The CIRCUS was in town...

In June, we went to the Barnum and Bailey Circus in Colorado Springs. We met up with the Jewell Family and enjoyed checking out the animals before the show actually started. We especially loved the elephants. The "elephant guy" was very informative and we learned lots! Also before the show started, we sat down on the floor and enjoyed some of the pre-show stunts. As you can see from Malia's face... we loved it! The show was FANTASTIC! We had great seats and of course, enjoyed some cotton candy... pretty sure that was Abram's favorite part. Lots of crazy stunts. We loved it and will for sure go again!

More Boating...

Some of our best times this summer were out on the boat with the Jewell Family. Well, that one time when the ski rope got caught in the engine and we had to be towed across the ENTIRE lake... that wasn't so fun. But even then the kids were well behaved! It truly amazes me how well four kids under the age of four did on the boat! And when they got tired, they just knocked out! A few weeks ago, the Jewells got a "Caribbean Island"... a huge 'raft' that had a little pool (with a mesh bottom), four chairs, two lounge seats, AND a slide. We would go into a little cove and just hang out for hours. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera these last few times. We went out for probably our last boating trip this past weekend. James is off for training for a few weeks and when he gets back they will be moving to Texas. We are SO sad to be losing our friends (and NOT just because of their boat!). We have had so much fun together this summer. But alas... the Army life... make good friends, and they move away :(

Muddy Buddies

One of David's big tasks when he got home was revamping our backyard. He dug up the whole thing, mostly weeds. Then he laid new seed. As you can see, he had plenty of help in the dirt department. My husband's hot. I love the one of Abram picking weeds between his legs. As a side note, I had JUST finished mopping the kitchen floor and cleaning the bathroom when he called me out to see this spectacular sight. But at least they all had a good time! I was very grateful that David had just buzzed Abram's hair off... The cleaning of Malia's hair... not so easy. But even if it meant more work for mom, it's all about the fun!

Fishing with Papa

One of Malia and David's favorite things to do is take off and go fishing. These pictures were taken early June at Quail Lake in Colorado Springs. Mali LOVES fishing and even baits her own hook! They didn't have much luck here. In fact, they NEVER have luck at Quail Lake. Mali has determined that "all the fish are sleeping". They've also thrown lines out a few times while we've been down at Pueblo Reservoir. Even if they don't have much luck, they love spending the time together.

Spray Ground

More fun with the Jewell family! This time we went off to the Spray Ground at Deerfield Hills Community Center. The guys joined us later because they were being "reintegrated". The kids had a blast.


I'll start with my FAVORITE picture... I sure do love my boys!

Kaela and Malia getting ready to have fun...

Abram was OBSESSED with the puddles. He wouldn't actually go in the water, but loved splashing in the puddles...

More puddle splashing...

A super serious Malia...

There we go... that's more like Mali... Grins galore!

The whole Spray Ground...

Baby Ethan and Mommy Monika... or Meeka-maka as Mali calls her...

The girls playing in the sand...

Once Papa came Abram had him check out the spraying with him...

Lots of fun in the sun and puddles! Hopefully, we will get up there again before the summer ends.

Memorial Day Weekend

Slowly, but surely, I WILL get caught up on blogging! Back to Memorial Day weekend. After we spent Saturday up at the Denver Temple, we spent the rest of our weekend the the Jewell family. Our barbecue on Sunday included the kids riding around in various Barbie vehicles...

Of course, Abram felt it easier just to push some of them...

The kids love playing with the Jewell's dogs... Brewser and Barley. And here Mali is with James. At this point she was loving him. Although, now I think she just loves to fight with him!

Monday we took their boat out to Pueblo Reservoir. The girls LOVE boating!

As does Abram! We have gone out on the boat quite a few times this summer and remark every time how fortunate we are the the kids are SO good on the boat. Pretty darn uncommon to have a 6 month, 16 month, 2 year, and 3 year old behave so well for hours out on the water!

Lest any of you wonder if David ever smiles... all you have to do is get him out on the water tubing and he's happy as a clam!

The girls watching "Papa" tubing. Adorably, Kaela calls David "Papa" also...

Malia sitting in the tube with Papa...

David at the helm. Someday we WILL have our own! In the meantime, he gets his kicks out of trying to throw James off the tube...

The girls hanging out in the tube...

Papa being naughty and sharing his DP with Abram...

This line up was back in one of the coves... I found it amusing...

On the way home Abram was so tired he was being a NUT! Silly boy...

Good times, good times! We love hanging out with the Jewell family. True to Army form, they will be moving soon. Guess I better get used to making friends, and then having them move! In the meantime, we will enjoy our time with them. The girls' birthdays are only a few days apart so we will be having a big combination party in a few weeks. Fun, fun!

I Love to See the Temple

On Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, our little family went with our ward for a Primary Activity at the Denver Temple. David had just gotten home three days earlier, so we were super excited to be able to go as a family!

For some reason, this is the only picture I got of the temple! This is the backside of temple...

Inside the visitor's center... Malia and some of the other Primary kids...

David and Abram out by the fountain in front of the temple...

After our tour of the grounds and the visitor's center, we went across the street to have a picnic with the ward. Here are my men... I think Abram is trying to look tough...

Malia enjoyed running around, spinning, and even rolling down the hill! Here she is mid-spin...

Afterwards we checked out Deseret Book. Later that night a friend of mine took the kids so that David and I could have a date! We had a nice, relaxing, QUIET dinner at Applebee's and then did some shopping at Walmart. I know, I know... exciting, huh? It's what we wanted to do! The point was that we were together!