“Rattler!”

Whenever the kids went exploring, they would carry a shovel around with them. We had been told by a few people to be especially careful roaming because the weather was hot!

Opa and Adrian found a rattler while they were working on the yard and Audrey saw one while exploring. Thankfully, my children are less concerned about finding a snake than I am and they spent many hours roaming Grandma’s “backyard.”

Pink Cactus

We are rarely in Colorado in June. But this year, we were able to see so many flowers during our trip. We were told it was an extra pretty year too. These might be my favorite of the cactus flowers, but all were beautiful.

I think that this is a purple pincushion cactus.

Pikes Peak and Garden of Gods

The younger two were invited to spend an evening with their cousins. So Audrey, Allan and I went hiking around the Garden of the Gods. We hoped to go again with Adrian and Megan, but the rest of our time filled up with Allan’s business trip, super hot days, visiting family and remembering Grandma.

The hike was so pretty. There were a few people on the trails, but it was mostly just us. We took time to relax and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and to enjoy a special morning with just Audrey.

Baby Mantises

A few months ago, Audrey found a praying mantis case while working in the garden.  She brought it in and for the last few weeks we have been watching for the babies to emerge.  On Saturday, Megan pointed and said “Look!”

We had missed most of the mantises emerging, but we were able to watch a few.  We then released them onto flowers and the back porch area.  Hopefully, most will survive and live to eat all the mosquitoes and other pests in the area.  We would prefer them to remember that Monarch butterflies and caterpillars are off limits.