Video Clips from our Palmer Lake Visit - 6-25-08

Here are some great action shots from our day in Palmer Lake!

Our Visit to Palmer Lake

Palmer Lake is a quaint little place just west of Monument, Colorado. Jo Ann, Rebekah, and Annabelle had a nice day there on 6-25-08. We went to this cute little ice cream place, we went bowling, we went to the actual Lake, and also to the museum and library.

Rebekah's New "Real Baby" Doll

Rebekah saved up her own money to buy a real baby doll. Her name is Kamil. She has real hair and weighs 6 pounds, 4 ounces. She was born on Jo Ann's birthday: May 7 - but in 2008, not "way back" in the 20th Century!

Since Kamil is a doll she'll always look three months old. She doesn't cry, eat, or need new diapers. She can wear some of the baby clothes Rebekah, Joel, and Annabelle wore!

Our Blue House is a Very Fine House

Our "Blue House" has been our home since October of 1995. The tree in the front was once a "itsy bitsy" thing and is now 30 feet tall! Dan painted the house all by himself shortly before his horrible accident in September 2005.

Dan and Annabelle are the little "specks" standing next to the big tree and are in the driveway!

Annabelle Schneider-Farris - Broadmoor Fire and Ice 6-20-08

Annabelle insisted on doing her "competition program" for Fire and Ice on 6-20-08. She gave the double Salchow a very good try and the Axel was pretty good too.

Fire and Ice - Free Dance - 6-20-08

Joel and Rebekah did their new free dance for the first time in front of an audience at Broadmoor Skating Club's Fire and Ice on 6-20-08.

Dan Turns 55 Years Old on June 18, 2008

We celebrated Dan's 55th birthday at Red Robin on 6-18-08.

Pair Program Exhibition 6-13-08

Rebekah and Joel did a very good pair program at Fire and Ice on 6-13-08! Take a look!

Poem for Valerie Gendernalik

This is the poem that was given to everyone who attended Valerie Gendernalik's funeral:

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Mary E. Frye

Fourteensteps Passed!

Rebekah and Joel passed their Fourteenstep ice dance test on 6-8-08.

Valerie Gendernalik's Funeral Was Today

Valerie Gendernalik's funeral was today. Of course, we all cried.

It was good to say good-bye to Valerie and to hug her family.

Valerie's mother, Larisa, is such a wonderful person. She will help everyone remember her beautiful Valerie. Valerie's brother, Alex, looked so handsome and so brave. Valerie's father, Larry, showed so much love for his daughter.

• Valerie Gendernalik Obituary
• Valerie Gendernalik Guestbook

One Year of Modern Dance With Sara

Sara has taught the kids modern dance for one full year. It's been really fun! Every week, on Thursday, we've made a special effort to get to Sara's class. She'd been great.

Rebekah Honored With Other Girl Scouts

Rebekah and many other girl scouts in Colorado Springs were honored on Thursday, 5-27-08 for earning their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

3 Years of Figure Skaters' Ballet

The kids have had the same ballet teacher at the World Arena for the past three years. Her name is Corrine. I thought it was about time we took a photo of the kids with her!

Our Friend Valerie Gendernalik Is Dead

• Investigation ongoing in fatal shooting
• Gendernalik killed by gunshot wound to head
  
  The photo on the left was taken in 1995 or 1996. My dear friend Larisa Gendernalik, volunteered the baby sitting services of her daughter Valerie. Joel loved when Valerie watched him.
  
  The photo on the right was taken at Chanukah on Ice in late 2005. Jo Ann is standing next to beautiful Valerie. Valerie was probably about 22 or 23 years old at the time.
  
  Sadly, Valerie died tragically this past Memorial Day Weekend in Fort Collins. It is believed she was shot. Please pray for the Gendernalik family.

Cool New Photos

The girls wore their new colonial outfits today that match their American Girl Dolls and we dragged Joel along for a professional photo shoot!

We Went Roller Skating 5-25-08

We had a great time roller skating as a family on Sunday 5-25-08. Dan didn't skate and took photos and videos!

Pair Skating Lesson 5-24-08

Rebekah and Joel had a great pair skating lesson with Dalilah on Saturday, 5-24-08. Like a television movie, they had the ice all to themselves!

Evening at Larkspur House

On the way home from the Carol Fox Ice Dance Weekend, we first went to Safeway in Castle Rock and then stopped at the Larkspur house and had dinner. It was so fun and relaxing to be in such a beautiful place!

Carol Fox Ice Dance Weekend 5-17-08

We went to the Carol Fox Ice Dance Weekend on 5-17-08. It was fun to dress up and just do ice dancing together for fun!

Below is a video montage of a very fun afternoon!

• What Is an Ice Dance Weekend?
• About A Dance Weekend with Carol Fox