Beautiful Colorado

Friday, July 16th we packed the car and headed to Denver. We both have family and friends there and decided to spend a little vacation time there. The kids were so good for the car ride out. We made it in 13 hrs. We are so lucky that my parents invited us to stay. The kids have enjoyed staying with Grandpa John and Grandma Bonnie.
Saturday was very fun for me! Matt played bastketball with my dad while I whipped up a batch of whole wheat pancakes. Later, Matt watched the kids while I went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory with my girls (Mom, sisters, and nieces.) We also did a little shopping :)




In the evening, Matt took the kids down to Franktown for a dinner/tennis tournament with his family and I got to see my sister, Catherine perform with her dance company. It was great to see her dance again!
Sunday, we went to a previous ward and got to hear Emma give a talk on keeping the Sabbath Day holy, and Hannah sing Oh Lord, My Redeemer. Both girls did a wonderful job!
Following church, I went to my sister's house for a BIG surprise. Here are the words of my sister Annie from her blog: "So Beckie and her family got into town late last Friday night for a 2 1/2 week visit! Our entire family is thrilled. We have had so much fun already and have lots of plans while she is here . . . a family photo, get-togethers, etc. But I was most excited about one event in particular.

Beckie's best friend, Christina, told me this Spring that she was pregnant again and that she wanted to keep it a secret from Beckie until she came to visit. So this whole time I've kept it from everyone in my family (except Jeff and - only recently - Jennifer - with Christina's permission. . .

Well, Christina had her baby on Saturday and we decided to reveal the secret on Sunday afternoon after church.

I had coordinated with Jennifer to keep Beckie at her place after church (Beckie went to her ward). I left Mary with Jeff, drove to Jen's, we blind-folded her, and hopped into the car and drove to Skyridge Medical Center.

Beckie had guessed that Christina had something to do with this surprise, but she thought it might have to do with her birthday on Monday. Still blind-folded, we took her up the elevator to the second floor. She remembered the smell since she delivered two babies there and said "Are we in a hospital?". Then right as we came up to Christina's room she asked, "Did Christina have a baby??!". Then we stepped into the room and lifted the blindfold. And there to Beckie's surprise was Christina in a hospital bed and her husband to her left holding their newest little baby, Charlotte.

Beckie was definately surprised! I think she almost cried. It was a pretty neat moment. I was glad I got to be a part of it."

Isn't that amazing? I just have to say, Sometimes a smell can give a clear picture of where you are! After having 2 babies at Sky Ridge, I can remember that place blindfolded (literally.) It is not a bad hospital smell, just distinct! I am so happy for Christina and her little family! I am sure you can imagine how much effort went in to keeping this a surprise with facebook and everything! I guess it just shows how awesome my friends & sisters are, and how much changes in 9 months of being gone!

Sunday evening, we had a family dinner to celebrate the July birthdays in our family. Talk about a fun and eventful weekend!