Day 3 - a little later

Day 3 consisted of traveling on the Cog Train up Pike's Peak, spending about 30 minutes up there, and then back down.  Unfortunately, my camera battery died right before coming back down.  In the afternoon we went down to the lake and hung out at the beach, and also enjoyed the Olympic size indoor and outdoor swimming pools.  Ate dinner with 17 other NFED friends at Slayton's Tejon Street Barbeque (advertised as Kansas City Barbeque).  Another wonderful day!!! 

Colorado Springs . . . Day 2

Day 2 was a fun filled day of many sites.  Kristin, Morgan, Chris, Ryan, and Tyler went on an hour horseback riding tour at Garden of the Gods.  They had a great time and Tyler ended up being the "leader" on a horse named "Little Bit".  Ryan rode "Reo" and Chris road "Stanley".  Teetay, Ally, Andrew, Grant, and I did a driving tour of Garden of the Gods.  Andrew LOVED climbing on the rocks.  We then went to Seven Falls and rode the elevator up to the "lookout" deck.  Beautiful!  Then we met up with the "horseback riding" people at The North Pole.  The kids had a BLAST!  Nice small amusement park which we rode basically everything in 2 1/2 hours.  Short lines and family friendly.  It was a wonderful day topped off by an excellent Italian dinner at Giuseppe's (an old train depot).  After dinner, the kids went across the street and ran, ran, ran in the grass - burning lots of energy.  It was a GREAT day!

Colorado Springs . . . Day 1

Sunday morning, we got up to leave for Colorado Springs, CO for our vacation and NFED conference (at the end of the week).  Ryan was scheduled to go to Camp Mennoscah for the week, and then ride with friends to meet us in Colorado on Saturday.  Well, when we all got up, we all decided that he should come with us too --- it was a TOUGH decision for him, because he really wanted to do both things, but after day 1 in Colorado, I believe he made the right decision. 

We left around 8:40 from home, made one quick bathroom/lunch stop in Colby, and arrived at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, CO around 3:00 Colorado time. 

 View from our room

 We had a great trip, the kids did amazing, and after getting checked into our room, enjoyed some time at the pool.  Of course, we've reconnected with our friends, the Kelso's and picked up right where we all left off.  The kids acted like they'd just seen each other the week before.  Such an amazing bond we have with them --- what wonderful friendships have developed for us with our association with the NFED.

 View of the lake from our room

Today we are off to Garden of the Gods and the North Pole with the Kelso's.  It is gorgeous here in Colorado --- what an incredible landscape God created for us to enjoy.  We definitely plan on enjoying it.  Chris, Ryan, and Tyler (with Kristin and Morgan) will be taking an hour long horseback ride through the Garden of the Gods, and I will be taking Andrew and Grant (with Teetay and Ally) on the "bus" tour.  I've been to Colorado Springs a number of times, but have never been to Garden of the Gods.  I'm excited to experience it. 

July . . . so far

Summer has been flying by . . . but at least it is only half over.  We've had some fun adventures already, and now the baseball season has come to an end also.  Here are a few pictures to capture the first half of July as we are anticipating leaving on vacation this weekend:)

Grant wearing his swim suit outfit (first time he wore it all year - didn't even get wet at the slip and slide)

  

 Ryan's requested birthday cake 

--- a cheesecake (and I actually made his birthday cake this time:)

 Ryan playing second base at baseball

 Tyler batting - the pitching machine was not one of his best friends:(

Tyler fielding a ball at second base

 Ready to make a play at second

We are anticipating leaving on vacation this weekend.  The NFED National Family Conference is in Colorado Springs, CO this next week.  Please pray for us as we travel there and enjoy the site.  Also pray for our family as we will not all be traveling together.  Ryan will be attending Camp Mennoscah with a couple of his friends during the week that we are gone.  This will be the first time we go on vacation without the whole family, and I think it will be a little difficult for all of us.  Pray for comfort for Ryan at camp and safety for all of us as we travel separately.  We may extend our trip in Colorado and have Ryan join us for a few days (because we have some friends coming out to Colorado that might be able to bring him).  Please keep us in your prayers as these "unknowns" get figured out.  Thanks!

Kansas City . . . AND . . . a Royals WIN

Today Tyler and Grant had check-up (follow-up) appointments in Kansas City. The Bad News - first appointment at 8:15 a.m. So, dilemma, what do we do --- make it an overnight family trip OR get up at 4 a.m. and leave by 4:45 a.m. Anyone who knows me and how much I dislike mornings - option two was NOT looking very good to me.

Good News - Chris arranged his schedule so we could go a day early and what do you know . . . the Royals were at home playing the White Sox (Uncle Brian's favorite team). Good News - we contacted Brian and Cori on Monday and were able to throw together a quick overnight to Kansas City and the Royals vs. White Sox game. The plan was to leave at 11 a.m. Wednesday so we could get to the hotel early to swim. Bad News - Chris' "arranged" schedule was "rearranged" and he DID NOT have someone to work for him so we weren't sure if he'd be able to go with us. He contacted someone else and so we waited . . . and waited . . . and waited . . . and finally at 12:45 he said, "Just go without me. You can't wait any longer." We were slowly (and sadly) loading the van when - Good News - he showed me his text that said he didn't have to go to work until 11 p.m. on Thursday! YEAH - get your things and let's go! We were able to have a great


This Kansas City trip consisted of:

The whole family together


Pool time



Attacking Uncle Brian in the pool


Cousins

Cousins Grant & Ian (just not pictured together)

Ian

Kaufman Stadium Outfield Experience (the kids loved it:)
Carousel


Fun at the "Little K"






Running the bases "racing" an imaginary Royals player



Cousins at the fountains

Our seats
(Chris is in the bright yellow shirt with Tyler to his left)

Oh yeah, the game and a great one at that!
On an abolustely BEAUTIFUL night!
A WIN!!!! Royals 7 White Sox 6

Good News - the check-ups went very well - nothing to worry about now and no surgeries scheduled! YEAH - that's what Tyler was MOST excited about it. After the appointments, the boys swam some more, then we finished out Kansas City and the Power and Light District with lunch at Chefburger! Yummy! Good News - safely home by mid-afternoon!!!