August Add-Ons

We enjoyed (and survived) the 2017 eclipse along with the rest of the world on August 21st. Lucy and Zach's class both had procured eclipse glasses for everyone to watch it safely, and our neighbor had some they loaned us. Although we were only at about 80% totality, it did get dark, the temperature dropped, and it was pretty darn cool. 

I loved the eclipse shadows on the ground and had to get a picture. Hopefully next time Denver will be right in the path of totality!

A brand new Raising Cane's opened right next to the Costco in Parker, so we went as a family to try it out for dinner. Of course they were all over the South, but it was pretty fun to taste some good ol' southern cooking right here in Colorado. Their chicken strips are to die for. Yum!

We found ourselves in the crosshairs of the HOA yet again, this time for the dying aspen we had in the front yard. Jon decided that he could probably take it down with his new chain saw, so instead of paying someone else to come do it, and a few broken chains later, we totally did it! I actually like the front yard better now-- it looks cleaner and you can see the house better. 

Little Lizzie is just growing up quickly and looking less and less like a baby. Here she is all ready for church, and especially nursery. As soon as that closing prayer is said, she makes a beeline for the nursery room and LOVES her friends and teachers! There was no adjustment period for her at all.

The summer harvest continued, with lots and lots of tomatoes to stew into soups and salsas, and TONS of raspberries for the little girls to eat. They are both berry fiends, and as quickly as I can pick them, they eat them up, leaving zero for jam and other preserves. Oh well. It's pretty heavenly out there in the early mornings just checking on the garden. 

Zach's cub scout pack recently toured the Parker Police Department, and Zach had a blast. Apparently they were asked if anyone wanted to be a policeman and why, and Zach answered, "Yes, so I can tase people!" They also asked where the most dangerous place to be alone was, and Zach shouted out, "Las Vegas!" which is actually pretty true, but I guess the right answer was "parking garages" or something like that. He is a character.

Miss Lizzie gets lots of compliments on her gorgeous curly hair. It is just like Lucy's was when she was a little girl, but just a few shades lighter. 

We had one last summer BBQ for Labor Day with our old neighbors the Barbers (who moved to Boulder), Lucy's friend Collette, our neighbors the Hess's, and Jeremy and Kylene and their kids. The weather didn't really cooperate as it was windy and chilly, but the kids had so much fun playing together and it's been good for us to reach out and make new friends in the neighborhood, too.

Last but not least, Jon took Zach on his most recent Scouting backpacking trip and Zach had a blast with those 12 year old scouts. They're all pretty obnoxious and rowdy, so I'm sure Zach fit right in, but best of all it gave the boys of our family some grown-up male bonding time together. It also marked the official farewell to summer as we headed right into September!