June

The rest of June:

We went back to Dillon a week later with our good friends (Denhams). Spent a lot of time talking, going for walks and hanging out at the lake.

We went on one of our favorite hikes--Mayflower Gulch

What we didn't expect were the huge berms of snow and a giant river running down the trail. We all pushed forward and it was an epic adventure. So much fun and we made it to the top.

 Elise and Cole started soccer. Although Cole's soccer consisted of crying on the side for one practice and game, Jared & I getting in a huge fight and bagging the whole thing for the season. Elise, however, loved it and when the big boys weren't there, she made some awesome goals!

 We also went camping with some friends. It was fantastic until we all squeezed in a tiny tent and Vanessa was awake and crying pretty much all night. I had plans to leave after one night to teach a class--thank goodness! One night was plenty with her. But Jared stayed another night with the boys. Looking forward to many more camping trips--in the future when Vanessa can sleep.

 Grey started baseball and pitched AMAZING well his first game. He is a natural & really fun to watch play.

 Vanessa is walking! She loves babies, singing, dogs and playing with her siblings. She is such a fun little girl and gets lots of loves from everyone.

 We took Grey & Elise to see Wicked with us & Joanne. We have been playing and singing Wicked songs for years so that was really fun to share it with them. They loved it!

 Spent some time at our "Colorado beach" at the reservoir. I think we were there for 6 hours and they all still complained when I begged them to go home. They can dig and play in the mud forever.

June in Dillon

Summer has become my most favorite season in the mountains. There are so many things to do with the kids that are free and we all enjoy together. We do a lot of hiking. We hurried up to the mountains a couple weeks after school got out for a long weekend together. Grandma Jo met us up there as well.

We always walk to the lake to enjoy the view, dip our toes in the freezing cold water, and throw rocks. Cole thought for some reason that he was going swimming... Nope.

 Another nature hike to look at the overflowing river.

 Hiking Lower Cataract Lake

 Taking a break for a picnic a little too close to the raging waterfall. I was all nerves.

 Feeding fish at Keystone

 Jared volunteered to watch Vanessa on the side so I could paddle around the other three kids. I understood why about two minutes into it when my quads were burning and we hadn't moved more than an inch.

Summer Swimming!

I love summer! I love swimming in the morning and coming home for nice, long quiet naps. It is so great to not have a schedule and just enjoy relaxing and hanging out. We spent our first swim day at Franklin Pool with friends. It was also my first pool day with 4 kids by myself. It went pretty well as long as everyone stayed put!

Spent a lot of time at the baby  pool--easier to keep them contained.

 Greyden

 Vanessa hung around me and snacked mostly

 Exhausted!