St Louis

Appa and Poppa met us for a fantastic weekend in St Louis. We spent some time walking around downtown at the Arch and the old Courthouse. ( dad. could take another step away from the rest of the group? - super)

We loved going to the City Museum! It was an amazing and strange place full of tunnels and things to climb on and explore. My big girl wasn't feeling great and scowled for most of the photos.

This is the cave area. Cookie (yes she has a kitty face) loved climbing all over the rocks and tunnels. Freckles loved the 10 story tunnel slide.

more cave stuff.

The whole place is pretty much climbable. We climbed through turrets and onto planes and over peoples heads... very bizarre.

the family picture outside the museum. Check out Freckles' taped leg. Between her injured knee, a sore throat and just being an adolescent, she was a grouch for most of this day. ( bless her heart- we love her anyway).

Ang and me enjoying Ginger mojitos. yum.

Poppa and Appa with Cookie at the rehearsal dinner. Yummy Italian at Zia's on the Hill.

the wedding 4-10-10

The weather in St Louis was perfect. The bride was beautiful. The couple was happy. The champagne was flowing. The ceremony was romantic. The dinner was delicious. The laughter was contagious. The cake was tasty. The music was sentimental. The rooftop terrace reception was out of a movie. The memories were made. Best Wishes-- Angie and Andrew.

Easter 2010

We Love Stephanie. Thank you for the beautiful and delicious Easter baskets. You are the most creative person I know.

The Easter Bunny rang the doorbell this year and placed treats on the front porch on Satuday night. D was working days so it's a good thing he didn't have to miss Easter morning. That crazy bunny did hide eggs all over the house and brought treats that the girls loved. We headed to a fantastic service at Church and over to the Flaherty's house for Easter dinner and an Egg hunt. I missed seeing D and the rest of my family back home, but we celebrated the ressurection of Jesus and enjoyed the day.

Freckles is a pro at Egg hunts, but Cookie had some tears because she couldn't find any (despite the fact that we hid plenty in plain view.) maybe next year, she will do better at the hunt.

hiking with the family

Nice to get outside and go for a walk with the family... cookie wasn't cooperating, but this is pretty much right on target for us. We are ready to get outside-come on Springtime...

looking back

ok. I know it's not right, but sometimes I look back at this post , cookie on the stool, and just laugh. Does that make me a mean mommy?

We heart the Howes

Mendy, Monet, and Mylen came to visit last weekend. It was super fun. We miss them. We went to the St. Patty's day parade downtown and had a great time. Wish they would come back and be our neighbors again....

the little guys at Mr. Biggs....

2010 Melodie's new finds and old favorites.

Here are my picks for 2010 so far ----new things that I love and old favorites. yes, it is kinda random, but I am kinda random I guess.

Best new gift:

Iphone case and wallet. Mine is red and beloved. Merry Christmas to me.




Best new read:



This is a Christian Fiction book. This genre is new to me, but I loved the "realness" of the emotions and the continuing references to trusting God in all things.




Best way to eat my veggies- makato ginger dressing.

I always loved the salads at the Japanese steak houses, but other ginger dressings weren't quite right. this is heaven. Pour on salads or use as dip with carrots. yum.


Best place for lunch in town: Shugas

This trendy little cafe, Shugas, has the best ambiance and food around. I love the hundreds of paper cranes hanging from the ceiling and the coconut shrimp soup.

Best Dinner in town: B & E filling station

B & E filling station in Palmer Lake is to die for. I had a fantastic dinner with a charming friend with a glass of wine and delicious dinner. I had the almond encusted salmon with sun dried tomato, she had the bacon wrapped tenerloin.... and then we had desert-- chocolate torte. yum.

Best thing on my TiVO: LOST

It's cliche'

It's confusing

It's the final season

Best place to eat with kids: Chick -fil- A

A new restaurant opened by my house. I like the clean playground and breakfast menu--chicken nuggets and biscuits and gravy. We have already had many playdates there.

Best Workout: Zumba

I started going to zumba this summer. It is aerobic exercise disguised as latin dance and hip hop. Love love love to go. I go Monday, Wednesday and Thursday to classes at the YMCA. When I first started I was winded after about 15 minutes. Now I love love going and feel exhilerated afterwards! click on the icon to learn more...

Favorite restaurant: jack n grill

Jack N Grill is the family favorite. I like the vaquero ( bbq) beef tacos. The calabacitas and queso are to die for and pretty much everything is delicious. It has totally been worth the hour drive to Denver every time. However, I am pleased to anounce that they have opened a new location on Denver's south side that is about 15 minutes closer. Yum. click on the pic to see the menu

Favorite treat that I like to make: caramel pull aparts

If you have stayed at my house, you have probably had these. I love making them and really love eating them. If you haven't had them, come visit. I am also happy to pass along the simple recipe... I am pretty sure they are zero calorie and zero fat.

Favorite new Snack: Dry roasted Edamame from my new favorite store sunflower market.

Favorite Dirty Little Secret: Desperate Housewives

The obsession started when I was invited to a DHW party and was totally confused on what was happening. I promptly went to blockbuster and got season 1. I am now finishing the 4th season and am an unofficial neighbor on Wisteria Lane. (Stop judging me)

Best new Coffee Shop-- coffee and Tea zone- rockrimmon

We first went there with our dear friends, the Elders, but since have met many friends there for after school treats. Our newest favorite is the BOBA tea. We get the Almond chai boba. YUM. Those big black bubbles ( they are tapioca) took a while to get used to the first time we started chewing, but are a super fun treat now.

Favorites on the IPOD: podcast

This show, for those of you who may not know, is a current events comedy show. The first one I ever heard had the speical guest Tony Shaloub ( Monk). I was immediately hooked. I am trying to get on the show, but am not having luck. I want to win Carl Castle's voice on my answering machine. The whole thing makes me laugh.

Favorite new song to take to gym:

REPLAY- Iyaz

( ok so I like songs with my name in them...)

Favorite CD: click the album cover to see her website.

Francesca Battistelli: Free to be me

'Cause I got a couple dents in my fender

got a couple rips in my jeans

try to fit the pieces together
but perfection is my enemy

on my own I'm so clumsy

but on YOUR shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me