Catching up

It's time to catch up from last weekends adventures...it seems like it was so long ago, for some reason this week took forever to get to Friday.  But now as I plan tomorrows adventure I look back on last week and the fun we had.  We started out nice and early (in 2 cars as Sean was on call) and headed to Elk Meadows Park.  We had been there before...mostly on the other side where the off-leash dog park is located.  But today, we went to the side with more trails - the side we went on when we were here in November for a quick hike with Liam.  I recall back to that hike, it was rough, we didn't make it very far, we were both out of breath and I was really having trouble, even with my inhaler.  Saturday's trek was much better. We made it to the point we had to turn out in November and it felt great to not even feel tired at that point.  We continued on and hoped to get at least 2 or 3 miles in.  We started on the loop and took a cut off to the top of one peak.  We didn't make it up, had to turn around to meet Erik and Bethany, but we still got some great views and some great exercise.

This was the point we turned around.  I am hoping to head back soon to make it to the top.  We saw many mountain bikes pass us on the way up and I dream of the day I have enough strength to do that.  I haven't been on my bike since we have moved, and I'm itching to get out.  I'm thinking I have a bit of work to do to be trail ready, but I'll get there.  The next part of our day took us over to the dog park to meet Erik, Bethany and Ray Ray.  The just moved here the week before.  We are excited to have closer friends with us - someone to adventure with, hang out with, and have our kids play together - eventually.  We went on a different part of the trail and got a great view of what we guess was Mt. Evans...and I stopped for a minute to take it in, to think about how great it will feel to tackle our first 14er - can't wait for that!

We had lunch in Evergreen and went off our seperate ways.  Liam hadn't napped so we decided to take the longer way home and take him to a park since he was so good all morning in the backpack.  We ended up at Mt. Falcon Park, a park that is about 5 minutes away from our new house.  We decided to let Liam be in charge...he wandered here and there, found this rock and that one to climb on.  We took a few minutes to rest and just let him explore.  I was able to snap this just before he found mud!  

My boys - so happy I got to spend the day with all of them.  Each has thier moments, where they drive me nuts, but I wouldn't trade them for the world.  I wish I had done a better job of getting the beauty of the park in this one, but I was hoping just to get my guys and I did.  I love it.  I also realized what a dorky family we are - we all matched that day, and it was no accident.  Actually, if I remember right, I went to change after I got Liam dressed to be in a similar outfit.  Soon after this picture, Liam discovered some mud.  He loved it so much...he stepped in it, put his hands in it, would have rolled around in it if I let him.  So, it's true, I have a boy on my hands, he loves mud, is facinated with trucks and has no fear at all!  It's so fun to watch him explore and learn each day, growing and getting smarter each moment.  And I'm guessing with parents like us, he will be into far more dangerous things than I would like him to be, I'll get used to it, he'll get bumps, bruises and scraps, but he'll get up even stronger each time.  I ran a little ahead with Burton and took a moment to capture this, it was too sweet of a moment not to catch on camera. 

Liam was so excited to check it all out, trees, rock, pinecones, you name it, he touched it and most likely climbed on it, if it was possible.  We have had quite a few great adventures here, one's that I will forget about unless I record them...which is why this blog is so great, maybe someday Liam will look back on this and laugh at his silliness and cuteness.  I'm sure one day I'll look back on there and shed a few tears at how my little guy is all grown up.  But for now, I'll just enjoy the moments, the new discoveries Liam will make, the new paths he will create and the new life we have found for us, up in the mountains.