Hawaiian Luau-Life Connected July 2012

We belong to this young adult group called Life Connected at church and they had a Hawaiian Luau party this summer.  The best dressed adult and kid got a prize.  Grandpa Don would be proud to see Tim wearing the shirt he got from him and knowing that he won the best dressed adult award. 

Drew playing with his buddies Josiah and Noah. 

Discovering Trail Ridge Road-RMNP

Wow!  What a trip this was!  Tim decided on a whim that he wanted to drive the entire Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) because during the winter months it is closed to traffic.  I understand why now it is closed in the winter.  I am not sure I want to drive on it again in the summer!  But the whole family had fun exploring and here are some photos to prove it. 

Our first stop on the 5 hour journey, needed to refuel the bodies.  This was in Grand Lake, CO.  Beautiful little town that we plan to visit at the end of August again. 

Drew had Superman ice cream

Evelyn was supposed to share a chocolate shake with mom but she much preferred the Superman ice cream!

2nd stop on the first pass as you come into the west end of RMNP.  I thought this was high up and I had no idea what was coming next!

 This was the road we were driving on!  Yes, no railings, straight down drop off, rocky edges!  But it was cool in hindsight. 

At this time the High Park fire near Fort Collins was still burning and you could see it clearly from RMNP. 

Our favorite thing is to spot wildlife and we spotted these elk at about 11,000 feet. 

We also met our first "marmot".  He just hung out in the parking lot and was not afraid of people. 

I couldn't pass up this photo.  Tim thought it would be great to give Drew a mo-hawk hair cut.  Straight up "dirt bike kid".  It only lasted a week!!

We saw this guy right on the side of the road and I took it as we slowly drove past.  I felt like we were at one of those drive through animal parks.  

As we came into RMNP on the west side, they warned us that a fire had just started in Estes Park and they would be routing us out the north entrance to the park.  As we neared Estes, we could see the fire.  What a scary time for our state to be so inundated with fires.  

Finally, our last elk sighting happened to be in downtown Estes Park on the golf course.  Pretty funny!

Happy 32nd Birthday to Me!

I was so lucky to have my family in town for my birthday, not only to celebrate with them, but also to have a babysitter so Tim and I could go out on a DATE!!  He took me to a lovely restaurant in the foothills of Boulder called the Flagstaff House.  We dined while watching this deer dine out the window.  I would have to say the desserts were the best part of the evening.  Thanks to all for making my 32nd birthday memorable!

Visitors from A Far Away Place

We were so lucky to have some more visitors in June.  Grandma and Grandpa Kahler, Ashley and Cael Bob came to visit!  We had so much fun.  It had been 6 months since Cael was in Colorado before and he has grown SO MUCH!  We went to the zoo, played LOTS in the basement, ate yummy food and enjoyed each other's company.  We also got to host Aunt Tena from Phoenix, AZ.  The ladies all ran in a 5K in Estes Park on Father's Day.  Leaving the boys with the kids was the best Father's Day present ever!  :)

Cael Bob on the "horsey"

The crew at the zoo, what a caravan! 

Everyone minus the photographer (Tim)

Two crazy cousins being silly!

Evelyn making "friends" (I think he just wants a snack)

How sweet is that smile!

Our cheering squad for the 5K

Aunt Tena and I finishing (it was hot and windy but Aunt Tena still got 3rd in her age group)!!

Yay Ashley!  Way to go girl!

Running with Grandma Ruby across the finish line! 

Denver Botanical Gardens

In early June, we had a wonderful visit from Grandma and Grandpa Kraft.  They came mostly to house hunt, in which they did find one on their last day here, but we did get out to have a little fun too!  We took them to the Denver Botanical Gardens.  What a beautiful place!  Sue said she could see herself volunteering there when they move here.  Evelyn and Drew enjoyed it too.  They have a nice kids area for them to play in.  We didn't know that before hand, but next time we go we will take swimwear. 

Trip to Iowa-Cael's 1st Bday

So we made the road trip back to Iowa over Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate my nephew, Cael's, first birthday.  The kids love going to visit Grandma and Grandpa and never want to leave.  Here are some of my favorite photos from the week we spent there. 

Drew and Grandpa-still love to drive the mower together-will it ever get old. 

Evelyn joins Grandma for a ride on the golf cart and Grandma lets her drive! 



Drew's 2nd time fishing ever

More golfcart riding with Uncle Adam, Aunt Laura, and Reilly-this time Reilly is driving!

Three naked cousins playing in the water table at Cael's 1st birthday party!  

Cael in deep thought, contemplating life, or maybe thinking "Geez, why do I have a tummyache?"

Drew's serious concentration face during a game of washers.  He had a blast playing with all his cousins!

Three naked cousins in the tub-soon they all won't fit!

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandchildren-great photo!!!

I know it is blurry but I loved this photo of the three kiddos in the hammock.  Cael's smile is so adorable!

We had such a fun time with family and friends in Iowa.  We look forward to our next visit back. 

Preschool Graduation Certificate-May 2012

Well, Drew is finished with preschool and will start Pre-K in the fall.  We are so proud of him!

Grassy Hill

The kids have found their favorite place in the neighborhood.  They call it "Grassy Hill".  Their favorite thing to do is "run like the wind" down the hill.  We finally took a camera to catch this silly activity.  So thankful for my husband and his wonderful photography skills.  Enjoy the craziness of our family!