Crocodile Dock!

Joshua, Hannah and a group of their buds are attending Vacation Bible School at Dad and Mom's church this year (Dad was waiting for us on arrival this morning - what a great welcome!). They had a great 1st day meeting new friends and doing fun activities. They are paticipating in a mission project to put together "Packs of Hope" for children in foster care (clothing, toiletry items, and a toy or book) - we went shopping tonight and they each picked out things for a child their own age. It's going to be a great week!!!

"the table"

Many of you know that our family is really excited about what's happening at Mean Street Ministry. "the table" is an amazing ministry that was started to partner with them. Every Thursday night a homemade meal is provided at our church and people living in the hotels and motels along Colfax join us for dinner. Afterwards we have a worship service and time for fellowship. The hope? That we are feeding not only the body, but also the soul.

Last night our usual cook was out of town. Greg and I were a little nervous but agreed to fill in. After all - can anyone really goof up chili? Did I mention that it's 10# of meat and chili for 75+ people?!?! But with God on our side what could go wrong??? Absolutely nothing!!! As it turned out, we managed pretty well in a different kitchen with everything stored in strange and unique places! Joshua and Hannah helped open cans, cut green chiles, and kept the pots stirred. They also helped set the tables and put out the paper products, and when it came time to serve, our Webelos Scouts were there to fill bowls, pass out brownies and cupcakes, and carry plates. We are so thankful for the amazing minds that partnered together to make this ministry a reality! It was another great night ~ terrific life lessons for all of us!!!

Looking for REAL food on a Thursday night? Join us!

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. 1 Corinthians 4: 11-13

http://www.meanstreetministry.org/

http://www.tablebethlehem.org/

Early Morning Bike Rides!

What's not to love?!?!

All the more reason to get up early and hop on for a ride!!!

Amazing Chalk Art!

Wow! Gail, Joshua, Hannah and I went downtown for La Piazza Italian Chalk Art on Larimer Square. It was amazing! The streets were blocked off and artists were chalk drawing all over the place. Talk about talent!!! The high schools had an entire area where they were designing as well - they came from as far away as Julesburg in the northeastern corner of the state (where we used to stop for breakfast on our summer vacation drive to Minnesota!). Joshua and Hannah loved the Kids' Corner where they were able to create their own masterpieces. It would be really cool to go back tomorrow and see all of them completed!

...unbelievable colors and details...

...Denver Lutheran High School Teacher Mark Hollenbeck...

...Mark's daughter, Grace, did the flower on the left...

and she WON AN AWARD - yea!!!

...so totally cool... and I do love wine!

...Lakewood High School ~ my old home...
Denver Lutheran High School students were in the process of drawing airplanes that Joshua thought were way cool!

...stopping for an Italian ice... (thanks, Auntie!)

...Joshua and Hannah take to the streets with chalk...

What a great way to spend a beautiful 83-degree afternoon! Fun!

http://www.larimerarts.org/la_piazza_dell_arte.html

Summer Blessings!

...what I'm thankful for...

...early morning walks... green grass and colorful flowers... Joshua's baseball games and Hannah's soccer games... kids sleeping in... more regular trips to DQ... watching the Rockies every night (even when they're losing ~ a LOT lately)... staying up later... compassion in our kiddos... relaxing in the backyard... getting busier at work... running through the sprinkler... camping in Yoda... Cleo and Tanner... lounging on the front porch watching the kids ride their bikes and scooters... crawdad fishing... LONG bike rides with Joshua... trips to the library... my hubby and kiddos... living in an amazing place where the beauty of God's creation is all around us - it's just awesome!!!

YMCA of the Rockies!

Our dear friends - Glenn, Natalie, Camille, and Ben - joined us at YMCA of the Rockies @ Snow Mountain Ranch on Saturday. We rented a cabin to share for our two families. Snow Mountain Ranch is an amazing place - over 5000 acres of fabulous surroundings plus an indoor pool, miniature golf, arts and crafts, horseback riding, library, archery, and so much more. Our days were spent hiking to the waterfalls, swimming, making crafts, playing games, and eating great food! We joked that we all brought enough food to last a week - very tempting to stay longer!!! Mike and Gail came up on Monday and we went into Winter Park for BBQ at Smokin' Moe's - it was delicious! After another trip to the pool we were back at the cabin for a game of Yahtzee! Check out http://www.ymcarockies.org/ - the core values of YMCA of the Rockies are Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Faith. Great times and a great start to our summer vacation!!!

Last Day of School!!!

Yep - it's true! Today is the last day of school! Greg and I are headed over for their closing awards assembly and chapel service at 10:45. Can't believe Joshua is headed into 5th grade and Hannah into 2nd grade! WOW ~ how the time flies!!! First things first, though - we're headed to the mountains tomorrow for 4 glorious days! yippee!