Jammin'

Tyler only knows one dance move so far...I liken it to "raising the roof". He is practicing daily so we are hopeful that he will be adding the sprinkler or the running man to his repertiore soon... :)

Chihuahua Gulch

This weekend we headed out to Keystone for some backwoods Jeepin' and a kids festival in town. We headed out onto this trail that took us up through some rocky terrain, across creeks, and into the most beautiful mountain valley.

We stopped here for a picnic snack...

Meet our new neighbors

Down the street about 3 miles is a farm that raises buffalo, elk, and deer. It is actually right across the street from where Paige will be going to school this fall. Both Paige and Tyler always make sure to look out the car windows as we drive by, but we also stop a couple times each week to feed the elk and deer. In fact, Paige is so fond of doing this that she is super-motivated to earn quarters for the food machine so that she can feed them more frequently.

We also see elk and deer - the wild kind - frequently around town...

Tubby Time

These boots were made for hikin'

This past weekend, we headed out to hike one of Colorado's famous 14-ers, Mount Evans. We hiked the Goliath Trail through a 1500 year-old bristlecone pine forest. Paige was a trooper as we climbed up rocks and boulders, gaining about 1000 feet of elevation.


Beautiful wildflowers lined the trail...these are called Indian paintbrushes.

Taking a water break...and striking a pose.

Beautiful bristlecone pine trees...

Tyler has the best seat in the house!

Taking a rest and enjoying the view!

We love Grammy!

Thank you Mom/Grammy for all your love and support during our move. We couldn't have done it without you...seriously.

Boreas Pass to Breckenridge

In the words of the great Clark Griswold, we "loaded up the family in our all-wheel drive sleigh and headed to the great outdoors!" We took a mountain backroad to over 12,000 feet in elevation, through aspen forests, tall pines, and snow banks...to get to Breckenridge.

Paige was feeling free - can you tell?!

We ate lunch in town and browsed the shops...

And took a gondola ride to the top of Peak 8 where Paige got to ride a pony...Peanut was his name-o.

Given that we have only been to Breckenridge in the winter (shout out to Trey and Robyn!), we were definitely impressed with all that Breckenridge had to offer in the summer!

Chris' new ride

This picture was taken beside a snow bank on the Boreas Pass that takes you over the mountains to Breckenridge.

Whitewater

This morning, Chris and I went whitewater rafting on Clear Creek about 30 minutes from our house. The "creek" is at its highest level in almost 2 decades and running extremely fast. And the water...well, it was 40 degrees...and SHOCKING when we hit the first hole and a wave rushed over us.


We rafted down a 8ft waterfall. See below...Chris is on the front left and I am right behind him.



And this was the aftermath...



How's that for adventure?!

We have arrived

Who would have thought that when we visited this little town called Evergreen late last February that we would be living here now?! Guess what, we made it...AND in just 4 MONTHS!

As you know, Chris has been out here for 3 weeks, unloading our things and setting up our home. And let me tell you, he did a PHENOMENAL job...note the picture below...potted plants, wind chimes, bird feeders... Inside, not only was the furniture in, but all things that make/made our house a home...bookshelves, photos, lamps, pillows, toys...everything in it's place...including elk horns?!?! (hmmm...)

After all these years, this man still surprises me and never ceases to amaze me. It was a wonderful reunion of our family and so fun (and a relief to me) to see our new home already put together. Paige loved finding her room and seeing that all her things from her "old house" were here.

The weather has been beautiful and we enjoyed the 4th of July festivities at our new home and by Lake Evergreen.

It's still kind of tough to get them both smile at the same time....

Lake Evergreen...right near the city center...you can boat and fish in the summer and ice skate in the winter. On the 4th, they had a music festival, art show, and activities for the kids.

Tyler was jamming to Stars and Stripes Forever...

My mom flew out with me and the kids and my dad joined us a couple days later. I think this might be the best picture of the day...everybody looking and smiling! ;)

And finally, a picture of Chris and me. With the thousands of pictures we take of the kids, we have very few of just the two of us. This one is in honor of our 10 year anniversary. Who would have guessed we'd be here 10 years ago?! I guess that's the exciting part of life, huh?! kind of like a box of chocolates...