Hiking Boys

We started

out early on Thursday morning to head to Bear Lake in RMNP to get up there before they close the road for construction at 9am.  That meant rolling out at 7:20am... something my kids are NOT used to.  Armed with cake pops in hand, because mom needed some Starbucks, we were ready for our long drive up the mountain. 

We snuck into the park with two minutes to spare, phew!  After being incredibly thankful to get the last two parking spaces at Bear Lake, Kendra and I unloaded our crazy kids and started the hike.

We heard MANY times all day long from the people we were walking on the path with that we were very brave.  If they only knew what it was like to stay home with all these kids, they would realize it's just as hard to rangle them at home.  We walked, ran, jumped in puddles, climbed on fences, chased chipmunks, and chatted with park rangers. 

The twins did great making it through the hike, but they sure could use a lesson on listening.  I know in six months they will be a little older and easier to communicate with, but for now we will just be happy that they are cute as they run down the path.  I do love thier confidence but I wish they would stay a little closer. 

Tristan and Blake are at such a fun stage.  These fences provided much entertainment for them while our pace slowed a bit to give Piper the chance to experience the hike now that she is a pro at walking! These fences were filled with "bad guys" that these super heros had to fight.  I know Tristan was Wolverine and I think maybe Blake was Batman?

RMNP you will see my kids again whether you like it or not.  I love it up there!  The air is so fresh, still, and quiet.  Without trying to fastforward this next exciting year, I am looking forward to seeing what next summer is like at Bear Lake with my kids.  I think it will look a lot different that this day of hurding cats in the beauty of the mountains.

Nature Walk

This week we had the chance to catch up with our friends Mark and Amanda who are back in the states after finishing thier teacing contract in Brazil and before starting their next contract in Egypt. 

We headed up to Amanda's parent's house in the mountains to take the kids on a walk in their "backyard".

Amanda's dad was Tristan's buddy for the day.  They had the same interests, sense of humor, and most importantly matching hats.  He lead Tristan to "the spine" they had found a few days back.  A mountain lion had a nice snack and left the spine behind for us to talk about.   Pretty awesome for a four-year-old.

The twins did pretty well, and we had lot of help giving them rides on our shoulders when the ground became too uneven.  There were no easy paths up here, but more beauty than other places that are well groomed for hikers.  I was really pround of my kids.  They didn't whine or complain once. 

Finn's sense of humor is really starting to come out.  He decided it would be funny to switch Neil's hat while he was riding.  It was funny!

I am loving this time with my kids.  I know as they get older it will be easier to do more of these walks but I figure there is no harm in getting them started now. 

Twins Turn 2

It's taken me about a month to blog about these cute little two-year-old twins, but at least I got around to it! 
Their birthday started out at the aquarium where we saw the mermaids swim for the first time.  All the boys were dolled up in their new outfits from Neannie and looking good.  We looked at fish and played in the playroom for as long as the boys wanted.  Of course we still had to get home for nap so I had time to work my magic and transform our place into birthday land!

 

We waited and waited for the twins to get up from nap!  I was really excited to see their little faces.  Their friends Blake and Piper came to party and our friends Nadine and Ciera stopped by for some birthday fun.  

 

Balloons are pretty much their favorite things in the world so I just got a bunch of them and put it with their favorite show making the BEST birthday they could have asked for... if they could talk.

We even had a little Pin the butterfly on the Monkey game.  Even with their eyes open they didn't really get it on there very well, but hey they are two!  So happy that these cute little guys are growing up.  Their personalities are really coming out and although turning two has made them extra sassy, I can tell it's also going to be a very fun year!  Happy Birthday Finn and Ian!