South Valley Park

Still back in September, we headed out for a Saturday hike to South Valley Park, part of the Jefferson County Parks system with similar, though less dramatic, scenery to Roxborough Park, one of our favorites.  While the red rocks at South Valley aren't quite as exciting as Roxborough, it was free (woohoo!).  Roxborough is a state park and is around $10 a car to get in. 

We came a day or two after a big storm so the trails were a little sketchy.  Nothing a two year old couldn't handle!

In fact, Will would have sat there all day throwing dirt clods if we had let him.

Our trusty $10 garage sale back pack has been quite handy on our hikes.  However, the bottom strap is broken which means there's not a lot of support (resulting in ouchie backs for me & Grant).  It may be time for an upgrade.

Running, running.

Love my boys.

Belleview Park

So.... back in September... we headed out to a new (to us) park, Belleview Park.  We had heard great things about the train and petting zoo and Will was excited.  Our friends, the Cranes, were meeting us there, but we got there early and Will ran around by himself for a bit.

Looking for the train...

Really looking for the train...

Tunnel! One of Will's favorite things.

Love love his blonde hair.

Will and his friend, Wells, are just a few months apart.  Wells was born in Texas, right before we moved to Denver.  Luckily, Wells and his family moved to Denver just a few months ago!

The boys loved the petting zoo.  Especially Will, who is eager to get his hands on anything furry and dirty.

Maddie and Millie.  Maddie is such a stylish mama and I am always impressed with how adorable their understated, yet put together she and her children look.  Recently, Maddie opened her own Etsy shop where she sells perfect little bows for babies.  You can check it out here.

Look mama! I pet a chicken!

Of course, we had to ride the train as well.  Wells was thrilled.  No really, this is his thrilled face.

Cheeseball.

Sweet little Millie.

While we're hoping we never live in Texas again (can you say heat wave), we love having the Crane's nearby.  They are our little piece of Texas and we love having them around.

Weekend Family Camping Reunion

The last weekend in July, we met up with Uncle Robbie & Aunt Katie (cute little newlyweds!) for a few days camping.   We looked for a campsite halfway between Provo & Denver and found Jumbo Campground outside of Mesa, CO.

We traded off meals-- Uncle Reebee cooked up some yummy coke chicken the first night.

Grant brought his new hammock and hung out with Baby Will.

Our trip fell on Rob's birthday and mine was two weeks earlier so we brought each other presents.  We both decided on Swedish fish, but somehow I got out-presented...

And of course, Will was the cutest.

Oh, and the dirtiest...

Uncle Reebee taught Bubby how to hit sticks together.

It quickly became one of Will's favorite hobbies.

We hiked the next morning.

Past the lake...

through a meadow...

and up to a big rock pile.

Will got some killer splinters that got infected.  There was some serious screaming when we finally pinned him down to get them out.  Bleh.

But splinters aside (as well as the torrential rain that kept us tent-ed all evening), we had a fantastic time.  Will loves his Aunt Katie & Uncle Reebee!

Devil's Head

A few weeks ago, we headed out for a hike up to Devil's Head, home of the last working fire lookout station in Colorado.  

It was 2.8 miles round trip and Willister hung out in the backpack most of the way up. He likes it pretty well, (no screaming or fighting), but sure doesn't mind when it's time to get out!

We had Grumsie, Uncle Matthead, and friends Monroe & Lisa for climbing buddies.

At the top of the hike there is a 100+ stair climb to the top of the lookout tower. The stairs are anchored into the rocks and it's pretty steep, but Will was up for the challenge.

Cute baby butt.

He made it!

There was a nice old forest ranger in the tower.  He lives up on the mountain and has been working the lookout tower for some 20-odd years.

The 360 degree view was gorgeous.

And Will was definitely all tuckered-out by the time we got down. We love our day hikes, but they sure do mess up regular nap times-- boo for that!