Eclipse

Monday, Aug 21st - The day of the solar eclipse. I started the day with a follow-up appointment for my feet. Nine weeks after the right foot, two weeks after the left foot. Looking pretty good - a little puffy on the left.

A friend had an extra pair of glasses to give me and I was so glad. Even at 89% eclipse, it was so cool to watch from the deck. I took this picture through the glasses.

Kevin and the kids were able to watch at school. Kevin got this picture at school through his glasses.

"The heavens declare the Glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

Denver Zoo

Saturday, August 19th - Mima's birthday. You can get in free at the Denver Zoo on your birthday. Mima wanted to try it and we wanted to go along. My foot was a week and a half post surgery, so we rented a wheelchair for me.

The real lions were sleeping, so we decided for a photo with the Lego lion.

The wheelchair was quite an experience and the zoo was really cool.

Kellen's legs got tired so he sat on my lap for a ride. Kevin was a trooper and pushed me around all day.

The sea lion show was a highlight of the day. Really fun! (See video 5657 in Denver Zoo '17)

And these jellyfish - called "upside down jellyfish" were so fascinating. They were upside down on the bottom of the tank and then would turn right side up to swim. Cool! (See video 5669 in Denver Zoo '17)

These wild animals were pretty fun! 

It was a hot day and while everyone was sitting for a rest, Heather said, "everybody point at Mima and I'll take a picture." Mima, Kellen, and I didn't get the "silly, tired pose" memo. Ha! We were at the zoo from about 10:30 am to 5pm, then we went to eat at Cafe Rio - yum! It was a fun day.

First Day of School 2017

Jenna is in 5th grade this year, in Mr. Holmes' class. She is 54 1/4 inches tall and she grew about 1/8 inch this summer.

Kellen is in 1st grade this year, in Miss Barrett's class. This is his first year to go to school all day! He is 44 15/16 inches tall and he grew about 1/4 inch this summer. He's "excited to have science class this year and do experiments and explosions!"

This is Kevin's 9th year at Lewis Palmer. 

We took these pictures before Kevin had to leave at 7:00am. The timer caught Jenna mid-jump!

Then we took some more after the kids were all ready with braided hair (my favorite way for her to wear it) and different shoes (Kellen). Serious and silly, single and together.

They were really in the mood for pictures, so I snapped away.

 Backpacks donned and they wanted more pictures.

And then they wanted pictures with me. Who could resist? 

 I'm really going to miss these two this year!!

Summer Wrap Up

Sunday, June 4th, Ute Valley Park - We went on our first training hike for our hiking vacation.

Monday, June 5th, Air Force Academy Falcon Trail - Our second training hike.

Tuesday, June 6th, Ute Valley Park - Our third training hike.

Friday, June 9th, Ute Valley Park - Our last training hike. We also hiked Mount Herman trail one day that week.

Friday evening, June 9th - I took the kids to the outdoor movie in Monument.

Moana - such a fun movie! And it was a perfect night to be outside!

Saturday, June 10th - We went to a local rhubarb farm and picked rhubarb. Also, a packing day for our trip. I tried to pack in as many of our normal "fun" summer things before our vacation and my toe surgery. In addition, we did some purging of some house hold items during the weeks before vacation. We've lived in our house for 7 years now as opposed to our previous moving every 2 years - it was time for some things to go!

June 11-17 - Utah!

June 19-22 - VBS!

Jenna had some fun times with her good friend

Tuesday, June 20th - My toe surgery - bone spurs and arthritis successfully removed.

June 27 & 28 - Just a week after my surgery, Kevin's turn came up for jury duty, of all things! He was a potential juror for a big trial that would possibly last 2 weeks! Both kids were great help to me and did well entertaining themselves including: fun trying out the crutches. The second day, we were thankful for Papa and Mima giving them a change of scenery at their house. We were very thankful that he was released after 2 days!

One of my favorite parts of being laid up during surgery recovery - Kellen was still able to pile into my lap. I loved having him read stories to me! 

Thursday, June 29 - Jenna completed level 4 and Kellen completed level 2 swimming lessons.

Another great part of me being laid up recovering - days where the kids had to figure out how to entertain themselves. They brought out the Pretty Pretty Princess game and had some silly fun!

July 1st - We joined Heather & Mima in a garage sale. One item up for sale was a black chair that was ours years ago. We had given it to Papa & Mima, and now they didn't want it. Jenna REALLY wanted it, so Papa made her a deal. If she could clean out a space in her room for it, she could have it. Jenna went straight to work as soon as we got home from the garage sale! While cleaning things out, she found our long lost spider that we used to hide for each other - so the spider games began again.

Jenna in her new reading nook.

Kellen in his reading nook. Both spent time reading nearly every day this summer.

July 4th - We splurged on movie treats for Cars 3. (We went to see Despicable Me 3 the day before.) Then we enjoyed a cookout with our Colorado family. And then fireworks viewing in our jammies, from our deck.

July 5th - healing coming along nicely. Kevin has named it my "Frankentoe."

July 14th - Kellen was so happy to have his favorite playmate home from camp! They had a "tea & buttered toast" party. 

Both kids enjoyed learning about the Blues in piano lessons. Kellen wrote out the 12 bar blues. They both made up "Blues Musician Names." Jenna is Curly Lime Hamilton. Kellen is Green-eyed Spleenarf.

Sunday, July 16th - We enjoyed a Sky Sox baseball game with our friends. 

It was pretty warm until the sun moved and we got some shade. The kids had fun taking selfies as a distraction from the heat.

July 17-19 - Katie's Visit!

July 21-28 - Keathley Vacation!

July 30 - Aug 6 - Whitelaw Vacation!

Tuesday, August 8th - Foot surgery, left toe. Second verse same as the first. The kids were great helpers! Making their breakfast and lunch as well as mine. Jenna particularly loved bringing me coffee and wanted to know if she could keep it up even as I was feeling better.

Tuesday, August 12th - As part of Adventures in Odyssey's 30th birthday, the actor and actresses who voice Whit, Connie, & Jules came to Focus on the Family along with the 3 finalists for a new character.

Because Geremy works at Focus, we were able to get VIP tickets and at a discounted rate.

VIP included a tour of the foley room where they create the sound effects . . .

 and a bag of goodies.

It was so cool for them to be able to see the people that make the voices, meet them,

and get their autographs and pictures taken with them (also a special part of the VIP tickets). Left to right: Shona Kennedy, Andre Stojka, and Katie Leigh - the voices of Jules, Whit, and Connie.

And it was cool that I was able to watch the three finalist auditions streamed at home. The teenager on the far left was voted the winner.

Monday, August 14th - Papa took the kids to the North Pole for one last time before school starts.

Tuesday, August 15th - Dentist appointments, watching Anne of Green Gables, and meet the teacher night.

Wednesday, August 16th - Papa took the kids to the zoo. I was really sad that I couldn't go and that this was the last day of summer. We had dinner out on the deck - something we didn't do enough of this summer. We then enjoyed our last evening before school starts. All too soon it was time for baths, lunches, & bed. Kevin covered Jenna's math book with paper and we're ready for 1st & 5th grades!

We had a full and wonderful summer! Our Utah hiking trip. My foot surgeries (okay maybe not so wonderful), but I was amazed at how much I was still able to do. A visit from my dear friend, Katie. One week each with each of our families, siblings, and their children in Winter Park and Pagosa Springs. It just went by WAY too fast! I can't believe that school starts tomorrow.