A Joyful Weekend in Glenwood Springs

Many of you know the story of my friend, Marla.  She and I started teaching together at Malley, then came to Glacier Peak together as part of the core team.  She was one of the most amazing teachers I have ever known, as well as someone with just a contagious spirit and light about her.  In December of 2002, Marla was in a terrible car accident on the way up to Winter Park, and was left with a traumatic brain injury and a severely damaged right arm.  In the days following the accident, Marla was unconscious, and when she did regain consciousness, there were many weeks when we weren't sure what kind, if any, type of recovery she would make.  Thanks to her incredible strength and determination, along with the amazing doctors and therapists at Craig Hospital, Marla has come farther than any of us could have imagined.  She truly is a miracle.  She had to learn to walk, talk, and read again.  Through it all, she has been an inspiration to everyone she has come into contact with.  Just six months after the accident, she was able to walk down the aisle as one of my bridesmaids.  Her progress has included traveling to an intensive speech therapy camp in Michigan, passing her driving test to get her driver's license again, and becoming an assistant at a preschool in Glenwood Springs.  And finally, finally, Marla has found the love that she has always deserved.  This past weekend we were privileged to be invited to Marla's wedding in Glenwood.  She married an amazing man named Mark, who she met while in Michigan.  He is a speech pathologist, and has an incredible gentleness about him.  You can tell that they just adore each other.  It makes my heart so happy to see just how joyful and fulfilled my friend is.  It's been a long time coming, but so worth it!  Enjoy the pictures!  There are a lot, but I just couldn't help it!

Mr. Riley looked very dapper in his tie!

The chapel was small and very quaint.

Here comes the beautiful bride!

The benediction.

Reciting their vows.  From the back of the church, you could just feel their devotion to one another.

Lighting the Unity Candle

Wow.

Mark serenaded Marla with a love song.

Exchanging rings.

Finally!

Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Marla Townsley are presented to their friends and family!

What an amazing day!

Riley and Vaughn enjoying some appetizers at the reception.

Marla was nice and didn't smash the cake into Mark's face...I wouldn't have been surprised if she did! :)
I absolutely love these two pictures.  They danced to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," and truly the whole room felt the love between the two of them.  I actually had goosebumps watching the two of them in their own little world.  It was a really emotional day for everyone.

Marla and her dad, Leo were so sweet dancing together.

Me and the silly boys!

At the end of the reception we were able to greet the happy couple.  It's hard to express in words how happy we are for Marla and Mark.  

After the wedding, we hit the Hot Springs Pool!

And then Johnson Park Mini Golf, which had OUTDOOR Skee Ball!
It was great to get out of town for a couple of days, and so special to have such a wonderful reason to do it!

Proud Teacher Mama!

I just have to brag on my boy...last week we had an evening event at my school, and Steve and Riley came up to check it out. They snuck into my classroom and Riley started drawing on my white board. When Steve turned around, this is what he saw:

Does that, or does that not say RILEY!? He's been practicing tracing his letters, and is big into E's and Y's. I think this is so cool, he never ceases to amaze me! I might be biased, but my boy's wicked smart! :)

Grass Kickers!

Here's the kickball team in all their glory!  A fun way to hang out with friends on Friday nights!

back row: Jen, Zach, J.D., Steve, Andy, Ryan, Joey

front row: Tige, Lisa, Mary, Kristen, Jenn, Kristi, and Stacey

mascots: Riley and Bayley!

missing: Nick, Cory and Melinda

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

Last weekend we went to the Denver Zoo with the Evans family and the Asnicar family.  It's kind of like taking a herd of cats to the Zoo.  I wish I had just half of the energy the four of the kids have!  They had such a blast seeing the animals, playing, and RUNNING!

The first stop was the lions!

Each family brought a wagon, and I honestly thought there was no way we were going to get the kids to sit and ride. But Tige was a genius and bungeed the three wagons together into a train.  That made it fun!  So in between each stop, it was "all aboard!" and off we went!


The kids, especially Riley, were really into their Zoo maps.  I remember last summer Riley was big into checking the map.  Maybe he'll break the mold as a grown man and actually consult a map when he's lost!

I love this picture!  I believe it's a statue of the two baby polar bears that were born at the Denver Zoo several years ago (their names escape me), but it was the perfect spot to get all the kids together for a photo op.  Of course, Bayley's on top!  What with all the running, it was tough to keep the twins straight, especially since they were dressed alike except for the color of their sandals!  

Riley's vantage point of the Sea Lion feeding was sky high!

Steve was excited to find a Sooner Schooner, even though it was being pulled by Longhorns...

Of course we gotta get on the Carousel!




This was about the last peaceful moment...towards the end of the day after 3 1/2 hours at the Zoo, it was meltdown time.  Everyone was exhausted and we decided we'd seen it all!  We sure did have fun!

Riley was asleep almost before we were out of the parking lot, I don't know about the rest of the gang!  Thanks Jen, for setting it all up, and to Julie and Troy for giving us free passes!  Here's to lots more adventures together!

Happy Birthday to Charline!

Last week was Charline's birthday, and of course we had to celebrate with her!  Riley worked really hard on his giant card for her!  He has gotten really good at tracing within the lines of writing.  He can do some of the letters in his name on his own...we're getting there!

Justin "built" Charline a cake, and Riley helped him frost it!  


Great job, boys!

Fun at the Park!

A couple weekends ago we decided to grab some lunch and find a park to have a picnic.  We ended up at Hunter's Glen Lake, and after lunch Riley and Steve did a little playground time!

I love that look of pure joy on Riley's face.  

This week's soccer game!

We had great weather for the most recent soccer game!  Mom, Keith, Holli, and Mike came up to join the Marsh's for a fun game!  

 I tried to upload the clip straight to Blogger, but it wasn't working, so hopefully everyone will be able to view the embedded YouTube video of Riley and Owen's soccer game from May 17th!  The pictures are courtesy of our family photographer, Holli!  Great pics Hols, I've got major camera envy


!

Enjoy!

Thank Heaven for the King!

On Sunday the Kings were nice enough to come over and help us get our sprinkler system fixed! Steve and I watched in sheer awe as Justin cut pipes, took apart valves, and within an hour had the whole thing working like clockwork! When Steve asked him how he knew what to do, he just said, "I just kinda look at it and know." He is seriously talented. Thanks, King Justin!!

Here is Justin showing Riley where to cut the pipe. Justin's a great teacher! He was explaining to Steve step-by-step what he was doing and why, but it was like a different language!

After the handy-man festivities, we grilled up some yummy steak, roasted potatoes and broiled asparagus. While we were cleaning up, Justin and Riley found a little Nativity set that got missed in the post-Christmas clean up. Yes, I'm aware that it is now May. Whatever. They made a cool game called, "Manger Game!"

Here's Riley setting up the Manger Game. Justin is strategizing.

Riley and Justin BOTH won the first game!

Riley showing the proper King toppling technique!

We had a fun day with the Kings! Char and I enjoyed watching chick flicks while the boys did "man stuff." Riley was cracking us up with coming in and out for various tools, and being sent in for a variety of necessary items, such as a paper towel when Steve cut himself, and beers!

Thanks Guys!!!