Mississippi Trip, cont.

Here are a few more pictures: Above- Mom and I put out new flowers at the Magnolia Cemetary.  We let Hannah roam around while we worked.
Below: We got to visit with Aunt Pat and Uncle Marcus for a bit- what a blessing to see them!

Just before we left on our 7 hour return trip to Texas, I asked Hannah and Daniel to give a hug and kiss and smile for the camera.  This is what I captured: 1. I missed the hug because it was so quick!  2. Hannah says "come on, Mama!" as Daniel walks away. 3. Oh- Daniel walked away to climb on a tree stump to pose for me!  Love that boy!

On Sunday, we went to church with Mimi and Papa and saw lots of friends.  Then we checked out the home where I grew up.  Hannah had fun exploring.  She even got to see Grandma Gardner's house and play on the steps.

We enjoyed an outside supper with Mimi that night.  Then Hannah explored the yard and swing.  So much fun for a little girl!

Papa brought home some french fries and a shake for us- yum!  Papa enjoyed laughing at how much Hannah loved her frosty :)

Denver Zoo

While we were in Colorado we made our first visit to the Denver Zoo.  It was fun and exciting.  Hannah's favorites were the Artic foxes, the seals and the bears.  Burke had a great time as the tour guide- he loved informing everyone about all his favorite sites!

July 4th Parade

We went to a really fun parade this morning- and the kiddos had on matching outfits.  Thanks Aunt Kirst!  Happy Independence Day to everyone!

Family time in Colorado Springs

Here are a few pictures of our time at Evette's home in Colorado Springs.  The weather is great!  We have been relaxing, eating ice cream & frozen yogurt, visiting with Adam, Kirstin, Burke, Piper Jane and Evette.  We even ran into a friend from Colleyville at church this morning!  Stay tuned for 4th of July parade pictures . . . matching outfits are involved :)

Lake City, continued again

This is the last post about Lake City- I promise! There are a few more adventures that I just had to share, then we will get back on track with Molly's adventures (not that she has too many, but there have been a few). The Gentrys have a tradition of visiting the Lake City Soda/ice cream shop daily. They have great flavors and generous servings. Here is a picture of Burke getting some of Kirst's scoop. He loved it!
We had a fish fry on Thursday night with all the fish everyone caught. We had it outdoors in the wonderful weather. Here are some shots of the snacking and kid watching.

Ana was super excited that her fish (with the head still attached) was being grilled. Adam was very patient and amused by all the status updates that were required!

Here is an action shot of me, Bennett, and Ana rolling down the hill in front of our cabins. The grass is so incredibly soft there! We had lots of fun, you can tell. Boy- did I get dizzy!

On Friday afternoon, four of us went up a mountain to see what we could see. We visited a mine's gift shop (the tour would have taken too much time- but it is on the to-do list for next time) and stopped to see a few bridges. Here we are posing against the beautiful scenery.

Saturday morning arrived and it was time to bid farewell to friends and Lake City. So naturally we took lots of pictures! Here are all the Gentrys, the Cairns, and the Smiths. What special company- friends for so long and growing relationships too.

Next up: lifelong friends Jennie and Aaron and now spouses too!

Aaron makes light of most situations and this was no exception. Here we are being silly, in between the tears of renewed friendships and goodbyes.

Mark summed up this vacation so accurately with the word bittersweet. So many new and different things. So many memories recalled. Lots of laughter, lots of tears. This was a vacation never to be forgotten. Thank you to everyone who make this trip memorable and a special thanks to Mark and Evette for making it happen.

Lake City, continued

Finally, back to blogging. I left you with Aaron feeling crummy and the glory of Lake City left unexplored. The next day we went up to the famous lake of Lake City (that I didn't know existed- all I had seen were rivers!). For the sake of our marriage, Aaron did not teach me to fly fish. Instead, Mark and Evette attempted to instruct me the ways of the fisherman. After a gallant effort on their part, alas, I do not think I am cut out for this. Oh well.

Adam, Kirstin and Burke showed up later that day. We visited and a great dinner. Wednesday morning dawned and Aaron felt a tiny bit better. We all traveled up the mountains a little to get a look at Lake San Cristobal. Here we are at the impromptu photo shot.

A few miles up the mountain and we arrived at a place called Cathedral. It was a beautiful campsite and full of steams. Aaron headed straight into the stream and had a great time. I hung out with Ana and Bennett and my new friend Paula. Ana discovered a rustic, do it yourself seesaw (boy did my knees hurt!). We played and ate lots of snack while all the others fished.

Aaron caught his first fish in 9 years! It was a little small and he threw it back, but still . . .

Meanwhile, Burke fell into the cold, muddy water and had to change from his fisherman outfit. Then we all had lunch.

Different needs for different people had us all going separate ways: to nap, to fish, to keep kiddos entertained on their first trip to the mountains of Colorado (this one includes me). The Smiths and I went to a place called Deer Lakes. This was a peaceful and beautiful area as well.

Ana was the only one patient enough to pose with me!

Colorado- the first few days

Aaron sleeping just before we headed to the Medical Center

Well, we traveled to Colorado Springs without much fuss. We had a fun stop at Del Taco for 50 packs of hot sauce. Then we had a nice quiet evening with Mark and Evette. On Friday, Aaron worked on the new computer while Evette and I did some errands and packed for the trip. That evening Adam, Kirst and my favorite nephew Burke came for a visit and we ate at On The Border. I hadn't been there for years and it was delicious!

We loaded up the next morning and were on our way, with brief detour to the Young Life office. The Colorado scenery was great- mountains, plains, lots of rivers and streams. We arrived in Lake City and settled in. We promptly went to Dan's Fly Fishing store. Then we met our dear friends the Cairns and the Smiths downtown for some ice cream. We then helped them to unpack and then went to dinner.

Unfortunately, this is where the trouble begins. . . just after dinner, Aaron came in, laid down, and started shivering. Then he got hot. He had chills and fever all night.

He woke up the next morning pretty worn out. So, we visited the Lake City Area Medical Center. The hours were 2-4 on Sundays, so we got there just after 2. Around 5 pm, the nurse asked me to come back into the patient room with her. Aaron was getting back from a chest x-ray and starting to get chills again. The results: pneumonia or a blood clot. So, the very kind doctor* and nurses gave him a shot and put an I.V. in him. *Really- they were great~ I don't know what I would have done without their kindness. It is pretty hard and scary to see your husband hooked up to an I.V. and be helpless to do anything.~ We didn't leave until 7 pm. Needless to say, we took it easy that evening, visited, and went to bed early.

Aaron had a follow up appointment the next day at 10. We left at 12, ate lunch with everyone and then headed to Gunnison to get another antibiotic prescription filled. Nothing to exciting to report from that trip- but we did stop at Sonic. I got a vanilla coke- yum! That evening we visited and I played Uno with Jennie and Steve while Aaron sat around trying not to infect anyone with his pneumonia.

That's about it for the first few days. To be continued . . .

Off to Lake City

somewhere around Lake City-- this is obviously borrowed from Evette!

Hello from Colorado! Aaron and I arrived in Colorado Springs yesterday and we are off to Lake City in the morning. The highs are going to be in the high 60's to low 70's with lows in the 40's. I am a little apprehensive. . . I have never been there before, I don't know how to fly fish and I am not overly fond of eating trout. However, there will be great company (and our favorite nephew Burke) and I am bringing lots of books.