Hanging Lake

When Kerry told us she was coming out for vacation, we wanted to give her a "Colorado experience". So we did some research into nearby hikes. We found one called Hanging Lake. It also happens to be in my favorite part of Colorado, Glenwood Canyon. 

Even the drive to Glenwood Springs is amazingly gorgeous. 

Saturday morning, we hopped in the car and drove straight to the Hanging Lake Park parking lot. They only allow a certain number of vehicles into the lot at a time and we were just too late to get in. But Joe was talking to the ranger long enough that a car exited and we got in and got a parking spot close to the trailhead. Then we started out on the hike. 

It was a 936 feet climb over 1.2 miles. After climbing over rocks, past streams and waterfalls, up a crazy set of "stairs", we made it to the top. And saw this view.

We took some time at the top and a few photo ops then headed up higher to see the Spouting Rock waterfall. 

Then we headed back down. 

That evening we found a place to eat in Glenwood Springs called Smoke (where Joe got us a table right away instead of a 2 hour wait time) and celebrated Shaylin's birthday. Then we all crashed at the hotel. There was talk of a pool but everybody was so tired, we ended up going to bed right away.

It was a very Colorado thing to do and was worth the hike.

Minions Movie

Joe's sister and her two kids came out to visit. Kerry was very excited to come with me to the football camp and I was excited to have her oldest watch the other boys so they didn't have to sit with me for three hours.

After the camp, we took everyone to see the new Despicable Me movie. I had a fun filter on my phone so I made everyone take a picture. It's a fun way to document the movie, which was hilarious, of course.

Demaryius Thomas Football Camp

At the boys' school auction this year, we purchased Josh a two day football camp with his favorite Broncos player, Demaryius Thomas. Unfortunately, the first day of the camp, he woke up with a migraine and we had to miss it. But, he was able to make the second day and he loved it. 

Demaryius warmed up with the boys and helped run some football drills.

They also ran a 40 meter dash race. Josh almost won his heat. He was in first until the very end. 

They were divided into teams based on age and had a coach to tell them what to do. After the races, they started scrimmaging with other teams. They had played two games the first day and played two games the second day. Josh's team ended up winning one and losing one on the second day. I'm not sure how they did the first day. 

Demaryius took over quarterbacking duties from Josh partway through his first game. How cool is that? Josh played touch football with a real NFL player. 

The first day the teams had their pictures taken with Demaryius as part of a souvenir from the camp. Since Josh wasn't there that day, they pulled him up during a break and had him take a picture with Demaryius by himself. I think I was more excited than him since he doesn't like to be the center of attention. 

What a great experience. 

Barnstormer Baseball

We joined the ranks of tournament baseball this year. Which means we started baseball in January and ended in July usually playing/practicing four or five days a week. And I know Josh loved every second of it. 

We were blessed with an amazing team. All the kids got along and supported each other no matter what. And all the parents got along and wanted to hang out outside of baseball, which was awesome. Since we spent so much time with each other, this was a huge blessing. It made the long baseball weekends in hotels super fun instead of boring and work. 

We went to seven tournaments with five hotel stays. Which meant a lot of baseball mixed in with some down time. It's a good thing these boys get along.

And a good thing his brothers were willing spectators.

There were lots of pool opportunities, which the brothers enjoyed.

See. They do get along, if only in sleep.

Outside our hotel where they were holding a police convention.

This is a team experience we won't soon forget. 

Thanks for a great season Barnstormers!

Barnstormers vs Parents

To celebrate the (almost) end of season, the Barnstormers booked a field to take on their parents in a game of baseball. 

It was a perfect evening for baseball and I think fun was had on both sides. 

The siblings even got to play.

Thanks for a fun evening Barnstormers and parents!