The Rest of Beautiful Colorado

The Air Force Academy chapel

Landon saluting.....

and Payton posing.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Is that a smile I see?

 Garden of the Gods 

 They will always climb....and I will always stress. (I observed other children that day - and they all stayed on the path, except mine. Ugh.) 

Notice the rock balancing above...

.....and the Maxwell kids thought this was a rock they should climb?!  Really? But since they're there...might as well get a picture.  :)

Strike a pose!

This is the only picture I got before we went river rafting.  We had so much fun! (And, my kids were so glad I didn't have a water proof camera.)  :)

Cave of the Winds

The Royal Gorge Bridge is one of the world's highest suspension bridge. It was built in 1929 for $350.000, the cost today would exceed 18 million!

And of course you have to drive up the scenic (very steep and narrow!!) highway to Pikes Peak summit - where everyone was a little light headed and giddy because of the altitude of 1410 ft.  :)

It was a wonderful family vacation. With Landon a senior this year, we are treasuring all the family time we have. 

The Olympics

We have definitely gotten our fill of the Olympics this year! 

We are rooting for Oscar Pistorious, the double amputee. He's so amazing and inspiring!

We love Ryan Hall. His coach dumped him, so Ryan decided to get the best coach ever--God. In the past, he said he was a marathon runner, who was a Christian. But that's changed. Now he says, he's a Christian, who runs. Love it! 
Of course, there's the adorable Gabby Douglas, who's an amazing (young!) gymnast. During an interview, she gave honor to God saying, "When the praises go up, then blessings come down." So true!

We are thrilled for the USA, and for every athlete who has put so much hard work and dedication into their sport. 

Anyway, my kids went to a speech and debate camp in Denver. (They learned a lot, but unfortunately, Payton sprained her thumb while playing ultimate frisbee during their breaks. Only Payton would hurt herself at an academic camp.) :) 

When the camp was over, Max and I picked them up and spent a week in Co. Springs. It was a lots of fun....(and a nice break from the heat). We went to the Olympic training facilities. Unfortunately, we didn't see any athletes, well because, they were at the Olympics! :)

Of course this was Landon's idea of this little skit. Obviously, the weights were foam. :)

The athletes.

When we were stationed in Germany, we were extremely blessed to get a great (actually, amazing!) deal on a Greek cruise. (We found out after the fact, that the reason we got such a gonga deal was the cruise line was filing bankrupt. There was no way of telling - they didn't take any shortcuts! It was an absolute wonderful experience!)

One of the Islands we visited was in Olympia, Greece - where the first Ancient Olympics took place. The records indicate they took place in 776 BC. 

This is the stadium where the torch was lit.

Another part of the stadium...(with a cutie pie in front). 

Entrance to the stadium where the races took place....and another cutie pie.  :)

Let the races begin!