Birthday weekend

Saturday and Sunday means family time!!! And this past weekend we had incredibly warm, sunny weather. Probably the nicest weather I've ever had for my birthday (except when we lived in Cape Town). 

Saturday morning we took the chance to get out and go for a walk at Red Rocks Canyon. The boys were in the double stroller so we had to stick to the main trail. One of these days we'll get out the backpacks instead and explore a bit more, but it is still beautiful and relaxing to be out of the house and enjoying the mountain scenes (only 15 minutes from our house). In fact Timo was quite eager to be running on the trail, "Hike! Hike!" The photos don't show it but the place was packed, the busiest we'd seen it.

On our way to the trail, we stopped by Wimberger's Old World Bakery and Deli - an authentic German store - and got some picnic lunch supplies. The rolls are amazing. And we even got some cheese for a treat...

 The highlight for Timo was seeing this big digger in the parking lot. 

That evening Jim made pumpkin-black bean soup (very tasty) and Boston brown bread for my birthday supper. And, on Sunday afternoon he made carrot cake! [*Yes, they were all new recipes, as tradition dictates. The cake was different because it was vegan and low-fat, but surprisingly moist and tasty. We'll be making it again.] 

We even found some candles, which Timo  blew out for me (and then wanted to do again, so we re-lit and did it again and again and again). Best of all, I got to talk to Dad to say Happy Birthday to him too. Okay - let's be honest. The best part was reading the hilarious limericks that my family wrote for me. Here are two...i'm not exactly sure what I think of them...

Little Miss Julianna
She sat on a banana
The ham and beef were outs
So ate her kale and sprouts
And lived 'til an old Nana. 


Words can't explain
A sister not-so-plain.
She smiles with ease, 
Usually eager to please
And not a soul would find her vain.

If she has time, she cooks
vegetables and sauces from books.
No meat of course,
Lest she turn into a horse...
Wary to keep her good looks.

Oh my, she makes us laugh.
Creating sillies is her craft,
I'm rolling on the floor already,
Her two sons will keep her steady,
reading books to not become daft.

Look at my little handsome guy!

Timo employed a very effective cake eating method, and polished off the whole piece quite easily.