Black Canyon, Box Springs, and Telluride

After enjoying some family time in Crested Butte, we drove through Gunnison and the Black Canyon and got the kids out a bit. We took pics at this very same spot a couple of years ago. The next day we met up with the Grandparents and took them to the Ouray Box Canyon Falls. Everyone enjoyed it and got very wet. Just glad we didn't go in early summer. Taylor ventured up high and through a cave with Kevin. I stayed back since Madison was in a pack on my back and my legs just were not ready for that.

One other day we drove to Telluride with Kevin's parents and rode the Gondola up to the ski base area. Lo and Behold, they had one of those Bungee trampoline things. I was certain Taylor wouldn't try it, but he did and kept saying "Higher." Well, somewhere before this picture was taken, Grandma walked away because she simply couldn't watch. Once again... We all survived!

Crested Butte and Paradise Divide

We took our long family vacation this year to the Crested Butte Area (Surprise... Surprise...) and Ouray/Telluride. There were many firsts on this trip. We took Taylor and Madison up Cement Creek and ventured to see some caves. Taylor hiked all the way up to the Caves, despite some minor complaining about his legs hurting. He was very excited when we got there and named the caves after all of his little girlfriends at home. Madison as usual was just along for the ride and enjoying every Minute of it.

The next day, we hiked a very short.. but steep route up to Long Lake... which is quite literally a "long" lake. There is a community canoe there and Kevin and Taylor took it for a spin. My mom pointed out to me later what an awful mother I was to let him go without a life vest... Live and Learn. We all survived. After that, we took the Washington Gulch Road up to Paradise Divide which is a very fun, if not precarious drive. We were supposed to do it in July with friends but we all backed out. It was a pretty as we remembered, and according to Kevin not quite as bad as we thought. The trail to Yule Pass shown here we started, but after losing Jake down a drainage (he recovered), we decided not to continue with kiddos. However, Kevin and I plan to go back and do it ourselves if we get a chance.

Finally, Taylor got to play with the Diggers and Fire pole everyday while we simply Let Madison crawl around and get dirty. She seems to be more adventurous than her brother was at this age and proves to like going down the slide!

Madison Turns 1!

Can you believe Madison has turned 1? I cannot fathom where all the time went. She has become terribly silly and did enjoy putting the cake in her hair, more than putting it in her mouth. We went very low key with just one set of neighbors. What was the funniest, was Taylor opening and playing with all her presents while she got herself tangled in the balloons and the torn wrapping paper.

Sandbox Fun

OK, so we broke down and added a sandbox to our swingset since Mom was getting tired of Madison eating Mulch all the time. A few pics we took of the kiddos playing in the sand. I just love the fact that Madison seems to enjoy the trucks and was "fighting" with Taylor over them.

Crested Butte Trip

In July we took a great trip to Crested Butte with the kids and their Grandma Switzer. This was the first trip out this direction, where Taylor could really understand... this is the Taylor River and Taylor Reservoir. We had fun throwing rocks in the Reservoir to Jake while Madison was busy eating them on shore. Grandma took the kiddos on the bus into town for playground time while Mommy and Daddy hiked in the morning. The bus was a BIG hit with Taylor. Grandma and Taylor took the chairlift up Mt. Crested Butte, which was a huge hit, but hopefully also means we can get him on one for skiing this winter. The wildflowers and the weather were just absolutely gorgeous and I think Mom now understands why we go here so often!

Royal Gorge Train Route

So In late June, Grandma and PopPop Wagner came out. They were nice enough to take us on the Royal Gorge Train. We had a blast and our Little Engineer Taylor just couldn't get enough of it. We even begged to let them take him to see the Engine when the ride was over. This is normally for those kiddos 13 and over, but they let him go. He got to see the Diesel Engine and Blow the horn 3 times! I think Dad and Pop Pop were just as excited about seeing the inside of the Engine. It was apparently very loud with some pretty heavy duty equipment inside. All Aboard!

Pulling up and Playing with Toys

At the end of June, Maddie started pulling herself up. She is now all over the place displaying her curiosity and getting frustrated when you say no. Too Funny!