Mt. Rushmore

We finally are home again! On our way back, we went to Mt. Rushmore. It was the first time the kids have been there. Dave and I hadn't been there for about ten years or so and, oh boy, has it changed. It is rather like a carnival now, with flags, music, shops and a parking structure. Much different than the last time we we there!

The kids got little booklets with questions to answer to earn Junior Ranger badges. They really got in to it! It was a fun way to learn about the monument and explore the area. They were so excited when they got their badges! :-)

It is nice to be home again and to sleep in our own beds! :-)

Kate & Grant are Junior Rangers!

County Fair

Every other summer our staff conference begins with a fun night for families after a short meeting to welcome everyone. Carnival rides, games and food are set up on a parking lot and thousands of people pour into the roped-off area for a great night at the "County Fair." Grant and Kate look forward to this night with great excitement. Here are a few pictures of this year's "fair."

Estes Park

The kids and I took another trip into Estes Park the other day. We happened to choose a cool and rainy day, but we had a good time anyway. We enjoyed looking at the shops and walking along the creek. The kids were excited to try caramel apples for the first time. The drive back was just gorgeous! I love the mountains! It's times like these that I wonder why we ever left Colorado. But really, I know it is because God brought us to where we live and minister now. And even Colorado is not better than where ever God has called us to be. :-)

Kate by the creek


Grant on rocks by the creek


Caramel apples ~ Yum!

YMCA of the Rockies

This is one of my favorite views!
(Click on the picture to get a better idea of how beautiful the view is!)
It is what you see from the big porch of the administration building at the YMCA of the Rockies Camp near Estes Park, Colorado. In our ministry with high school students, my husband and I have spent a week at the Y~camp for many summers as we have helped put on our summer conferences. The camp has great activities for younger kids as well, like day camps, that Grant and Katie have really enjoyed.

Yesterday we drove to Estes Park and, of course, found our way to the Y~Camp. We sat on the huge porch in front of the ad. building and took in the view. The camp recently celebrated their 100 year anniversary and had a sculpture put on the grounds to commemorate the occasion. The kids enjoyed playing on it. :-)
















Isn't that a fun sculpture for a YMCA camp? :-)



Besides being a place that we love, the Y~Camp also plays a role in our family history. When Dave's father was a boy, his family spent many summers in a cabin at the camp. His father was a teacher, so he had the summers off and he spent them with his boys, fishing and hiking near Estes Park. The family always stayed in the same cabin and the two boys even built a tree house in a tree by their cabin.

Yesterday we decided to go find the actual cabin that Dave's dad stayed in all those summers. When we found it, we wondered, "Where did the boys build their treehouse?" We saw a big tree right next to the little cabin. Could it have been in that one? Guess what we saw up in that tree?














Can you believe it?! Those boards were put there by two little boys over 60 years ago!

It was exciting for our family to see the remnant of the treehouse still up there in that tree! It was fun to imagine what their summers were like and all the fun they had exploring and playing in the area. Dave grew up hearing stories of those summers. Now we tell our children stories about Granddad and his summers at the Y~Camp.

Birthday Parties Are Fun

Kate & Anna are ready to party!


The bubble-catching game was a hit! :-)


Birthday girl, Emma, Anna, Kate and Caeley wait their turn during a game.

Fourth Of July Fun

There is a tradition here for the kids in this apartment complex to decorate their bikes and scooters and ride them in their own little parade on the 4th of July. Grant and Katie were thrilled to be a part of it and set to work decking out their bikes in red, white and blue. At the appointed time everyone met together and a dad on a motorcycle led the parade of kids around the parking lots a couple of times, while moms and dads ran along to get pictures. It was actually quite fun and the kids were so proud to be in a parade! :-)

Visitors!

We've had some visitors! Our friend, Arthur, and his four kids stayed with us for a few days on their way to visit the kids' grandparents who live a few hours away. We had lots of fun with them! Grant and Katie last saw Arthur's kids three years ago when they visited us, but they picked up right where they left off last time and had a blast together. There were some tears when they left yesterday. We sure hope we will see them before another three years go by!

Dave and the kids hit the pool.


The boys were really focused on a video game ~ serious business! :-)

YUM! :-)