The Mountains Were Calling and So We Went

After Missouri, we loaded up in the truck and took a long drive to Colorado. 

A long and windy drive to Colorado....and after a hose popped loose on the truck as we crossed the Kansas boarder, we wondered if we would really make it! 

The truck was really having a lot of trouble. The turbo was not kicking in like it should, and a few times we really wondered if we should just head back to Texas. 

We said lots of prayers and held our breath many times and we did make it to Colorado! 

We camped in Woodland Park. We hadn't been back to Colorado as a family since we moved back to Texas in 2009. It was really, really nice to be back!

For our first day in Colorado, we went to Colorado Springs - just down the mountain from Woodland Park. Our first stop was Focus on the Family. 

This was one of our favorite places to visit while we lived in Colorado and we couldn't wait to take the kids! They rode the 3 story slide, did a scavenger hunt through Witt's End and even went through the wardrobe into Narnia!

Our next stop was the Garden of the Gods. 

The Garden of Gods never ceases to amaze! Such a beautiful location!

Gorgeous girl.

 We even logged our very first out of state Geocache at the Garden! 

We had to venture a little off trail to find it. 

We even broke a few rules....

But we won't tell if you don't! 

The kids love the "Kissing Camels" right behind them here - can you see them?

Gabe really wanted to go rock climbing like these guys. 

He had to settle for going just a few feet up. 

We did a lot of walking and were getting very tired just about the time an afternoon storm started rolling in. That was our cue to head back up the mountain to our home away from home.  

What a fun first day in the mountains! 

The Show Me State

At the end of June we took off on our biggest road trip yet. We drove through Oklahoma and Arkansas to get to Missouri.

We parked right out side of Kansas City at the lake. It was beautiful! 

On June 30th we celebrated Arthrogryposis awareness day by wearing blue for Faith. Faith decided a big road trip was not excitement enough. The night before we left, she fractured her elbow on the trampoline. There's nothing like a late ER trip the night before vacation! 

We went to Missouri to see some dear friends we made in China while we were there adopting Faith. They were there adopting their middle son and were in our travel group. We have kept in touch over the last few years. In February they went back to China and adopted another little boy. All three boys are as sweet as can be and our kids hit it off fast! 

Selah adores Merritt, their youngest son. Both Merritt and big brother Maddox were born with cleft lips and Merritt also has a cleft pallet.  

They also wore blue for Faith!!

We had such a great time with them! The kids swam in the lake, played hard and caught fireflies. There are so many fireflies in Missouri at night! It is so magical!

 Faith thinks she needs a little brother after meeting Merritt.

Baylor was so happy that there was a lake!!

 We even roasted marshmallows.

 The next day we all went to a theater in the park and saw Camp Rock the Musical! Here is our group - Ryan and Annette with their 3 handsome boys and our crew! What a fun group!

Maddox loved Gabe - he was Gabe's shadow!

Once the sun went down, the show started and it was SO GOOD!! Selah loves the movie, so she was so excited. It was fun to see her singing along with the cast! 

Our time in Missouri went by way too fast! We already miss Ryan, Annette, Merritt, Maddox and Myles and can't wait to hang out with them again! 

Nine Years Old!!

My beautiful girl, 

I can't believe that it has been 9 years since your daddy delivered you in that Colorado hospital room.

Since then, you continue to fill our family with sweetness. 

You are so thoughtful and oh, so smart. 

Your dimpled smile makes our hearts warm.

I love the way those beautiful, brown-sugar colored eyes sparkle when you are happy.

You captured our hearts with your first breath, 

And you keep us captivated as we watch you grow in grace.

Let your light keep on shining, gorgeous girl. 

We know God has big plans for you and we are blessed to get to be by your side to watch! 

Happy 9th birthday!! We love you!

Sandy Beach

When you think of Texas beaches, you probably conjure up a picture of Corpus Christi or South Padre. 

 However, here in North Texas, we don't have Padre, we have Little Elm Beach! 

The kids really wanted to take a trip to the beach to kick off our summer break. Each time we had planned to go, it poured down rain, ruining our beach day! Finally, last Friday, the day was bright and sunny, so we took a picnic lunch and spent some hours in the sand! 

The kids had so much fun splashing, swimming and playing!

Selah made a sand castle with a surrounding wall and a moat! 

It was such a relaxing way to spend a hot summer day! We will make sure and go back before the summer is over!