Golf Lessons

In honor of Christopher, I found some great golf lessons for the kids to try this summer.  They loved it.  We did The First Tee program in Denver and I am so thankful for such a thoughtful organization.  The kids were taught by the most energetic teenagers and came home each day with a 'value of the week' (respect, responsibility, courtesy, etc).  

Christopher sent them coordinating golf shirts from the middle east!

A beautiful, public course (Willis Case) in Denver.  A bit of a drive, but absolutely worth it!

One Year

This little cutie spent her first birthday on the road on the way home from Colorado.  She didn't seem to mind!

In fact, this photo tradition was carried out at the most scenic little rest stop somewhere in Kentucky.  Ahhh...the joy and chaos of the third child!

Celebrating America

I couldn't think of a more perfect spot to spend our Fourth of July than hiking through Rocky Mountain National Park.  My mom is a high level picnic maker, so we packed it up and headed to Estes Park.  The kids were in heaven, shedding shoes to hop through an ice-cold mountain creek, balancing expertly across a fallen-log-bridge, marveling at an up-close encounter with an enormous elk, and even playing in some snow!






Why oh why did Si feel the need to take off his shoes in the middle of an icy rock field?

A (Birth)Day Well Spent

What a day.  Our Wild One turned four, so we celebrated in style.  Maybe part of me thought that if we celebrated big enough it might keep his mind off our missing Daddy.  I think he had a great time...as we snuggled up at the end of a very long day he whispered in my ear, "Thanks for my burfday, Mommy." Oh, it was my pleasure, sweet boy. 

Kicking it off right: balloons, donuts, decorations!

Pretty awesome having your birthday on 7/11 -- Free Slurpee Day!

We headed up to the mountains, to the most picturesque little lake in Evergreen.  I could hardly believe the beauty.

Hannah, getting ready for her boating adventure.  What her Dad doesn't know won't hurt him, right?

Thumbs up for paddleboating!

And a great afternoon topped off with a little fishing!

All that was left was spaghetti dinner (a Simon request), cake, ice cream and PRESENTS!

Among his great gifts was a play set of camping gear and a kids' lantern.  These two set up their own restaurant ("Restaurant Canoe", specializing in chocolate and cheese, according to Si.  My kind of place.) They played outside by the light of the moon and the lanterns until almost 10:00.  What a fantastic end to a perfect summer's day!

Eleven Months

Wildfires

It's been a hot week here in the Rockies. Fires are burning all over Colorado, and tonight one started here in Boulder. The Flagstaff fire is burning on the southwest ridge in the flat irons, about 10 miles from where we are. We are safe. There are many buildings and a major highway between us and the fire. We are not concerned for our own safety.

However, my little brother Mike is up there fighting it. Oh how I pray for him.

Here are a few photos we took last weekend when we went up to Flagstaff to hike and have a picnic. Amazing to think that this is all gone, all burning now.

Si's New Ride

My brother Mike dropped by for dinner tonight and took Simon for a spin on our new bike set-up. I found this trail-a-bike at a recreational equipment recycler (so very Colorado, isn't it?) as I was thinking of ways to get the three of us out on all the amazing trails around town.

Si was NOT excited. "Mom, there is no way I am going to get on that bike until you put training wheels on it." Once I forced him aboard with promises of Popsicles and yogurt, things just got hilarious. Screaming at my back: "Mooommm! This is something that is NOT fun for me!!!". "Mooommm! This is not making me happy!"

Eventually, as you can tell by the look on his face, he fell in love. We lapped this park no fewer than 20 times this afternoon. I'm looking forward to hitting the trails with these kiddos.

Ten Months

So here we are, closer to eleven months than ten, but the tradition must continue.

We made it!

What a sweet relief to arrive safely at my parents' house in Colorado. We took our first trip to the mountains for a picnic, hike and even a bit of fishing tonight. Let summertime begin!

Remembering, Honoring

Yesterday was Memorial Day.  Our family tradition has always been to spend time and post flags in a veteran's cemetery.  Christopher is at the heart of this tradition: it's his idea, his passion, his patient and appropriate discussions with the kids about the meaning of the day.  So it was a bit bittersweet to carry on without him.  Tough to explain to the kids that we were honoring men and women who had been in the military and died while serving their country (or as the kids say, they "sacrificed for America").  You could see the wheels turning in Millie's head..."Hmmm.  My Dad's in the military serving his country...".  Anyway, we powered through on our own and ended the afternoon with a picnic lunch and some bike riding.