Back to School 2013

Paige started 2nd grade at Rocky Mountain Academy this year and Tyler is in the Primary class at Montessori of Evergreen. Here are our obligatory first day of school pictures...

Our toothless wonder!

Paige lost her front tooth just 2 days before she started 2nd grade. What a cutie!

Horse Camp

Paige went to horse camp for the second year in a row. This year, she was assigned a horse named Wally for the week. Her obsession with horses runs deep. They are not just cute animals to her...she loves everything about them...grooming, learning about the different breeds, putting on the bridle and saddle, riding, and even cleaning the stalls! We loved coming a little early to pick her up just to see how comfortable and confident she was caring for these large animals. I am so proud of her.

Crested Butte: Jeeping, Hiking, Biking, Flowers, and Fun!

This was our first trip to Crested Butte. It was beautiful. The flowers were amazing, the food was fabulous, and the hiking, biking and Jeeping trails were abundant! But the best part was that Chris and I got to sleep in, watch movies, be out in nature, take naps, go out to eat, enjoy happy hour, and just relax together...just the two of us!

 Here is the city welcome sign...with Mt. Crested Butte in the background.

Our first day there was quite rainy and our first hike was quite muddy.

 We passed one person on the 5 mile trail and he offered to take our picture.

The next day we went Jeeping up Washington Gulch to Paradise Divide, the Devil's Punchbowl, and then back through Schofield Pass. The wildflowers just kept getting better. 

 Another day we took a road trip to the tiny town of Marble where there are trails that lead to the famous Crystal Mill.

  

These are the good 'ol days for sure!

G & G save the day!

Grammy and Grandpa D came to visit in July. We spent some time together and then Chris and I went to Crested Butte for 6 whole nights...(wait for it)...by ourselves!! We are so grateful to my mom and dad for the opportunity to get some R&R in such a beautiful place...more on that to come.

 

 Before we left though, we headed to Evergreen Lake for a picnic and concert. Here's the crew:

On the way back to the car, Tyler sat on this rock and asked me to take his picture, which NEVER happens...so of course, I took the opportunity to capture my silly boy!

 

Not to be left out, Paige also struck a pose...not sure what this is...cheerleader pose? champion pose? I guess we'll just call it cute!

Camping at Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt

We took Independence Pass over to Aspen and continued westward to Basalt for some camping at Ruedi Reservoir. We had an ideal spot right on the water next to the Allbrittons.

 

The kids loved exploring the shore...

 

 Collecting snail shells and throwing rocks...

 

 And boating in what is the warmest water we have found in Colorado (maybe 70 degrees?!)

 

We had a blast....fresh air, swimming, and great friends.

(Here we are right before leaving...totally grungy and looking forward to showers at home!)

Such Fun for Everyone!

For our 12th anniversary, Chris and I rented a Harley and took a day trip to Estes Park. The night before, Paige and Tyler got to take a ride in the driveway...both were ecstatic!