As we are continuing to enjoy our summer vacation I find myself thinking about all the great things about this season:
Starry nights.
Eating ice cream cones.
Going to the library.
Staying up late. Sleeping in.
Enjoying a great book.
Having time to organize my cabinets.
Not having to get up at 5:00 in the morning to exercise.
Fresh blackberries from the backyard.
Birds chirping.
Hot days. Cool nights.
Taking a bike ride through the neighborhood.
Smores.
Going out on the boat.
Green grass. Leaves on the trees. Flowers blooming.
Sitting outside at night listening to the kids enjoying their summer.
I am so grateful to God for all the beauty He brings to my life.
What are you grateful for this season?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Can't Believe How Fast It's Going
It's hard to believe summer vacation is more than half over. I was talking with a friend last night, and we were commenting on how we start back up in less than a month. I go back next month on the 13th and the kids go back on the 18th. Why is it that life seems to be flying by? When the kids were little I used to wish for them to be a little older, a little more independent. Well, that time is here, and now I am hoping I can freeze it for a while. They are so enjoyable to be with. Tomorrow we are headed to a water park in Denver. This weekend we'll be doing some hiking in the mountains with the dog. Next week, they're at camp. On the 25th we'll be taking last big camping trip before summer vacation is over. Craig has to work the last two weekends of vacation. Yuck! All is well, though and I can't complain too much. I am so grateful for all that we have, and I look forward to the many blessings that are yet to come!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Learning a New Skill
After lunch today, Craig decided he was going to mow the lawn. When I came around the corner here is what I saw.
I guess it won't be long before I find Craig on the couch watching some great show, and the kids taking over his job!
I guess it won't be long before I find Craig on the couch watching some great show, and the kids taking over his job!
All is Well
So we ventured to the mountains this weekend for our first camping trip of the season. We were able to repair the boat, and it was a huge sucess! We had a ton of fun, but realized that camping is really a lot of work. Especially when young kids are involved.
We ended up having to tote all our things to our campsite on the boat. A first for Craig. (I vaguely remember doing that when I was young in my dad's green boat. Can't be certain though, since I was just a kid myself!)
We found a pretty decent site with a small beach for the kids to enjoy. They loved it so much because they could fish right at the campsite! They both love to fish, but they did admit that their favorite part of camping is making S'mores! Who doesn't like that part!!
Craig's favorite was waking up at 5:00 in order to cast his first line of the day!
My favorite was waking to the sound of cows mooing at 5:00 in the morning...not!
It was just a blast to be together.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Our New Found Hobby...bursted...
We spent Saturday morning cleaning and reviving Craig's old boat. Craig was so excited to try it out, so we headed to Penrose to a small resevoir called Brush Hollow for a few hours that afternoon. The lake was much lower than we had expected, but with a little help we managed to take it out and have a great time. The kids even caught a fish! Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the camera. Needless to say, we really enjoyed ourselves, and decided it would be easy to take it out for mini trips often.
Sunday, the weather was not cooperative...no boating.
Monday Craig walked in the door at 12:30 announcing he was done with work. We headed up to Tarryall Resevoir just past Lake George.
A beautiful drive. The dog could hardly contain herself. The kids couldn't wait to catch more fish!
Much to our dismay, the day didn't quite go as planned. In our haste to unload the boat in the water we forgot to put in the plug...leading to a slight filling of the boat. Once we scooped out the water, we headed away from the dock with the trolling motor. Unfortunately, Craig couldn't get the engine started. We managed to row ourselves to the shoreline when it started to rain. We put the kids and the dog in the car and waited for the storm to pass, while Craig managed to get the motor started. Upon arriving back at the dock he announced for everyone to get in. I was a little too tiffed to enjoy this experience, so I decided to take the dog for a walk. On our walk, I noticed a small metal cap that looked similar to the color of our boat trailer. Didn't think anything of it, so I walked back to the boat ramp to check on the family. The kids decided they wanted to play in the water a bit, so naturally, we said yes.
Meanwhile, Apsen was enjoying the water a little too much, too. She kept going out to the point where she couldn't get back safely. After her third attempt to go out we decided to try out the boat once again.
It really gets funny now. We got past the point of no return when the engine started acting up again. The dog was shivering from laying in a pool of water from the leak, Craig is feeling extremely frustrated not being able to keep the engine running, I am worried about getting back to shore before the next rainstorm comes in, and the kids are just having a great old time!! (Hope your enjoying this story... because it gets even better!)
After deciding to pack it in for the day, we managed to get the boat safely back to the dock. As Craig was backing up the trailer to load the boat, I noticed the wheel is wobbling. Yes, it was the hub cap that I saw on my walk with the dog. Fortunately, I remembered seeing it, and the dog and I went back to get it. We got it back on, put the trailer in the water, loaded the boated, drove two feet and it fell off again. Put it back on, drove three more feet and it was dangling by a thread. Clearly, we were not going to be able to take this boat home. UGGGH. After some thought, we managed to have our brother-in-law, Eli meet us in Woodland Park with another trailer. I took the kids home, while the guys headed back to Tarryall to put the boat in his parents small trailer and the boat trailer in the bed of the Eli's truck. What a sight that must have been!!
The best part of this whole experience was we couldn't help but laugh. It truly seemed like a crazy set of events that was beyond belief.
I am sure you are asking will they ever go boating again?? The answer is yes...It turns out the trailer just needs new bearings which Craig has already purchased. And the boat just needs a little welding at the seams. Eli happens to be a welder by trade, so that shouldn't take more than about twenty minutes...or so he says!
Stay tuned!
Sunday, the weather was not cooperative...no boating.
Monday Craig walked in the door at 12:30 announcing he was done with work. We headed up to Tarryall Resevoir just past Lake George.
A beautiful drive. The dog could hardly contain herself. The kids couldn't wait to catch more fish!
Much to our dismay, the day didn't quite go as planned. In our haste to unload the boat in the water we forgot to put in the plug...leading to a slight filling of the boat. Once we scooped out the water, we headed away from the dock with the trolling motor. Unfortunately, Craig couldn't get the engine started. We managed to row ourselves to the shoreline when it started to rain. We put the kids and the dog in the car and waited for the storm to pass, while Craig managed to get the motor started. Upon arriving back at the dock he announced for everyone to get in. I was a little too tiffed to enjoy this experience, so I decided to take the dog for a walk. On our walk, I noticed a small metal cap that looked similar to the color of our boat trailer. Didn't think anything of it, so I walked back to the boat ramp to check on the family. The kids decided they wanted to play in the water a bit, so naturally, we said yes.
Meanwhile, Apsen was enjoying the water a little too much, too. She kept going out to the point where she couldn't get back safely. After her third attempt to go out we decided to try out the boat once again.
It really gets funny now. We got past the point of no return when the engine started acting up again. The dog was shivering from laying in a pool of water from the leak, Craig is feeling extremely frustrated not being able to keep the engine running, I am worried about getting back to shore before the next rainstorm comes in, and the kids are just having a great old time!! (Hope your enjoying this story... because it gets even better!)
After deciding to pack it in for the day, we managed to get the boat safely back to the dock. As Craig was backing up the trailer to load the boat, I noticed the wheel is wobbling. Yes, it was the hub cap that I saw on my walk with the dog. Fortunately, I remembered seeing it, and the dog and I went back to get it. We got it back on, put the trailer in the water, loaded the boated, drove two feet and it fell off again. Put it back on, drove three more feet and it was dangling by a thread. Clearly, we were not going to be able to take this boat home. UGGGH. After some thought, we managed to have our brother-in-law, Eli meet us in Woodland Park with another trailer. I took the kids home, while the guys headed back to Tarryall to put the boat in his parents small trailer and the boat trailer in the bed of the Eli's truck. What a sight that must have been!!
The best part of this whole experience was we couldn't help but laugh. It truly seemed like a crazy set of events that was beyond belief.
I am sure you are asking will they ever go boating again?? The answer is yes...It turns out the trailer just needs new bearings which Craig has already purchased. And the boat just needs a little welding at the seams. Eli happens to be a welder by trade, so that shouldn't take more than about twenty minutes...or so he says!
Stay tuned!
July 4th
For the 4th of July we met at Uncle Eli & Aunt Katie's house for an afternoon picnic. Grandma and Nana joined the fun. Afterwards we drove over to Grandma's to pick up our new hobby. Craig's 14 foot aluminum boat that he has owned for over ten years. We decided we would clean it up and take the kids out on it for the weekend.
Baby Kirra
Craig, Kirra and Grandma
Superstar Samantha in Auntie Jen's Glasses!
Nana and Baby Kirra
Samantha, Kirra, Caleb and Emaleigh
Grandma and Emaleigh
Baby Kirra
Craig, Kirra and Grandma
Superstar Samantha in Auntie Jen's Glasses!
Nana and Baby Kirra
Samantha, Kirra, Caleb and Emaleigh
Grandma and Emaleigh
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