The top picture is of our daughter taking a photo of one of the many deer that loved to visit the campground. The truck belongs to a neighbor - we would park in front of his truck and walk up Steve's mom's steps to the cabin. The second picture is that same truck after the fire had roared through, wreaking destruction... Needless to say, photos such as that triggered many tears in the family as we all thought of the many hours of labor Mom and Dad Chaparro put into their little cabin in the woods. We are just so thankful for the memories as well as photos that we have...

On our drive back from Santa Barbara a couple weeks ago (we had a wonderful time with our kids and hated to have to leave) we learned of the fire in Ruidoso, specifically near Bonita Lake. These pictures are of the Chaparro family's cabin at the Bonita Park Nazarene Campgrounds near Bonita Lake. In 2009 we were able to spend a few days at the cabin with our daughter, and we thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful setting. There were always little repairs, such as my husband working on the hot water heater, but the over-riding theme was relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air. It wouldn't be long during our drive back from Santa Barbara before we realized that the cabin was in real danger from the Little Bear Fire, and as the time passed our worst fears were realized...

...and now (June 28, 2012)

It just breaks my heart to see the devastation in Colorado Springs as the fires devour homes, trees, everything in sight, and no relief in sight. My prayers go up for those who have lost their homes and for those who are in harm's way fighting this monstrous fire...

Colorado Springs then...

In the summer of 2007, my husband and I met our daughter in Denver and spent some time re-visiting places that we had been but that our daughter had not yet seen. One of those memorable places was the Chapel at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. My husband and I lived in the Springs during our time in the Army, and I loved it there (well, minus the brutal winters... but that's a story for another day).

When our daughter was about 3 years old, a student from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara took a photograph of her and daddy. While we were in Santa Barbara last week, hubby wanted to replicate that photo 27 years later. I love how this came out! Got some great shots of both of them! I love how golden the sun is behind them! It was getting close to sunset at the Pier, and the lighting was beautiful!

Picture of my sweet friend Charlotte, my honey, and our precious daughter Nicholle. Had to add some photos of the beautiful flowers my friend grows at her home. We were amazed at her orchids which were about 4 feet tall!! I had never seen the like! :-)

Had dinner this evening with my sweet friend, and after dinner we just had to take pictures near her beautiful roses. She has an amazing green thumb, but she always says they basically grow themselves! We know better - she definitely has that magic touch. Sure love this gal - I call her my big sister!

We took a stroll around Paseo Nuevo mall yesterday - nothing like some Nordstrom retail therapy to make our day! :-) Couldn't resist taking some pictures of planters along the way! The afternoon sun was wonderful! And such fun "shoppers" to be with!! <3

Can you tell by this picture that we're in sunny Santa Barbara, CA? :-) Drove out to visit our kiddos and it's great to be with them!! We are SO enjoying the sunshine, ocean breezes, and all the flowers and greenery too!