**BREAKING NEWS**

**BREAKING NEWS** If you have been lucky enough to hear it straight from the source, you are probably wondering ... should I just come right out and ask Kirsten or should I not?Maybe I will just let time take it's course and the obvious will show for itself.  Well, I hate to BREAK it to you but Hannah has been spreading some false news and I am not having a baby "brodder."  As a matter of fact, nor am I having her a baby sister.  Thankfully I have yet to have someone walk up and congratulate me, but I have gotten some weird and confused looks.  Got to love 4 year olds, and their crazy imaginations!

Creative

I was cleaning things up around the house, when I heard a little someone going through the garbage.  Because that is absolutely disgusting, I ran over immediately to find this:

No more new toys for the Carbajal ladies.  Instead, Chiki and I might as well save some money and let them have at it and go thru the trash!!

Glenwood Baby

To officially start off spring break this year, we headed to the town of Glenwood Springs with our friends Matt & Nicole. If you aren't sure where that is, it is located about 3 hours west of Denver. Glenwood Springs is a cute, little town that nestled against the mountainside.  It is a place where you can river raft, ride bikes, hike, ski, or just relax in the hot springs.   

Since we were ALL on the verge of stressing out, this little trip couldn't have come at a better time.  The first place we visited, was the Glenwood Caverns.  We took a gondola ride up to the top of a mountain, and from there toured the inside of a cave.  We weren't quite sure how Hannah & Olivia were going to handle it since inside would be dark and Hannah yelled at Chiki about Ninjas and monsters before entering, but both ended up doing really well.   After the tour of the Caverns, everyone hoped on the little carts and shot down the mountainside.

Chiki screaming like a sissy :)

Olivia even had time to spark a new romance

Hannah was trying so hard to be brave in the cave

The entry into the cave

The entire crew at the top of the cave

After the Caverns, we decided to take hike up to Hanging Lake.  The hike was a measly 1.5 miles, but with a 20 month old and a 4 year, along with snow and ice in some areas ... 1.5 miles can seem like forever.   Hannah was such a good little hiker, and walked most the way to and from all by herself.  Once we reached the top, the view was absolutely spectacular and we were all happy that we had done it.  The next time we hike to Hanging Lake, we will make sure it is later in the year and will probably opt out on taking the girls.  

Look at the pretty turquoise water

The waterfall

More of the waterfall

Once at the top ... we were all dying

Later that evening, we hung out at the hot springs.  This isn't just any hot springs.  There are 2 main pools, the largest being the size of a football field.  The temperature between the two range from 85 degrees all the way up to 104 degrees.  Needless to say, after the hike from earlier ... the water felt fabulous.  Sorry no pics.  Me in a bathing suit, all of the super hairy guys (one guy - we could have tied his chest hair to his back hair), or the making out couples ... we decided to pass on photographing this event.

Our time in Glenwood Springs was short lived but it was definitely nice to get away and spend some time with great people.  The relaxing part was nice too!!

A Sign Of The Times

My little sister Kim and brother-in-law Jeremiah, came out for a visit last week.  They have been out here numerous times, but had yet to do the tour of the U.S. Mint.   For anyone who is looking for a free, short but sweet activity to do, I highly recommend it.   Anyhow, I have done the tour many times, and at the beginning of each tour ... you are usually presented with a shiney, new quarter for your keeping.  But not this visit.   Instead, we were given the speech about how the penny is loosing them money.  A definite sign of the times 





I couldn't resist and had to throw in these pictures. My cousin's little boy Zackary sent me Flate Zackary for a school project, and we took pictures of him at the Mint. Chiki and I had too much fun taking the pictures, and all of the guards were laughing at us.

Little Bites of Heaven

My sister-in-law Cameron made us some really YUMMY cinnamon pull aparts, the last time we were in Utah.  I got the recipe from her awhile ago, and finally made them last night.  They not only made the house smell absolutely delish ... but tasted like little bites of heaven.  At least I thought so.  I ate nearly the entire batch.  Anyhow, I wanted to share the recipe with any who would like to try.

Cinnamon Pull Aparts

15 rhodes rolls

3/4 c brown sugar

1/2 c butter

1 c pecans (optional)

Cinnamon

*Coat a pan with cooking spray.  Put rolls on the pan, cover, & raise for 1/2 hour

*Cut each roll in half & place in a bundt pan (or I used 2 loaf pans since I don't have a bundt)

*Combine melted butter, brown sugar, pecans & cinnamon to taste

*Pour mixture over rolls, & cover once again to raise for another 2-4 hours

*Preheat over to 350 and back for 15 - 20 minutes.  Remove from pan when done

For a little added sweetness I drizzled powdered sugar frosting over the top

1/4 c powdered sugar - sifted

1T water

1t vanilla

ENJOY!

The Ugly Is Gone

Good News - If you read my last post, you are probably thinking that my house is completely going to pot.  I try a project, it doesn't work to my liking, I make a huge mess, and then I move on.  Well, that part is true.  The GOOD NEWS, is that my husband lent a much needed helping hand last night and the caulking is once again under wraps.   It took Chiki a few hours to clean up my disaster but all looks 100% better.  I am thankful for his help, but am a little worried that he will never let me live this one down :)

Now onto my next project.  I know I can handle this one:  decluttering