Summer blast

Every year we do a big celebration right before school starts to celebrate how much fun we had in the summer.  This year I wanted to tube down the Arkansas River in Pueblo and somehow I convinced everyone else to want to go too.  I had a blast but I'm not sure the kids felt the same.  Cyan said "I liked the thought of it but not the experience."  I'm not sure how they are complaining since I went overboard the most.  Dominick and Jen our neighbors went with us too.

OTC

The Johnsons are big fans of the Olympics so the night before the opening ceremonies we visited the Olympic Training Center.

 The flame was above us.

 Next to the flame.

 The mayor happened to be there and said a few words because they were kicking off the Rocky Mountain State Games as well.

Olivia's third tooth

Olivia finally lost one of her front teeth.  It has been loose for so long it was beginning to get discolored.  Yuck!

Fishing

With the kids still away, James and I went fishing on the boat with the Johnson's.  It was such a fun time.  I cannot remember a time when I laughed like that. 

Beautiful scenery and the birds are white pelicans

 James takes fishing seriously.  He only fishes, not chatting and no eating.

 Here was the catch.  They were sure tasty that night.

Date Night!

The kids were with Kitty for the night so James and I went out for date night.  We visited Joseph's Fine Dining and the food was amazing.

Classic 10k

James and I signed up for a whole series of races this year.  There was always one looming over me... the 10K.  Well the fires/smoke and terrible heat totally derailed any plans I had to train.  So why not run a 10k for the first time without doing any training or ever running that distance before.  Sure I will!!! 

Of course James rocked it and I... finished.  I think the only thing that counts is finishing.

Dessert

While the girls were with the babysitter one day they made desserts.  They came up with the recipe and ideas on her own.  Basically, it was a marshmallow topped with all sorts of things.  There was a banana, blueberry, sesame seed, sea salt one.  There was cinnamon chocolate chip with red sprinkles.  Plus many many more.

Baseball

The girls are once again playing baseball this season.  They are both Dodgers and have the same coach.  They are doing really good.

Olivia and her team saying the pledge.

 Olivia batting

 Cyan batting (she takes it very seriously)

Cyan and her teammates

 Olivia has a friend whose brother is on Cy's team.  You can tell what she would rather do - CHAT!
 Cyan batting again.

Parade

We all happened to be home for the Pikes Peak or Bust Parade.  I liked this little horse pulling the cart.

Karate

Here is the girls at their Karate lesson.  I guess here it is a little more like MMA as they are learning a kimora (dont ask me)

Camping 4

The girls saved their money all summer to go horseback riding.  They went all by themselves without a parent too. 

 There they go... number 3 and 4.

 On the trail

 After that we headed out of town.  We stopped for lunch in Winter Park and walked around a bit.

 Rock climbing at the park.

Camping 3

We went into Grand Lake for the day and suprisingly it was sunny!

 The girls got their feet wet, to bad we didnt know they had a beach or we would have brought suits.

 Playing at the park



Camping 2

Our next activity was archery.

 Cyan had a pretty good shot (they were really hard to get because the arrows were so dull)

 We couldn't have a campfire because of the fire ban so we roasted marshmallows on a gas stove.

 We also made Jiffy Pop which freaked them out a bit.

 If you stood very still the hummingbirds would drink with you there.  The camp host let all the kids try.  Cyan had two land on her hand.

 Next came canoeing, we had to reschedule to the morning because of the constant afternoon rain.

 Late night dodgeball game where James rocked it.