kids also got to run in the sprinklers and ride bikes/cars. We went to downtown Grand Junction and walked around all the cute little shops- we were supposed to have breakfast there at this cute little place called the Crystal Cafe but it went out of business, =(. We also went to Dinosaur Journey in Fruita for Declan.

We had an awesome time and even though we were sad to go we're glad to be at home! All of that crammed into one weekend- we're tired! Thanks for all of the memories! We miss you already!

Camp Out #1- Rampart Range

This last weekend we had our first camping trip of the summer. We went up to Rampart Range with some friends of ours- Clark and Toni Easdon. I would have to say it is the most unprepared I have ever been for a camp out. I am going to blame that on the fact that we were invited Thursday night and didn't decide we were actually going until Friday morning. I had an appt to get the kids pics taken and it was just a really crazy day! Back to my being unprepared- I forgot to bring my kids coats- that's how bad it was. Declan didn't even have a hoodie and we also forgot our bottles of water. Thanks to the Easdons and the unusually warm nighttime weather we all survived! Delaney got to take her first ATV ride and Declan took about a million rides on the dirt bike! Lacey, Declan and Cade found ways to entertain themselves in between rides by playing doctor- hmmm....?! So long as they outgrow it before they're teenagers! I forgot how dirty my kids can get. I swear that I cleaned Declan's hands and face and not even 5 minutes later he would like he hadn't been cleaned in days! We had a blast...and we will be doing it all again in just a couple of weeks!