splashpad

i was surprised by how much freddy loved it this time







 
we love our friends.  little mick is growing so quickly!

 
the boys were a little distracted

 

who doesn't love a construction site?

life is gooooood

 

 

zoo day

last friday pat had the day off and we went to the zoo with our friends, the marshes


 
somebody was just a *little* excited

 
feeding the giraffes

  

the kiddos:  jimmy, benjamin, freddy, and laurel 

 
hippos!

 

before we left, laurel and pat rode the chairlift.

freddy and i kept our feet on the ground

home sweet smoky home of the brave

the flight home was another wrestling match with freddy.  of course he fell asleep right when we got in the car in denver.  ha!  i told pat next time MOMMY gets the benadryl.  :-)


 
we were all very happy to get back to our house, our toys, and our princess dresses

 
the fire was pretty well-contained by the time we got home, but we could definitely still see and smell the smoke 

 
the mountains smoldered for a while

 
still the most beautiful place i've ever lived


we celebrated the 4th of july by ourselves in the backyard, rayner style.  it was perfect!

 
the only thing missing was the smell of pat's charcoal grill.  the city was under a stage 2 burn ban.  
:-(
we still had some delicious ribs - done in the oven.  good job daddy!

 
happy boy

 
framer, for sure

 
the water from the hose was freezing.  only in colorado do you have to add hot tub water to the baby pool!





photo shoot

 
big girl will be 4 1/2 on august 4th

 

 
half birthday.  maybe next year we will be able to have some fireworks to celebrate!

 
i have no words

 

ALL DONE!!!

hub city

after we left the beach we made a pit stop for lunch in hattiesburg.  so good to see these dear friends!

thank you, currys, for lunch.  and thank you blair for coming to see us! 

 

 
laurel, freddy, harris curry holding her little sister mary neal, hayes riley, burn curry, and keaton riley




back on the road - to smith lake

 
almost there!

waldo canyon fire

meanwhile, back home in colorado springs, the waldo canyon fire started on saturday and was growing all week


 
on tuesday 65mph winds brought the fire into the city, destroying 346 homes

 
we watched the news and weather channel in horror and kept up via Facebook, emails, calls, and texts

 
these are some of the pictures i saved from Facebook posts

 
this is from the top of the mall, 2.5 miles from our house.  the sun is setting behind the fire on the mountains

if you have 16 minutes and want to watch an amazing time-lapse of the fire,
click here


 

i love this.  i love our city.  the fire fighters did an AMAZING job.  thank you Lord for stopping the fire!

beach week 2012

we stopped in hattiesburg on the way to the beach to see mamaw and b

i think mamaw loved seeing the kiddos

i KNOW b did!  :-)

we love you mamaw!

to the beach...
 
shrimp sandwiches at sea-n-suds.  YUMMMMM

 
tropical storm debby threatened us, but we ignored her and she went away!

 
i mean, how sweet?!?!

 
cousins

 
nice 'stache, uncle chris!

 
the best i got

 
the worst i got

 
my boys

 
aw

WE LOVE OUR BUDDY AND KISSY!!!!




on wednesday buddy rented a double decker pontoon boat (with a slide!).  i need to get some more photos from ginger.  *ahem* 

 
it was one of the best days i can remember having in a long time

 
lunch at pirate's cove

 
frat boy


back at the beach...
 
we've watched warner push this truck for the past, what, 4 years?  i can't believe i have a little boy!!!  i could watch him do this for hours.  in fact, i did...

 
laurel likes the beach!!!  it took her a couple of days, but for the first time, she actually liked the beach!  hooray!

 
that's one blessed mommy :-)

 
and that is one CUTE little guy.

 
*grin*

 

 

being fabulous is hard work!






















date night.  thank you buddy and kissy!


i challenge you to try to watch this video without smiling...





thank you kissy and buddy.  can't wait til next year!!!