Archive for the 'Friends' Category

14
Aug
14

end of July

While Rilyn and I were in Florida, Asher was at Pine Cove Camp in the City! He enjoyed it, although I wish he would of tried more of the obstacles. Sometimes he is a daredevil, and other times (I think when we are not around,) he is shy to try.

Asher about to sword fight!

Asher and his group having Bible Study.

We had our 5th annual lake day on the Moss’ boat!

Jeff, Eddie, James, Jen, Denise, and me

That’s me waterskiing with the Pennybacker bridge in the back. I even got to wake board that day for the first time.

Just thought this picture was cute! Ella liked grocery shopping with me this summer. Just me and her! She wanted to push the cart to “practice being a mommy.”

We got a chance to see Noel, our old college buddy. So blessed to live in the same city with the rest of these college friends! Suhs, Carson, and the Richardsons.

We also went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio with our friends!

Rilyn, Anna, Caden, Ella, Asher, Levi, Cole, and Jake

I was so proud of Ella on this trip! She really came out of her comfort zone and tried bigger, “scarier” rides like these swings that go up really high in the air!

While Rilyn and Levi were on Superman, the others opted for the kiddie coaster. 🙂

And some kiddie rides!

Ferris wheel with my love, Rilyn!

Pandemonium-always a favorite! And Ella went on for the first time!!!

About to ride!

He loves it!

Ella loved it too, despite her look of terror! LOL

more rides

The Roadrunner roller coaster

Unfortunately, there were some major rain storms that day that cut our time short. Here was one, and Ella freaked out at the thunder sounds!

It was a great day at Six Flags! See ya next summer!

19
Jun
13

Rafting!

On the last full day of our Colorado vacation, we went river rafting with the Richardson family.  Because Asher and Caden are only four and five years old, we were only allowed on Class 1/2 rapids.  After the fact, I would NOT suggest doing this rafting trip unless you can go on Class 3 rapids (your children must be 7 years old is what I was told).  The kids had fun though as we leisurely floated down the river.






17
Jun
13

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park!

After our 3 hour hike, we ventured out to the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park!  Yes, we were tired, but in our vacations, we jam pack excursions in!  🙂

Alpine sledding down the mountain! That ride was super fun!

Ella does NOT like to go fast, so I guess plugging her ears and closing her eyes helped?! 🙂

Glenwood Caverns is an amuesment park on top of a mountain. You can only get there by gondola or bus.

They loved going through the maze!

James and I rode on this crazy thing! 1,300 feet above the Colorado River, on the Giant Canyon Swing! I’m pretty sure it was the scariest ride of my life.

James went on a 2nd and a 3rd time so I could take pictures of him and he got video with his cell phone!


The last thing we did that day was go into one of the caverns they have at the park.

Ella learning about stalagmites and stalagtites in King’s Row Cavern!

A descent of 150 feet down through spacious passages to King’s Row, the most highly decorated cave room in Colorado. Stunning formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and cave bacon.

14
Jun
13

Hanging Lake, CO

On Tuesday, the 15 of  us started out with a 2 1/2 mile round trip hike to Hanging Lake.  Hanging Lake is a jewel nestled in the Rocky Mountains!  The hike was difficult and rocky, (1000 feet elevation gain), but the kids were ALL champs!  We even had a 2 year old with us!  I totally recommend this hike, the accomplishment of completing it WITH my family was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip!




all 15 of us! Friends since 1998!

We made it!



If you hike up about 5 minutes higher, you will find Spouting Rock where you can walk behind the waterfall!

I’m standing behind the waterfall. Can you see some of the kids?

At the bottom, the hike is done!

13
Jun
13

Colorado day 3

Me and the girls went on a 2 hour horseback ride up and down a mountain in Avon, CO!  It was challenging, but the views were gorgeous!  Rilyn said, “They make this look a lot easier in the movies!”  At one point, Rilyn was crying because her horse kept eating grass and she had to keep pulling on the reins and the leather from the reins was blistering her hands.  😦  The ride was age 7 and up, but Ella needed a guide to lead her horse because she wasn’t strong enough to lead her horse.  The ride was definitely good for the girls to go out of their comfort zone and experience something so unique!

About to ride!

I’m ready!






Going downhill!

12
Jun
13

Colorado day 2

We just relaxed on Sunday!

Checking out Vail

I told the kids we will get to ride in one of these in a couple days!

There is a hot tub at the cabin we are staying at!

The kids are serenading Jen for her birthday!

11
Jun
13

Colorado!

We set off on our first long road trip (18 hours!) to Edwards, Colorado for some fun and relaxation with some of our best friends!  We are staying in a large cabin together and enjoying the cooler weather and the beautiful views of nature!

Road trip!

Relaxing in the Westin hotel hot tub in Beaver Creek!

Jen, me, and Angela! (Jen was my college roommate and Angela I’ve also known since college!)

Scooter time down a trail

How to get nine kids to sit still for a picture? Give them ice cream! (9 kids=3 families)

We found a river, and the kids played there for 2 hours!

Family vacations are so much fun!

18
Jul
09

Melissa Sandvig’s husband

Back in May, I blogged about how I had lunch with Melissa Sandvig (ummm…haven’t heard of her? Top 4 ladies on So You Think You Can Dance!) when we went on our Disney vacation. The reason I met her is because her now *famous* husband is my friend from 2nd grade! So, on our vacation, a bunch of us old friends ate lunch together.

Erik is such a sweet, supporting husband to Melissa. You may have seen him every week on the show doing something like this in the audience:

It’s no surprise to me. Look at him back in 1989!

Erik trying to ‘get seen’ AGAIN

So, what is the point of this blog today? Please VOTE for Melissa next week and get her to the top 3 ladies!! (And don’t you want to see what sign Erik will be holding up???)

21
May
09

So you think you can dance

I admit-I can’t wait for the season premiere tonight on FOX!  We loved the show last summer and this summer it is even sweeter because we know one of the contestants!  And, I saw her last night on the promo for the show during American Idol (by the way-so pumped that Kris Allen won!)  Okay, so everyone who reads this and watches the show…when voting starts, if Melissa Sandvig makes it, please vote for her!

Click here to watch the promo clip.  She is the ‘naughty ballerina’.  😉

Back story:  I met her because I’ve known her husband since 2nd grade!  When we went to California last month, we all had lunch together and of course I got a picture taken with her (just in case she becomes super famous!  lol)

Melissa Sandvig
13
Mar
08

Carny Time

James took Rilyn to the carnival (part of Rodeo Austin) Monday night along with our good friends Jeff and his son, Cole Richardson. Cole was pretty interested in watching the people work the food booths at the fair. James asked Cole quietly, “Do you want to be a carnie?” but Rilyn heard and loudly announced, “I want to be a carnie!!” Hmm, not the future I quite had in mind for her…

“Cole, follow me!” (story of his life when he is with Rilyn)

Childhood Wonder

So James and Jeff posed Cole to do this b/c they thought it would be funny. (James won’t think this is funny too much longer!!!!)




My photography business!

May 2024
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031