Estes Park trip

The weekend was a blur of packing, unpacking, eating, playing, repacking and driving. We had a wonderful time this year but it just seems to have come and gone so quickly. On our way to the cabin we encountered the Elk standing at the edge of the road. Joel pointed out that we should not have been surprised. The name of the road was Elk Way. Jace was amazing. Saturday evening, when we got settled into the cabin, we headed down the road to visit the Wyoming cousins in their cabin. Jace walked/tumbled down the steep drive and through the tall grasses. He didn't ever fall but it was tough for me to watch. He just loved the freedom and open space to explore. He chased after any ball that he saw with his arm straight out in front of him shouting, "baa, baa". He did the same to the Romsa's dog Max only he would shout, "daa, daa". I followed him around trying to steer him away from the mud puddles that were all over after the rain. It was starting to get dark when we headed back to our cabin. Jace was tired but would not let anyone carry him. It was adorable watching him march back up the steep hill in his hoodie sweatshirt. He looked like a little penguin with his small hopping steps. He did fall backwards three times on the hike. He never cried (except when we tried to carry him).

Sunday there was lots of time for playing outside. My favorite photo of the weekend was this one of Jace and Emma at the screen door Sunday morning. Both of them were anxious to get outside. Everyone else was busy with breakfast.

Victoria was there for a little while on Sunday. She is just a few days younger than Jace. They are about the same size. Jace didn't take much notice of her unless she had a toy he wanted. She cracked everyone up when she took off her shoes and smelled inside them.

Jace enjoyed corn on the cob at lunch and I did not enjoy the diaper a few hours later. Yikes.

Joel practiced his horseshoe throwing in a friendly competition.

I partnered with Lori in an exciting round of Nertz (card game). We almost beat the dream team, Jessica and Travis. While the card game was going Jace started snacking with Grandpa Gary and Joel. He was so cute he kept coming over to them, pointing at the open bag of potato chips, and saying "peeeeeas". Of course no one can resist him when he is being so polite. After several times we figured out that he was feeding the chips to Max, the dog.

At the swimming pool Jace was in the water maybe 10 minutes before he decided he was done. Instead of swimming he wanted to march all around the edge of the pool. The wet, tile surface was slick so he kept Grandpa Gary and Aunt Jessica very busy following him around holding on to him so he wouldn't slip.

Jace slept great after one of his busiest days ever.

Monday we packed up and went over to the main YMCA center to check out. There was a lot of posing for photos with not a lot of successful shots. The ones you see in the slide show had to have a bit of editing. It is tough to get Jace to ever look at the camera when you want him to. It is even tougher to get the adults in the shot to look at the camera when Jace is there.

We spent a nice afternoon in Estes Park exploring the craft show and having lunch at a rooftop Mexican restaurant. We enjoyed Aunt Debbie's company and wished that Uncle Greg and Christopher could have come with her.

Today it is back to work for Joel. He is in Angel Fire, NM again. I have to figure out a schedule to keep up with homework. I am taking three classes this fall working on getting my Group Leader Certification. With it I will be able to lead early-childhood classes.

Happy Birthday to my Mom

who celebrated her birthday over the weekend.

Congratulations to Sarah

for doing the Disney Half-Marathon over the weekend.

Can't wait to hear how it went.