Colorado 2017

Our summer vacation this year was a trip to Colorado. We started in Colorado Springs, and then drove to Montrosse to see the Cheezums! After a tearful goodbye (for Kim and I), we headed to Durango and then to the Great Sand Dunes.

In Colorado Springs, we hiked at Red Rocks and Garden of the Gods. We also drove up Pikes Peak, which I never need to do again in my life. The boys loved climbing the rocks at Garden of the Gods and exploring with Daddy on the top of Pikes Peak.

Our only picture at the top of Pikes Peak.

The next morning we set off for Montrosse. We had such a blast with the Cheezums. The kids all got along like they had been friends forever. We swam at their community center the day we got there. The next day we went to a beautiful mountain town called Ouray.

Back at Kim and Jeremy's house the kids had an epic water balloon fight.

All the kids except Fletcher, who was in Phoenix at a basketball camp.

Lydia and "Nicky"

All too soon, it was time to say goodbye. It doesn't get any easier to say goodbye to Kim! You can't see our tears, but they were there.

Our next stop was Durango. We rode the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and it was great. We also stopped at the Great Sand Dunes. I wrote this post 2 years ago and somehow it didn't publish. So I can't find those pictures, but I'm going to go ahead and publish what I have!

Poppy

Against our better judgment, we got a puppy. Her name is Poppy and she is pretty annoying, but also pretty cute. I guess we're stuck with her now. The boys are really enjoying her and she is sweet when she isn't having accidents in the house.

Jack is 11!!

Sweet baby Jack turned 11 a couple of weeks ago. We had a blast celebrating him three weekends in a row... first Grandma Sue and Grandpa Bill came, then we had a friend party at a trampoline park and last we had a party with Grandma Pam, Grandpa Glen, Great Grandpa Bill, Aunt Regina and Uncle Will.


His birthday morning turned out to be exciting because the power went out and he opened his presents in the dark.

Don't let them fool you into thinking they aren't best friends.

Poppy wanted to give him a birthday hug.

I went and got him from school for a special birthday lunch. He chose Corner Cafe and got a humongous cinnamon roll (which he wouldn't let me share because he said he was going to eat the whole thing)!

His party at the trampoline park was so fun. He had 10 friends come and they basically had the place to themselves since it was a Thursday night. These boys have been in school together since 1st grade, in the same class every year. It is fun to see what sweet friendships they have developed. Next year they will scatter to different middle schools.

His last cake was his good old standby -- chocolate. Notice his Jayhawk sweatshirt and hat in almost every picture.

Jack is awesome. He is a great big brother and wonderful friend. I love his curiosity and determination. He is so smart and will work to figure something out as long as it takes. Current favorites include: Fortnite, Plants vs. Zombies, playing outside with Henry and neighbor friends, March Madness, Takis, candy and sleeping really late. Jack, we love you so much and are so proud of the sweet boy are have always been and continue to be.