Get out-overnight

We "got out" and went camping in teepees overnight with our friends the Leckies to Roman Nose State Park on Friday and Saturday.
Our family got up there kind of late due to our leaving a little later than planned, and then not having a Barbara to direct us exactly where we needed to go, we had to backtrack a little.
We had planed to have 2 teepees, but we did not get there in time to get ours, so we all shared one. It ended up being perfectly fine because it was huge- it fit all of our families. It was as comfortable as can be. (as comfortable as can be sleeping on the ground with 11 people!)

Even though we got a late start we had plenty of time for hot dogs and smores, and the kids to play Jack showing the girls and Luke a dance

before we all settled into the Teepee.I had to not think about our "visitor" hanging out on the side of the teepee.

We all slept pretty good (again, as good as you can with 11 people on the ground!) and woke up to Jay making pancakes and sausage.
I woke with a start thinking oh no- I should have got up to get breakfast going- but thankfully as usual Jay is always a step ahead of me! THANK YOU Jay!

After everyone got up and got going, we sat and visited while the kids played, then loaded everything up and headed for the springs.

It was so beautiful- there was a creek, and then a short walk/hike to a spring. I don't remember the exact amount-
but this spring dumped something like 3 to 6 hundred gallons of water a minute!

The kids played and played, and the 2 littles of our group would have loved to stay in longer!
Everyone was so dirty by the end. We packed everyone up and headed for home with a stop for lunch.
We will go up again for the day sometime this summer to spend time at the creek and the springs- but we all think that we will wait to do more camping until the weather cools.

We got home and were grateful for:
nice controlled temperature showers,
ice water,
washing machine,
air conditioning,
good friends who are up for an overnighter in a teepee with our family!


Reminder for next time...
flashlights
water shoes
more changes of clothes and shoes so all the adults can get in the water
bring more water and snacks and lunch
take more photos of the moms of this group!

What to eat Wednesday-Chicken-n-Spinach Pasta Bake

Since we have not replaced our broken grill- we (that would be me) still have to slave away in the kitchen during the summer. So this is not exactly what I would call a summer dish, but I love it.

This recipe came from Donna who gave me one of her stake cookbooks. She trys the recipes out, then tells me the pages that are good. Takes a lot of the guesswork out for me! Then she also gives me her suggestions, of what needs to be changed.
Of course, I changed a few things- not much - the spinach mainly.

Chicken-n-Spinach Pasta Bake
8 oz uncooked whole wheat penne or Rigatoni
1 T olive oil
1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium)
sauteed spinach (recipe here)
3 cups cubed cooked chicken breasts
1 can italian style diced tomatoes
1 container chive and onion cream cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, spread oil in bottom of an 11x7 baking dish; add onion in a single layer. Bake at 375-for 15 minutes or just until tender. Transfer onion to a large bowl. Set aside. Cook spinach. Stir pasta, spinach, chicken, tomatoes, cream cheese, salt & pepper into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into baking dish, and sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake, covered at 375-for 30 minutes, uncover and bake 15 minutes or until bubbly.

Get out

After we came home from vacation we realized we need to get out more. During the school year it seems there is always something going on, or some reason that we don't get out and enjoy where we are. There really is so much that we can do and see right here in our own "backyard."
So- if it is to be ... then we have to actually leave our house.
Sometimes it seems more effort than its worth to get everyone to go to the bathroom, get water bottles, get to the car, buckle everyone, run back inside for something, leave the house, stop and run back for something else.
But once we go, we are always so glad we did.

On vacation, it was no big deal to get everyone going, probably because I was on a vacation mindset.
I have to continue to think that way, and let time go. Let go of the time frame for a bit. I wrote about carrying that vacation mindset with us into our everyday routines.

So last monday 6/16, friday 6/20, and then this monday 6/23 we did it. We all got out and did something.
Last monday after taking Jay out for his fathers day dinner we went downtown to the myriad gardens. We only spent an hour walking around, but the kids had such a great time exploring, and discovering.
We were surprised at how cool it felt down by the water, and that we felt so alone. We had the place to ourselves. The kids played on the water stage, and performed one of their favorites for us.

Friday we went to Route 66 park. We all went out there for thanksgiving when Tucker was just a few months old. This is the first time we had all been back together. (with the exception of Savanna Kate- she was at a birthday party) It was more developed than when we had been there before. Jay and Jack took a long walk around the park, and the surrounding ponds. We took our little neighbor friend for Luke to play with, and they kept each other very busy. Tucker and I took turns following each other around. Then we blew bubbles.

I was amazed that it was not really hot, there was a cool breeze, and not really buggy out.So nice to get out on a Friday night.

Then for this last Monday night.
I wanted to go to Will Rogers Park, but the family won with going to Lake Hefner.
It was another wonderful evening out.
Now don't misunderstand.
There was still the normal bickering, & work of loading everyone up.
But it was worth it.

We went to stars and stripes park,

played on all the play structures

This is our family's portrait for the night. Six members. Three shadows and three physical bodies.

Walked over by the lake. Savanna thought these geese would make a lovely photo.Flew Luke's kite. Drove over to the lighthouse and walked out to it.Tried to sing a song. Savanna gave a message about pedigree charts. We saw someone get engaged.
We laughed together. and even had a few of the kids cry.

Again- it was another night out that felt remarkably cool, and not buggy.

WINNERS

I loved reading everyone's comments- and agreed with so many!
I love having the kids home all to myself again.
Swimming, later bedtime schedules, and sleeping in a little bit. The smell of sunscreen and the swimming towels coming out of the dryer.
Ahhhhh- I love summer!
Now Jenn, really you love mud? Like our Oklahoma, red, stain everything you own mud? And just what are you doing with the mud?!

We folded the numbers up of each entry and put them in a bowl.

Savanna drew two.

Number 6- Hilary!

Number 1- Kim Sue!

Email me alisaspear(at)gmail.com with your home address and I will get them sent out.

SPT- stars and stripes forever

She photographs on tuesday-self portrait tuesday

This is the last spt for the month of June-the last of this months theme-
tuesday, june 3rd the emblem of the land i love
tuesday, june 10th the twilight's last gleaming
tuesday, june 17th my home sweet home
tuesday, june 24th stars and/or stripes forever

Last night our family chose to go over to the lake. I wanted to go to a different place last night- but the family won the choice tonight. They wanted to go to Lake Hefner. I am glad we went with what they chose. It was perfect for this weeks SPT.

I said that I remembered playing at a park off of the lake- Stars and Stripes Park- when I was little.
I remember going and playing on the hot metal slides.
I remember getting a face cast done at the fire station off the lake- there was some sort of childrens festival going on.
I remember eating red white and blue Popsicles at the park.
I remember that there was a red white and blue rocket shaped thing on top of the play structure.
I remember it being really close to the water.
I remember how hot everything was to the touch.

Its different now. Much better. 3 separate play structures. No hot metal slides.
It is not really close to the water-(it probably never was!)
It will be funny for me to keep thinking about what I remember from going to the park a long time ago.

Check here for others ideas for this weeks SPT

Recycle?

Remember this post?
Well we have been doing so good.
I have gotten into the habit of sorting our things before throwing anything away. I even got four bins labeled with:
paper
glass
plastic
cans
The family has known exactly where to put things.
Last Tuesday I loaded the bins and the kids into the van to go drop it off.
I turned on the street and felt so confused.
I asked the kids- is this the right street? The first sign was gone.
I kept driving and got to the entrance and was met with this sign:
HUH?
WHAT?
We all wondered and I picked up the phone. I called Jay to get the number for city hall.
I called-
I asked where our recycling was.
The answer?
People were putting their trash in the recycling bins.
Thats it?
Yes.
I asked if they were planning on doing anything else about it.
The woman said no.
I hung up feeling so frustrated & bothered.
I called Jay and vented to him a while.
I called back to city hall.
Still no help.
I sat and stewed and came up with my own mental list of solutions that could have been put into place. Thought of who else I could call. Put a call into the city newspaper.
Then I thought I would call again and ask some more questions.
I needed more information before I just started blasting our little city.
When I called this time after asking a few questions I was asked if I would like to talk with the Mayor.
OH YES I WOULD!
After about a 5 minute wait I was put on with her.
She was very politically correct.
She told me that they just could not believe that people would put their garbage in the recycling containers. How could people just drop off their old sofas, and mattress's?
She asked what I thought could be done:
I asked about putting a garbage bin, and adding big junk pick ups to the area?
Never really got a straight answer.

I am not convinced that they did all they could to:
1. Prevent the trash from being put in the bins
2. Correct the problem before removing the option of recycling

I hung up feeling just as frustrated as when I called.
So after going home with all our "recycling"- we had to then bag it and put it in the TRASH!
We had over 5 large bags now of "trash" to add to our normal trash.

This letter was in the city newsletter the next day.


Frustrating. Very frustrating.
I will not just sit by, though.
They have not heard the last of me.