Finally

I have always wanted to wash my car while it's raining.
There are so many good reasons for it...the rain preps and rinses the car for you. All you have to do is scrub with soapy water. Plus think of all the water you are saving by not running the hose.
Well today I did it!
I don't know why this has been in the back of my mind since I was a teenager, but it was just as fun as I imagined.
Alex was napping so Lilia and I had a blast playing in the rain and washing the car!

Rainbows

Colorado is a pretty amazing state. Some days, in the late afternoon, a storm rolls in. The rain doesn't last long and behind it is the sun, hence the rainbow. It's so cool. Two days in a row we saw rainbows. It's God's promise to never flood the earth again.

Double rainbow!

Unforgetable

Lilia went to the zoo with her Aunt Julie, Grammy & Grandpop. The zoo is near Colorado Springs. At this zoo you can go to an upper level where you feed giraffes!

Julie told me she has a blurry picture of Lilia because she was jumping up and down with such excitement.

Giraffes are Lilia's favorite animal so she was in her glory! She took home a present, it's a small giraffe in a little purse. She named it Ellie, just like her cousin.

Feeding giraffes

Enjoying Nature

Grammy & Alex on our short hike after lunch in the mountains.

Snowballs in July

Dave's sister Julie and her husband Pete live in Colorado Springs and drove up for the day to hang out with us. We drove through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Here are Pete and Lilia looking for the marmot on what looks like the edge of the world. Also Lilia was so excited to get to the snow, which there is a lot of for July. Aunt Julie and Lilia made a secret pack to get Uncle Pete with a snowball. They did get him along with Dave and Grandpop. It was a lot of fun. Lilia kept going back to the snow. She loved it!

Wildlife

On our trek through the mountains we saw chipmunks, a marmot and a mother elk with two babies, feeding not too far away.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Marilyn (Dave's mom), Alex, Lilia & Al (Dave's dad)

Rides galore!

The opening night of Campus Crusade for Christ's staff conference always involves a big carnival. The whole thing is free, which is incredible. There are rides, a petting zoo, climbing wall, food, and face painting. The kids had so much fun.

First meeting

On Thursday evening Lilia finally got to meet Ellie! As you can see from her expression it was pure joy. Not only is this Lilia's first cousin, but it's a girl. Plus she loves babies!

She was thrilled to hold her and was giddy about everything she did. This was Ellie at 11 days old.

Gently touching her soft head.

She got a kick out of her little feet.

Singing in the rain

One rainy day I let Lilia go out in her rain boots and rain coat.

Water balloons

While walking up and down each isle of the food store for the items on our list, Lilia spotted water balloons. She pleaded with me, "Mom can we get these please!"

"Sure, why not," I said.

Well out of a bag of 100 balloons I think we played with about 30. They broke way too easily just attaching them to the faucet to fill them up.

However, for the minutes of laughter and fun that it gave Lilia and Alex it was money and time well spent!

At the game

Dave & Alex took the train down to the ball game. Dave said that Alex was overwhelmed by everything. The train ride, all the people, the field, and so much to look at. Overall he enjoyed it though.

This looks like Alex pitching.

He loved the life size pictures of the players.

1st Phillies Game

I cannot wait to post pictures, but right now Alex is at his 1st Phillies game ever! Baseball is his 2nd love, only to basketball.

Our good friends, Drew & Susie Matter had an extra ticket and they offered it to Dave early this morning. It's for standing room only, but no big deal. Dave's going to take Alex to the kids section and also what kid sits in their seats anyway? Certainly not either of our kids! That's for sure!

To quote my cute little buddy, "Base...ball!" "Bat, ball."

I'm an AUNT!

Ellie is my very first niece. I am so excited to spoil her like crazy.

When she's older, she's gonna sleep over our house and we'll play and have so much fun.

In the mean time I am more than happy to hold her, change her diapers and play with her.

Thanks God for this new addition to the family.

Matt & Ellie

My younger brother is a daddy!!!

Matt, AnnMarie, Ellie

Baby Ellie

Born at 1:30am on July 3rd. I believe she was 7 lb and 21 in long.

Alex playing basketball

Hug a Redwood

I am not one to set goals. I hate New Years resolutions.

However, I must say that in my hippie days in college I formed one goal. After reading Julia "Butterfly" Hill's book, Luna, I fell in love with the Redwoods. I have always loved nature, especially trees and rocks.

I then made a goal that I would hug a redwood tree. Preferably in CA where the redwood forest is, but maybe this one could count. This picture was taken in Boston Common park.

I do one day plan to make it out to CA to hug a redwood there. Then I can officially cross off my only goal.

Alliums

Ruggles Baptist Church, Boston MA

Legacy

What kind of legacy will you leave?

This guy became a Christian while working in a shoe store.

Alex playing