Labor Day Weekend in the Mountains

Nick and Tom were nice enough to let us use their place in Avon over Labor Day. 

 

 

Max spent our first morning there mountain biking in Minturn. 

 

 

 

I intended to take Chance and Savannah hiking up Vail Mountain with me, but our plans suddenly derailed when they saw this awesome pirate ship playground. 

 

They seriously love this playground. 

 

 

Would you believe me if I told you that this is her excited face? 

She doesn't have the nickname Savanimal for no reason :)

 

Walking the plank...

 

Playing in the creek

 

 

We lucked out because there was a food and wine festival in Vail Village too!

Max later came and met us for dinner and drinks in the Village. 

 

 

We spent our Sunday hiking Booth Falls as a family.  We've heard this hike was hard so haven't been brave enough to try it yet until now. 

 

The kids did great! Savannah needed to be carried up for some of the way, but Chance made it all on his own. 

 

Either way...we all had fun!

 

The hike was difficult but very rewarding views at the end. 

 

This is the view of the falls and Max looking up from the falls to Chance and I on the cliff. 

 

There was even a guy attempting to tight rope across while we were there. 

 

I think tight roping is a bit extreme, but feel lucky to live in a place with so much beauty and adventure. 

 

A huge thanks to Nick and Tom for allowing us to spend the weekend in your place.  We absolutely loved it!

 

 

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July in Denver and rented a cabana at Pirates Cove Water Park.

 

 

Savannah and Chance have both been in swimming lessons and are now very comfortable with the water. 

 

This a huge improvement over last year.  They absolutely loved running around in the water. 

 

We invited our neighbors and Savannah's best friend, Alexa, to join us. 

We all really enjoyed being in the water for the 4th.  

 

Having the cabana really helped because we had a private spot to get away from the crowds and relax. 

 

We came home in the late afternoon to let off some of our own fireworks, and then

 

called it a night after watching a movie in the back yard.  Simple day filled with lots of fun.  Happy Birthday America!

First Camping Trip

Max's only request for Father's Day this year was that we take him camping.  

This was our first overnight try with Chance and Savannah so we picked a place close to home just in case the evening became too cold or we had any unexpected troubles.  

Max booked us a campsite at Cherry Creek Reservoir which is about fifteen minutes from our house. 

Chance and Savannah loved helping Max make a campfire. 

Max loved relaxing by the fire.  

Our first evening was wonderful.  How can you night be relaxed with your family by a camp fire. 

With our first night outdoors as a success...we headed out the next morning to explore.  

We packed our bikes full with all one would need for a day at the beach and hit the bike trails to go and swim at the reservoir.  

The kids loved spinning and playing with  Max in the water.  

Soon Savannah discovered that the muddy pools that other children had made on the beach were much warmer.  

She was  a MESS,  but sooo happy! 

Chance was too cool for the mud pools, but enjoyed himself just the same.  

We stayed one more night and then headed home early Sunday morning to enjoy the day.  I think our first camping trip was a total success!