Camping

Last weekend we made our annual trip to Idaho for the family camp out. We had so much fun being with our family. Some of the highlights were:

- Being with family
- Dancing on the Stage
- Playing in the Creek
- Dad's pancakes for breakfast
- Going for a bike ride
- Finding a HUGE mushroom
- Riding around in the Razor!!
- Playing with cousins
- Healthy family competition in a game of Ladder Golf
- Getting rained on (The picture of the sky is what the clouds looked like just before it dumped)
- Sitting around the campfire
- Roasting marshmallows
- Otter pops
- Lots and lots of laughing

We can't wait until next year.

8th Anniversary

On June 29 this year Ben and I celebrated our eight wedding anniversary, can you believe it?? For our anniversary Ben and I left the city for a few days and went down to The Cliff House in Manitou Springs to play. On our first night we had dinner at a local place, did a little window shopping and then decided to go up to the Cave of the Winds and take a tour. The tour we took was their Eco friendly one and they turn off all the lights inside the cave and you go through with just a flashlight. It was interesting to see a different perspective of the cave and since there was only one other couple with us, our tour guide was extra funny.

On Saturday morning since it was cool we took a beautiful drive up the Pikes Peak highway to the top of the mountain. It is a beautiful drive and when you reach the top it is so worth it and your view just goes on for miles and miles. Once back in town we enjoyed some pizza at Marilyn's Place and then we were off to go hike the seven falls just as it started raining so we drove through the Garden of the Gods instead. It was interesting to see all the different rock formations.

We had plans to have dinner Saturday night at The Cliff House dinning room but we were pretty tuckered out so we opted for room service and it was wonderful. It is always fun to be waited on, eat in bed, have someone else clean up the mess and the food was amazing. We returned home on Sunday relaxed, refreshed and ready for the next exciting adventure.

It has been a wonderful eight years and I wouldn't want anyone else by my side. While we have had our ups and downs like everybody else there is no one else I could imagine going through all of it with and I know that we can overcome anything that comes our way. I Love You Ben!!

Anne's Baptism

Annie with her Dad
Uncle Ben and Annie

Aunt Lynsey and Annie

On June 5 Annie was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was such a special day and while I know that Annie was a little nervous she hid it very well. Ben and I along with lots of other family members were able to share in her special day. Annie had called me way back in May and asked if I would speak at her baptism. I was a little nervous since I had never spoken at a baptism but more then happy to do it for Annie.

I wish I could say that I held it together and made it all the way through my talk without crying but that was not the case. When I looked into Annie's smiling face all I could see was this beautiful girl making such a good decision and the tears freely came streaming down my cheeks. I am so proud of Annie!!

It keeps going and going..

Our Favorite things about the giant Cedar Trees:

1. Uncle Ben was able to go with us

2. We got to drive in the woods (This was Joseph's favorite part)

3.The huge trees

4.The big sticks

5. Lots and lots of trees to climb

6. The rain letting up long enough for us to see the trees

7. Skipping school to be with family

8. Playing in the rain puddles

9. Picking flowers

10. Lunch at the french fry store afterwards

My sweet Ellen
Annie and Stephen

Aimee and I

Aimee, Ben and Noah

The kiddos

One of the giant trees.

Uncle Ben and Noah

Ben and I

We didn't quite make it all the way around.

Another shot of the giant trees.

How does it work?

While in Idaho we had many adventures with Aimee and the kids and our first one was to the science center. The kids had sooo much fun exploring and learning new things. It is also a fun place for adults. I admit I got stuck trying to figure out how this one puzzle worked and it drove me nuts until I finally figured it out.

Joseph next to his tower.
Annie and Noah playing conductor's with the trains.

Ellen digging for dinosaur fossils.

Such handsome boys digging for bones.

My sweet Naomi

Noah found a HUGE fossil

Joseph working on a math puzzle.

Wedding Bells

In May we all had the opportunity to fly out to Minnesota for Sam and Natalie's wedding. It was so much fun getting to see everyone and share in Sam and Natalie's very special day.

The Happy Couple!
Nat and Her Dad

The Ceremony

The Wedding Party

Ben and I

The Bridal Party

The Groomsmen and Grooms lady

Dixie, Me, Aimee and Heidi

The Conservatory

In Loving Memory Of

William Joseph MacLennan

March 11, 1949-May 7, 2010

God saw he was getting tired, And a cure was not to be.

So he put his arms around him, And whispered, "Come with me."

With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him fade away.

Although we loved him dearly, We could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, He is now at peaceful rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

After seven long years of battling cancer and overcoming the odds more then once Bill returned to our Father in Heaven on May 7, 2010. While we will miss having him in our home and hearing his laugh, we are glad to know that he is no longer suffering. He is a wonderful Husband, Father, Step dad, Father In-Law, Brother, Papa, Uncle and Friend. We Love you so much and miss you.

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free. I'm following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard him call. I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day. To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me. God wanted me now; he set me free.