Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Resurrection Garden!

Here's what our garden is looking like today. Whatever wasn't totally destroyed by the hail, is coming back! We have gotten a few handfuls of green beans, though most of the plants are gone, and we picked three zucchini yesterday. The spaghetti squash at the far side of the garden is growing like crazy and starting to set little ones on. I don't know that we will see any tomatoes, but if we get zucchini, we are happy. I'm so thankful for the friends who have shared with us from their abundance. God is good, all the time!

Rocky Mountain pictures from August 8, 2009

A few pictures by the Big Thompson River after our breakfast picnic


We went on to Estes and down highway 7 to Lily Lake. There is a nice walking trail around Lily Lake. Even wheelchairs can go on it safely.


Of course, we did not stay on the nice walking trail. The kids wanted to go on one of the hike that takes off from there. Rowen and I found it too steep for our liking and stopped to enjoy this view:

We even found some nice stumps to take a picture of:

The kids went much higher, but Jeffrey stopped for a "Word from the Creator"

Emily getting higher!

and higher!

Looking down on Lily Lake!

She and Jason liked this profile rock on top of the world! (The guy is facing right.)

Beautiful view from up there!

Looking down where we started.

Taking a rest on the way down.

They finally made it back to where we were.

Back down to the Lily Lake trail now. They think they climbed the middle hill behind them.

We went on to Meeker Park for lunch and the kids took these photos.

Jason manned the camera and did not get in many shots.


A fallen tree Jason and Emily climbed.




What we did while they monkeyed around!

We enjoyed our day in the mountains!

Brent and Alicia Susan's visit

Brent and Alicia Susan and their daughter Tirzah came for the Cruz-Troyer wedding and spent the weekend with us. We really enjoyed having them with us. We thought the "swaddler" Tirzah was wrapped in when it was time for sleep was great! Wish we would've had one when our children were babies.

She always went to sleep when she was in the swaddler.

We enjoyed breakfast at Loveland Mountain Park on the way to Estes.

It is our favorite place and one we like to take guests to when we have company.

Tirzah seemed to like the mountains just fine!

She even liked her adopted grandpa Rowen!

Sitting on the rocks by the Big Thompson River is one of our favorite things to do!

Brent had been here before, but it was Alicia's first time for our mountains.

Tirzah got startled for this picture. I thought her outstretched arms were so cute!

This was taken before they left on Monday morning.

One of the special things about the Susans' visit was that they brought their instruments. So we had music several times. This happened to be at bedtime, so please excuse our children's pajamas, but enjoy the music!

Esther Cruz and Paul Troyer wedding August 7, 2009

Our friend, Esther Cruz, married her friend, Paul Troyer, on August 7, 2009. We were privileged to attend this wedding in Greeley, Colorado. It was a very God-honoring ceremony and we enjoyed it very much!

The cake

The reception hall at the First United Methodist Church in Greeley.

Esther's aunt is a balloon artist and made all the beautiful decorations.

The Cruz family: Eladio, Sherolyn, Esther, Ephraim, Mary, and Carmen. Sherolyn made their beautiful dresses.

Bride's parents: Sherolyn and Eladio Cruz

Esther and her maids: Her new sister-in-law, Lynnette, sisters: Carmen and Mary

Esther made her own beautiful wedding dress.The second picture shows Esther's harp teacher in the background. She played beautiful harp music before and during the wedding.

Paul and his men: his new brother-in-law, Ephraim, brother, Daniel, and cousin, Jason Lindahl, and his new nephew, Christopher

Paul and his parents: Connie and Dean Troyer

Paul's family

One special feature of their ceremony was Esther playing the harp and both of them singing "Cherish the Treasure."

Bride and groom going down the aisle in the recessional

Pictures after the ceremony

The wedding party, including the flower girl, Olivia, who had a nap during the ceremony.

The parents and the couple

Paul and Esther at the bridal table

Getting ready to cut the cake

Being showered with rose petals

Last goodbye picture

We pray for God's blessings on this sweet couple. They will be going to Japan later this month for an 11 month assignment to Teach English as a Second Language!