Colorado Trip | 2011

In September, our family enjoyed a wonderful, much needed and anticipated vacation in Colorado.

Actually, I got to be in CO for a week before vacationing. (See post on my blog)

Our friends, the Kroekers, were able to join us, for our every-three-years trip to CO.

As expected, it was a wonderful trip.....see for yourself-I took lots of photos!

View from right above our cabin location.

The boys used their slingshots to shoot at the chipmunks around the cabin.

 

Hiking and exploring!

 Breakfast out on the patio

As usual, we had some car trouble!

 The aspens were changing, and it was beautiful!

 We got to go on a big hike above timberline

 

And, they're off!

 During our hike, we saw snow!

It was hard, windy, and cold. There was not a trail for part of it, so we broke our own trail!

Some of us (hint, hint) were quite unprepared!

 

 

A panorama of our view when we got to the top

We had to cross over the water which was difficult

Kelsey and Elizabeth by the waterfall

Katy and Caroline (this was before the hike, notice the snow!)

 Where the finger tip is, our vehicles are parked....we went a long way!

After our arduous hike, we went to Breckenridge, where they where giving free rides on the gondolas (ski lift) 

It was our first time!

 

Playing games at the cabin

Group photos!

Karly and Susanna by a tepee near the cabin.

After the cabin, we drove to Denver to visit our friends the Reitz's.

The Kroekers also surprised Susanna with a birthday cake.

The B's + K's and Mr. Reitz

Stopping at our favorite park in Burlington on the way home.

 All the children

 

 Last photos before we take leave of each other!

 

Lots of fun was had by all. Many memories made. 

Can't wait to go again in 2014 (or before then!)

Coming Soon!

Colorado photos!

Happy Birthday, Susanna

Today is Susanna's 5th Birthday! She is very excited! Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

Graduation Preparation

For a big event, such as a graduation, senior recital, etc, lots of preparation and planning goes on before hand. You can't prepare for a senior recital in a short period of time......I worked for almost 9 months.
And with a graduation ceremony, and all that includes, you also have to have a reception complete with decorations, and an original menu.
Many ideas were presented, and the final results were absolutely amazing!
Here are some of the photos of graduation preparation-Watch for the graduation photos next week!

Prayer was a big part of the entire planning process.

Limes for punch!

We decorated about 300 chocolate raspberry brownie bites.

The graduate performs an "official" taste test

A cup o' tea and a delightful delicacy (we had to make sure the food was edible...smile!)
with dear friends-Perfect!

Decorations!

Table decorations in hot pink, lime green, and black.

My table with some special items!

Abilene Trip

In April our co-op group took a field trip to Abilene to see one of the copies of the Declaration of Independence. We had been studying about that specific time era in our history discussion, and thought it would be beneficial to go.
This particular copy was found on the back of a painting, which was bought at a flea market for $4.
A Hollywood producer ended up purchasing it for over $8 million dollars.
The Declaration of Independence was being shown at the Eisenhower museum, so we enjoyed seeing the attractions included in the area.
The 3 graduates (Andrew, Michael, and Elizabeth) also had a photo shoot together. Included are some of those photos.

(Also, I have decided to try and post once a week in the month of September---so get ready for some posts!!)

      Our Caravan-Espings, Woods, Finches, (and we were in the back!)

The Graduates!

                                           "Help!"

                                  "Whee!!!"

 

Practicing our Hitch Hiking Skills (it's an essential for graduating, you know.....)

                   Susanna writing her name on a pretend Declaration of Independence!

                                        

         Lots of Eisenhower memorabilia!

  Our whole group!

Happy Birthday, Eric

Today is Eric's 16th Birthday!

Happy "Bee-Day"! (Smile!)

Happy Birthday, Caroline!

Today is Caroline's 14th Birthday! Two birthdays in 3 days-Our house is party central!!!
Happy Birthday, Caroline!

Capitol Trip

In March, our family and the Kroeker and Ulmer families enjoyed a trip to the Kansas state capitol.
Our family had never visited the capitol, and it was a great "before I graduate" trip!
Here are some of the photos from our capitol trip that was capital! (Smile!)

Susanna

Before the others got there, we had a personal tour with
Rep. Clark Schultz who is a friend of ours from Lindsborg.
He answered many of our questions, and even gave us Capitol shirts and pencils!
Thanks for the tour, Mr. Schultz!



The tunnel under the street (the boys raced from one side to the other)




The architecture, decorations, lighting, etc. was so amazing!
I think these lamp shades had 34 stars to symbolize Kansas as the 34th state.


Micah, Moses, Eric, and Kyle


After the Ulmers left, the rest of us went to see
the Governors Mansion. It was very beautiful!


The four older girls!

The four older boys

Happy Birthday, Miles!

Today is Miles' 11th Birthday!

Miles and Kaleb

Summer Update

Here is a short summer update of what the Beckman family is/has been doing recently.

-Planning and enjoying Family Christmas Gift Trip (Mom+Dad planned, we children enjoyed!)
-Garden (100 bulbs of garlic and a bowlful of raspberries is what we've harvested so far)
-Graduation wrap-up (Elizabeth)
-Swimming (All)
-Capturing some bee swarms (Eric)
-Working at the Fireworks Stand (Elizabeth)
-Learning to ride a bike without training wheels (Susanna)
-Planting a new tree (Dad, Eric, and Miles)
-Watering flowers (Caroline)
-Enjoying each and every day the Lord gives us (even if it is 107 degrees out) (ALL)
-StarBase Camp (Miles)

-Biking 17 miles in 2.25 hours (Eric, Caroline, Miles)

Happy Anniversary!

We are rejoicing with our parents today as they celebrate 21 years of marriage today!
I was going through the photos from the shoot I had done for their 20th anniversary last year, and decided that they hadn't changed too much to use a photo from last year.
We are grateful for the example of faithfulness to the Lord and each other that they have shown us. Go for (at least) 21 more years, Dad & Mom! Love you!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Elizabeth's 18th Birthday!

Golden Belt 2011

2 1/2 weeks ago Eric, Caroline and I (Elizabeth) participated in the GoldenBelt Vocal Festival in Salina. We have done this for the past few years, and have always enjoyed it.

But, this year was amazing.
Mr. Creer was our conductor, and he did an excellent job!

It was a great opportunity to learn a variety of songs such as:
Hallelujah Chorus
Be Still My Soul
Be Thou My Vision
Author of Majesty
Our Island Barque (girls song)
We Are God's People

Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burnin'

Gloria

Hosanna

Rise Up O Men of God (boys song)

We are looking forward to next year!

Some of the group we ate lunch with.


The Girls!!!

This picture is a little scary....Miles was using flash, and everyone looks like nocturnal animals!

Timbrely and Caroline