Trail Ridge Road

We headed up Trail Ridge Road and over "the pass" to hike along

the Colorado River.  Because of the rain, some of the trails were washed out, 

so we hiked a bit higher...

Trail Ridge Road - view from the car. Stunning!

(doesn't this look unreal and even fake?)

We played rounds and rounds of the game washers (think horseshoes).

Lots of laughing and minimal tears.

Lumpy Ridge

Rainy Days

This year found us with unusually rainy weather for a solid three days. Unfortunately it was right

when the boys were to go camping.  As they stood in POURING rain with their packs 

and heard the weather report: 36 hours of more rain, they decided to cancel.  

But we returned to a cozy cabin, built a huge fire, read and the 

kids proceeded to entertain us with lip synching songs.  

"Happy Working Song" was a huge hit.

Our "project" around the cabin was organizing/cleaning up the wood pile.  This is for you, David.

Estes Cones

Each year we do one extra challenging hike and this year it was Estes Cone.

It's not terribly far but it's UP and the last .8 mile is climbing not so much hiking.

Not to mention it's hard to breath...

The kids did great and the view was unbelievable.

Can you sense he doesn't like heights?  :)

More Mountains

The boys picked up  new skill this year: learning the chainsaw.

Needless to say, they were happy to do this "chore."

Hiking : Loch Lake

 Deer Mountain

Buena Vista

Once John got to CO we headed to Buena Vista and saw 

the Livingstons.  We had a great time playing soccer,

hiking along the Continental Divide, celebrating a birthday

and lively games.

 

Cabin: Part 1

The kids and I had most of a week at the cabin before John

rolled into town.  

We did a few little hikes...

On our way back from hiking one day, we saw this bear (her cub not pictured!) from our car.

Whew!  The best way to see a bear...

Mom and Dad came up for hiking, cutting trees and planting trees

Albuquerque

We traveled a little farther to see sweet cousins!

Happy Aunt with this cutie...

The weather was HOT so lots of water and parks in the shade.  

Mom with her daughters.  :)

Mom with her grandkid crew.