More Butterflies

The butterflies and the nature surroundings were too beautiful not to share...

Butterfly Pavilion

On our last day in Denver we decided to have fun and enjoy ourselves. So after lunch (where we got to watch Gigi perform her ballet moves for us) we went to the Butterfly Pavilion to see some "wildlife". We honestly didn't know what to expect, but we ended up having a great time! There were bugs, spiders, ocean animals and, of course, butterflies! Some of us were brave enough to hold Rosie the tarantula, and we also got to pet starfish and horseshoe crabs. The best part of the experience was the butterfly pavilion. It was an outdoor man made tropical rainforest with lush foliage and beautiful tropical flowers. Butterflies were everywhere! They would whirl around us and land on our hair. Twice a day the zookeepers would release the new butterflies that had just come out of their cocoons into the environment. What a fun experience!



pretending to be bunnies


Gigi holding Rosie


Steve holding Rosie


I'm holding Rosie!!












Deacon with his Uncle Paul and Aunt Heidi


playing with Aunt Heidi... and the crash soon after

Claire with her new butterfly wings

In Celebration of Grandmom Hipkins

Even though the occasion was a sad one, we ended up having a good time being with all the family. The services that we attended included a cemetery service and a memorial service at the church. Grandmom Hipkins was a woman of God who took Scripture seriously and literally. Every time she attended church, she covered her hair, and over the years built quite a collection of hats. The women of the family thought it a good idea to honor her by wearing hats during the services. It was beautiful- all the women looked so classy! We think she would have liked it!




Gigi playing with her Auntie Heidi



twirling in the pretty dresses



more twirling



Garcia Family



Mama and the Baby

Denver Trip: Round 2

Unfortunately, soon after we returned from Denver, we received the news we knew would be soon coming: Grandmom Hipkins passed away. Staying home and not going to her funeral was not an option, so we packed up the van, and away we went again to Colorado. God must know that by the time we hit the Colorado border we are tired of being in the car and in such close proximity to each other and in desperate need of inspiration and motivation. During the drive, we were blessed for the second time with a beautiful view of a full double rainbow! It was so close, it seemed like we could have touched it if we just put our hands out the window of the car. Right after seeing it, we were snowed on. During the afternoon. In August. Wow!

Vacation- Grandmom and Grandpop

One of our main reasons for taking the trip to Denver was to see Steve's grandparents and introduce them to Deacon. This was especially special to us because our Deacon Nelson is named after Steve's Grandpop, Joseph Nelson. The visit was great! Gigi loved on and snuggled with her Great-Grandmom, and Deacon got to play on the floor with his Great-Grandpop. Claire, of course, was oblivious and played by herself with the dolls.