Fire update, Travels and Pics.

I know many of you have been praying for those affected by the fires in CO.  In the aftermath we learned that in our Navigator family  nine families have lost their homes, another was damaged, another was vandalized and looted, and almost 200 Navigator families were evacuated.  Please continue to pray for them and if you want information on how you can help with a monetary gift just let me know.  I can't even imagine starting over with absolutely nothing!

Even though we have not been "on assignment" at a Summer Training Program last summer we are still doing ministry.  This has included a lot of traveling from place to place for ministry.  On the weeks we are home we host our summer Bible study discussion of, "The Gospel for Real Life" by Jerry Bridges.  I think I may have read this book before but it must have been in the blur of small children bc I don't remember that much.  This time I'm eating it up - encouraged by Bridges' teaching and clarifying look at God's love for us.


My summer hours are mostly spent like any other mom's - shuffling kids to the pool, library activities and the local kid's museum.  I love living in this little mid-west town with so much to offer a family at this age and stage!  Our librarian does a fabulous job with daily activities and weekly special events the kids just adore!  I'm loving just having fun with them.  


Beyond mothering I've been tackling the weeds in our garden, put up my first ever batch of pickles and way more zucchini than one family could ever consume in a year.
  
A couple weeks ago we enjoyed a long visit from my parents and slipped away for a week in the Hills with them.  Here are some pics of our travels this summer thus far. 

After going to the Dells earlier this summer we headed the other direction for some meetings in CS, CO.  We visited the castle at Glen Eyrie a few days before the fires started.  Thing 2 wanted to know if it was haunted...too many scooby doo books I guess!

His favorite park was the Knight.

Besides knowing lots of Nav folks in the Springs we have some good family friends as well.  We met them for ice cream at this awesome little outdoor shop one hot summer night.

I also got to catch up with a good friend and her three sweet kiddos !

Back at the ranch, hubby requested a caramel cashew ice cream cake for his bday.  I shuddered remembering my issues the last time I attempted an ice cream cake.  BUT since he still hasn't forgiven me for a bday cake indiscretion a few years ago I figured I better give it a shot.  It turned out pretty well and I tried to not eat too much of it...but not very hard!

My best friend and her family came to visit right before the 4th so we all headed out to the Little House on the Prairie.

My folks arrived the same day as our friends - when it rains it pours!  Grandma snuggling in for one of many requested books to be read.  Notice it is Calvin and Hobbes.  That is about all the Things have been reading this summer.  hubby unearthed his stash still in the moving boxes from our last move 6 years ago and you woulda thought it was Christmas!  They have been buried in the misbehaving- but often humorous- antics of that 6 yr old all summer long.

Thing 1 picking peas in the garden.

4th of July fun at my sweet friend's house.  It was HOT so she got out the water balloons.

I love the views from her acerage - the only thing I don't like is it  is on the opposite end of town from us!

I saw online some kids using cups around their sparklers and thought this was a good idea.  It made me feel better anyways.

The obligatory pics at the Faces on our trip to the Hills.

Thing 2 became a Junior ranger.

Fun at Sylvan lake - one of our fav. stops every year.

Grandpa brought along his metal detector and had a swarm of little boys around him the entire afternoon.

Thing 2 was finally strong enough to swim out to the big rock with  Dad.

Awesome magic show with another sweet friend performing in  it in Custer.

Shop projects with Grandpa - even in retirement he is still teaching!