This year we are getting a very abbreviated fall season.  As the colors are changing so are the temps and as the leaves fall so does the snow.  Fall and winter seem to be competing for attention this year (kinda like winter and spring did a few short months ago).    Yesterday, it snowed on and off all day.  The heater was running and it felt very wintry around here.  Today, fall has made a comeback and the weather was gorgeous.  Cool, breezy, sunny, perfect. Sooo, here are some shots of the girls (and trees).  Boys tomorrow.

 

Happy Fawinter!

Jennifer

At this time last year as we were sitting out in the cold watching Sam play soccer, I swore to myself and anyone around who might hear me, that I would never sit through another soccer game again. I lied.  Just between you and me, I have started to hate soccer a little bit.  It is usually cold, boring and my kids always say that they want to play but they never actually play during the game.  So, this season I was sure we would be soccer free until Mason comes home talking about playing.  I groaned.  I moaned.  He still really wanted to play.   I am now sitting through 6-year-old soccer.  I have to admit, I forgot how amusing it can be.  If you know Mason, you know how funny he is and the silliness does not end at the soccer field.  He has a bit of a problem staying on his feet during the game and he prefers doing karate and cartwheels over scoring goals.  He has also perfected his game face which includes cracking his knuckles before he kicks in and giving the evil eye to all his opponents when he toes the line.

My pictures really don’t show how hilarious these games are but I did get some cute ones.  I even got one with Mason kicking the ball:)  Enjoy.

I know, I know.  We are not supposed to complain about rain in Colorado.  After numerous wildfires we welcome rain.  And it has been raining…and raining…and raining.  Since July.  So, with no end in sight and the entire front range under water, we decided the last minute to pack up the kids and bikes and head west to Moab.  Scott had been a couple of times but the kids and I have never been to this mountain biking mecca.  It really isn’t even safe to utter those words around here.  If you mountain bike, you have been to Moab.  Well, now we are legit.

We headed west bright and early on Saturday morning and got to Moab around lunch time. I will give you one guess on weather. Yep, raining.  Unbelievable.  We put the tent up in the rain, walked around downtown in the rain and then called uncle and headed inside for some dinner.  By that point I was not in the mood to grill hot dogs, in the rain.  After we left the restaurant, the black clouds seemed to be clearing so we took the kids for a drive to find dinosaur tracks.  We were unsuccessful but we did find some great hiking and killer views of the sunset.  The weather was coming around to my way of thinking.

Sunday we woke up (very early) to a clear sky.  Stars were shining and then as the sun came up, we were blessed with a bluebird sky.  We packed up the truck as quickly as possible and headed out to ride our bikes. We ended up riding our bikes for about 5 hours, just stopping to eat lunch and refill water bottles.  It was a glorious day and one that we won’t forget.  The kids amazed us with their level of riding and we listened when they were done.  Always quit while you are ahead.

After biking we took a slow drive through Arches NP and got our fill of ooohs and ahhhhs.  Breathtaking scenery abounds.  We did a bit of hiking around the rocks and kept our eyes peeled for those “arches”.

Sooo, if you have scrolled down for the pictures, here you go:)

 

 

This little guy slept most of the four hour drive home.  After biking and hiking all day, he was pooped out.  The best way to be on a long drive, in the rain.

Have a great week!  The sun is shining this morning!!!!!!

Jennifer

After a super busy, fun, packed Labor Day weekend, we headed out for a quiet hike this morning up into Mayflower Gulch.  This is by far one of our favorite hike/ski areas.  The views are breathtaking.  The kids have never had the chance to make it to the “top” before so today that was our goal.  We made it up to the old buildings and then because the kids wanted to touch the wall of the gulch we kept on hiking.  It was a glorious morning and we spent about three hours just hiking around.

 

He touched the wall of the gulch!!!!  This was us reaching the talus field before the steep side of the mountain.

 

What’s left of the old mining buildings.  This is now open space but everywhere you look, there are remnants of mining, even way up on the cliffs.

 

Again, I am definitely NOT a wildlife photographer.  Our little friend, Mr. Marmot, was not happy with us hanging out so close to his home.

We had a fantastic weekend.  Saturday night, after a busy day at the shops, we enjoyed an Abba cover band in Dillon and then stayed for the end of season fireworks.  Sunday, we spent the day with my brother and his family at the bike park in Frisco and afterwards I met a friend for coffee and some chat time.

We hope you all had a great weekend.  Back to the grind tomorrow.  I would post a pic of the pile of work I need to do but that would just be depressing.  Have a wonderful week!

Jennifer