DAM with the Mitchell's

We all got to go to Denver Tuesday and meet Mindi Mitchell and her kids at the art museum.  I saw Mindi last year, but we hadn't seen her kids since they moved 3 years ago.  Diego and Henry used to be best friends.  They went to preschool and Kindergarten together.  It was great to get together.  They moved to the Woodlands near Houston.

Sandra and Dayton were also in Denver Tuesday so we met them at a restaurant along with Marco and Dinorah.



The kids also all had play dates in Stapleton for a couple of hours with their friends.  Eli went to Jack's house, Diego went to Blake's, and Ruby went to Bennett's.

It was a fun full day!

it was our last day in Denver we were moving to colorado springs it is going to be fun we are excited

I love it written by ruby

Garden of the Gods and Painted Mines

We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place!  It's been nice to be in Colorado Springs closer to the mountains than we were in Denver.  

We only live 20 minutes from Garden of the Gods.  This morning we went to the Visitor Center there and went on a small hike to the Siamese Twin rocks.  We will be returning soon I'm sure. 

The other week we met a friend (Amanda Tippetts) and her kids at Painted Mines Park.  It was pretty, but hot.  There was no shade.  I even got a little sunburn on my arms. 

Last day in Crestmoor

We had our last Sunday in the Crestmoor Ward, June 23rd.  I'm going to miss that ward.  We spent 7 years there and made good friends.

I was a primary teacher, compassionate service member, and Primary secretary there.
Cesar was a counselor to the bishop, building cleaning coordinator.
Eli and Diego were baptized there and Ruby was born and blessed there.
Eli became a deacon in that ward and passed the sacrament.

Crestmoor was pretty diverse, which I loved.  There was racial diversity, but also economic diversity which was also cool to see.  There was also a pretty good mix of old and young people.

Cesar's brother Marco and wife Dinorah were in Denver, so came to our ward the last day too.
Here are a few pictures:

Then we went home and had Cesar's family over.

Cesar, Marco, and Alfredo

Ruby's Primary teacher, Sis. Jensen came over to say goodbye to Ruby and our family.  She brought Ruby a notebook and crayons.  She was always impressed with Ruby's drawings.  

Our 20 hour vacation

We went on a 20 hour vacation to Glenwood Springs in June.  It was quite a marathon. I thought Cesar was a little crazy to plan it right before we move too, but I'm glad we went and that it was a success.
We left at 3:45 in the morning, and the drive there was scary!  We encountered rain, hail, and snow all in the dark!  There was a car in front of us on the highway that slipped on the snow and was totally turned around.  We were headed straight for their headlights and we were slipping too!  Cesar managed to not hit them and stay on the road.  It was really scary though.  We made it to the hike for our departure time.  We hiked Hanging Lake.  It's a pretty tough uphill hike, but we all made it.  It was so beautiful at the top! 

After the hike we stopped at a restaurant to eat and then went to an amusement park on the mountain.  It was really fun and so pretty.  There was a storm that rolled in with major lightening, but it didn't last too long.  It wasn't the best weather most of the day, but we made due. 

The amusement park had a cave, so we took a cave tour.  The tour guide was super funny and a great guide.  

The Alpine coaster was one of our favorite rides.  Ruby and Diego had to ride with Cesar and I and Eli was on his own car.  We went on it a few times.

Here is Diego riding the gondola up to the park.  

After the park we got Wendy's and ate it in the car and headed toward Denver.  We got back home around midnight.  

Eli- Scout Camp

Eli got to go to a cool scout camp the first week of summer break.  It was west of Colorado Springs.  He missed about a day and a half because he wasn't feeling well when the boys left.  Cesar and I drove him there a day late.  He had a great time.  This was the longest he had been away from home and family- it was a week.  I'm glad he got to go and we did miss him.  I didn't worry too much because I knew the boys and leaders he was with.  Tyler Carlson (our old bishop and current scout leader) sent these pictures.

End of 2018/2019 school year

The kids finished another successful school year.  It was so great to have them all in the same school for the second year in a row.  We mostly walked and scootered to and from school.  It was so nice.  The boys (especially Diego) would usually walk home on his own- he didn't like waiting for all of us.  I took care of Bennett (our across the street neighbor) after school.  He and Ruby were both in Marijke's kindergarten class.

Eli with one of his teachers- Ms. Whitfiled.  

Diego with Mr. Jones (it was pajama day, so Diego has his night pants on)

 Ruby with Ms. Marijke on the last day of school

Eli had a continuation ceremony one night at school.  He is finished with elementary school- wow!

City Park- my favorite

I will miss City Park when we move.  I love it there.

Sacrament Meeting talk

Eli gave a great Sacrament Meeting talk.  He spoke about Service and did a great job of writing it (the day before) and giving it.  Many people commented about what a good speaker he was and that he seemed like a pro.  He didn't seem nervous at all and really did a great job!

We are really going to miss Crestmoor Ward and the Hudson building when we move.  I'm hoping our new ward is great too!