Thursday, June 30, 2011

Tea!

Our first full day in Colorado Springs, we had a special plan in place already! We had planned to take the girls to tea at Glen Eyrie. This is a very special place to me for many reasons - I worked there, it was a place of spiritual growth and renewal (and still is) and I got married there. Plus, it is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been - seriously.

Here's a very brief history - Glen Eyrie was originally built by General William Jackson Palmer who also founded the city of Colorado Springs. He was truly ahead of his time with amazing fire protection systems, his own pasteurization system on the grounds, a bowling alley and heated sidewalks to keep the snow from freezing on. He built this home for his wife and daughters - and after he passed away, the daughters offered it to the city of Colorado Springs.

But, the city said no thanks. Too big, too expensive to maintain, etc... So, it changed hands a few times over the years. In the 1950's it was for sale and being pursued by Mr. Billy Graham for a ministry headquarters and conference center. He was friends with Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, and felt that this would be a better fit for him.

God provided the funds to purchase it through many donors and it is still being used to His glory today! Oh, the things God has protected this place from and how He has allowed it to continue.

One of the things they do is serve tea daily in the Castle and it was such a treat to go with my daughters (their first tea experience outside of homes!), my Mom and my sweet friend Susan.

Thank you, Mom, for such a wonderful treat and special memory! Oh, the food was pretty amazing too - I tasted brie for the first time and mmmmm!

The girls had a ball seeing hidden fire hoses, exploring servant stairs, ringing the bell and exclaiming over the amazingly beautiful and feminine bathroom!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Warm Welcome!

Isn't it the best feeling when you go somewhere to visit and they have little touches that are just for you?

Both my sister and mom had flowers in the room where I was/am staying and my Mom had checked out this library book and put it in my room too. Plus, all the thought that went into the food and having certain things on hand or certain places they knew I'd want to go.


What a sweet, sweet feeling! A good reminder when we have others in our homes - to take a few minutes and do some special things! It is so welcoming!

What says welcome to you?

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Other Iowa Memories

A few more pictures from our visit to Iowa - next up: Colorado!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Cousin Game Night

I read something about planning Cousin Camp - and doing fun things together once a year with cousins and suggested to Carrie that we do something like that but smaller scale. Carrie graciously agreed to plan this fun game night for us to create our own fun cousin memories!

We had Skee Ball:
Mini Croquet:

Soccer:

Bean Bag Toss (called Corn Hole in Iowa!):

We also played basketball (how many baskets can you make in 30 seconds?) and had popcorn! We pooled our resources and pulled out little prizes to make a prize store - they earned tickets playing the games and then got to pick out prizes at the end! What fun!!! Thank you, Carrie, for such a fun game night!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Cousins

Five little cousins had a great time playing together in Iowa - I want them to have lots of memories together, and here are a few pictures of their adventures!

Nathan and Emily

Where there are cousins, there are aunties! Natalie and me!

Carrie, Nathan and Emily

Trying for a pic of all five - someone was not happy...

Looking at a caterpillar on the walk. I love this one!

Fishing

Another attempt at all five:

Going to the bakery - what a decision!

YUM!

Rachel and Natalie - sweet!

Just missing one in this photo.

Playing in the sand box.

Lunch together on the porch!

Uncle Eric and Emily.

Nathan and Samuel love playing with cars!

Rachel and Natalie color!

Yay! Playing with cousins is so fun!!! Do you have a favorite memory with your cousins?