Back in Denver in our New House

This picture shows the sun rising over Denver International Airport on our first day back in Denver. We drove from Des Moines to Denver on August 7th, staying at an airport hotel before moving in to our new home the following day. After more than seven months away we were finally back to Denver, and we rented a place just four blocks from our old home in Park Hill.

On our first weekend back they had the annual Park Hill bike parade where Jude decided to get his face painted with a shark. He looks kind of scary.

Since getting back Jude and Anna have been on their scooters a lot, probably even more than their bikes. Last week Marcy took both kids to Wash Park where they spent a long time hurtling around the park on their scooters. Both kids have shown a tremendous improvement in just the last two weeks.

Both Marcy and I miss Sydney. The proximity to beaches and the harbour was something we took advantage of regularly. So, we have decided we want to take advantage of the great things that Colorado offers. This means heading up in to the foothills or mountains at every opportunity. So yesterday we headed to Lair of the Bear, a great hiking area just west of Denver. Jude went hiking all the way to the top of the hill, quite an achievement. Here is Jude playing by the river before tackling the hike.

The Annual Summer Trip to Des Moines

We have spent most of the last two weeks on our annual summer trip to Des Moines. We arrived here 11 days ago on what was the hottest Des Moines day in 29 years – it was 106 degrees. So it was straight into the pool for everyone. Since then the weather has cooled somewhat but everyone spent some time in the pool pretty much every day.

Being in Des Moines means lots of treats from Baba and Grandpa. There was ice cream or popsicles every day which Jude and Lily are enjoying right here.

Lily was away at Disney World the first few days we were here but since she came back Jude, Lily and Anna have been inseparable. There have been a couple of sleepovers with the three of them and several special outings with Baba and Grandpa. Then, of course, there are some quiet times with plenty of books.