Mountaintop Memories..

I have been to Colorado many times, whether it be skiing or summer camp, but the best memory I have was the summer of 1989, when I went to Young Life's Frontier Ranch for the very first time. Before that week in June, I believed there was a God, but had no idea that a 'relationship' with the Father was even possible. I was a pretty good kid, but I also felt pretty lost, as many soon-to-be high schoolers do at that time in life. I had an amazing family, friends that cared about me, but I still felt like I was missing out on my purpose, like I was somehow just going through the adolescent motions. My great-grandmother's prayers were answered that week, and I'll never forget sitting on the side of the mountain, giving the Lord my heart and my life, exactly 20 years ago this summer. I am so thankful for Young Life, for the amazing volunteers that invested their lives in me. Most of all, I will forever be grateful to God for He has had great plans for me since He knit me in my mother's womb.

Jason also has great Colorado memories. He went on ski trips and summer vacations with his family, and in 1992, he began working at Noah's Ark, a whitewater rafting company in Buena Vista, CO. He has amazing memories of trips he led, friends he made, and summers full of adventure in the mountains.

So this summer, it was time to share our awesome love of Colorado with the kids...



We hiked almost daily...the kids were great and learned quickly how to work together and encourage each other.
We did a lot of laughing and just being a family...it was awesome.

This is on top of Pike's Peak...another 'scary' adventure for a couple of the kids. But at the top, they ended up feeling victorious, and stood amazed at God's awesome creation from 14,000 feet!

Jason I and celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary on August 9th. There is absolutely no one I'd rather share this lifetime adventure with than my darling husband.

My girls have grown closer, with Madison loving Leila wholeheartedly and helping me with her each and every day.

The boys---what can I say? They are a team, a duo, BUDDIES, but most of all, very loving brothers.

The kids had the opportunity to record a radio show at Whit's End, which is the representation of Odyssey from the Adventures in Odyssey series produced by Focus on the Family. This was a highlight as my kids love the Odyssey series, and listened to several episodes on our road trip.

Rudy (almost 6 in this picture), got his cast off just in time for vacation, and was absolutely thrilled to climb and explore for 7 days straight!


And Leila--she loved those mountains too. She's a jewel in our family...almost four years old and the love of our lives.

We did all kinds of fun things on our trip, but the kids tell us that just being at the cabin and hanging out as a family was their favorite part. What a blessing Colorado has been to us, we were thankful for another chance to visit!