Moab -

We stole away for a quick weekend trip to Moab. It.was.hot.dry.and.beautiful! It usually is the end of July, just like a desert is supposed to be, but we chose to go then and had a fun time in spite of it. We took a quick morning hike to see the Corona Arch -

Here it is ---

and there's also another small arch right by -

We had a great time!

Ready for S'mores?

As if regular s'mores aren't perfect just the way they are - I found a receipe for s'more bark that sounded interesting - in case your needin a quick s'more fix.....you know, maybe it's in the dead of winter, or there isn't a campfire convenient and the microwave substitute just won't cut it.

The only ingredients you need are regular s'more ingredients - grahams, Hershey chocolate bars, marshmellows and one other - milk chocolate chips.
Break 8 grahams in half and place on a baking sheet covered with foil

Crush 4 grahams to crumbs and set aside Break 2 Hershey bars into pieces and set aside

Pour milk chocolate chips into a double broiler

Melt and stir until smooth

Pour chocolate over grahams and spread to cover

Sprinkle mini marshmellow on top and place in fridge for 10 minutes

Heat broiler and place s'more under for approximately 1 minute (or so), watch carefully so they don't BURN, but are nicely browned. Take out and pour graham crumbs over top, sprinkle with the Hershey chocolate bar pieces.

Cool completely (may place in fridge to quicken the process), and break into pieces

Yep - closest thing I've tasted to "real" s'mores yet. Now I'll be ready for those "dead of winter" cravings!

Moosman Gathering at the cabin

We had a quick family cabin get-together with my Moosman cousins, whom we hardly ever see.

It was really good to have the cabin so full with loved ones - especially ones we don't see on a regular basis! Yes, we made regular s'mores - and I brought my s'more bark!

Mr. Nixon turns 1!

Our grandson Nixon turns 1 today. I feel bad I don't have a better picture of him than this, but, I don't. He is celebrating his 1-year old birthday today at Lake Powell (lucky little man!) with his family. We are missing him, and want to say - Happy, Happy Birthday Nixon!
Here's his turtle -

Splish Splash

So have you been down to check out the new splash park/playground NSL has provided? It's in Foxboro and we decided to take our little ones for their opinion -
The people there told us the water is usually a lot higher than it was when we were there, but it was still fun. There was a lot more water than these pictures show, we just didn't snap the pictures at the right time.

The girls LoVeD it -

And best of all - it's FREE (well, compliments of our taxes), and it is certainly a place we will be visiting again....and again....and again!

Moosman Family Reunioun - 2011

Well, another grand Moosman family reunion is in the books! This year's event was sponsored by Steven & Wendy. It was held at the Trail Head Park and was a most perfect day. Started off with visiting and hello's to those we haven't seen in a while - then a yummy, traditional reunion breakfast.

Dad, or Grandpa, handles the grill he has mastered, as well as the "made to order eggs"

Wendy took over with a captivating story about a spider -

Look at these cuties, not only intrigued with the story, but "caught in the spiders web".

One story over with - but another just beginning, the kiddies all doned hats and horns and took off for adventure on the trail, here's Connor showing how it's done -

Are they all not SOOO cute?

On and on they went, listening to their story, blowing their horns, and following Wendy very intently -

Kind of like our own family Pied Pipper, in a way!

Then, on to my part. We did sand designs, it looked like so much fun at Berlynn's birthday party, we wanted to have a go at it -

It was a hit. After a while, the "big" kids had a turnHolly provided lots of fun with her "home-made" play dough -

Little Connor man asking us: "Do you want some of my pizza?" Fine job young man!

Rogers provided added foamy fun too -

So Moosman's have a water slide. "So what" you say, everyone has a water slide. Well, not everyone has a 100' single-ply roofing material water slide! With the temperatures rising, and most of the other activies winding down, Andrew fired up the water, primed the slide --

and with all eyes on him, took the maiden voyage down!

and with that - there was NO stopping all the kids. Here is Cameron

Easton -

Jake shows rare form

Sydney (Queen of the slide, nobody went further than she did, over and over again)

Miss Sadie May -

Connor -

Little Miss Cate -

Andrew (can you see the sparklie foam star on the top of his head?) -

Miss Brooklyn -

Holly -

Here is Easton, he cracked.us.up.each and every time he prepared to lauch down the slide, he posed his "super hero" pose and took off!

Then, when he could stand it NO MORE, Barry, shed his clothes (well some of them), watered his belly down -

and launched down the slide for a roaring great time -

You could not wipe the smiles off the faces, nor ignore the laughter coming from everyone as they slipped and slided for hours (well, maybe not hours, but for a LONG time). Some of the little ones found their way to the pool -

And some, due to broken ribs (or other things) really enjoyed watching and listening to the fun of all the rest!

When lunch called to our tummies, we also attacked that with great gusto!

We had such a great time at the park with each other. I love each member of this fun family, and always look forward to being together. Our reunions are what reunions should be! Later on we met at the Eaglewood Golf Course (yes, the 11th tee), for the NSL fireworks!

Thank you Moosman's for a fabulous family reunion day!