Garden of the Gods

Growing up, my parents used to take our family to Garden of the Gods on a regular basis.  This past summer, I realized that it has been years since I had been there, and some of my kids had never been there at all.  Well, that just wouldn't do.  So we went down on a Saturday, grandparents and uncle Dustin included.

 A shot of the kissing camels.

 Baby girl, enjoying her time in nature.

 More of the scenery.  I forgot just how beautiful it all is!

 The kids loved climbing on the rocks.  There's much less climbing allowed than when I used to go as a girl.

Uncle Dus.

 I love this boy's crooked smile. ;)

 Grampy and the boys.

 This girl loves her grandpa.

 Daddy and his girl.  After a while, we stuck Jilly in the back pack.  She wasn't too excited at first, but she learned to love it after a bit.

 Vivi spent much of the time hunting for these little acorns.

 "Look ma! No hands!"

 Viv and grandma Guercio.  Such buds!

 Jilly loves her uncle Dus!

All that hiking made us hungry, and we just couldn't be down in the Springs without making a pit stop at Rudy's.  It's the best BBQ there is!

 The night before we went to Garden of the Gods, Colson had a campout with his scout troop.  I guess they stayed up all night.  Colson was exhausted by the time we started our drive home, to say the least.  :)

 Poor boy.  He slept the whole way home.

Dinosaur Ridge

Way back in February, I had purchased a few Groupons for go-carting at a place up by Golden.  There were enough tickets for Trent, Trenton, Colson, Steve, Sean, and Dustin, and since Dinosaur Ridge is only about a mile away, we decided to make a day of it.  The grandmas and I took the little kids to Dinosaur Ridge while the guys all go-carted to their hearts content.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the go-carting action, but from the sound of things, the guys all had a great time!

 They had painted Stegosaurus models all over the entrance of Dinosaur Ridge.

 Jilly's favorite part was digging through the rocks.  She loves to dig in rocks, dirt, bark chips, just about anything she can get her hands on.  I see a sand box in her near future.  ;)  She was quite upset when our tour time came and we had to go get on the bus.

  


Happy kids!

We totally got busted for having Buds sit on the stegosaurus.  I swear I didn't see the sign that said "No Climbing on the Dinosaurs".

On the bus, heading to see all the sights.  Our tour guide was very informative.  I wish I could tell you all that we learned, but 2 months have gone by since then, and my short term memory isn't what it used to be.  Fascinating stuff though!

Buds and Vivi by some dinosaur footprints.

My sweet boy.

This girl sure loves her grandma.

On one of the stops, Jilly found some more dirt to play in, and she couldn't have been happier.

After go-carting and Dinosaur Ridge, we all met back together and went and grabbed a bite of lunch.  Such a fun day spent with our family!

First Day of School

August means back-to-school time.

On August 13th, Vivi started the first day of school for her 2nd grade year.

 Vivi was so lucky to get Mr. Kennedy for her teacher this year.  Trenton and Colson have both had him as a teacher in previous years, and he is one of our favorites.

 Preston started his first day of Kindergarten on August 15th.  He was so excited to finally go to the "big kid" school.  Preston's teacher this year is Mrs. Winkler, who was also Vivi's teacher when Viv was in Kindergarten.  She's another one of our favorites.

 Waiting in line to go in to school.

 The big boys started school a week later, on the 20th.  Trenton started his 8th grade year.  One more year until high school.  Yikes!

Colson is now a 6th grader.  Two in middle school this year.  Where does the time go?

Funnest Grandmas Ever

Every summer, mine and Trent's moms get together with several of their friends and plan a Cowboy Camp for all of their grandsons, and a Cowgirl/Fairy Camp for all the granddaughters. My kids look forward to it every summer.

Cowboy Camp

 All of the boys.

Trenton, leading all of the boys in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 Making boats to float in the river later.

 Lunch time!

 Brothers.

 Someone pulled some strings, and the boys all got to take a ride around town in a fire engine.

It was a small fire engine, and there were quite a few boys, so the thing was just covered in kids.  I'm glad I wasn't there to see it.  According to the grandmas, it didn't look especially safe.  But the boys sure did have fun!  And most importantly, nobody fell off or got hurt in any way.  :)

 Enjoying the ride.

The boys loved the ride on the fire engine, especially Preston.

 There was even an obstacle course set up for these boys.  They had the funnest day!

Cowgirl/Fairy Camp

 Viv and the grandmas.

 Viv, with Debbie and her granddaughter.

Zumba time!

 Having a little lunch.

 Vivi and grandma Guercio.

Vivi had so much fun hanging out with tons of girls all day.  They got to craft, dance, play in the river, and just had an all around fun day!  :)

The kids all had the best time spending these days with their grandmas!  They are so lucky to have some of the best grandparents in the world!