Colorado!

The best way to escape the Oklahoma heat is to run away! This year we went to Colorado for the Rex reunion. We arranged to go a few days early and stay in a cabin with the Ferrells and it was wonderful. On our way out to CO we got to stop in Kansas and see our great-niece Emma get blessed.

The cabin was fully furnished with everything we needed except for food. We played games, read, relaxed, and enjoyed the mountains. Our boys were scared to walk through the tall grass until we reassured them there were no chiggers to be found!

We ate Alfredo, burgers, waffles, German pancakes, and roasted marshmallows for smores.

On the last day we went to a resort and played with all of their outdoor games like giant Jenga.

After lunch we said goodbye and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park to meet up with Dale's family. We set up camp and enjoyed pizza on our first night.

On Thursday we hiked up to Emerald Lake. Once the boys got moving, they did ok until it was time to come back down...then their legs hurt too much and it was slow going.

On Friday we drove around to several smaller hikes, and drove up to the visitor center. Kimball was adamant that he had to touch the snow. Alluvial Falls was beautiful!

We went to a homestead and Dale got to try on a buffalo coat :)

Naturally there were campfires, and games played. On Saturday it was time to leave. The boys got their Junior Ranger badges and we drove home.

It was depressing to go from 80 degree temperatures back to 100+ temperatures, nevermind all of the bugs. But it is good to be home and I've almost finished putting everything away from our trip (over a week later).

July 2015

July flew by way too fast! Now we're getting ready for school to start and summer break is practically over :(. At the beginning of July, my Dad and sister visited, then took the boys with them to NM. While they were gone, we remodeled our 1/2 bathroom in our bedroom. Then Lily turned 12 months and we celebrated her birthday!

Poor Lily got her shots and was miserable all day (6 shots! 2 in each leg and one in each arm). They only time she smiled was when it was cool enough to go outside and swing.

Kimball started Cub Scouts when he turned 8 and got to go to a twilight camp. On the last day the families were invited to participate. Swimming, canoeing, fishing, growing sweet potatoes in soda bottles, and more!

Fishing at scout camp

A sister in our ward has a miniature pony and we finally got to go ride Shorty...well the boys at least. Lily was not a fan! Kimball is getting too tall and almost didn't fit on Shorty.

Our ward scheduled a softball game, but when we got to the field found out they only allowed T-ball, so we played wiffle-ball (much to Dale's dismay). We took turns caring for Lily and playing.

 Lily still bathes in the bathroom sink since it's the perfect size that she can't crawl away in it.

One of the boys took the above picture with their camera. They know more about that little camera than I ever learned and it's fun to see what pieces of our lives they capture on it.

Dale got me a new lens for my camera for my birthday, so I've had a lot of fun taking pictures of our kids on it!

At the end of summer, Kimball got up the courage to jump off the diving board. He tried first with a life jacket and goggles, but then he started doing it all on his own and I was so proud of him. Once he started, he kept going back for the whole time we were at the pool!

Lily found Dale's tie one day and walked around with it on. She also learned how to climb on the table. The only way we could get her to stop was to put her in her room with the door shut for a minute and she learned quickly that the table wasn't worth being put in her room!

It's fun to see how quickly Lily is learning! She is starting to try to "dress" herself in all sorts of fun things like Kimball's swimsuit.