hiking in Breckenridge

Here are some pictures of our hiking adventures in Breckenridge. This is a picture of me and the boys on top of Sapphire point, overlooking Lake Dillon. It was a beautiful little hike and perfect for the boys with the stroller. Of course, we couldn't get a good picture of Gabriel. Every time you tell him to smile he makes a funny face. It's one of those things that makes you mad at the time but as you look back on it, it's kind of funny. Oh, what would we do without our Gabriel and all the excitement he brings to our lives?

On one of our hikes we found a river. You can't just walk by a beautiful river in he mountains. You have to get in it. No matter how cold the water is or how wet you get your clothes. You have to get in the water. Here are the boys....just being boys in the river.

Mom and Britt enjoying the morning.

You know what one of he best parts of being a boy is? Being able to pee anywhere without making a big production. It's so easy to do anywhere (if your a boy). Being a girl, I have only experienced something completely different. Finding a secluded spot. Squatting. Not just squatting but positioning yourself just perfect so you don't pee all over the back of your pants. This explanation could go on and on. It's just so much easier being a boy in this aspect. Here is a perfect example. Owen peeing while playing on the bridge. Classic.

Rock climbing is a favorite hiking activity.

Breck

Megan, my mom, and my cousin Britt came to Denver for a week. During the week we took a couple of days and went up and stayed in Breckenridge. There is something about Breckenridge that I just love. It's the cutest little mountain town.

I wouldn't say that our little get away was relaxing. It was far from relaxing with 3 children and 2 babies. It was hectic and fun. There was never a dull moment. We had a great time sharing our little two bedroom condo that we rented and walking up and down the streets of the town. We also took a couple of small hikes that burned off plenty of energy.

Here are some pictures of the kiddos in the pool. They had a great time swimming.

Isn't Adaline the cutest thing in her little swimming suit.

Those babies

The babies of the family. All my life I have heard about how the babies are treated so much differently then their siblings.

From experience I have to say, it's so true. I have lost all self control when it comes to Eli. My precious little cherub is not just spoiled, he's spoiled rotten. Here are some examples. He sleeps in my room and comes in my bed most of the time. Gabe and Owen were never allowed anywhere near my bed. He is allowed to have ice cream, candy, and anything else he desires to eat. Gabe and Owen were deprived of these delicious treats for at least 18 months. He goes to bed and takes a nap when he chooses. Gabe and Owen were on a strict sleeping schedule. And he is never allowed to cry. Not my precious, Eli. His every need to attended to.

What has caused this phenomenon? Is is because I have three children and don't have time to lay down all those silly rules? Or is it because Eli is the cutest little baby on the face of the earth and I can't help but spoil him? To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what the reason. I do know that my other two certainly aren't as lucky as this little angel.

A day with Ashton

A day in the mountains with family, sunshine, and lots of exercise. This is the perfect time of year to live in Wyoming. The weather and the mountains are heaven on earth.

We started our day early. We all loaded into the money pit (aka the motor home) and Pop drove us up the mountain. Dogs and all, of course. After we arrived, we parked on Black Mountain Road and were ready for our hike. Before we started our big adventure we had a few mishaps. One finger slammed in the car door, 1 mean dog that we had to pass, and a trail that was way to bumpy for even the best baby stroller (see above). We overcame them all and at the end of the trail found some beautiful wildflowers to sit in. Here is Ashton and the boys.

This picture is a perfect picture of grandma happiness. Since I'm not a grandma, I don't quite understand this happiness but I've been told it is precious. I seriously don't think that my mom could be any happier then when she is holding one or even both of her youngest grandchildren. What a special moment and an awesome picture.

Amaya had her turn holding the little guy also. Here she's holding him while he's eating a cookie. She is a great cousin and such a big help with the babies.

A nap is always crucial for a 9 month old when you are out in the fresh air. The problem is, where do you take a nap? Today, the nap occurred on the way up the trail. Whenever my children fall asleep on the go, I am always jealous. I would love to just fall asleep whenever I got tired, where ever I was at the time. Car seat, restaurant, stroller, even in a backpack in the mountains.

The kids are tired, cranky, and mostly hungry. "Mom, when can we eat? I'm starving". OK, OK time to stop smelling the flowers and find the motor home, pronto. Here is the whole clan, headed back to get some grub.

Stewart's pool

One of the best parts of moving to Colorado is Stewart's pool. The boys could actually live at Stewart's house. Not only does he have a pool in his backyard, he has a pool table, fuss ball table, and fire pit. Boy Heaven.

Gabe absolutely loves the water. He spent all day in the water and didn't want to leave even though we were all exhausted and a little sun burned. He was also very proud of himself because he jumped off the diving board for the first time. It did take him quite a while to actually decide to jump off. He would go up to the board and look off the end and promise that he would jump....and he wouldn't. But, at the end of the day, he did it and was very proud of himself.

Here we are enjoying the hot weather and cool pool.

What is this? It's a Lucas barricade. Lucas is Stewart's dog. He is a big black lab that we all dearly love however, Eli can only take so many kisses before he starts to get cranky. Lucas also likes to steal baby biscuits which makes Eli very sad. So, Stewart made our little guy a barricade to keep Lucas out! It worked really well and we could enjoy the day without a thousand Lucas kisses.

The Big Move

Here is the view off the back porch of our new little home in Thornton, CO. Isn't it beautiful! We really like our new little home on the lake.

There is a walking path that goes all the way around the lake complete with a little park. It's the perfect walk for three little boys! Every morning we load Eli in the stroller and make our trek around the lake. It's the perfect way to burn off some energy before we start our day.

The Rodeo

Here are my little cowboys. All dressed up and ready for the rodeo. The boys were very excited to get their boots and belt buckles on and go to the Sheridan Wyo Rodeo. I really thought that after a couple of minutes into the rodeo the boys would lose focus and be restless in their seats. I was wrong. The boys loved it and sat quietly watching all the events. They really enjoyed the cowboys, horses, and bulls.

Here is Gabe practicing his roping skills. He loves playing with a rope.

Cousins at the Rodeo

On Friday morning we wake up early and head down to the pancake breakfast before the parade. It was hot by 9:00 in the morning but we enjoyed the morning breakfast and parade. Here are a few shots of the morning.

Waiting for the parade.