Picnic in the Park

What a beautiful day for a picnic in the park! After going to Focus on the Family, we went to Fox Run Park to play and eat.


Auntie Lara snuggled Ezra.


Johnathan learned how to bat.


Grandpa Stata blew bubbles.

It was so relaxing!

Grandpa Boaz showed off his baseball skills.

Fox Run Park has two beautiful little lakes. We walked around them and the kids did a little wading. We soaked up the fresh, cool air and sunshine and enjoyed being together with our Colorado family.

Adventuring in Odyssey

We had a fun Saturday morning with Uncle Matt, Auntie Lara, Prisca, and Grandma and Grandpa at Focus on the Family. Their visitor's center has something for everyone - the big airplane, tunnels, a two-story slide (which Naomi went down but did not enjoy - too dark!), play rooms, an ice cream shop.... and a big bookstore that Mommy and Daddy could spend hours at!

Here's Ezra waiting for his Wodfamchocsod at the Whit's End Soda Shop.

Daddy and Johnathan enjoy a book by Tony Dungee.

The kids were introduced to Adventures in Odyssey on this trip. Grandma and Grandpa got them a cd set of the radio program, and we listened to it on the long trip home. They love it! And it's fun for parents to listen to, too!

Uncle Matt and Prisca contemplate going through the wardrobe into Narnia. There are so many rooms full of fun stuff to do and see here!

Christmas in July

Another fun day in Colorado was our trip to Santa's Workshop (aka The North Pole), an amusment park in the mountains just west of Colorado Springs. You could also call this park "All the ways you can ride in a circle," as Kevin pointed out! Here are some of the many ways:

1. The Sky Ride - like a chair lift that goes all the way around. Johnathan thought he was pretty cool, riding with Uncle Randy. Naomi, of course, was stuck like glue to Kayla all day!

We all enjoyed seeing a troupe of Japanese drummers perform. They were so good.

Our lunchtime entertainment - a moose playing the piano. Amazing!

2. The Ferris Wheel, or, as I think of it, the Wheel of a Mother's Terror. Seeing my husband, children, and the rest of our extended family sitting on it as it swayed side to side while lightning clouds rolled in gave me a chance to exercise my faith, to say the least. It whipped around so fast. And did I mention it has been here for 50 years?

Ezra, you didn't quite meet the height requirement for any rides. Maybe next time!

3. Ladybugs around a mushroom

4. In ornaments around a Christmas tree

5. In these "Parachutes". Only Kevin and Naomi braved this one. Naomi loved it until it reached its peak. Then Kevin said she just yelled, "Kayla, this is AWFUL! Don't go on this one!!"

6. On motorcycles

7. In rockets!

8.-??? And don't forget cars, boats, trains, more rockets, fire trucks, a miniature ferris wheel, a carousel, and more I'm sure I'm forgetting. The kids had so much fun - this place is just right for their ages.

To the Zoo

Most of our trips to Colorado include a visit to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. I've been going there since I was a kid! Giraffes are always the first stop. We snapped lots of pictures while we were waiting for them to come out and gave them their crackers .


Carolanne and Cousin Rachel

Here's Ezra's view of the zoo. Very peaceful.

Naomi got to ride a pony!

Here's the traditional "Big Chair" family picture

Kevin and the kids, along with Kayla, Uncle Randy, and Auntie Erika rode the "Sky Ride" - a chairlift that was the much-anticipated and hollered-about highlight for Naomi and Johnathan. The ride went up the mountain with views of the Africa, grizzly bear, and mountain lion exhibits.

And the carousel was great fun, too!

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

Kevin's birthday started out with our trip to the zoo. He got lots of exercise pushing his boys up and down the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! Then we headed to the Boaz clan's "headquarters" (thanks, Mom and Dad Boaz!) for gyoza - yum!

The cousins had tons of fun running around.

All the birthday boys and girls were on the cake - Heather, Johnathan, Naomi, Kevin, and Lori!

Very exciting Toy Story presents - Buzz and Jessie

Happy Birthday, Daddy! You are an amazing husband, father, and pastor, and we love you so much.

Naomi Turns 6!

For Naomi's big day, she was in Colorado, so she got to party with lots of family! After her birthday stocking, Naomi and Kevin went out to P.F. Chang for their annual co-birthday lunch. They came back raving about the mu shu pork and the fun time they had.

While they were gone, Johnathan helped make Naomi's pink cake. What a sweet brother!

Naomi's party was the object of meticulous planning by Naomi and Grandma Stata - they had many phone chats before we left home so that Naomi could outline her theme
(tea party), food (spaghetti and pink cake), and decorations (lots of balloons and dangling curly ribbons).

We had a lovely time. Everyone, including Great grandma and Great grandpa Gardner, wore elegant hats, and the gentlemen wore snazzy paper bow ties.

Even Ezra dressed for the occasion!

Daddy looked especially handsome and brought his signature wit to the tea party.

Grandpa Stata dressed as "Butler Bernard" and served the tea.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. We can't believe how much you've grown up this year - you even have your first loose tooth! You are an enthusiastic big sister and a big help to Mommy with your little brothers. You have a zest for life that brightens each day. We love watching you use your imagination, take initiative, entertain, and learn. There is never a dull moment when you are around, Naomi!