Sisters night out

It has been a busy month. After reuniting with Tyler, my sisters Camille and Jan came into town. We had all kinds of fun! Jan even motivated all of us to get out the door and go running. We kicked our feet up and had pedicures, played games and made dinner together.

Since then much has happened but most recently we had a party for Camille's birthday. In the afternoon we had a picnic in Linda's yard while the kids played on the swing and explored.

Later in the day Elise helped me decorate cupcakes for all the kids. With 28 candles lit, all of the kids helped blow them out.

They must have been tasty cupcakes!=o)

Reunion and Green Lakes Hike

Yes! The stud muffin is back in town. Well... he was back in town. Tyler came home August 8th from serving a mission in Brazil. Cavin, Angie, and Braden flew in from Arizona the day before so we could all be at the airport for the arrival of Tyler.

Once Erik and I arrived at the airport we were surprised to see a "big brother" shirt on Braden. It was a subtle way of saying, "Angie is pregnant!" Congratulations Angie!

While we were all together we enjoyed various activities including a hike to Green Lakes. It was a most beautiful day for a hike. We meandered along the trail taking breaks for pictures, water, and huckleberries. We stopped along the trail near the river for lunch. While munching on lunch we quickly made friends with a dog named "Dodge". He tired us all out just watching him fetch stick after stick after stick. After lunch the guys and gals split up. The gals (Kirsten, Mom, Angie & Karen) and Braden headed back for the cars while the guys (Austin, Tyler, Cavin, Erik & Dad) continued the adventure to Lost Lake. Thankfully the boys found Lost Lake and after a few James Bond sightings renamed the lake Golden-Eye Lake. Did you know that James Bond can walk underwater from one side of a lake to another? We saw it happen!

Mariner's Game

A beautiful park, wonderful company, a gorgeous day, but oh what a woeful performance. On Tuesday (LDS Night) we (Karen, Austin, Kirsten, Dad, and the Marler clan) went to the ball game. We sat one row removed from the very top of the stadium. We shared popcorn, ate some well prepared dinner, and guzzled 20 ounces each of water in about 3 minutes or less. Security wouldn't let us through with unopened water bottles so it was either we drink the water and take in the empty water bottles, or we could throw the water away. We decided to drink it and see who could do it the fastest. Karen and Kirsten were the winners. I knew girls had big mouths:) We enjoyed each others company and the atmosphere but the mighty Mariners couldn't pull out the game. It ended up 8-0.

Woodland Park Zoo

I consider myself a lucky guy

'Cause I know that beautiful butterfly!

On Saturday we were able to spend the day with our niece Hannah and nephew Jake at the Woodland Park Zoo. We went to the zoo as part of the Turner Construction annual summer family picnic. Turner sponsored a lunch, paid for parking and our entrance fees, and provided the kids with toys and face paintings.

Karen's favorite part of the zoo was the elephants because they were moving around and splashing themselves with water. Hey...that reminds me of a song...Splish! Splash! I was taking a bath...Okay, I'll stop. Jake liked the orangutans and Hannah is a reptile lover. I personally liked the elephants and bears.

Karen was able to put faces with the names of people I work with and I got to meet spouses and friends of those I work with as well. We enjoyed the zoo experience and had fun watching the kids get excited about all the animals.