July...

I just can't get over how the herb garden is flourishing, thanks to Mom and Dad's help over the last few  years.

"Who wants cake??"

Early birthday celebration with the girls, though missing Foxy (on her annual pilgrimage to Houston).

 The IXIS Park downtown is actually pretty neat.

 Emily and Margaret reacting to Laurel cutting off Lucas' toe.

 Annual (Hot & Humid) Fairview 5k 
Age group winner prize keeps me motivated to keep running!  
My high-5 crew at the turn around is worthwhile, too.  

1/10 age group; 14/127 overall 

23:18  7:30/mile  

 Post race party and bonfire

 Looks like only one baby bird left in the nest...apparently our handy man picked up a few off of the ground the other day:(

Sometimes being 3 is remarkably easy...sometimes.
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Emily and Kate will appreciate this, in honor of "Potato Cathy"!

 

Cannonballs!

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All summer, Matthew has been "doing" cannonballs...and by "doing" I mean that he jumps off the diving board, sort of bends one knee, one arm flails, and he yells, "Cannonball!".  But yesterday, he just stepped up and did the most perfect one I've ever seen - knees clutched tightly to his chest, little feet so close they criss-cross.  I've never seen a more precise one, much less 50 in a row!

When lightning strikes, we have dry practice, complete with 5-yr-old demos of push-ups with college bound athletes.

VBS songs during worship for the congregation---Matthew and side-kick Presley were as still and quiet as they have EVER been in service.   Both quietly refused to participate and stood like statues, as if to dare each other who could hold out the longest.  The "performance", or lack thereof, was specifically noted by many members as the best part of the show.    

You know you swim for a coach of the ages when he has former kids in the Olympic Trials.  JJ went to Omaha to see his athletes compete and we had a ball live streaming their events at the pool.  Hannah won her heat and Matt was barely second in his!

 Matthew holding the "I wanna be like Matt" sign as the local news crew taped our Olympic Trials viewing sessions.

And the Little Man got the best seat in the house, thanks to John Messimer's shoulders.

 Watching Olympic Trials

Picture Day

 THE 8-under relay....looking to win city-wide at Champs this weekend!

Matthew has joined 6-under practice and 

they don't hold back on instructing anything.

When your big brothers compete in butterfly, 

that means you're in for the long haul!  10:29pm...

Another media interview, before Champs.

Sweet back for age 5!  The meet following this, she won the entire 6-under age group for both teams, edging out a year-round swimmer that previously beat her by 7 seconds.

Breaststroke---not Andrew's best stoke, but possibly best improved and the only video from his break-out season.

Backstroke...fastest heat....youngest swimmer.

“Let the children come to me." Matthew 19:14

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It's that time of year again, when church halls are decorated until they're unrecognizable and are filled with the joyful laughter of Jesus' most precious.
 

And then....they DANCE!

4th of July

The mountains have been a special place in my heart since I was merely 3 or 4.  I think we moved into the house when I was 5 or 6 and it's been a second home since....the constant home.  July 4th is fantastic there...if you're on the East Coast, who wouldn't want to be at 4,000 ft where 80 degrees is a heat wave and the humidity is negligible??


The 4th of July in the mountains has become quite the string of events!  Aside from our usual plethora of park visits (some of the best we know), minnowing, bouldering, duck feeding, the kids get to add to their list of activities bounce houses, face painting, pony rides, golf and tennis clinics, duck racing, the famous town parade, and spectacular fireworks...and Mary Poppins this year!  And what a show it was!  That theater never ceases to amaze me---they outdo themselves with each production. 

Thankful to have Emily and Jason visiting a Killian "on" year.  Mom and Dad treated us to a delightful birthday dinner at Artisinal.

8-yr-old with the camera...who knows what this was about!

Love these two...

...And love this as much.

What a cake they arranged!

The Wholly Worm at the parade!

 A REAL steam train!

Where's Granddaddy??

Duck races are always a highlight, but no winners.
Too bad Andrew wasn't with me when Dad and I chatted with Bob and Brian Griese.  I would have loved for him to talk to them about commentating.  Our little sports statistician is dumbfounded that people get PAID to talk about sports.  Maybe one day??

Late night shenanigans with the BB gun...

 ...didn't scare this guy away until Dad hit him square.  What a THUD!