Mikaela's Room

I was just reminded that I have not posted the home improvements that have been going on this summer. The one that we just finished was Mikaela's room. She chose her own colors and we are currently waiting for the matching window covers and bedsheet/comforter. We will be starting Liz's room next.

Another Full Weekend

This past weekend consisted of time at the Casper Rodeo and Fair. Liz could not understand why we would not allow her and a group of friends to go the fair by themselves. After we left the fair with her and a girlfriend she turned to me and thanked me for not letting her do that. The people who work those things are a little on the creepy side. They had a great time, Liz is the right size now to ride anything and that is what she does is ride anything. Her sense of fear "bone" has disappeared (just in the area of things that make your stomach turn). She truly has turned into a young lady. As she learns to grow into a teenager with good decision making skills; mom and dad are learning how to raise her with self confidence and pride for herself. I think we were going off track there for awhile but are getting back on track now. Mikaela is still to short to hit the big rides but the little rollercoaster is still daring enough for her. She still has her "fear bone". (well when it comes to rides, otherwise there is no fear in this child).

(safe motorcycles to ride:)

(Liz)

After a Saturday of house chores, groceries, and golf (Ken). It was off to float the river on Sunday after church. This was so cool!! The girls got in and swam (with life jackets), dad got flipped over on his tube, mom got in with Bree and swam also. We went with some friends from church and had a great time. You really cannot explain the experience so enjoy some of the pictures.

(Mikaela and Jenna on the tubes)

(Liz and Bree)

Oh the "Lazy Days of Summer"

Parade Day

It seems that Liz has done a lot but I have not forgotten about Mikaela. She was busy the past two weeks practicing for the Casper Rodeo and Fair parade. This is huge in our town and everything shuts down for the morning so that everyone can either watch or participate. Mikaela was in the parade doing cartwheels for her gymnastics company. Both Ken and I were sad because we had to miss the parade. I of course was at school and Ken was working. But we were told by friends that took her and others that saw her that she hammed it up!!! For someone who is afraid of being the center of attention she sure did enjoy this. It was perfect weather. Then of course it is off to the fair this weekend.

Liz's Trip

As you have already read Liz spent a week with grandpa and grandma.

Liz's words about her trip:

It was soooo coolio (not sure what that means but ok) We went go-cart riding and I beat grandpa!!!! Putt putt golf was a blast and they played two rounds. I got to go see haunted hotel. Got to talk to Aunt Stacy, went to the lake and met new friends, watched fireworks, and went to the fish hatchery. Found a new TV series to watch called "Lost" it is awesome if you ever get a chance to watch it.

Thank you, so much G and G Light for a wonderful time....most of all thanks for being there when I got ill and you took care of me!!!

Another Stop - summer Fun

Fourth of July-

Not to much exciting for this one...It was wonderful and I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing 4th of July.

We took Mikaela to one of the local Casper Wyoming Rockies baseball game on the 3rd. After the game we watched a series of fireworks and went home. We went with some friends of ours and their little girl. It was a lot of fun and the best part is it meant we did not have to go out on the 4th with all the drinkers.

The difficult part was that Liz was away from home...this is the first 4th of July without her.

I do know that grandma and grandpa took her to their local firework show. This was put on by grandpa's local fire department that he volunteers for. (Well when he is not injured anyway)

(Rockies Baseball Mascot)

or is it....

(Ken after a few too many beers:)

Next Stop - Summer Fun

Our next adventure was a day trip to Breckenridge Colo to play on the Alpine slide. This was on Saturday June 30th...the day before shippping Liz to Missouri for another week.

This was a day spent in the Colorado Rockies with both the girls as a family. When life gets so busy and everyone has individual activities it is important to remember to come together as a family. We had so much laughter this day. Things like mom freaking out that Mikaela was gonna fall out of the chairlift on the way up the mountain to watching the competition between Ken and Liz on the way down the slide.

I tried to find a website to describe what the alpine slide is but could not find one that did justice. For what it is worth it is a slide that goes down the side of a mountain used for skiing in the winter. It is made of concrete and you use tobagain type sleds to go down. Mikaela even got to go down by herself.

After our day in the mountains we of course hit the traditional Beau Jo's pizza joing in Idaho Springs.

Then home to pack Liz and prepare her for her first flight alone.

(The competition begins:)

(Mom was afraid Mikaela would slip out the back)

Summer Fun - Liz Camp

Summer is busy as usual....

We started with sending Liz off to Church camp at Fort Lonetree. http://lonetree.org/folders.asp?action=display&record=3 This was her third time attending and she came back so spiritualy filled it was great. She had to deal with normal young girl issues (and girls can be very nasty to one another) but she had a good problem solving skills and made it through the week.

They did many things like boating on the lake, rappelling, horseback riding, and her favorite thing was worship time.

I picked her up on Friday and we headed home only to do laundry, repack, and head to Denver to ship her off to grandma and grandpa Light in Missouri.