France!!!

Daniel and I and our dear friends, Monte and Cherie were able to travel to France for 2 weeks in June.  I have a million pictures, stories, and memories I'll always cherish, but here are some highlights:

Looking under an arch at a vista in Provence (probably one of my favorite places we visited!)

A courtyard viewed from a patient's window in the hospital where Vincent Van Gogh was treated for mental illness prior to his death (in Arles).

Lavender growing outside the Hospital in Arles.  This field would have been the view out of the window where Van Gogh lived when he was there.

Hiking around the Pont du Gard Aqueduct

A bridge overlooking Marseille.  We didn't originally plan to visit Marseille, but train strikes forced us to rearrange our plans, so we made the best of it :)

A centuries-old olive tree on Les Collettes, the farm (and the subject of dozens of paintings) in Cagnes Sur Mer where Pierre Auguste Renoir moved before his death. 

Enjoying Cagnes Sur Mer.  This was also the first day we had luggage, after the airline lost our one and only bag for a week! Can you tell I'm really, really glad to not be wearing the same clothes I had traveled in and worn for a week!?

Colorful, yummy radishes at a market in Annecy

"Europe's Cleanest Lake", Annecy.  It was truly the most stunning place I think I've ever visited... The green, granite Alps in the back ground, lush green grass surrounding it, crystal blue water, and dotted with old Swiss-style chapels and homes.  Just truly beautiful.

We took a bike ride around the perimeter of the lake.. about 21k or so.  It was just a perfect day all around!

Then stopped for a picnic of local cheese, bread, and charcuterie!  I dare say there isn't much better!!

Ellie's Horseback Riding Camp 2014

For her birthday, Grangran and Papa gave Ellie a week of horseback riding camp in June.  She had the best time (despite the weather fluctuating between 90+ degree temps and tornado warnings :-/)

She just loved her horse, Piglet, even though poor old Piglet has seen better days.  He was 25 years old and looked like he'd rather be doing just about anything else besides hauling another kid around on his back all summer long.  No where was this more evident than at the 'Rodeo'.

On the last day of camp, family and friends were invited to see the kids and horses put on a rodeo.  Piglet's top speed was about .5 miles/hour and his general demeanor indicated he'd rather be sent to the glue factory than trot!  

Thankfully, Ellie didn't really notice that she had the laziest horse in the whole stable, so she had great fun.  She can't wait to go back next year!

 Is it just me, or does she look super grown up in this picture?!

 Poor old, tired Piglet.

 Luke thought the Rodeo was great fun!

 Not a bad view!

You can relive all the exciting action via this video!!

Spring Ballet Recital 2014

The girls had a great year of ballet and both really loved classes this year.  All their hard work paid off at the Spring Recital, Seasons, in May.

 Campbell spotted us in the audience during her performance and stopped to wave and say "hi", which was hilarious!

Prima Ballerinas!

A Visit to Gramps and Mimi's

We love to visit California in the wintertime!  It's always sunny, warm, green, and such a nice break from the winter in Denver (which is sometimes sunny, but not warm or green!)

My old, beloved haunt :)

 Enjoying a warm day at the beach flying kites!

 The girls decided to bury Gramps in the sand, but gave up before they got to his knees :)

 Zzzzzzzzzz.....

 Swinging with Cousin Reagan

 Cousin time!!

Bye bye Gramps, Mimi, and Sunny California!

Here's a sweet video of Luke playing ball in the front yard :)

Happy 7th Birthday Ellie!

For her birthday this year, Ellie chose a Family Fun Day over a party, so we had a whole day of fun, planned by Ellie!  We saw a movie, had nails painted, ate out at Root Down (her favorite restaurant), shopped for a new outfit, and had birthday cake at home.

 Such a big girl! 

So much fun!

Llama Llama (or, Alpaca, Alpaca)

Some friends of ours have a little hobby farm outside of Denver with Turkeys, Chickens, and Alpacas!  They are so cute and win the award for Animals with the Longest Eyelashes.  They're really friendly, but want to sniff you before letting you pet them.

Here's Campbell getting to know one of the babies who had been born a couple months earlier.

Campbell: The Never-Ending Source of Hilarity

Here's the latest in crazy sayings that I happened to jot down:

I reminded the girls that they needed a bath and Campbell retorted:  "But we had a bath last night!"
Me:  "No, honey, that was night before last.  Tonight you need a bath"
Campbell: [Looking genuinely puzzled]  "Then why was I naked last night with water all around me?"

On a walk this afternoon when Campbell was lagging behind, Ellie and I were asking her to pick up the pace.

Campbell:  "But I have different feet that you guys do!"
Me:  "No, honey, your feet are just the same, just move them faster and let's go"
Campbell:  "But my feet are made differently!"
Me:  "What are they made of?"
Campbell:  "They're Muppet feet."

This evening the girls got all curious about marriage and who would be their husbands some day.  After repeatedly explaining to them why they can't marry Daddy, Luke, or Grayson, I tried to tell them who they should look for (someone who loves God and Neighbor, someone who treats his parents and siblings well, etc.)  I explained that having common interests is also important and told Ellie that she should look for someone who loves to be around people, and told Campbell she should look for someone who loves to watch movies, etc.  Anyway, I joked with Campbell and said, "What would you do if your husband didn't like mac and cheese!?"  She swiftly replied, "I would say, 'You're fired!!'"

Merry Christmas!

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

The Nutcracker 2013

One of our favorite Christmas traditions!

Our seats were a *tad* far from the stage this year, but I think we've seen the Nutcracker 6 times, so we survived :) 

The Colorado Ballet put on a beautiful show, although I think the girls thought riding the Light Rail downtown was a close 2nd!