Up the Canyon

An evening up Meuler Park Canyon

The stream was nice and low so we could let the kiddos play to their hearts content without worrying about them being swept away.

 The loudest silent scream on earth! Chad was quite proud of that.

Chad is okay with getting dirty now.  He used to hate these types of outings because he would get dirty, but now he knows that it will all wash off and everything will be okay.

Some hot dogs, smores, and night-time stories finished off the evening.

#1 Colorado Trip

Our Colorado trip had several parts to it:
*Getting there

One of our favorite things about going to Colorado is the beautiful drive through the Rockies.

*Carly's Wedding

Carly and Jordan were married in the Denver temple.

They looked amazing, and their "French Country" reception was enchanting.


The reception included jumping for all ages

A family tradition: when one of the girls in the Marinos family gets married, all the girls in the family (even the in-laws) put on their wedding dresses for a picture. That was fun.

And of course dancing

*Relaxing and playing at Grandma & Papou's



"The Sandbox!" The boys lived for it!

Celebrating birthday's while together

*Outings (mini-golf with cousins)


*Walks to the Shenandoah pond



stopping at Aunt Debbie's

Swimming and napping at the pool


*A day at Heritage Square & riding the Alpine Slide (which I didn't get a picture of)


*Spending a day with Ryan Gombeski

Derek has talked about being a "rockstar" for some time now, so he was pretty excited when Ryan let him play his guitar.


playing with his puppy at a nearby park.


*The drive home

We stopped at this random rest stop between Colorado & Utah that had some really cool views.

At one with nature

#3 The Richardson's Open House

It was so fun to see Carly and Jordan all dressed up again, and to see the rest of our family again too.



Chad thought Uncle Todd's joke was funny too.

#4 Summer Camp

We missed the beginning of Summer Camp, but made it there just in time for "Camp Snoopy" at Knott's Berry Farm.


The summer camp crew


Seating arrangements :) The minivan came in handy.

Aunt Madalynn was the official swim lesson instructor

Just the way I remember it from when I was at summer camp



Nana and her two new sets of cheeks to kiss


Craft time

Same high-chair, same kitchen, same spot...28 years later.



4th of July celebrations


Watching fireworks over the valley from Mama's backyard

I'd like to claim artistic intentions, but really christian was tickling me while I was trying to take the picture.


Uncle mike took the kids to the train yard. How cool to be that close to the huge engines!