VBS Lite

Because the church campus is in the middle of the building project, we had to forego the yearly week-long VBS.  Instead, we had a one-night VBS Bash at the community center down the road.  It still had all the essential elements of a Zion VBS:  

Lots of food

Singing

A funny skit

Teaching

Crafts

And even snow cones!  Just all in one night.  We were thankful for all the people who worked hard to put the special night together.

Happy Birthday, Ezra!

Ezra turned the big 4!  We had a fun day of celebrating our energetic, precocious little guy.  Birthday stocking and breakfast, which included a donut shaped like an E.

 He tried out his new shark bike helmet.

The helmet made him so fast, he crashed!  But don't worry, the helmet protected him.

Grandma Stata was visiting, so we decided to take her to have a picnic at the park in Franklin, where we climbed, played in the splash pad, and explored.

After a rest, it was time for one more party, presents, and Ezra's request for his birthday dessert: orange cake with orange frosting.  And orange ice cream.

A sweet end to the day for our sweet 4 year old!

Swimming Lessons

It's time for Ezra and Abby to learn to swim with swimming-teacher-extraordinaire Ms. Shellie.  Every afternoon after nap time, they hop into their suits and hop into the water.  Within a few sessions, they were able to swim to the side, and after a few weeks, Ezra could jump in and swim across the pool all by himself, flipping over onto his back when he needed a breath! 

My favorite memory of their swimming lessons is Abby's one-armed paddle.  When she swims to the step, she finishes by reaching for the side and frantically paddling the other arm, just like Nemo's little fin.  We laughed every time she did it!

Headed Home

It was time to head home.  After several intense weeks in Colorado of saying goodbye and remembering Mom, we decided to take a one-night detour through the mountains to soak in the hot springs at Mount Princeton.  

Grandma and Grandpa Stata were able to join us, and we relished playing and relaxing in the therapeutic water.  When we loaded the car the next morning, we left someone very special behind - Naomi got to stay for an extra time of visiting with Grandma and Grandpa in Colorado, then she and Grandma flew back.

Picnic at the Park

It was almost time to load up the Suburban and head south, but we had one more evening to celebrate life with the Boaz cousins, aunts, uncles, and Grandpa.  We had a picnic at the park and enjoyed a beautiful evening to watch ducks, spin, slide, and swing.

With Jesus, Whom She Loved

At the Fort Logan National Cemetary for the commital service.

 

We had time to share favorite memories, and we remembered that Mom is with Jesus, whom she loved.

Grandpa's Birthday

Happy birthday, Dad/Grandpa!  We got to celebrate in person this year!