summertime in colorado

Although Ken and Dad weren’t able to come with us due to work obligations, Mum and I took the children to Keystone, CO for a few days.  We all enjoyed the cool mountain air, beautiful scenery and hikes.  Next summer we’re thinking of spending a whole month there!  We did the Lily Pad Lake hike as well as walking into River Run twice and attempting to feed the chipmunks at Sapphire Point.  Paddle boats are a must, as is shopping at the Silverthorne Outlet Shops.  Wesley turned 7 while we were there so we celebrated his birthday by going to see the new Transformers movie, eating out at Ruby Tuesday’s then having cake from City Market.  We’re trying to go again in winter for some skiing if our schedules work!  Here are a few pics of our trip.

At the starting point of the Lily Pad Lake hike.  (right) The children on their new scooters.

Wesley by one of the 2 lakes at Lily Pad.  Taylor paddling in the icy cold water. He didn’t last long!

On the hike to Lily pad we pass what we call “Boulder Lake”.  The wildflowers were beautiful!

On our way to feeding the chipmunks at Sapphire Point.

Ahh pool time in the summer time

It’s not summer without going swimming!  We’re lucky enough that our neighborhood pool is just down the street and we’re usually there on a daily basis.  This particular afternoon Mum and Dad brought Zach, Katie, and Liam and Cheri came with Ali.  It was a great opportunity not only for the cousins to play together but also to burn off some energy.  It was super hot outside and felt like 100 degrees!

Zach really isn’t this short but was hunched down by Taylor!  Liam likes riding on Kate’s back.

Liam can touch the bottom of the pool now and loves to swim! Kate and Jocelyn smother Ali with love and protection.

Ali adores the water as well as watching her cousins. Grandma and Grandad with Ali during a break from the water.

Father’s Day 2009

jocelyn’s off to camp

I was surprised when Jocelyn said she wanted to go to camp this summer.  We already had her signed up for a Brownie Buddy Bash sleepover thing with her troop in July but this was something very different for her.  She didn’t change her mind, either, so yesterday morning I dropped her off with her bag for the week, her sleeping bag and pillow, and “Honey”.  I know she’ll have a blast but something sure tugged at my heartstrings yesterday morning as she climbed into the church van with her fellow campers.

books are my friend

Taylor and Wesley in front of the library with their selections for the week.

I love summertime not only because I get to take a break from my crazy life of a school teacher but that’s really my only chance to catch up with my novel reading.  Sure, I may flip through a magazine but during the school year it seems that I am focused on teacher’s manuals and teaching resources.  So as of today, I have completed 3 novels in the 3 weeks I’ve been off from school and am well into a fourth.  Ahhh, heaven.

Each summer I also sign up the children for the local library reading program.  The Wichita Public Library has a program called Be Creative@ Your Library this year.  Although I don’t sign them up due to the prizes they receive once they’ve completed their goal but it’s definitely an incentive!  Not only that, but it truly encourages the children to read books during the summer.  Oh, and it’s FREE! We also have our own quiet reading time during the day that helps them to relax as well as appreciate literature.  We’ve been meaning to do a family read-aloud time too with the classics.  Hopefully we’ll start that soon but at least in the meantime we’re visiting our local library every week.  Have you checked out your local library lately?

a visit from friends

The Lott’s have been friends with us for a long, long time and our children have almost grown up together, although we’re in KS and they’re in OK.  We had a fun weekend with a trip to the Nifty Nut House, lunch at TJ’s Burger House in Delano, swimming in the neighborhood pool, grilling out Ken’s famous chicken wings, a visit to the Keeper of the Plains with the rings of fire, more swimming, a walk at the Great Plains Nature Center, and lunch at Taco Bell resulting in the finding of a kitty.  It was a fabulous weekend spent with great friends making wonderful memories.  Who could ask for anything more?!  Check out Ken’s blog for more pictures on the Lott’s visit as well as the kitty saga!  Check out Malena’s blog on her view of our visit!

Harrison and Taylor (munching on an air mattress?????) and Jocelyn and Audrey.

Jocelyn, Audrey, Wesley, and Owen on the bridge.  (right) Wesley, Harrison, Taylor, Jocelyn, and Audrey.

Ken and Rod and (right) Rod and Malena  on the bridge leading to the Keeper of the Plains.

A day in oologah

It was time to pick up Taylor from camp so since it was a 3 hour drive (one way) I thought it would be fun if we spent the day with Amy and cousins Karson, Konner, and Addi.  The drive going was the greatest as it rained the whole entire way and the semi-trucks were splashing major water on my windshield so I couldn’t see.  Even so we got there about 11:15-ish and had play time, pool time, dinner time, then off to pick up Taylor and head back to Wichita.  It was a fun day even with the amount of driving!

Wesley and Konner try on their goggles before we headed to the Oologah pool.  Addi and Jocelyn swam, and swam, and swam, and swam, and swam. . . .

Wesley and Karson hang out by the side of the pool where the basketball goal was.  It was a neat indoor pool with basketball goals, a volleyball net, noodles, diving rings, and a diving board that all of the kids adored.  Even Wesley went off it!

taylor and camp

Taylor’s surrounded by his gear and ready to go!  Have fun, Taylor, and stay safe!

Taylor had the opportunity to go to camp with his Uncle Keith this summer.  Keith is a youth minister in Owasso, OK and thought Taylor would really have a good time at Falls Creek.  Ken and I both have fond memories of the adventures we had at church camp and since Taylor would be under the watchful eye of his uncle, we thought it would be a good idea too.  We met in Perry, OK, the half-way point between Owasso and Wichita.  It’s been really strange without him this week.  Jocelyn and Wesley have gotten along much better without big brother instigating trouble and that was indeed a welcome change.  The quiet is eery, though.  I’m looking forward to him coming back Friday.

the boys and soccer camp

Taylor participated in a soccer camp last year at Central Christian Church through Victory Soccer Camp.  This year both Taylor and Wesley participated and so did Wesley’s friend, Peyton.  Per their flier, “Victory Soccer Camp focuses on the local community, equipping and encouraging children to live a successful life of integrity, and good character qualities.”  What a fabulous week they had!  This was Wesley’s first time in any group sport and he’s hooked!  I took my camera today to capture their last day.

The last group huddle and ending with prayer before the players are dismissed for the week.  Right, Coach Goran Hunjak helping hand out water bottles to the players.

Wesley and Peyton with their coach, Justin.  Peyton and Wesley pose in front of the goal before leaving for the day.

Taylor and Wesley.