Colorado Fires

We have had an unusually hot and dry summer and with that comes forest fires.  The past couple years the Rocky Mountains have been plagued by the Pine Beetle (which devoured and killed miles of forest) and now Colorado is burning.  There are have been fire, charcoal and gasoline bans throughout the state but the terrible fires have continued. 

 

The High Park Fire (in Ft Collins), which started on June 9 from a lightning strike, had burned 20,000 acres and a total of 18 structures have been destroyed or damaged by June 11.  On June 12 the fire had grown over 50% at 41,140 acres with 0 percent containment. By the end of June it had destroyed a total of 259 homes, used over 1,125 firefighters  and brought the cost of fighting the fire to an estimated $36.4 million. 

 

By June 30th the fire was contained; in the end the fire killed one person, destroyed 259 homes and burnt over 87,284 acres. This fire is  the second-largest and second-most destructive fire in Colorado history. What is sad is that this is not the only devastating fire in Colorado. There have been several more in Colorado Springs and near Boulder. The prayers and fasting of the people in Colorado and across the nation finally began to work because by July 6th there was rain. 

High Adventure

Ben had a chance to go with the Priest's in the Louisville, Boulder, Flatirons and Coal Creek Wards on a High Adventure. They went on a rafting tour (the water was pretty low so he said it wasn't too hard) and got to hike a 14er.  The main guy was not able to go so Ben was put in charge at the last minute, which was a little stressful but everything turned out.  He had a really fun time. 

The Sunday before he was released as the Young Men's President, so this was his last big hurrah with the young men and he was grateful he got to spend that time with them.

Girls Night Out

I have an amazing group of friends, friends that have been with me through so much and who bring so much fun into my life. June 16th a group of us girls went to Denver for a Girls Night Out.  We ate at the Vesta Dipping Grill, it was delicious but I ate so much I needed to be rolled out, and then we went dancing.  

Because we are not the usually 'Denver Night Life' crowd we got to the Cowboy Lounge (a country dance club/bar) around 8:00.  Little did we know that the actual 'night life' doesn't start till around 10-11.  We sat and talked for a while, ohh I love girl talk, and then decided just to go dance.  We were the only people on the dance floor and we don't really know how to country dance but we had so much fun (and honestly, who are we going to know at a club in Denver?). As the evening continued the floor filled up and the music got a little better.  We ended up staying and dancing till midnight.  

It was so much fun to go out with the girls and have a fun night.  I love that we still go dancing and can party, even though we are married.  It was AMAZING ladies, thanks!

Girls Camp 2012

I was asked to be the Ward Girls Camp Leader this year (so was Mom and Andrea- crazy).  I was very excited, I had worked with the Young Women a couple years before and absolutely loved them.  This year I decided to let the girls spear head everything and they did great; designing and making shirts, camp flag, meals, spiritual thoughts, ect. 

Camp was so much fun. I am so impressed by how amazing the girls are and their willingness to help.  I was able to be a part of some amazing spiritual experience and hopefully play a small roll in some great memories for these girls.

(Crazy News: The Sunday after camp I was called to the Bishop's office to give a 'camp report' and he called me as the new Young Women's President. WHAT?  This is going to be a new challenge but I love these girls and I am very excited.)

Stones Family Reunion 2012

This year for our family reunion we decided to 'get away.' Andi found an amazing cabin up in Fairplay, CO (near Breckenridge) that would fit our entire family (cabin is an understatement it was more like a lodge). Everyone got work off and we spent 4 amazing days together in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. 

Here is some interesting facts about Fairplay, CO.  Fairplay was founded in 1859 by gold prospectors who'd been driven from nearby Tarryall. The miners at Tarryall had staked more claims than they could possibly work but they wouldn't give up anything to the newcomers and chased them all away. Fairplay got its name from these new prospectors who were willing to guarantee that any newcomer would "get a Fair Play" there. In the end, Tarryall is gone and Fairplay is still here, a thriving community built at almost 10,000 feet in elevation.

I would say that our family is full of crazy creative people and this was definitely proven the first day during our fort building. We split up into groups and built forts in the woods behind the cabin. It was so much fun to see everyone's different ideas and to be together creating and using our imaginations. This also allowed for hours of entertainment throughout the weekend as the forts began to grow and became jedi and ninja training camps. (I was tired one day and, while everyone was building, I took a nap in one of the forts. I am happy to know that when the work ends my family will be able to build good comfortable forts to live in.)

 

We went on a very cool hike up Limber Grove Trail.  This is a pretty easy hike that takes you out of the timber line to a group of old Bristlecone pine "character" trees. These trees (some of which are over 1,000 years old) sit high on the mountain where dry heat, fierce winds, cold winters and many severe elements hit them; this would make you THINK they would die off quickly but they have strengthened themselves and up held to the elements.  However the elements have shaped and contorted the trees. They are unusually beautiful and an awe to see.  This was a great hike and such an inspiration to me.  It taught me that even though life can be hard and hit you with so many challenges and 'elements', if you securely set your roots deep in the gospel you will make it.  You might be changed by these experiences but these changes will make you more beautiful and stronger. 

 We played lots of games, ate delicious food, had a 'small' bbq (the size of a small car maybe), played in the forts and dirt, the kids swam in the 'tub', cherry pit spitting and went on hikes. It was a perfect weekend; I got to enjoy the outdoors and still have plumbing. I loved spending time with family (we are sad Michael and Andrea's families could not be there).