Justin and Andrea

Ella

2007-06-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

Ella is almost finished with The Hobbit.

Today we visited The Journey and she said she'd like that to be our church. Needless to say she had a great time.

St. Mary's Glacier

2007-06-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove 45 minutes west to Saint Mary's Glacier. The Glacier is about 15 minutes past Idaho Springs, elevation 10,000 feet plus. Once to the parking area, it is a 1 mile hike -- up (of course) -- to the glacial lake.

Simon and Ella walked it. Oliver rode in the pack.

There was more snow than the kids have ever seen. Lots more.

Simon talks a lot about climbing mountains, and I assumed it was all four-year old talk that wouldn't actually amount to much. Wrong, wrong, wrong. He made pace most of the way. The path went around boulders at a few points... but not Simon. He tossed his walking stick over the boulder, then climbed over it himself. He couldn't get enough. He actually panicked when he realized we weren't hiking to the top of the mountain. Literally. The glacier was freezing cold, we were all panting from the thin air, and he was freaking out because we weren't going the extra 1000 feet to the top. Nuts.

Moving to Denver

2007-06-13T21:30:00.001-07:00

We've been in Denver for a week. Ten days, actually. We arrived last Sunday, after 2300 miles with two cars, three kids, and a dog.

Today Simon asked if there was somewhere here like "California". "California" is the name the kids gave to a spot in the woods back in Charles City, VA. There was an "Africa" and "Alaska" in our woods as well.

Well, there isn't a "California" exactly. But there are parks, shops, and a library all in walking (or biking) distance.

Speaking of biking... Simon finally has some pavement to ride his bike we bought him a year ago. After just a couple days, he's careening - on front well and one rear training wheel - around corners. Exciting for him... a little scary for me and Andrea. Ella is a block ahead of him the whole way, and somehow he has it in his head that he's beating her. All of us, actually. Even when we're pushing him up the curb.

Ella's excited about the summer reading program at the library - she finished her first activity tonight after several drafts of a very impressive illustration based on book she read.

Oliver keeps taking off running for the street. That's a bit of a concern. At least he's happy.

And the dog is working out great in the big city. Oliver's made a game of stepping on him, grabbing his wagging tail, and throwing the tennis ball *at* him. Man that dog is tolerant.