The Girls of Summer

Last week we did our first Rockies game as a family of four.  We've taken Brooklynn before, but were hesitant to take Chandler, because she's such a mover.  Brooklynn's been asking to go to another game, so we couldn't turn down the free tickets.

In their Rockies gear (one of my fave pics - it's a hug not a choke hold...promise)

 After a Rockies homerun

 Chandler loved eating the peanuts - the whole thing....shell and all!

The girls were great!  We actually got to see the Rockies pound the Astros, so that was a bonus too.  We're hoping for many more family baseball games and hopefully more Rockies wins!

Mt. Democrat

On Saturday we were lucky enough to have Adam to get our group together to hike our first 14er!  Steve and I have been wanting to do this for awhile and told ourselves we needed to do it this summer.  So Friday night we headed up to Fairplay to stay the night before the early morning hike to Mt. Democrat.  There were about 20 of us eager to get started and figure out what we were in for.  We had some experienced hikers, some 14er virgins, and 1 dog.  It was a 2 mile hike to the summit, ascending 2,000 feet in elevation.  Boy, was it steep and rocky! 

Our Journey:

Looking back at Kite Lake (where we started at 12,000 feet)

 Getting closer....

 Finally there!  14,148 feet.....whew!

 *I'll have to post the group pic later. 

 Stopping to enjoy the wildflowers on the way down

Our entire group made it to the top and some even went on to hike the nearby 14ers.  We only made one,, fearing our bodies maybe wouldn't hold up.  Next time we'll try 2 in a day for sure!

Hiking a 14er was a much different experience than leisurely hiking through the woods enjoying the scenery.  In the tundra there is little scenery around you.  And you're on a mission to get to that summit, so the enjoyment comes then, rather than throughout the hike.  Overall, it was a great experience and we're already planning on our next one!

After we did this I thought I'd revisit my "goals" or "resolutions" for the year.  Not too bad........

1. Run a 10K race (no walking)



2. Continue to workout at the gym at least 3 times per week    Have done....so far.....


3. Take a class to learn something new - sewing, cake decorating, or photography  Did sewing and cake decorating.  Check!


4. Scrapbook at least monthly! I'm so behind on the girls' scrapbooks -  uh.....oops.  Haven't had a chance to do this even once this year.


5. Buy myself at least 1 article of clothing a month (I know this sounds strange, but I've gotten really bad about spoiling myself)  This one was easy to fulfill!


6. Go on a date night with my sweet hubby at least once a month - We've gotten better, but haven't kept track if our dates are monthly


7. Read more books! (at least 10 this year - 1 done....9 to go) - 4 1/2 done - need to read more to make it!


8. Pursue a business opportunity (don't know what i want to do, but this is the time to try it, right?) We'll be worldwide, right Carrie? - Working on the cake business - Sweet Somethings


9. Find a mommies group nearby to connect with more moms.  Will work on this in the fall and winter


10. Hike a 14er with Steve!  Done!  Check!

Secret Spots

This summer we've been to some pretty amazing places with the kids.  Along the way we've found some "hidden" gems - places you don't always hear about but are worth checking out!  Some of these places we just happened upon by chance and some I've found in some good blogs and websites I've come across from other moms.

1.  WOW Museum in Lafayette - small childrens' museum not nearly as crowded as Denver's and you only pay for the kiddos!
2.  Berry Patch Farms - pick your own berries and then picnic at the farm with the chickens and pigs
3.  Denver Puppet Theatre - Steve's parents took the girls here, but they absolutely loved it!  And you even get to play with the puppets after the show.
4.  Dragon Boat Festival & Edgewater Kids Fest - We've done the boat festival before to see Kenz hula, but now they do a kids' festival across Sheridan, and the kids loved it!  They had train rides, jumpy houses, face painting, pony rides, and lots of free samples!
5.  The Bay - Broomfield's mini water park with small slides for the kids, and you can even take any kiddo any size down the slide with you.  And it's a fraction of the cost of Water World!
6.  E B Rains Park in Northglenn (120th & Grant)- this park has fountains for the kids, a COVERED playground, and you can rent paddle boats for a small fee.  There's even vendors hanging around selling yummy food.

At the puppet theater

 Dress-up at the WOW museum

 Dragon Boat Festival

 Meeting Tinkerbell at the Edgewater Kids Fest

 Brooklynn yelling "All Aboard" on the train ride

 Paddle boating at the park (Yes Brooklynn is steering - yikes!)

 On the tractor to find some berries!

 Admiring the chickens on the farm

Of course it's always fun to make a trip to the zoo, museum, or the other "can't miss" spots, but finding these gems has made for an adventurous summer!

Our Little Readers

Brooklynn has started reading to Chandler nightly, and it's the cutest thing ever!  I love that my girls just love their books!  Notice our little teacher (Brooklynn) already praising her sister and getting her to predict.  Wow!