Good-bye Summer

The whole family is feeling well--praise the Lord. This is our last week of summer break before Nate's school starts. We haven't gone on too many outings due to the big vacation in July. Mostly we've just been going to the park or taking walks in the evenings. It still seems special to sit in our own backyard or the big easy chair in front of the large tv that we've never had before. I've enjoyed watching the Olympics every night but Nathan doesn't usually watch because of the womens' skimpy outfits. Even during the men's events many inappropriate commercials make us both uncomfortable. I'm looking forward to celebrating my hubby's 30th birthday on September 5. I'm trying to work out a few surprises...we'll see how it goes. The next big event will be a week apart in mid-Septemeber when Nathan attends a conference in St. Louis. I hope to tackle a couple of projects in the evenings while he's gone and the kids are in bed.

Sniff, cough, owww

It's been a tough road for the past week. Well, not tough compared to people dealing with cystic fibrosis, cancer or both, but tough for me as I've been quite sick. My irritating cough turned into bronchitis and I was also hit with sinusitis & an ear ache. I ran a fever for 2 days and was as weak as a kitten after that. Now I'm up and about but still dealing with residual congestion, coughing fits & a clogged ear. Ian seems to have picked up all my symptoms as of this evening so it looks like I'll be spending a few more days locked up here. But I'm in a house, so it's not as bad as it could be. We can sit in the backyard when the weather is nice and even take short walks if we want to.

Back to earth

Levi & Johannes at the fountain in downtown Denver

My little hiking troop at Red Rocks

We're back from vacation. What a hoot. I did not sleep the night before we left. I did not sleep the first night we were in Denver. I was a total basketcase. The next night we slept at my cousin's house where I managed to get a few hours. The next two nights we stayed in a spider & cockroach hotel but I got a little sleep at least, even if Ian was in the bed with me and my hubby was not (twin bunk beds). For the last three nights we were back at our cousin's posh home in Longmont where I finally got a good night's rest. My cousin took us out for several great meals which made up for the so-so meals at camp. I did not do any cooking for a week except breakfast--a huge break for me. We also caught a great break on the way home. Our flight was overbooked so they bumped us onto an earlier flight and reimbursed us $300 each in future flights plus $40 in meal coupons. We didn't even have enough time on our layover to spend it all! NWA is my new favorite airline.

3...2...1...Fly!

Ahhh. Relief. We made it through the VBS week. The last cookie has been eaten at the closing program and my children are soundly sleeping in their beds. Now on to our vacation! We leave in 3 days for Denver, Colorado...a place I've wanted to visit for several years, ever since I had my eye on Nathan and he went there without me. This time we are going together with our two boys in tow. I'm meeting many relatives that I've never met before and staying two nights at a place called Fellowship Camp. I don't have a picture of mountains or I would have added that instead of a pineapple and coconut!

Day Two

We registered 13 new faces at VBS today. Only 3 kids didn't show up from yesterday so our numbers bumped up by 10. It's a busy morning that's for sure. But somehow all the activity doesn't wear Levi out. Instead, he is even more active in the afternoons. Today we went in the backyard for some fun in the sun...and the sprinkler! Much to my delight, the previous owner left one behind that is perfect for the boys. It sprays back and forth and they love to run through it. Ian took a second nap after that but Levi still wasn't tired. It takes until at least 9 p.m. to wear that boy out.

Say Cheese

This week I'm taking pictures at our vacation Bible school. Our theme is Amazon Adventure. It's a lot of fun to go around to all the rooms and catch the kids playing, eating, making crafts, etc. Below are a few of my favorite shots from Day 1. We registered a record 79 children the first day!


My sister makes a fine looking Amazon guide

Deeanna & Katelyn love to be photographed

The skit each day is very cool

Todd is the Top Guide

Maddy makes a tinfoil snake


A monkey hanging from the trees!

Game time

Twins Colin & Ryan watch the snack being made


Of course I had to include a picture of Levi during his first time at VBS

Home Sweet Home

Well, I'm here. I'm really here...blogging from the family room of our new home. It's a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon and I'm feeling really blessed. Ian is taking his nap while Levi plays and I get a moment to catch up on the blogosphere. My parents have both been here...Mom to wash windows and Dad to do some electrical work. Someone from my family usually drops by every day. When Nate and I went on our first walk around the neighborhood, we ran into my sister and her husband. With one sister living almost directly across the street and another about 3 houses down, there's not much you can do without someone knowing about it. Plus they have 11 kids between them, so there's almost always someone around. The space we have here is plenty big for family parties on both sides and our basement is set up for overnight guests. I think our social life is going to be different here. I'll keep you posted on any and all hospitality endeavors!