The Fourth of July was a nice evening of staying home with friends and family. Amy was here visiting, Mary Jo came, and we had our neighbors over as well. We grilled, ate outside in the nice weather, and had our own fireworks display in the backyard. One more holiday in our new house! We’re still working through our first year of holidays and birthday celebrations in this house, and with each one, it feels more like home. 
Over the July 4th weekend while Amy was here visiting, we drove up to the top of Pike’s Peak. The kids had never been before, and it had been years since Kenny and I visited. A few years ago the summit house and visitor’s center were remodeled so we thought it was a good time to drive up.
The weather cooperated and we had a beautiful day. We left fairly early in the morning and had an 8:00-10:00 am gate arrival time. Typically you want to summit before noon to avoid any afternoon thunderstorms moving in. We began the drive up and it was spectacular.
There are many places to stop along the way and explore. This was one of two stops we made on the way up.
Back on the road for more beautiful views.
Colorado Springs in the distance
Our second stop was to see mama and baby bighorn sheep. In many of the photos, they blend into the landscape and are difficult to spot.
On the road again, nearing the summit.
Our first spotting of the Cog Railway – another means of transportation to the top
We made it!
Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
The words to America the Beautiful were penned at the top of Pike’s Peak by Katherine Lee Bates
Looking out at Colorado Springs, zoomed in, you can spot Garden of the Gods
The views from the top were simply breathtaking. God’s majesty is certainly displayed from the highest mountain to the smallest flower.
Psalm 97:1-6
The Lord Reigns
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
My view when I arrived at church very early in the morning last week for a rehearsal…
Kenny has been working for months and months on a lighting project for our church and it is close to being finished! As the resident lighting guy at Village Seven, he was asked last summer to research and decide what kind of overhead lighting would be best for our sanctuary. The current lights had been there for decades and it was time for something more efficient. Last fall new sanctuary lights were ordered and because of supply issues, they didn’t arrive until the beginning of summer. Unfortunately, the wrong lights were sent, which delayed the project even further. Finally, the correct lights arrived, were installed, and Kenny was then able to get them aimed correctly. That day, Anna and I happened to be at the church for another event and while checking in on Kenny, he offered her a ride in the lift. She said it was fun and scary all at the same time.
The kids have been hopping up onto the kitchen counter now and again and it reminds me of when I used to do this in my parent’s kitchen. Sometimes the kids want to chat while I’m working and sometimes they just sit. Either way, I appreciate their company. 
Enjoying our local baseball team, the Vibes. James was in attendance too, but was sitting with his friends from the youth group. Fireworks follow the game every Friday night in the summer which is always so much fun. They really have the best fireworks show in town!
Kenny has been using his smoker more lately (working from home has made this so much easier for him) and is enjoying perfecting brisket and pork shoulder. He recently invested in a tool to inject meat which he was very excited about.
We served pulled pork one weekend to our good friends the Bryants and Bishops (our next-door neighbors) and had such a great time together.
Measuring the kids…
Anna surprising her friend, Emmy, for her birthday…
James and Caden at an air-soft arena…
