rafting-part 2

This is what the weather looked like when started rafting......................

About 30 minutes into the raft trip, this is what it looked like.....

It was cold, rainy and then it hailed on us!

Luke and Jacob after hitting a huge rapid!

Luke enjoying being in the front and taking on all the water.

Jake and Ben (and me) before it got cold.

Thank goodness our guide had an extra coat for Jake after he got drenched.

Caleb (our guide) and Ben.

Ben trying hard not to smile! He had a great time.

KState Fan Appreciation Day

Luke went fishing for the weekend so we (Ben, Jake & myself) decided to head to Manhattan with my mom and step-dad for Fan Appreciation Day. It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be....the boys liked getting to move from "seat to seat" without bugging anyone.

After football practice, Coach Snyder invited everyone down to get signatures. He also had a "pep-talk" for the kids and stressed how important it was to surround yourself with people who want you to succeed in life. Jake and Ben observing practice.
Grandma Sue and Jake posing after she left a lip stick "kiss" on his forehead.

Players practicing...

Coach Snyder introducing the team.

Brandon (?) Banks was the only senior that allowed the boys to go under the table and pose for a picture with him. He was super friendly!

The two above don't look big sitting down but these guys were huge!

Jacob wanted to know if the guys in the "green shirts" played for the Green Bay Packers.......

He loves Jordy Nelson

He was disappointed when he found out they are quarterbacks.

Mo one of the coaches...I need Ted's book so I all the players / coaches names.

This picture cracks me up! My boys look little compared these guys!

Again, forgot the name but this guy grew up in Little River, KS.

This is a freshman 6'8" tall.

I need him around my house to change light bulbs! just kidding

Coach Snyder with Ben, Jake and me. He had signed posters for over an hour-and-a-half and was still very gracious. What a great role model for kids.

Mom, Ted, Ben and Jake on the football field.

The boys had an awesome time running and playing with some of the "tackling pads" on the field.

Vacation Day-6: RAFTING

We went white water rafting on Wednesday. Aunt Jenn met us there in the afternoon. That was the only way I was going to take the boys rafting was if there were more adults than kiddos.

Ben waiting to go!
Here are some pictures of rafting on the Colorado River. I will post more pictures later!

Jacobs feet are above.....If you look close you can see tennis shoes by Luke.

Luke getting Jacob back up!

Poor Jacob was freezing after taking the rapids!

Jacob switched places with Ben after this. He was so cold! Thank goodness our guide had some warm coats! The boys had a great time.

Logan

I need to learn how to use my scanner because I wanted to add more pictures (pre-digital cameras). Maybe by next year I will know how to do it!

It is hard to believe that another year has gone by without our "Logan Duane."

We often wonder what he would look like, his personality, likes/dislikes, etc.

He was the only one of our boys that had a cleft chin.........Would he look more like a Hess (my dad and brother both have cleft chins) or a Schmidt, or look just like Ben and Jake.

We still don't know what happened.

BUT what we do know is that Gods work for him was done at 39.5 weeks.

After a lot of heartache, it took 3 years for God to give us another baby....

Then God had a sense of humor and gave us Jacob not quite 14 months later!

I spent today volunteering at the Community Fair.

It was a great way to pay tribute to his special day.

Vacation Day-5

On Tuesday we went to Glenwood Caverns. We rode the gondola to the top of the mountain and shortly after we arrived we took a tour of a cave. We were the only ones scheduled for 10:20 so we had a "private" tour. Dad and Ben going up on the gondola.
Mom and Jake.
(mom not liking heights)

Jacob and Ben getting a better look of Glenwood Springs.

This was the amost amazing part of the tour.

It is late and I can't remember the name of it (I will do some investigating).

Ben took a "picture" of a "picture" after the tour.

Jacob and Ben eating lunch with a spectacular view. Of course the food was overpriced but the atmosphere was wonderful.

Eating lunch looking at the gondola.

Jacob jumping on the trampoline. Ben's pictures didn't turn out very well.

Me and Aunt Jenn on the "SWING SHOT." I am so scared of heights that I didn't enjoy this one minute! BUT the kids loved it.

Jacob was laughing the entire time and Ben hanging on for dear life. Jacob has the "dare-devil" gene were Ben and I are lacking.

The amusement park also had a mini rollercoaster. The boys really liked it. I went so slow the first time I got hit from someone from behind.

Ben laying on the park bench after eating pizza. We hung out to see if any black bears came down the mountain to dig through trash..........but no luck.

Actually, Aunt Jenn, Luke, and myself were enjoying the cool air.