Happy Anniversary - State of Colorado Springs

8 years ago, it was a very rainy Sunday in Colorado Springs. And I was a very disappointed bride - since my outdoor ceremony was forced to be moved inside!

Luckily, it was still a very nice day and at the end of it I was married!

Today, on our 8th Wedding Anniversary, the story in Colorado Springs is very different. This year, we are actively praying for rain in the area, and 30 miles south (at our house) there is a strong smell of smoke and a plume is visible if you drive between Pueblo and Pueblo West.

Photo taken from facebook --- KKTV fan page

The Waldo Canyon Fire which started last Saturday west of Colorado Springs finally moved down the mountain and into the city.

This fire has been absolutely devestating, and dry weather and heavy winds have made it unpredictible and more intense than imaginable.

It spreads from Colorado Springs to Woodland Park, and grew from 5,000 acres yesterday morning to 15,000 acres at 7pm last night when it was encasing the city that I love so much. With an estimate for containment stretching all the way into mid July.

And while I am very fortunate that our home is safe 30 miles to the south? I have multiple friends who are evacuated now, praying for the fate of their home. We can only look at the positive in that up until now (2:30 pm on 6/27) no people have been injured, despite this horrible fire moving into residential areas.

So, on our wedding anniversary this year? Please - send your thoughts and prayers to the people of Southern Colorado (and all of Colorado - really! Since the whole state appears to be on fire!) and hope that this fire is contained as quickly as possible.

Skyler's Birthday in Lincoln!!

This past week we were able to celebrate Skyler's Birthday a few days early in Lincoln with her Grandparents!! We had a lot of fun, and I thought I'd share a few photos and videos with you!

First up? A trip to the Zoo in Omaha! (Where, coincidentally? Our last visit was 10 days before her 2nd birthday!! So I snapped a comparison shot!)

(Also, I apologize that the videos are sideways - They were shot on my phone and I wasn't thinking!)

Other than the zoo, we also got a chance to have two birthday parties (one with each set of Grandparents!) and I have a few fun moments to share from those evenings!

Blowing out Candles with Ryan's family:




And her birthday gift from my parents:



And the Olivia Cupcakes that I made for her :)

You Are My Sunshine

I love this kid!! She's learned the whole first two verses of "You Are my Sunshine"

You are my sunshine, My only sunshine
You make me happy when the skies are grey
You'll never know dear, How much I love you
So please don't take my sunshine away

The other night dea,r as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke dear, I was mistaken
And I held my head and cried

But, she doesn't like how sad it is. So she re-wrote it and has been singing it CONSTANTLY since then...
You are my sunshine, My only sunshine
You make me happy when the skies are grey
You'll never know dear, How much I love you
So please don't take my sunshine away

The other night dear as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke dear, there was my girlfriend
And I held my head down with happiness

A Skylerism

Skyler just asked for "ChickenFish" for her snack - I was confused. She wants an Easter Peep and goldfish crackers. LOL

A Trip to the Family Farm

I'm very late in posting this, about six months to be exact... But I'm finally getting there; that's what counts. Right?

In March of 2010 we went to Crawford Nebraska (where my Grandpa John was from) to celebrate the 100th Birthday of my Great Grandma Alice. It was a great trip, and as you can tell from the picture on the left? She was in excellent health for being 100! (Photos from the whole trip are in this album.)

Unfortunately, on October 27, 2011 Grandma Alice passed away. So the whole family made the trip back to Crawford for her Funeral. It was a nice service and a nice chance to see many people from my mom's family (particularly those who live in California.)

We also took the chance to make a trip out to the old family farm - Homesteaded in Belmont Nebraska (just outside of Crawford) where my Grandfather had grown up. We also drove through Fort Robinson, and Smiley Canyon! So I thought I'd share some of our photos from the trip. You can view the full album, if you'd like.