A Chocolate Mountain is a lovely way to say "farewell"

We had to say goodbye to our friends Andy and Miriam this weekend.  They were here for a year and lived it up the whole time.  I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that Andy climbed 29 14,000+ ft mountains and Miriam did 18! What better way to celebrate that kind of accomplishment than with a mountain of Chocolate.  I did Chocolate Pumpkin Spice cake with Biscoff Icing, and dark chocolate ganache with coconut snow.  It's definitely my most spectacular cake yet.  And it tasted pretty good too!

 The moose was on loan from the Charlie and Viola collection.

 Tiny climbers and lettering cut out of a cereal box (generic rice chex to be exact)

 The honorees.  We miss you guys already!

The thinnest iphone EVER!

 Viola is getting on the tech bandwagon with her new phone design. 

 Should I take this as a clue that I may be using my phone too much?

The Best House Guest EVER

Our friend Sarah came up to Colorado for a photography gig and got to sleep on our fold out couch and listen to Charlie cry at all hours of the night and morning, and she was still sweet to my children and did the dishes.  You are welcome any time Sarah, you can come too James. 

On our last day we took a sight seeing outing to the reservoir.

 The glamorous photographer using her iphone to photograph all of that nature.

I think that the kids call this a "selfie". 

Viola Asked for a Sugary Treat

 This one asked for something with sugar in it as a treat.  So I offered Mama's chocolate (85%) or Papa's chocolate (70%).  She picked Mama's and was in "hog heaven"

 Don't tell her that there is very little sugar and lots of anti-oxidants, flavanols, and other wholesome things in dark chocolate.  It will be our little secret.

 And not to be left out Charlie grabbed a chunk and shoved it in his mouth too.

Viola has become a reluctant cuddler, but I don't let that stop me.

Green Eggs and Ham

 How did I make these eggs so green do you ask?  Raw eggs in the blender with a healthy handful of spinach then scramble.  No artificial food color.

 And then we had a little friend drop in.

 

Charlie was the end of our little friend.

From the Viola Collection

This little number is a Viola Original created out of her tank-top (green) and my tank-top (coral).

It's moments like this that make me think "Isn't life swell"

But sadly they do not last long and someone is biting, hitting or knocking over someone else and the whining and tears ensue.  But it's these moments that help you to carry through the hairy ones until the next few seconds of peace and harmony among these two.

Look Who's Painting

"Cart Talk"

Viola fixed her own grocery cart with Papa's screwdriver. 

 Then took it for a test drive.

Charlie Jumps...And says "WHOA"

Fear Not, We Have Not Floated Away

 Thankfully we have not been flooded out of our basement apartment and the worst part of this abundant rain has been a lot of time trapped inside.

This morning we enjoyed some Grizzly Bears catching salmon in their mouths.

We got out and met some friends at the Mall "soft play." It's so nice to have somewhere inside to play!  Charlie ran around like a wild man and attempted many escapes into the mall and down the hall.

 Will loves the mall playground. So does baby Ben.

 Then a miracle, the clouds parted and we had a sunny afternoon so we spent some time out in the yard. Hallelujah!

 It was only a little bit muddy.

 Charlie is getting pretty good at throwing the ball for Mary.

 Viola found and polished this stick until is was "very shiny".

Blue Face, Blue Bottom

 I caught Charlie blue mouthed, due to a bit of crayon chewing.

Upside down.

Giddy-up Plastic

 The plastic horse is Charlie's favorite thing outside these days.  Even though he's gotten bucked off quite a few times he always "gets right back on the horse."

 Charlie's favorite thing to eat is whole apples, he doesn't even care if they are covered in dirt as they often are due to the amount of time they spend on the ground.

The girls

 Viola is starting to look more and more like me.  The other day I caught sight of her out of the corner of my eye and thought that I was looking at myself.  It was weird.

To-ma-to

 We picked a bumper crop of tomatoes from the garden today,  all but two were eaten for lunch.

A Big Day for Sandwiches

 Sunday lunch was quite momentous on the sandwich front.  Viola made her first sandwich (corn beef and mustard) and Charlie ate his first sandwich (almond butter).  It was pretty exciting.

Hanging out at the Car Show

 We checked out the Old Town Car Show this evening.  Viola gave the Dalorean the thumbs up.

 It's hard to be a shrimp.

 This car went well with Charlie's fedora.