Is June really Over?!?!

Wow, where has this year gone!!  I can't believe that June is almost over.  I feel like there are so many things to accomplish this summer and now it's half over!  I better get with it! 

Sorry, I don't have an pictures to share with you all this week, I was really slacking in the picture department.  Even with my handy phone I missed out.  Don't worry I'm very disappointed in myself!!  But here's a little update on what we've been up to:

Park Play Date for MOPS on Monday - At the Windsor lake Swim Beach.  IT WAS HOT!!!  Another 100+ degree day (that was like the 5th in a row or something), and even at 9 am when we got there it was sweltering.  Needless to say we left right at 11:30 when it was scheduled to be over!!  Mommy can only take so much of the heat, and that was even with me sitting in the lake to keep cool!  But the boys had a blast playing in the sand, and I even got Jayce to get in the water some.  Like Riley was at this age, lake water just isn't his thing.  I think it has to do with not being able to see the bottom or something.  Cause he loves the pool just fine.  Oh well! 
Tuesday we had some long overdue visitors!  My Aunt Elaine and cousin Carrie came to visit us!  They were on their way to the cabin and stopped by for some quality time.  It was great to catch up with them and show off the boys.  Although I think Aunt Elaine is partial to Jayce, or maybe just his reddish hair,  Riley LOVED having Carrie's full attention at dinner!!
Wednesday we took our weekly trip to the theater for our $1 movie.  Kung Fu Panda 2 for this week. We had fun, but I think I'll stick to seeing the movies we haven't seen (or at least don't have on DVD at home).  Because they had seen the movie before the boys were extra fidgety during the movie . . . and into the rest of the day too.  Lesson learned!! 
And yesterday was uneventful - unless you count a trip to the grocery watching some guy argue with the produce guy over whether corn-on-the-cob was 3 for $1 or 5 for $1.  Yes, that's my life as a stay at home mom!!  *Sigh* 

But we are looking forward to some fun tonight!!!  The smoke has mostly cleared out from the fire so we are heading to the drive-in to watch Brave tonight.  I'm really excited.  We haven't made it to the drive-in at all this year, and it's always a fun time!  Daddy has some extra vacation days that we weren't planning on this year, so he has taken the first part of next week off for the 4th of July.  YAY!!  We can't really do much with doctor appointments planned and late notice, but we will have fun just spending time together!  Hopefully it's not as hot as it has been. 

FIRE UPDATE:  The High Park fire outside Fort Collins is nearly contained!  YAY for hard working firefighters!!  Thank you!!!  As of last night the fire was at 85% contained and hadn't had any new growth in two days!!!!!!  That's incredible!!  A few days ago the full containment date was set for July 30th, now it's been moved up to July 1st!!!  YAY!!!!  We got some rain a few days ago, and I know that helped tremendously!!!  They are still mopping up hot spots throughout the 87,000+ acres, but it's nice to know that no more damage can be done.  The final number of homes damaged sits at 257, which was a record until the newest fire in Colorado Springs consumed 346 a few nights ago. 

Ok, Warning: Soap Box Rant!!!  While my heart goes out to all those people who have lost homes in the Waldo Canyon fire, and the person who has lost their life, I'm a little miffed at the turn of events on fire coverage recently.  Particularly in regards to Political agendas.  While 1 fire burns the second largest amount of acreage in the history of the state, and (at the time) consuming the highest number of homes (even if they are ranch homes and vacation homes), another fire seems to be a top priority.  All because it's more visible from a major city and the homes it's is burning are half-a-million-dollar homes.  Both fires had flames shooting 300 feet in the air, but because there's video of one, that is the fire that draws the attention of the President, bringing him to not only Call the Mayor, but VISIT the destruction.  To me that says: I care more about the people living in the 1/2-million $ houses than I do about the ranchers in the mountains who lost their homes, livestock AND livelihood!!!  I admit, these fires are equally damaging, one moreso in terms of houses the other in terms of acreage, but that doesn't mean that the homes lost in High park are any less important.  Or that those people are hurting any less.  It just gets under my skin that with TWO major fires burning in the state at the same time, one becomes a priority for news coverage, (both TV and Radio, Local and National) as well as opportunities for Politicians to Promote they're "generosity to the cause!" And also I would like to say to everyone who is upset about the fireworks ban for the Fourth of July - Get over it!!!  There is still New Years, and Next Year.  Just because you can't set off fireworks doesn't make this holiday any less special.  You are not any less Free because you can't send giant balls of fire into the sky to land on any unsuspecting surface.  Get over it. 

Ok Rant over, pregnancy hormones have subsided. ;)  Side note - I am very pleased to see how fellow Coloradoans have pulled together to help those in need, offering food, clothing, money and even opening their homes to those who have lost it all, or can't currently access it.  That is one reason I love this State!!  We may be a large state, but we are truly a community!  I love that western spirit!!  No offense Indiana, but I don't remember seeing the love to this extent while living in the midwest.  Also, Thank you to all the firefighters and support teams, working tirelessly regardless of which fire they are attending to.  You are all heroes!!! 

I Hope everyone has a safe and happy (and fireworks free) Fourth of July!!  Remember the meaning behind this date, the lives lost so we can live in such a wonderful country, not just the hot dogs, and sparklers. 

Father's Day and Fire Update

Wow what a week we have had!!  Make sure to check out the post below on VBS, lots of fun pictures!! 

Yesterday was Father's Day, and a Happy Father's Day to all the Daddies out there . . . Especially Our Daddy, Cam, and Grandpa Louie!!  We had a pretty low key day, French Toast for Breakfast (per Daddy's Request), then family naps, a short trip to the pool (shortened by drifting smoke from the fire), and grilled pork chops, baked potatoes, and cran-apple crumble for dinner . . .Yum!!!  Hopefully Cam had a great day and felt Loved, because he certainly is!!

Daddy and Riley on the water slide

Catch Me Daddy!!

My little fish

My Big Fish!

Pork Chops on the Grill!!

 If you haven't heard it on the news yet, there is a HUGE fire burning just outside of Fort Collins.  I've been inundated with questions for updates on the fire as well as our well-being.  So let me reassure everyone - We are fine.  We live quite a bit east of Fort Collins, more on the plains than in the mountains, and the fire is burning west of Fort Collins, in the foothills and mountains.  So WE are safe.  However, this is by no means a fire to take lightly.  It is currently the 3rd largest fire in the HISTORY of Colorado at 58,770 acres.  As of now it is 50% contained, but was at 0% until just a few days ago.  It's been burning since last Saturday (June 9th), but it was said to have started on the Wednesday Prior by a lightning strike.  189 homes have been destroyed and thousands of people have been evacuated, some twice after they were let return and then the fire flared up again.  The amount of resources working this fire is nearly unheard of.  1,748 people, 17 helicopters and 4 heavy air tankers.  The current cost (as of this morning)of fighting the fire is $12.6 million, that's not including damages, that's just the cost of fighting it!  Thankfully, but also regrettably, only 1 life has been claimed, on the first day flames claimed a life before fire officials could get to the house to evacuate the elderly woman, and only 2 firefighters have had minor injuries.  Many people I know, either former co-workers/rangers from Larimer County Parks, or friends from CSU's Natural Resources College, are working this fire.  It's also burning much of the area I have worked in and/or played in since moving here.  A large portion of Lory State Park has burned, and Eagle's Nest Open Space and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space are closed because of the close proximity to smoke and flames.  Horsetooth Reservoir is currently open, but was closed earlier this week, and portions of it are still closed to allow for fire traffic and helicopters picking up water to drop.  Poudre Canyon is closed at  Ted's Place, and fire is burning along Highway 14 from Gateway Park to the Narrows. 

Needless to say, this fire is very personal to me, and I am keeping up with it the best that I can!  On Tuesday last week I went up to Horsetooth to talk to one of my former Supervisors, Will.  He was working the Roadblock at the reservoir, and upon seeing me the first words out of his mouth were "You want a Job?!?!"  (that was before the feds arrived to help with the fire and everyone had been working 18-24 hour shifts for the previous 4 days)  It was very hard for me to say no, the Ranger in me wanted so badly to be on the front lines, doing my part to help the landscape I love so dearly, and be in on the knowledge overheard on radios and passed along the frontlines.  But Standing there in the midst of all the smoke (coughing), pregnant and holding my youngest child in my arms, I was glad that this was not currently required of me.  I know I could not have handled it.  So instead I have signed up for email alerts to press releases from Larimer County, and I watch the news every chance I get, checking for updated maps, pictures or any new information.

If you would like to see pictures, 9NEWS (local NBC station) has a great slideshow.  http://www.9news.com/9slideshows/  or keep up to date on the fire happenings check out InciWeb.  http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2904/  
These are great resources and have been doing a great job covering fire information. 

Please Pray for our area, not just here around Fort Collins, but the entire Southwest.  We are experiencing major drought, and the high temperatures and winds are going to make this a difficult fire season.  And it's only Just Begun. 

VBS

VBS was last week and Riley had a Ball!!!  I was so excited when he would wake up every morning and ask if he got to go to VBS again, and then Cheer when I would say yes!  And yes, because of that on Friday I made a big deal about telling all his friends bye, and his teachers Thank you because it was the last day of VBS.  The theme this year was Sky: Everything is possible with God.  There were so many cute crafts, games, and snacks I can't even begin to list them all.  Thankfully, my part in VBS this year (other than decorations) was being a photographer!  So instead of telling you about it I'll just show you!!  (Warning: There's a LOT of Pictures, and this is only a Fraction of the ones I took!!

The Hot Air Balloon

One of the Theme Lessons each Day

Decorations by Yours Truly

The "Garden Wall"

Night Sky, also by me

Treehouse by Cam

Third Floor Decorations

Airplane Tail (me again)

Games - Indoors due to smoke from the fire

Kingdom Konnection (4th &5th Graders)

Science Table (BIG HIT!!!)

Singing

Eagle Crafts

More Fun Games (indoors)

Riley's Group - The Blue Bats

Game - Cloud Catching

Vaseline on the nose . . .

and race back with Cotton balls - no hands allowed!

Kingdom Konnection

Have you ever played Musical Chairs In a Hallway?

Pinecone Squirrels - SO CUTE!!!

More singing

Jan, our Fearless Leader Joining in the songs

THANK YOU JAN FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK!!!!

And last, a visit from the Rocky Mountain Raptor Rescue Group

Golden Eagle

Southwestern something-or-another Owl (sorry I forgot!)

As you can see there was a lot going on, and everyone had so much fun!  This was the last year for our good friend Jan to be heading it up (since she has resigned her position as the head of Children's Ministry) and she will be sorely missed!!!  She has always done a wonderful job with VBS and it will never be the same without her! 

FUN in the SUN!!!

Oh, boy!  June has been Crazy so far!  And we're only a few days into it!!!  Oh goodness, where to start . . .

Daddy ran in a race last weekend . . . and Finished with no injuries!!!!  Yay Daddy!!   he did great!  It was up in Jamestown (this TINY little town outside of Boulder).  And because it was so far up in the mountains (at least that why we think) they started the race SUPER late - 10 am.  Usually these things start at 6 or 7 am and are over with by 10 . . . hmmm?  But anyways, we went, and it was hot, and only got hotter!  Parking was limited so we had to hike like half mile from the car (and back to it again to get lunch, and then back again to watch Daddy finish, then back AGAIN to leave).  It was exhausting for me, and I wasn't even the one running 13 miles!!  Cam said the trail was pretty grueling, hilly in most places and outright Steep in many.  In fact sitting at the finish line I overheard many people saying how hard the trail was.  But Cam did wonderful - finished strong at 2 hours and 45 minutes!!!  YAY!!!  Riley even got to run across the finish line with him!  He was so cute waiting for Cam, both he and Jayce would clap for everyone coming through.  I think they had a good time.  Here's some pics from the race:

Coming up the starting hill, yes, it was that steep!

still going strong!

Watching all the runners

About midway through

coming up the finishing hill

YAY!!!  Finish Strong Uphill!!!

Daddy was in St. Louis for work most of last week.  So Mommy had to survive on her own.  and that's about the best I can say about that - I survived, and more importantly, so did the boys!!!It was rough having to entertain them all day, then not getting a break or help through the evening with dinner/bedtimes.  Next time we may have to work out some sort of part-time daycare so Mommy doesn't get overwhelmed.  We did play outside in the back yard some with the baby pool. 

And on Thursday we went to church and helped decorate for VBS (which is next week).  That was really cool, and I'm bummed that I forgot to get some pictures!!  But here's a teaser for you all -

Cam built this awesome 'treehouse' for the Bat's Corner.  He spent all day last Sunday putting it together and he did a great job!! Everyone LOVES it, and it looks great in place next to the 'night sky'.  I'll have to get some good pictures next week and show everyone how it turned out. 

Today was the big day!!!!  Riley's Birthday Party!!!  There was a lot of planning and prep work leading up to it, and I think it went off without a hitch!!  Everyone seemed to have fun, and get worn out (even us parents!!)  We did the Splash theme, and it was perfect for this 94 degree June day!!!  We had a Sprinkler, A "Car Wash", Kiddie Pool (with magnetic fish and fishing poles), water balloons, squirt guns, Bubbles, A Popsicle Cake, and Snowcones!!!  It was low key, the kids just played most of the time, and it was great!  I hope to have more parties like this where the kids can just run around and have fun.  Here's some of the pictures from the day!

Water Balloons

The Car Wash and Kiddie Pool

MaKenna going through the Car Wash

Dumping water while Jozy takes advantage of the time to "Get Them"

Squirt Guns

The Popsicle Cake!! 

Everyone liked it!!

Legos from Makenna

Junior Blokus Game from Jozy

Snow Cone Machine from Tanner, Jackson and Ryder

And some Books

And an RC car from Greg and Jaxon . . . "Just What I Wanted!!!"

It was a great day!  Now it's Family Nap Time!!  hahaha  This week is VBS, so another busy week!!  After that not much else for the rest of the month (thank Goodness!!)  Mommy has her first "real" Drs. appointment on the 18th, so we'll get to hear the heartbeat, and make sure that we're having only 1 baby and not two!!!  (keeping our fingers crossed!!!)  Hope everyone is staying cool in all this heat!  Have a good week everyone!