Today-bor-day is Labor Day

Hannah came home from BYU for the weekend. It's always nice to have another woman in the house. She makes us laugh and says nice things to everyone.

We went to a Powwow in Woodland Park. There were famous Indians there, Indians who had been in movies like Dances With Wolves and Last of the Mohicans. I told the kids that if we were Indians we would be Indian all the way - participating in pow wows with real fancy clothes - we would max out the Indian life. Roland would have long braids and wear lots of large turquoise rings. I would make beautiful fine pottery and paint it with dye made from plants.

Noah said he could totally get into that. But I don't think so, we saw sullen teenagers dressed to the nines, "dancing" in the grand entrance. You knew their parents made them participate.

Me and Lenord Ray. He came from New Mexico. I told him I'd send him a copy of the picture. He was the first stranger I talked to that day. Hannah and I talked, really had a conversation, with 5 strangers on Saturday. It was exciting.

After the pow wow we drove down to Manitou Springs and picnicked in the park. Long ago Manitou Springs was Hippie Central and still has a real hippie vibe. Hannah and Noah have embraced their inner hippie and I went through a macrame stage so we like Manitou Springs. We went to an art show with lots of pottery and funky jewelry. Hannah and I shared a Baklavah. Noah had his characture drawn but doesn't like it, he thinks it looks like Michael Jackson.Michael Jackson or Noah Smith? You decide.

Then we came home and ate Cafe Rio style salad/burritos and took naps so we would be ready for the balloon glow. Colorado Springs has a great balloon festival every Labor Day. The kids entertained themselves by loudly repeating everything the announcer said in a nasally southern style. It was entertaining. And it was beautiful.
On our trek back to the car we stopped at the skate park and got a great show. I've never been to such a big active skate park. Skaters were doing amazing tricks. We stood and watched for 45 minutes. It was probably the highlight of the day and even better because I captured this on video:



We topped off the weekend with a labor day dinner with Colorado Springs Smiths, Mike's famous BBQ ribs, and Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake. Hannah went back to BYU and we miss her.