Vail 2013 - A Rafting Trip

The boys had a lot of fun while I was at work in Colorado. They went to playgrounds, biked, hiked, went "exploring", visited a local science museum, visited the local library for story time and even did some swimming. I have virtually no photos of all of this fun, since I wasn't there and S didn't take photos. I do, however, have photos from the one other event we took in as a family - a river rafting trip! Here are the photos:

We were in a raft like that one. There was water in the bottom of the raft, so your feet got wet.

When you went over the mild rapids, other parts got wet, too!

The scenery was quite amazing, of course.

These are mud nests made by a certain kind of bird.

A train passed us by on the river!

For the first part of the trip, the boy was on the opposite side of the boat from me.

Some geese!

An example of our mild rapids. 

They got a little wilder than this, but not by much.

We passed several sets of fly fishermen.

And kayakers.

We stopped and walked around for a bit a little past halfway through.

So I took some wildflower photos.

Of course.

And the boys waded in the water.

And they also used the binoculars.

This was our able and wonderful guide.

After the pit stop, the official photographer caught us together on one side of the boat.

After rafting, we went to a ranch to eat and there were a few games to play.

It was a fun day.

See you soon!

Vail 2013 - The Beaver Creek Rodeo

The first night we were in Vail, after everyone was checked in to their respective hotels, S, LM and I went over to Avon to check out the Beaver Creek Rodeo. We went to this rodeo last year, when it was VERY COLD and VERY WET. This year, it was very sunny and bordering on hot. All in all, for a rodeo, this year's weather was better. Here are some photos:

Since it was good and warm...

...snow cones were in order!

The rodeo princesses rode the flags around the corral.

And this year's clown was WAY better than last year's clown.

One of the cowboys lost his boot...

The boy and me.

And most of of the boy and me here...

Just me w the silly grin.

 

The kids in the calf races.

Clearly, S had the camera a LOT this night.

Barrel racing.

 

Aha! I got the camera back!

A good night at the rodeo.

We watched a bit of the mutton bustin', but then we left before the steers, because we had a tired boy and it was a bit warm out there. Luckily, after one more day of warmer temps, it cooled off and was really nice for the rest of our stay. 

See you soon.

Anthony's 3rd Birthday

LM, Max, Anthony

The weekend before we headed for the hills, so to speak, LM was invited to Anthony's birthday party. It was at a place where the kids could paint something. On the way there, LM fell asleep, and I realized I did not bring my camera. So, when we arrived, LM was a little shy and not too sociable, and I checked for the purse camera. Dead battery. Thus, all photos were taken with the camera phone. And, eventually, the boy warmed up.

 

You will see, however, that he did is work away from the group.

Here is was telling me to help him.

There were some real masterpieces in the bunch!

Then there were snacks and cake!

Then everyone took a home a balloon.

It was a fun day.

See you soon!

Happy 4th of July - Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, I am sitting in Vail, CO, on the last full day before we return to the heat island where we live. Yesterday, my mom surprised me by coming to Vail to celebrate with me on my birthday! And, well, today is it. Today is my 40th birthday. Entrance into my 5th decade. Better than the alternative, as they say. So, to honor the occasion, I thought I would make a list of 40 things I am thankful for. Here we go - I started to try to prioritize them, but then, it was more of a stream of consciousness list, and we can't blame my consciousness - so it is in no particular order - and I purposely waited to do this the morning of my birthday. If I were to ruminate over it for days, it would probably be a better list, but for today, here is the exercise I laid out for myself. Without further ado:

1 - my family. My immediate family - my wonderful husband and my delightful son, my extended family of brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and my mom and dad. I am every day thankful for this bunch of people who I get to call my family.

2 - my faith. It wavers a lot. It ebbs and flows, but it is nurtured by my church, friends, family and the world around me. 

3 - my job(s). I am lucky to have a job where I am valued, where I enjoy (usually) what I do, have amazing colleagues and wonderful experiences. 

4 - my home. I feel safe in my home, it is my refuge from the literal or figurative storm, and I am lucky to have it.

5 - stability. Even though things change and sometimes are tough and even unbearable, my life is way more stable than many - I know I will eat, I know I have a place to sleep, I have relative job stability, a car, a support network, and even the ability to enjoy the fruits of my labor from time to time. This is a huge blessing that I try very hard not to take for granted or forget to appreciate.

6 - my furry family members - Echo and Norman - and all those who came before them - they have brought joy to my life, and they are happy companions in this thing called life.

7 - the natural world - I am reminded of the beauty of this planet, especially this week where I work in the mountains. This earth is amazing, and I am thankful for it.

8 - chocolate. Might as well get that one on the list.

9 - Coffee. With cream. Divine. And, it reminds me of both my Nana and my Dad. So it's a habit I won't be rid of.

10 - The fact that I grew up in a place and a family, that despite a divorce in my formative years, showed me support, respect and love and taught me that I could do anything.

11 - My hometown. The Midwest is a magical place of people who don't get too caught up in themselves. A far away land from Big D. And I'm glad I grew up there.

12 - Dallas - my adopted new town - with all it's big hair and false pretenses, it has become my home and treated me well. 

13 - Music. Music has shaped my life in immeasurable ways, and without it, life would be so much less.

14  - The arts. I am lucky to be immersed in a culture where they are valued and prevalent. They enrich my life in many ways!

15 - A cool summer morning.

16 - Rain. When I moved to Dallas, this wouldn't have been on the list. But, has my Dallas friends pointed out early on, and now I believe them, rain is wonderful.

17 - Getting to travel and see other cultures and places. It expands my view and for that I am thankful.

18 - My mom's macaroni and cheese

19 - The great card my son gave me today that plays the hampster dance.

20 - The cake I'll receive later today that my son picked out - a princess cake. I love that he thinks his Mommy deserves a princess cake.

21 - Wine. And a good amber ale. On occasion.

22 - Photography as a hobby. I love the creative outlet it gives me. 

23 - Swinging on the playground.

24 - Swimming, walking, being physical with this body God gave me.

25 - Health. This one, if I was organized and putting these in order, should be up much, much higher. 

26 - Freedom. I share my birthday with my country's Independence Day. I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and the country I call home, even if it is exasperating to live through the democratic process at times.

27 - Friends - friends I've known since I was 4 to friends I've just made, I have a wonderful group of saints that I am lucky to call my friends.

28 - A good pedicure.

29 - My own bed. Which I am thankful for separate and above my own home. Nothing quite like your own bed.

30 - Wow, I made it to 30. I know I have many things more to be thankful for - but sister, this is harder than I thought it would be! Fresh summer tomatoes. That's a good one for 30.

31 - And summer corn, squash, zucchini. Vegetables in season.

32 - My hair stylist. She makes me look presentable. And this is a big job.

33 - Lip balm.

34 - Strawberries

35 - Hugs and kisses. What is better than hugs and kisses! 

36 - A good cry

37 - Books - a guilty pleasure these days, but something I have always loved. I have learned, been transported to far away lands, cared about characters who were written so well they seemed to be real, and hours lost in a magical place.

38 - Technology that helps melt the miles away between friends and family near and far.

39 - A well fitting bra. Let's get serious here, sister.

40 - The fact that I've made it to 40 with all these blessings in tow. That makes me a very lucky girl indeed. Here's to many, many more Happy Birthdays!

I made it! Happy 4th of July to you and yours!

See you soon.