Fire

     As most of you probably know by now, our city has been fighting a fierce wildfire for the last week.  It started Saturday when the news started reporting that there was a fire in Waldo Canyon.  They started evacuating people through out the weekend.  The news was constantly covering the fire and I knew that it was a pretty large fire.  They were doing a great job of keeping the fire away from homes.  Up until Monday, the only thing that had been burned was a small shed.  I was trying to remain optimistic and had faith in the firefighters in keeping everyone safe.

     Tuesday, they started doing more pre-evacuations.  They kept saying that the weather was just not cooperating for fighting the fire.  On Tuesday afternoon, I watched the news conference at 4:00.  During the conference, the mayor came back on and said that a neighborhood was on immediate evacuation and everyone needed to get out right away.  It's hard for me to even recap the next few hours that followed.  Everything just happened so quickly.  All of a sudden we were seeing images on t.v. of the fire coming over the mountain into our city.  They were showing scenes of bumper to bumper traffic with cars of people trying to flee  I, of course started freaking out. Joey wasn't home from work yet.  I was trying to remain calm for the kids, but it was very hard when I was watching such a dismal scene unfold on t.v.     

       This was all happening on the far west side of town.  We are very fortunate to live on the far east side of town.  Because of the way our house faces, we really can't see the mountains.  The sky started turning this eerie shade of orange and it got very dark.  I could see lots of smoke pummeling towards the sky.  Ash started to fall from the sky.  At this point, I was so scared I thought I would pass out! It took Joey forever to get home because traffic was an nightmare.  In the mean time, I tried to stay as calm as possible for the kids.  Joey finally got home and we put the kids to bed.  Joey and I sat glued to the t.v watching horrific images of the city I have lived in my entire life go up in flames.  They were showing live images of houses burning down.  It was one of the worst things I have ever watched.  It was really hard to sleep that night for fear of what could happen next.  They kept saying the wind changed so quickly and the fire just gained momentum rapidly.  My heart was breaking for so many.

     Wednesday, brought some better news.  They were gaining a little control of the fire.  We later learned that 346 houses burned to the ground!  Everyone I know that lives in that area was so blessed to have their homes not burn.  My thoughts and prayers are with those who weren't so lucky.  This last week has been very trying and scary as well.  Fire is a very unpredictable and terrifying force of nature.  I watch the updates religiously to know what is going on.  This morning they announced that the fire is now 45% contained and they are feeling much better about things.  What a relief and finally some hope for our city. 

       Today is the first day that the smoke isn't that bad.  We were actually able to walk to the park and play.  That has been one of the hardest parts.  The air quality has been so bad we really weren't supposed to be outside.  It has also been hot here.  Like record breaking heat in the 100s.  Everyone was urged to shut their windows and turn on air conditioning.  Most homes here don't have AC, but Joey and I are very lucky that our house does.  We have been going stir crazy couped up in the house.

     Please continue to pray  for my city that the fire will remain at bay and that the worst is behind us.  I know that we are a strong community and we will rebuild. 

    I know these images have been shown many times, but I wanted to post them so I will have them to look back on.

    

     

This is the fire burning houses.



Here is a picture of the aftermath in one neighborhood.  The craziest part, is that my teammate lives on one of those streets.  Her house was the only house on the entire street to not burn down.  Unbelievable.



Different Kind of Week

      We had a very different kind of week last week.  Joey left on Thursday to go to Texas to visit with his brother and sister-in-law.  They had a belated wedding celebration out there.  The kids and I stayed here.  I was a little worried that we would be bored out of our minds without Joey to have fun with.  We managed to keep ourselves busy and had a great weekend. 

    On Thursday, we went to Chuck E. Cheese.  I was shocked that it wasn't too crowded at all.  The kids had a blast there.  Ashlyn loves that place.  Dawson really got into the little rides.  It is definitely something we will have to do again soon. 

     On Friday, we went up to Denver with my mom.  We went to lunch first at the White Chocolate Grill which was excelllent as usual.  Ashlyn has these American Girl Bitty Twins dolls that she just loves.  After lunch, we ventured over to the American Girl Store.  That store has got to be one of the neastest stores in the world for a little girl.  It is huge and full of every thing imaginable for dolls.  Ashlyn had a great time looking at everything.  She found lots and lots to put on her birthday list.  She really wanted a doll bed for her twins, but decided on some soccer outfits for her twins.  Seeing how excited she got totally made both my mom and I's day. 

     On Saturday, we went to the movies to see Madagascar 3.  Ashlyn and Dawson's dentist is amazing.  I can't speak highly enough of this office.  Well, they sent an email that they were having a patient appreication day on Saturday to see Madagascar 3.  Ashlyn has been wanting to see it, and I figured it would give us something to do with Joey gone.  I was a little weary about how Dawson would do, but I figured since we didn't have to pay, we could leave if necessary.  Dawson did okay.  He was a little squirrely at times.  We took a couple trips to the lobby, but I was amazed that we made it throught the entire movie!!!  That was a huge success for me. 

     Sunday, Joey came back home and we were all very happy to have him home again.  It was very hot that day.  Ashlyn really wanted to have a water balloon fight.  So, Joey filled up some water balloons and we had some fun with them.  Dawson really liked throwing them on the ground and watching them pop.  We also ran throught the sprinklers.  I had a great time and felt like a kid again!

     Joey was also off on Monday too.  Ashlyn has been begging to go to Trampoline World.  I hadn't been there, but she has told me all about it.  It is a little pricey, but we had a great time there.  Dawson really enjoyed it too.  It's a neat place with lots for kids to jump and climb on.  Ashlyn has already picked to have her birthday party there this year. 

Here are some pictures from our week:

Here is a picture of new sweet nephew.  So cute!!!

Ashlyn still can't get enough

Spending some time outside

They love the pool

Giving Jameson kisses

In the swing at Trampoline World

She loves doing flips

I couldn't believe how many flips she did in a row.

This was one of Ashlyn's favorite things to do.

A shot from the front.

Dawson in the ball pit.

Jumping into the foam pits

Dawson bouncing on the trampoline

He loved that swing.



Jameson Scott

     After 9 months of waiting, we finally got to meet the newest member of our family, my nephew, Jameson Scott.  He was born on Tuesday, June 19th.  I got to be present for the delivery like with Ella.  Getting to experience a child come into this world is the most amazing experience ever!  It always reminds me just how strong women are both physically and emotionally!  My sister did wonderful.  He weighed 6lbs 14oz which is actually almost 2 pounds more than my niece did when she was born.  

      Ashlyn has been so excited for the new baby to get here.  After swimming lessons on Wednesday, her and I went to the hospital for a quick visit.  She was so excited to hold him.  She is absolutely enamored with him, as am I.  He is beautiful.  We stopped by my sister's house tonight real quick after soccer.  Again, Ashlyn insisted on holding him and she would barely let me hold him.  She told us that she just loves that he is finally here.  Dawson met him for the first time, but he wasn't too impressed.  He just kept grabbing at his face.  I will take some better pictures of Jameson to post. 

There is nothing like holding a newborn

She's the best cousin

She loves just gazing at him.  Melts my heart!!!

Sailing Shoes 2012

    This past Saturday, I had another race.  This one is downtown and I have ran it a couple of times before.  It's a pretty big race and the course is nice and flat.  It's a race I really enjoy.  It was also great because my mom, dad, sister, and niece all came to watch us.  I have been training hard and trying to really push myself.  The weather was nice, but it was a little windy for the race.  The first part was running right into the wind which was a little challenging.  I try to learn something from each race experience and apply it to the next race.  I definitely learned a few things this time.  I finished with a time of 22:18.  I got 3rd in my age group of 30-39, and I was the 15th female overall.  Not my best finish, but this was a pretty big race.  I was pretty pleased with my finish.  Alas, my training continues.  I am doing a one mile run in a week for fun.  The end of July is my next really big race which is a 10k.  I will be focusing on training for that.  With not having to work, I am able to get in a ton of miles a week which I love. 

     This race also had a kids run.  I asked Ashlyn if she wanted to do it, and of course she said yes.  The kids run was a mile, which I was fairly confident Ashlyn could do.  Her run was after our race and she wanted my brother to run with her too.  They treated the kids race just like the adult race.  I thought it was neat that they had the police bikes escort the race.  They also even had the clock at the finish line which is usually not done for kids runs.  By far this was the best kids run she has done.  It was so well organized and not very crowded.  Ashlyn did absolutely amazing!  She held our hands most of the way, but she just kept running and running.  A mile is actually kind of far.  I was expecting her to say that she needed to walk or slow down, but she never did.  She just kept running with a huge smile on her face.  She crossed the finish line at 10:48 which I think is pretty impressive for a 4 year old.  I am really hoping she decides to take up running one day.  I think she could be good at it. 



Joey is so supportive and always does a great job of taking pictures for me. 



Here I am near the finish line.



The kids and me

Dawson going for a run of his own

Love this picture of Dawson and Ella playing

Here is picture of the kids run before it started. 

We were off!

She was having so much fun!

Look at that girl go!!!

So proud of her

Crossing the finish line

With her ribbon. 

Father's Day

    Father's Day started a day early for Joey.  After our races, we headed home so Ashlyn could change.  She had a very special date with her Dad.  Joey had purchased tickets from Chick Fil A for a special Father/Daughter lunch.  I was a little apprehensive at first about it, but it turned out to be really neat.  Ashlyn had to be sure to put on her favorite dress and put her hair back so she would look extra pretty.  Joey said that Chick Fil A did a great job.  The had a violinist playing, table clothes, real dishes, etc.  He said it was very fancy.  They got a 3 course meal, roses, a picture of the two of them, and some commemorative coffee cups.  Ashlyn had a great time which is all that matters and she got to spend time with her favorite guy in the whole wide world.

     On Sunday, we started the day by going to breakfast at Joey's favorite breakfast spot.  He has been going there for years and we love their food.  We ate some awesome food and headed home.  We then went on a bike ride/walk.  It was really, really hot that day, but we had a good time.  That afternoon, we had my family over.  It was also my sister's birthday, so we had a lot to celebrate.  We set up the pool and slip n'slide and the kids had a blast playing out back.  We grilled and had a wonderful meal.  There is a cupcake place in Denver that we just love.  Joey got cupcakes for us and that's what we had for dessert.  I hope Joey had a good Father's Day.



Here is our pretty princess before her date with her Daddy

Ashlyn and Daddy at breakfast

Mommy and Dawson

Ashlyn showing us how big she thought her pancake would be

She wasn't exaggerating much.  They serve HUGE pancakes!

Dawson was loving the pancake

The cuties playing

They weren't too sure about the slip n'slide

Dawson riding in his favorite car.  He had a pizza face

Uncle Bryan pushing the girls

We discovered that Dawson and Ella love the sandbox as much as Ashlyn

Papa with all of his grand kids

Dawson also loved his cupcake!