Beaver Creek Rodeo

During the first week we were in Vail, on the one night there was not a concert, there was a rodeo over in Beaver Creek, so we decided to check it out. Right as the rodeo was about to begin, the weather settled in for some shenanigans. There was a good stiff wind, cooler temperatures, and rain all around, although not much right AT the rodeo, so we decided to keep on. I'm glad we did, because despite the weather, we had a nice time. Here are some photos:

Outside the arena area.

You can see the wind here.

On the way out the door, we grabbed LM's jacket. SO glad we did, or we would not have been able to stay for any of it. We didn't have jackets for ourselves, but at least LM was relatively warm. Also, you'll note how straight, relatively, his hair is in this photo - the air was so dry up there, the whole time we were in Colorado, that his curls were a lot flatter. Interesting.

There was this tee-pee.

They were face painting in the tee-pee. We didn't go in because we figured LM wouldn't hold still long enough for his face to be painted. Good thing we didn't, because moments after we arrived and that wind started kicking up, the tee-pee was GONE. No one was hurt - they all scattered to the winds and it was OK, but man, it just came down just like that, lickety split!

There were horses - that you could RIDE.

This old boy looked THRILLED at this possibility.

Hee hee.

LM is into anything related to animals these days, but especially enamored with "horseys." We don't call them "horseys" but he does - maybe someone at school calls them that. Anyway, he was totally into seeing the horses, touching them, talking about them. So, we went to get in line to ride one. We were early at the rodeo and were the first in line. We signed the waiver and put a helmet on him.

Waiting to ride.

The horses, all ready. 

And, heading to ride - you can see where this is headed, can't you.

If I had video, you could hear him saying, in his sweet little voice,

"No! No! No! No! No! No horsey! No horsey!"

So we took a picture with the horse and left.

And headed for the beaver tails!

That wind was COLD, people.

Cattle.

Then we went out into the stands to watch a bit of the action.

Only a bit, you understand, because we were cold and wet, so we didn't stay long.

bronco riding

cattle roping

cowboys...

...the rodeo clown - in the red and black in the stands.

We headed back out of the stands after about only 45 minutes of rodeo. That was long enough for the boy, probably, even if it wasn't cold. He wanted to go back over near the horses when we left. So, we decided to ask him if he wanted to try riding the horse again, since the line was down to almost nothing again. He said yes. And THIS TIME, he actually rode that steed!

With a paci of course, because every good horseman uses a paci.

And a look at the exciting ride itself on video.

So, while the weather could have been better, I'm not sure we would have stayed much longer with a toddler anyway. It was a fun, different outing with the boy, and he seemed to enjoy it. So, there you go.

See you soon.

Settling In

Prior to the Beaver Creek Rodeo

We are back into our normal routines this week, and all is well. Well, as well as you could expect after a two week hiatus from the normal routine. Said routine is a little, well, creaky. I downloaded the photos I took in Colorado last night, but I was so tired I just went to bed and didn't go through them. Then, about 1:30am, I woke up, wide awake. So, after wallowing in the bed for a while, I got up and went through the photos. Over 700 of them. Ahem. Then, I set them to upload to Flickr and went back to bed a bit before 4 a.m.

I'll tell you all about it soon - but you can see the weather was part of the story.

Then, I heard the electricity flicker off and back on, after I sort of fell back asleep. So, well, not so many photos got uploaded. Oh well. But, we're making progress. Progress is good. Once I get them to actually upload, I'll tell you about them here. Happy Wednesday!

That didn't stop us from having fun!

Oh how I love these boys!

See you soon.

Back Home Again

I have some photos I need to download, but here are some shots from my phone from the last few days we were up there. For some reason, I cannot get the videos to upload, so I'll have to share those another day:

On my day off, we took a bike ride.

LM loves bike rides, as you know!

Playing on the pirate playground - walking the plank!

The sun coming over the mountains, the view from the condo.

Waiting for Dad and Torchy

Dad and Torchy came out the second week we were there, and they stayed nearby in Lionshead. I snapped this photo in their hotel lobby. We had a great time with them. LM especially liked having them there.

One night S and LM went to the concert.

And sat at the top of the lawn, where the kiddos hang out.

On July 4th

On the 4th, we took the bus over to Dad and Torchy's to watch the parade from their place, because their balcony was on the parade route. It was a great way to watch a parade! On the 5th, we left Vail and went to Breckenridge to stay a day or two and visit some more with Dad and Torchy. 

This is on the Breckenridge gondola.

Ooh - there's Grandpa!

On top of the mountain!

On the way back down.

On Saturday, we started home. 

Just a bit past Breckenridge, we saw this.

The clouds were over the mountains that morning.

But things cleared up later!

A playground stop in Channing, TX

While eating string cheese.

Marching back to the car with Dad.

Checkers after lunch at Cracker Barrel

We had a nice time in CO, especially once I felt better! The boys had fun even while I was working. And, it was so nice to have them there when I came home from work. Now, back to the normal routine, which isn't all that bad. It's always nice to get away, and also always nice to come home.

See you soon.