Oktoberfest 2013 in Beaver Creek and Vail

A sunny Oktoberfest with cold beer for the adults, warm pretzels for the kids, and plenty of sun for all welcomed us to Beaver Creek over Labor Day.  Nick and Slade took the festivities to the next level by entering the afternoon brat eating contest.  While Nick made it clear he was there for the free brat and a beer, Slade unexpectedly made a run for the title!  He took down 5 brats in three minutes to make the final round, only to lose to the 20-something emaciated guy in dreadlocks after a tense 2-minute scarf-a-thon.  All were impressed and Slade even won his own spontaneous cheering section from the crowd.

First day of kindergarten

Luke on his first day of Kindergarten.  Summit View Elementary.  Mrs. Nicholas is his teacher.

10 Year Anniversary Trip: Ouray to Santa Fe

Our 10 Year Anniversary Trip to Ouray, CO and Santa Fe, NM was wonderful.  Grandy and Grandad watched the boys for more then a week while we went on a road trip.  We started out in Lake City, CO famous for Alphie Packer who is a famous Colorado Cannibal.  We tried to hike Handies Peak but the weather was so bad that we had to skip that hike.  Instead we put the 4 Runner to use and drove over what is usually beautiful scenery but was so socked in with fog and clouds we could not see much.  

We drove to 12, 640 feet

An old mining site

Arriving in Ouray, CO

Starting our hike up Mt. Sneffels

This was REALLY steep and we had to look up for rocks falling down from hikers above.

I love this picture!  Summit of Mt. Sneffels.  Elevation 14, 150  July 30, 2013

#1 my first fourteener

In a wildflower field on the way down.

We arrive in New Mexico

The first church in Santa Fe

The Miraculous Staircase in the Loretto Chapel

We ate at lots of yummy restaurants and had great margaritas.  

R.O.C.K. in the USA!!!

We had a great extended long weekend up in Vail and Glenwood Springs, Colorado for the 4th of July.  We arrived the evening of the 3rd and spend the 4th in Vail.  Vail always has a great parade.

Wes played in the new fountains after the parade and lunch.

We then drove about an hour to Glenwood Springs to play from Friday to Sunday.  Our first stop was a hike up Scouts Trail.  It was a beautiful view up top but would not hike it again because of the many mountain bikers on the trail.

Glenwood in the background.

After our hike we went to our bed and breakfast at 4 mile creek.   It was a beautiful spot in a valley by a creek.  This is the renovated barn below.  The entire property had old farm relics and it was fun exploring and explaining to the boys what they were used for.
                                       

Our 17 mile bike ride through Glenwood Canyon...

Hiking up Grizzly Creek

Luke graduates from Cougar Run Elementary Little Cougars PreK

Luke had a wonderful experience at Little Cougars PreK.  He learned a ton and made great friends.  Ms. Camille and Ms. Jen were loving and caring teachers.  

Ms. Camille

Luke's good friends:Gavin is in the middle.

Wes' Preschool End of Year celebration

Ms Lori had the best songs picked for these preschoolers.  If only you could see a typical quiet Wes sing his heart out.  We were all laughing so much!  He was full of expression.  They were all dressed up as Pete the Cat.  Wes stepped in a pile of peas and turned his socks green!  At the end Ms. Lori gave him the award for the biggest imagination.  She said that in the 17 years she has had a preschool, Wes is the one with the best stories and the biggest imagination.  She would not be surprised if he was a creative writer some day.     

Wes receiving his award for the biggest imagination.