In the beginning

When I was little I loved to visit the school where my parents went to college. We would shop in the bookstore and eat in the cafeteria. I loved walking around campus and seeing all the students. My dad would always say, "Here is where it all began."

Since we are a short drive from Evan's alma mater (undergraduate) we took the day and went to visit. On the way there Sadie asked if we would meet any real students and we assured her that we would see some if not meet them. We went to the bookstore and got t-shirts.

We got ice cream in the cafeteria and sat in the shade to people watch and eat ice cream.
I think Ella felt a bit sophisticated to be at college.
We went to the science building to see the hands-on exhibits.
And then strolled around campus.
It was fun to be there, even though I didn't go to school there. (Maybe some day we'll make it up north.) Sometimes I miss the energy of those days, but I don't miss the insecurity.
Evan was going to school here when we met. So I guys you could say this is where it all began.

A Circus/Carnival

Between trips and work, we had delayed Ella's birthday party until almost a month after her birthday. Who knew we would have to worry about the weather in August. Unfortunately it started to rain just as we were setting up.

We moved the photo booth inside...
and I loved the pictures we got.
Ella was a lovely tightrope walker.
Even Evan got in on the action.
We had some games inside
and some games had to stay outside.
There was face painting (we decided they had to stop eating their popcorn when they got their face painted, whoops)
And a pinata.
So in spite of the off and on rain it turned out great. Happy birthday princess.

Jack is three

Jack was very much aware of his birthday this year. As we got home from church he said, "Hurry. Unbuckle me, I hab to see my cake." We had a family party for his birthday. He loves Thomas the Tank Engine right now so everyone got him tracks and trains to make Sodor Island. I'm not sure he slept much since. The highlight of the day was the cake-tastrophe; as my mom started to frost the cake I had baked the night before and it began to crumble and collapse.

We put Nelson on top, called it a Thomas mountain cake, and Jack loved it. It tasted much better than it looked.
Mostly we enjoyed each other's company, watched the kids build the train, and visited.
Ella enjoyed the cake this time, so that was good.
And I have to throw in this photo of Evan and Ezra. I can't believe the size difference between our babies and my brother's babies. I never had the pleasure of a sweet fat baby. So when this little guy comes over I just want to squeeze him.
Its always nice to have family over for dinner. Luckily we get to have most of my family and Evan's brother and his wife over every other Sunday. And its nice that my kids get to celebrate birthdays with some of their cousins.

Daddy's Boo Boo

Evan went in for arthroscopic surgery on Thursday and it turned out there was a ridge of cartilage that needed to be removed. Something he painfully discovered in training for this and this.

Unfortunately, this is how you convalesce at our house. Every time he sits down to ice it he gets mauled.
Hopefully work is more relaxing than home. At least he is close to physical therapy.

The North Pole

Up in the mountains, above Manitou Springs, is a little amusement park called the North Pole. My kids can ride pretty much every ride, if not by themselves, then with an adult, so, kid heaven.

While we geared ourselves for the inevitable spinning, we decided to take the train around the park.

Aunt Jocelyn and Autumn happily waiting.
The girls on the train.
Maisy on the train.
Sadie need to ride a reindeer on the carousel, we were in the North Pole after all.
This is the highest ferris wheel in the US, not the tallest, but because of the altitude, the highest.

The little lady bugs wiped out most of the adults. Something about sitting backwards and going in circles agrees better with kids than parents.

Jack and Grandpa Christensen drove the car.
I thought this ride would do me in.
Turned out it was this one that did the trick.
I think Evan might have had a little more fun than he wanted us to believe.
Besides Santa (whom we missed seeing this year) this frozen pole gives the park its name.

Garden of the Gods

Evan and I have been visiting Garden of the Gods since we met. In previous years we have climbed, but with four little ones, climbing gear doesn't seem to fit in the car. However, Garden of the Gods is a place where you can enjoy beauty even with a stroller or wheelchair in tow.

Ella looking mighty glamorous for a day hike.

Maisy giving kisses.
Amidst climbing on rocks something caught their attention...
looks like someone is setting a bad example.
And so Jack had to give it a try, luckily he can't get as far.
After climbing and exploring, we headed back to the cars,
with tired kids,
ready to sleep all the way back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

We went to an amazing zoo called the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. I have been to hands on zoos before, but never one that offered so many opportunities to touch the animals. The weather was perfect for the animals to be out and about. Cousins were plentiful. Just a great day.

The first stop was to feed the giraffes.

So many giraffes, so few crackers.
They have long tongues.

Miss Maisy's favorite place to be, in daddy's arms.

A bird had just left Evan's shoulder.
Sadie was so excited to have one of the bird land on her feeding stick.

Maisy loved the fish.

An amazing view of Colorado Springs.
I love how the gorilla is totally ignoring everyone. Such a smart guy.
Jack's namesake.
Hiding from the camera.

Sadie is my biggest animal lover, so she was in heaven. Of the thirty-something thigs she wants to be when she grows up 75% deal with animals.

Two snuggle buddies.
All in all a great day at a fantastic zoo.