{Labor Day Weekend...

Jackson has been begging Todd to take him up a 14er all summer long.  Some of his buddies at school have gone with their dad's and I think he was feeling a little left out.  Luckily Todd loves to hike, especially the Colorado 14ers!  They decided on an easier mountain to ease J into it and Sherman was picked. 

Our whole family drove to the trailhead late on Friday night (since we were planning to stay in the Breckenridge area Sat, Sun and Monday).   We had hoped to camp but by the time we got there it was late and very dark, so we blew up the air matress and all 4 of us snuggled up in the back of the Tahoe!  That is how memories are made!!!  Todd and Jackson were up at the crack of dawn and started their ascent.  Sammy and I (thanks to the uncomfortable night in the car) were able to spread out a little and we slept in until 9!  By the time we got up, re-packed the car and got on the trail ourselves, Todd and Jackson were done.  We met them at an old abandoned mine near the trailhead and explored for an hour or so. 

We spent the rest of the weekend riding bikes, hiking and enjoying the company of some dear friends!



This is our 3 year old going off a "jump."  He is fearless!   

{Trying to fit it all in...

With school starting on Thursday we've been busy trying to fit in all of our last minute summer fun.  On Monday I took the boys down to Pueblo to float the river.  It was the perfect day!  Super sunny, and the water was calm.  We went with a bunch of friends from church and had ourselves a little back to school adventure! 



 

Today we met Grammies up at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  This is the last week of the Pirates exhibit.  Super cool!



{Our summer garden...

If you would have asked me last week if our decision to rent a garden spot at Bear Creek was worth it, I would have told you "no way"! We got a late start on planting our seeds (thanks to girls camp!) and every time we would go out to weed or water I would get discouraged because every one else's gardens seemed to be booming! ...that's what I get for comparing (there's a valuable lesson in there somewhere). Well, we finally have a little something to show for our hard work. Yesterday I went out to water and we came back with squash, peas, beans peppers, cucumbers and a radish. Exciting stuff I tell you! I think I've convinced Todd that we have to gate in a small plot in the backyard for next summer though because the 15 minute drive there and the 15 minute drive back is about murderous when I'm trying to get dinner on and the kids are tired. Here are a few pictures of the day we put our seeds in the ground...

These are our garden buddies, the Babcock's.

...and this is just the start of a very bountiful harvest (I'm crossing my fingers!)

{Mt. of the Holy Cross...

Last Friday Todd and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. Mom and Dad took the boys for the weekend and we headed up into the mountains for an adventure! Over the last couple of years, Todd has really had a desire to climb all the fourteeners that Colorado has to offer. He started last year and has done 8 of the 54. ...it's a start. So I decided to jump on the bandwagon and with only 2 under my belt we chose Mt. of the Holy Cross (which is just south of Vail) as our challenge. Well, challenge it was! I would definitely have to say that I it had to be one of the top 5 toughest things I have ever done (to my body, that is!). My feet must have grown because I had hot spots on my heels and toes climbing UP the mountain. It took us 10 hours to go just over 11 miles. Todd was very sweet and patient with me and my burning feet! The top was absolutely breath taking and once I get myself a new pair of hiking boots, I'd do it again in a heart beat!

I had never seen wild Columbine's in Colorado before so that was kind of exciting!
Todd and I at the summit.

{The month of May and M.I.A...

I have been missing in action... My entire spring and early summer has been completely devoted to girls camp! Ahhh!! It's going to be so much fun, but I'm sure my family is ready to call it quits. I've been more than frustrated a few times myself. Our theme this year is "O Be Wise" from Jacob 6. Once girls camp is over, I'll have to post all the details because no one should have to start from scratch!!! I'm working with the best women in the world and count my lucky stars every day for them!

This weekend we were able to take a breather with the Kimball's and Utah Hawker's in Steamboat Springs. It was so nice and relaxing and very much needed! We hiked and swam and just enjoyed being away from home!

Now, it's back to reality... ONE MORE WEEK and then I can breathe again!

{Color Run...

As part of Sammy's birthday weekend, we drove up to the mountains to take in all of the fall colors. (I will never forget driving up to Vail to get Sam and just taking in all of my surroundings. How fun is it to have a birthday to celebrate during the prettiest time of the year?!) We stayed the night in Buena Vista and woke up for a fun family day of racing! My dad, Todd and Jackson all ran the 1 mile fun run and to my complete surprise Jackson kicked some serious trash! He placed third (not that anyone's counting at his age!) over all and was running with kids twice his age. I'm pretty sure that he ran a mile faster than I can run a mile... Mom ran the 5K and Julie B and I ran the 10K. It was so much fun, a definate repeat for next year!

{Grays and Torreys...

This weekend I invited myself on a scout trip with Todd and some of the Young Men in our ward. They had been planning to hike a 14er all summer and I figured I would tag along since I've lived in Colorado basically all of my life and I have yet to hike one! What a cool experience! We left the boys with Brent, Ann and Elaina on Friday night and drove up to the trail head just a little west of Denver. We slept under the stars and even though it was only 35 degrees, I was nice and toasty thanks to these bad boys. After years of FREEZING I took the plunge and made the investment. SO worth it! Anyway, we woke up at 5:00 and headed out. The weather was beautiful and even though I ended up hiking by myself nearly all day (Todd had to stay with the boys and try to convince them to keep going) I had a great time.

Here is a picture of the two peaks at about 6 a.m

Todd and I met up on the summit of Grays peak. Check out the views!

{Yellowstone...

A few weeks ago we drove up to Yellowstone National Park. Gorgeous! My parents say they took us when we were kids, but I don't remember it... The weather was perfectly cool (great for hiking) and the scenery just couldn't be prettier. Here are a few of my favorite shots from our getaway with Todd's family.

On our way up to Yellowstone, we stopped in Teton National forest and hiked Jenny Lake. 6 miles of pure bliss with 3 little kids! No, really is was beautiful.

Grand Prismatic Spring

These are just some pictures of the "stinkies." Can you believe those colors?



This was some of the wildlife we encountered...



...and THIS is what 14 hours in a car does to a 23 month old!

SO worth it!