The Denver Post

Here is a scan of the front page. If you look closely, you'll see me. Also, notice the flames behind the cabin. What a ride! Here is another clip from The Rocky Mountain News newspaper. It gives you a better idea of how close the fire actually came to our cabin. These were both taken when they let us go back into the cabin (30 mins)to get all the bags out.

On the Front Page

Funny story:

Okay, so Monday June 25th, Girls Camp, we (44 girls, 10 leaders and I) have just arrived at the YMCA Of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch. We are having a wonderful time in our own cabin and the girls are playing games and getting to know each other. After two hours of being in the cabin we are chased out by a fire that has started about 100 feet from us. We evacuate the girls and move our vehicles, only to see now what had started as minimal flames to a full blown wildfire raging above the trees with black smoke everywhere moving towards our cabin! (Anyways, if you want the full story, you'll have to call me for it.) We watched as several emergency vehicles came in and of course media people come in. There were helicopters flying overhead and it seemed only reasonable for the media people to come and talk to someone from our group since we were the ones to report the fire and were the most put out by it. Alas, no one was interested...so I thought. The next day we woke up (obviously not in the cabin) we realize that because of the poor air quality and having some girls with asthma, we cannot stay there at Snow Mountain. So we decide to move over to the YMCA of the Rockies over in Estes Park about 70 miles away. We made the trek over there. We arrived there to find that our rooms were not ready so we took the girls over to the pool. After being there for 20 mins, the lifeguard blows the whistle and tells everyone they need to get out of the pool and leave the building due to lightening (the building had a metal roof - of course they did!). After feeling we cannot catch a break at Girls Camp another director informs us that the activities that we had planned at Snow Mountain, we can do here. The girls were very excited. The next day they would be in groups for archery, the climbing wall and the high ropes/zip line. In charge of the zip line group I escorted the very excited girls to their activity. They donned on their gear and practiced on the low ropes. When it came time for the high ropes and zip, what else could happen but lightening AGAIN!! Oh, these girls were so disappointed. We waited half an hour to see if it would clear, but it didn't, and they wouldn't get their chance. As a leader, by now, I just had to laugh and tell the girls that they would never forget this camp. We'd been chased out by a fire (it ended up completely surrounding the cabin - I wish I had my camera!) then the lightening had prevented us from any activities we wanted to do. Luckily that morning we had snuck our hike in. Anwyays, that night as the Bishops from the three wards came up for the last night and testimony meeting, one of the bishops that had helped me and some other leaders clear out the cabin brought me a clip of the front page of the Denver Post Newspaper. It was me! I was carrying out pillows and bags from our cabin with two fire personnelle further down digging about the smoldering ground. WOW!! After "whining" that we were the group that the media should be talking to, there I was, on the front page! I was so embarrassed!

A day at the pool

We absolutely love our new neighborhood and (of course!) the pool. Here are some cute pics of the kids (excuse Clay's "friend" under his nose...). Did I mention we got a new camera too? YAY!

Kaycee's 3!!

We had such a fun week with 2 graduations and 2 birthdays. We finished off the week with Kaycee's birthday. YAY for Kaycee, she's three now! She had a great birthday this year and enjoyed it on Memorial Day too! She was so happy all day and was so patient to open her gifts. We can't believe how fast she is growing. She is developing into quite the character too. She insists on changing her clothes at least 3 times a day (which makes for quite a bit of laundry), but she is so cute and always smiling. We love our "Kiki Woo."

Our Graduates

As we raced out the door, I forgot to bring the camera to Rylee's last day of school and graduation, I feel so bad! Luckily, Mrs. O'Brien had taken pictures of her own of the students in their caps and gowns and gave then to the parents along with a class photo. In these pics, Grandma, Aunt Carla and Aunt Katherine made caps and a cake for our graduates. We are so proud of them and their progress. Rylee is now our first-grader and we feel so old! She had a wonderful year and made some incredible progress. She brought home her report card of all E's (excellent) and a reading level now of 14! She was adored by her teacher and all her classmates. We are so proud of her and the wonderful friend she is to everyone! Way to go Rylee!

Happy Birthday Lucy!!

YAY! Lucy's One! And we can't believe it, she has grown so fast. She had a great time opening her presents and cards and eating her cake and ice cream. Lucy loves to talk on the phone so she really enjoyed hearing from her grandparents. We sure love our little Lucy and enjoy watching her learn and grow. She is starting to talk more and imitates what she sees. She knows about 4-5 words and she actually just learned to "la la la" when she sings. As you can see in the pic, we got her a little ride-on/walker thing, so hopefully she won't be walking too soon.. :) She goes back and forth really well though sitting on it. Thank you for the cards and gifts, she absolutely loves them. Happy Birthday to our little "Lucy Bean!"

Clay Graduates from Joy School

Clay had such a good time in Joy School this year and made some really good "buddies." He's looking forward to attending pre-school in the fall.

The Sanctuary

It's incredible. Here is a picture of the back side of the lodge and then from various holes. Amazing! Any takers for next year? :)

http://www.sanctuarygolfcourse.com

A Day of Golf

Ryan and I and some friends of ours had the opportunity to golf at one of the most exclusive golf courses in the country, The Sanctuary. Created by the founder of REMAX International, this course was breathtaking. It was opened to corporate employees this month free of charge, so it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. It was a beautiful day and we played all 18 holes. It was quite intimidating walking up to this lodge that was just phenomenal. I mean, the bathrooms were granite and marble with personal hand towels and then only to be out done by the locker rooms (they even had gum you could take!). I'm a little sore now, swinging so hard and making contact only about half the time, but we certainly had a great time. We rode around in carts with a cooler on the side with ice water. We ordered lunch before we started and picked it up after the 9th hole. It was so much fun, we can't wait to do it again. (I think we'll practice a little more at the driving range next time as it took me awhile to "warm up.")

Something new

Well, we certainly have to admit that we are not so good with our blog. Here are some recent pictures taken the other night after we went over to Rylee's school carnival. The kids were thrilled to get their faces painted. The next day , Ryan had all the kids at a lacrosse tournament (so I could attend our Women's Conference) and everyone came home a little rosey, especially Lucy! We'll have to take another picture when she wants to show off her bottom two teeth and her "freshly cut" (today!)tooth on top.