Decisions...

Kinda having a bad month with Kelly loosing his job. Today I'm seriously considering putting the kids in public school. Don't want to but I don't think I have a choice at this point :(

Hanging Lake Hike

We packed lots of water and the first aid kit (only had to use 2 bandaids so I consider that a success). Started out at 9 am to beat the tourists & the heat.


Just the beginning of the trail.
Quick stop for a photo of the kids.
We heard a sound like thunder that turned out to be this base jumper's chute opening.
Keep climbing...





More and more climbing...

About here it starts to get really steep.
The kids liked taking a break here.
Almost at the top, but the toughest part is still ahead.
So the last little bit is climbing up by the edge of a cliff with only this railing in this photo to keep you from tumbling to your death. We didn't get any good photos really showing how high up you are & on the edge but my "mommy alarms" were going crazy in my head seeing the kids so close to the edge.

Hanging Lake

The kids enjoyed feeding some greedy ground squirrels. They will take the food from your hand if you're still enough. This one bit Joshua's finger, but can you blame him - look at the tiny piece of food Josh is holding out.
All 4 of the kids went to the middle of the lake with dad.

Absolutely the best part about the hike is Spouting Rock. If you're going to hike as far as Hanging Lake you have to go a little bit further to see this awesome spot. Two beautiful waterfalls thundering down that you can walk behind & around. The spray is freezing & is very refreshing after a long hike.
There are also trails up here that lead to overlook the lake.
We got home 4 1/2 hours later. Even though we started out early there were lots of people on the trail, especially on the way back down.

Play by FoxSaver®

Camping

Friday was Kelly's birthday & with Grandpa here to watch the kiddos it was nice to get away. We went to Mountain Fair in Carbondale and then met up with some friends who were camping nearby.

Here's some pictures of the drive to the lake.


It's right at the base of Mt. Sopris




Dinkle lake





We had a blast! And after 4 years of not using our tent I finally sold it a couple months ago. I'm really wishing I had not done that now. We need to buy another one soon. So much fun!

A New Favorite Place

The kids have a new favorite place they would like to go to every day if I would let them. Thanks to my buddy, Brandon, for telling me about this great spot on the Colorado River. It's only 5 min from our house and very private, with the exception of all the rafters going down the river. The kids enjoyed waving to them until about the 20th raft and then they stopped.

We love the water, the sand, the bugs, the driftwood, the rocks - everything here is a new adventure for them.

Caleb sleeping

The kiddos were watching a cartoon on Hulu the other night & Caleb fell asleep. I swear, the kid can sleep anywhere.

4th of July

The Westin Resort puts on a free fireworks display every year in Avon. We always enjoy going. This year Foghat performed & then there were fireworks after the concert. If you're not sick of fireworks yet feel free to watch some of these videos I took.






Gotta love Pink Floyd!

Another Summer of Jazz Wednesday

Went to another concert last week - here's a few pictures.

Water Balloon Fight

I think I spent at least half an hour filling these balloons for this 40 sec. video.

More Strawberry Days Pictures

While listening to The Informants we let Caleb take some pictures.


Yikes!




Josh & Nathaniel having some fun.
Painting on the Strawberry Days mural.