Camping in the Desert!

This past week and or weekend we took a small trip to southern Colorado to go camping. We were originally thinking we would go north. I am not exactly sure why we changed our minds exept for the fact that we were looking at state parks and one caught our attention. Lathrop State Park, Colorado's 1st state park, is just outside of Walsenburg, CO. As it showed us the pictures and described that it sat below the Spanish Peaks near Martin Lake (my maiden name for those who don't know), we thought it was calling our names. So we packed our bags and headed for Lathrop. It actually was a pretty easy drive straight down I-25. We found a campsite, set up our tent (without arguing), and everything went smoothly, barring Ouray eating Danny's tuna fish sandwich for dinner, and forgetting matches. The next morning we took a hike on the Hogback Trail about 2.3 miles. We chose to do this first thing in the morning because we could tell it was going to get hot. Well by about 10:00 am we had completed the hike, were extremely HOT, sweaty and tired. Marina who had done the hike on her own had fallen over a small boulder that she said was a "huge rock", ended up with a trophy bruise and scratch on her shin. But overall she did well. She kept asking if we were in the wild. Isaac wanted to lead the pack and insisited that he had won the race. We weren't sure who said we were on a race, but apparently he had entered one.
Anyway, it was time to go jump in a lake. We did a little swimming and eating lunch on the swim beach. I really spent most of my time amongst my own memories of spending numerous weekends out on the lake in my dad's boat waterskiing. I forgot how much I enjoyed that time. And I prefer to forget how long ago that really was. Maybe some day Danny and I will get a boat. We talk about it off and on. It just hasn't been the time yet.
Well, that was mostly the fun part of the trip. After that it got way too HOT! And we were ready to fold in our cards. Thank goodness a trip into town and some ice cream got us through the early evening. When we returned to camp "our neighbors" as Isaac referred to them, had moved in. All 25+of them in a small 6 person campsite. We knew after dinner and listening to them well into the wee hours of the night, that we would be ready to packup and head home in the morning. Which we did.
We came home and cleaned up and then went to see WALL-E. Which is very cute for those of you who are wondering. But be prepared for a lot of messages regarding the environment, idolness, and technology. All in all it is always fun to have Danny home and play. We look forward to another short week this week with the holiday. The summer for us is half way gone. I start my class next week, and the meetings are already getting scheduled for August. Well, escape it while we can.
We hope you are all doing your own escaping as well!!!

Summer Fun

We have been so bad at not blogging since summer began for us. We have mostly been hanging around getting used to the freedom. It's amazing how busy you can get, when your not busy. Marina is doing gymnastics each week and LOVES it!! Isaac just completed a week of golf. He had a blast! I will try to get some pictures of them posted soon. Today we went to see the play "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" at the Aurora Fox Theater. I would have to say that my kids are officially Narnia obsessed. Isaac just last week was verbally expressing his wish that Narnia would be a real place. While he is very aware of the difference between fiction and non-fiction, I guess a place like Narnia is just too good to not be true. Isaac secretly desires to be Peter the
Magnificant. And Marina wants to be the evil White Witch. She truly is my daughter. You know my favorite Halloween costumes are famous female nemisis. She hugged the actress that played the White Witch today and was in HEAVEN!! At length we discussed the differences and similarities between the movie, the play, and the book. Maybe I am raising future literary critics. Well none the less, it's a been fabulous. We are reading Prince Caspian, which we have already seen the movie. And Dad has us beat as he has already ready the next book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
We will try to get some pictures up and keep you posted on our fun summer. Gotta love it!!

Isaac's Baptism

Uncle Ryan w/ Isaac after the baptism

Isaac and Danny at the baptism

Marina, Erica, Jade and Fai at lunch

Isaac, Lilli and Kainoa hanging out as the "big kids"

Isaac with all his grandparents and cousins attending

The celebratory cake!

This weekend Isaac was baptized and confirmed a member of the church. We had lots of family in town. Mara and Ryan came from Utah and Grandma and Grandpa Martin came and stayed with us from Grand Junction. All of our family here was also able to attend and Isaac was very proud and excited for this opportunity.

At the baptism Mara gave the talk on baptism and Grandpa Martin said the closing prayer. The Easton's and Howell's came to the baptism as did Mark Hodson, Mike Robison, Stephanie Campbell (our old baby sitter) and Corey Johnson from our ward. Uncle Ryan and Marcus were the witnesses for the baptism and after one dunk under water and two incorrect prayers Danny finally got the baptismal prayer and Isaac put under.

After the baptism we all came to our house for a great lunch. Most of the pictures are from there. We also celebrated Mara's birthday at the cheesecake factory later that night despite a 90 minute wait, OUCH!

On Sunday Isaac was confirmed with plenty of hands on his head and he was as joyous as could be. We are very excited for Isaac and the example he set for our family. What a wonderful young boy!