We went for a day trip to Estes Park yesterday, with the other Fletes! Chad and his brother Luke fished...while Cyndi, the girls, and myself walked the lake and played at the play ground. It was a beautiful day outside. It is so fun to see Mariah and Rylie play together...they really like eachother.
Of course once we reconnected up with the dad's Rylie wanted to walk along the river, play with sticks.
Then Rylie rolled into the river to go get dad. Splash! (That was not planned!) The cold water shocked her at first...and then she just went along soaking wet, as if she just got out of the pool! Unbelievable this little girl. Man do we love her.
Rylie and Dad came to the pre-Annex BBQ tonight. She spent her time, mingling like the best of them from student to student, dancing, pointing, giggling, and managing to be quite the center of attention...and loving it. She tried her first hamburger and then tried her first hot dog...but did not prefer either. She just stuck to the buns, cheese, Doritos, and cookies! Ha!
In the middle of the BBQ she heard noise from inside the Annex building...so she went on in, and LOVED what she found. The Annex worship team was practicing...which lead her to dance, clap and eventually join on in, on the fun.
What fun to see all of the college students dote over and smother Rylie with love. They are such a gift to us as parents!
I ran to grab my camera AFTER the BBQ...but here are a few moments captured with the worhsip team...
Because I (Jennie) live away from my side of the family...it was a total treat to have my cousin Jonathan, his wife Kelly, and thier friend Suzy, over for the night. They live in Texas and came to town for a wedding. It has been a long while since we have connected. Mom and Dad, we thought you'd especially enjoy this picture of us.
Brooke and Nolan just left our place, after we had such a sweet and meaningful evening together. They are moving to Menlo park in two months, and we are going to miss them so, so much. They are two very special people in our lives on many levels. Nolan and Chad grew up together, as their families are quite close. And Brooke...what can I say about Brooke...she was Rylie's first nanny, a former student in my ministry, and a woman I have gotten the JOY of walking alongside for four years. She holds a very special, special place in my heart and life. Boy are we going to miss you two. Watch out Menlo!
Here are a few pictures of our dinner tonight...throwing our own calazones!
Our dear fiends, Angie and Aaron, gathered friends together to head to their hometown, of Berthoud. (Berthoud is a small farming town about 45 minutes North of where we live.) Every year, Berthoud has a celebration where the entire town (and more) get's together to celebrate.
We started our day with the pancake breakfast hosted by the "men in uniform" (aka the boyscouts).
Then on full bellies, we walked the town, from park to park, and then found a front row seat (all seats were front row) for the hour long parade. This is where Rylie had her first lolipop. Very fun...she enjoyed every last blue dribble of it...and chewed apart the stick she liked it so much!
After the parade we headed to a festival area, where Rylie met and touched her first turtle, goat, lamma (which she kept on calling mamma), and pony. I did a first as well, I got to stand inside a giant bubble!
It was so much fun to experience Berthoud through the eyes of little Rylie, with good friends. Thanks, you guys!
Rylie's blue eyes often grab people's attention...because they are just so beautiful. Those baby blues. However, her more dominant feautre that grabs people's attention lately...is her hair.
Her hair can be described with the same adjectives we use to describe Rylie...a bit wild, a bit crazy, a lot bit carefree and so much fun! Rarely will you see her out in public now without it tamed with a tie. However, here are a few shots from Friday...when we just let her hair be free.
THese shots are actually a bit tame. We think she is the most adorable when she rolls out of bed each morning with an afro...I will have to take a photo soon!
