Headed West

This is how active this boy was all the way home. He decided he didn't need any sleep. Have you tried keeping an almost two year old seated on your lap for three hours? We were exhausted and glad to be home when we got there.

Grandma and Grandpa V

Grandma June and Grandpa Bill - look at those smiles!!

The boys loved playing with Grandma and Grandpa's canes - which made Steve and I VERY nervous. We could just imagine one of them getting tossed through a window. The canes that is.

Niagara Falls

The trip wouldn't have been complete without a trip to Niagara Falls, NY. We especially like going out to Goat Island so we can be right next to the river and see it rushing towards the falls.

No, that isn't smoke or steam, it's the spray from the falls. That is the Canadian Horseshoe falls where the water plummets 180 feet to the canyon below. It is the most powerful waterfall in North America.

Ellicot Creek Park

We took some family time and went the park at Ellicot Creek. It's a great park with 6 jungle gyms in really close proximity right by the creek. Matthew and Tyler had fun running to each new swing set and slide.

Family Reunion

The annual family reunion is held at a park on the Erie Canal. Steve had a blast playing ball with all the boys. Tyler decided the water was his favorite part of the day. Between climbing the fence to try to get to the river or running through the puddle, he was a handful to keep up with.
Tyler the little wise guy. Take a look at the video below.

The kiddos. In front - Tyler, Abigail, Emma and in Back - Matthew, Colin and Michael










Tyler and his Aunt Sandy



















Grandma and Grandpa VanDewater








Proud Daddy and Tyler


Uncle Larry making Tyler laugh or is it the other way around!



Matthew - all about guarding the dessert in the cup.

Truckin'

It was a rainy afternoon and we needed something to do so we found our way to the local mall and spents some time in the kids play area.

The Boys

It's a lollipop high!!! Tyler you goof!
Michael and Matthew getting in a little coloring time.

Tyler and Emma

These two are a riot!! Only 3 1/2 months apart their actions sometimes mirror each other. Emma is the daughter of Sara and Phil,

Mike and Sandy's

Matthew and Colin had fun in the pool at Uncle Mike's and Aunt Sandy's. Colin is older than Matthew, but he is a great grandchild and Matthew is a grandchild. So these very cute boys are actually second cousins.

Shooting rockets!

Tyler "talking" to Aunt Sandy and Pamela in the background.

Water Wonder

We stayed with Beth (Steve's sister) and Curt who had an indoor swimming pool. Within a day Matthew conquered his fear of the water and was having a blast. Tyler didn't enjoy it so much, but got his feet wet. Matthew had lots of fun playing with Micheal and Colin.

We're On Our Way

We headed out to Buffalo, NY wed. July 16th for a visit with Steve's family. The boys did better than expected considering we were up at the crack of dawn to catch our 7:40 am flight.

Beautiful Boy

There are moments when my heart breaks at the beauty in this face and heart. What a wonderful boy he is and how I hope for so much for his life. He grows and learns because of us and in spite of us. What a joy it is to be his Mommy!

Patriotic Biker Sunday

Steve had the privilege of playing for "Biker Sunday" at Denver First Church of the Nazarene last Sunday. As you can see in the pictures there were bikes hung from the ceiling and multiple Harleys displayed on the stage. There is a large biker ministry at the church and this is the culmination of their annual Rocky Mountain Rendezvous event. We also got to here David Phelps. This man can sing! He is a former member of the Giather Vocal Band. The You Tube video at the end gives you a little taste.

"Grandpa" Bill

Our neighbor is a sweet 84 year old man who lost his wife to lung cancer 3 years ago. He loves to have us come over to visit, laughing out loud and shaking his head at the boys antics.

Since both of their real Grandpas live far away, it is nice to have this grandfatherly figure in the boys lives.