Home Archive by category "Family" (Page 14)

Category: Family

We’re Moving to Colorado

Yes, we are packing everything up and moving to Colorado this month! In his book Visioneering, Andy Stanley makes the following statement: “Everybody ends up somewhere in life.  A few people end up somewhere on purpose.” I have been in Chicagoland since my parents brought me here in 1985. My wife has been here since she married me! I LOVE the city of Chicago! The architecture, the sports teams, the political corruption, the hustle and bustle, the malls (that’s for Sara) the blizzards (yes, I love to snow blow), and the friends made over the years, will all be things I will miss. It is a world class city. I have traveled throughout the world as well as the United States and there is NO CITY like Chicago – not even close. But in m y heart I’ve always been an outdoors guy. And after hosting two Yosemite Summit retreats, nearly dying in April, and again in May, it was time to stop putting off for “someday” what could be done now. I grew up in Colorado where my dad pastored a country church in Elizabeth, Colorado. We got picked up from school on Friday and drove to the country…

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A Giant Shiny Jelly Bean!

While we are excited about moving to Colorado this fall, we won’t deny we will miss Chicago. (We just won’t miss driving downtown or paying to park downtown!) Today we decided to brave both and visit Millennium Park and our nephew Parker tagged along for the fun. (Click on any image for a larger viewing) Our reflection in the Giant Silver “Bean” – the main attraction. Sara and I in a rare moment with few people around, it was VERY crowded! A fish-eye lens was almost redundant here! Can you find Sara and Luke? Another fish-eys shot of the Bean. Luke checkin’ out the Bean! With the fish-eye lens I could get the whole Bean in the picture, kinda cool. Luke lays down and just soaks it all in. Luke underneath holding the whole Bean above him! Mommy and her little bean in front of the Bean! Next we headed over to the fountains where the kids can run and play in the water. It was pretty cool. Hundreds of kids, running and splashing, and laughing. It was very relaxing and seemed to hearken back to the days of community pools and parks – something we don’t have much of…

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Timber-lee 2009

Hard to believe it’s been TEN YEARS that I’ve been speaking at Camp Timber-lee – since 1999. While I’ve taken a few summers off, I’ve made up for it by speaking several weeks during a few of the summers, so I’ve spoken here at least ten times, if not more. Every time is an awesome experience! I leave every year praying I’ll be invited back! I just love the kids here and their eagerness to learn and the energy with which they soak up the teaching. I try to make the Chapels as fun and life-changing as possible. What a gift to get to creatively open the Word every morning and evening for an entire week! If you are a camper or camper parent, ToyBoxTales.com is the site your kids are probably looking for, though you are welcome to follow my blog as well! Here are some photo highlights from Timber-lee 2009: Happy Campers! Mom and Luke! Luke, me and Tricia! This year was extra special because it was the first year for my neice and nephew to come to camp! I got to hang out with Parker when he did the High Ropes: Parker ready to climb! Parker leaving…

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Sara Awarded Mother of the Year

In case you missed it on the news last night, Sara was awarded Mother of the Year 2009 by the National Maternity Society. Watch the video here: Be sure to send Sara a congrats e-mail!

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Fisheye Fun on Mom’s Day

Today is Mother’s Day! So, of course, we were celebrating Sara today! Luke even picked out his first present for mommy. (Actually, it was his first time going shopping to pick out a present for someone, and how appropriate that it be for mom!) After brunch at mommy’s favorite restaurant, we headed to the park to play. Dad brought along his new fish eye lens which he got for Yosemite Summit which is coming up fast! I had some fun experimenting with a fish eye lens, its very cool! The Bastian Family – Mother’s Day 2009 Luke at the bottom of the slide Whoa! That looks pretty intimidating! Peeking up over the side as the boy approaches Is that MY kid? What a cutie! A here is the official MOM OF THE YEAR in the Bastian House! and why do we love her so much? here are just a few reasons:

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My Favorite Subject

What is my favorite subject? Is it math? science? English? recess?! Nope – it’s not a school subject at all, its a photography subject: my little boy. Daddy and the Boy Today we headed over to Garden of the God (note: I leave off the “s” as it is not Garden of the Gods, but of the One True God and Creator whom I worship!) While Luke’s favorite thing was the toy cars for sale at the Trading Post, my favorite was getting to take pictures of him at this beautiful place! (not my first time here!) And it should be noted, that if I’m in the picture, Sara took the shot, and she’s not a bad photographer herself! (She’s a great photographer!) “Look Dad, a ROCK!” I love Luke’s curiosity and enthusiasm over the littlest things. Often I had to call him on to see greater things when he was content with a little stone or stick. I wonder if my heavenly Father ever is trying to lead me to more amazing things and if I get content with lesser things and nearly miss the greater? Luke in his “special place” Luke loves finding little places he can crawl…

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