The Colorado Vacation - The Finale

On day 5, we sadly parted ways with the Kings.  As they headed home, we made our way to Denver for a few more activities.  We visited the aquarium and saw all kinds of aquatic wildlife.  We even got to touch a ray!

We stayed near the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.  At the last minute, we decided to take in a Colorado Rockies game.  We rode the bus down the mall...

Then we walked to the ballpark where we enjoyed a good baseball game...

...and E enjoyed his first taste of cotton candy!

Our trip concluded with a quality visit with Mary's long-time friend Julie.  Julie, a current resident of Ghana (Africa), just-so-happened to be visiting family in Denver.  Julie is doing well and we had a wonderful visit.  We couldn't have calculated a better ending to our wonderful Colorado trip!

The Colorado Vacation - Part V

Day 4 of our trip was perhaps the highlight for my train-loving little boy.  We rode an authentic narrow-gauge steam engine from Silver Plume to Georgetown.  The train ride was absolutely awesome including big black puffs of smoke and a fine shower of mist from the steam engine's spout.  Everett was almost speechless...almost.

The Colorado Vacation - Part IV

Day 3 of the Colorado trip was a little more strenuous.  Scott and I got up early and headed to the base of Gray's and Torrey's Peaks.  In 2005, Scott and I summited our first 14,000-foot peak at Mount Bierstadt.  That 2005 hike was pretty tough for a couple of unprepared flat-landers and we paid the price. 

This time, Scott and I were both in better physical condition and we were a little more prepared.  As a result, we knocked out the 9 mile hike in 5 hours that were down right enjoyable.  We made it to the top of the Gray's Peak (14,270) and Torrey's Peak (14,267), took in the awe-inspiring views, snapped a few photos, and blazed back down the hill.  Now, I can't wait to do it again.

The Colorado Vacation - Part III

Our families chipped in and rented an awesome mountain home in Breckenridge.  The mountain house was complete with a hot tub, huge deck, and a wonderful view of the Breckenridge ski slopes.  However, it was getting late in the day when we finally pulled into our mountain retreat.  The boys, freshly coated with salsa, milk, honey (from the sopapillas), and other gross little boy detritis were nearing bedtime and ready for a wash down.  So, we tossed all three in a tub and sat back eagerly awaiting some quality entertainment that only parents can appreciate.  The boys had a fun time splashing and hollering and I think the parents got just as wet as the boys.

The next day, we all rode the gondola to the top of Peak 8 on the Breckenridge ski slopes. 

Once at the top of the gondola, E and I jumped on the ski lift and went a little further up the hill so we could ride the Super Alpine Slide.  The slide was awesome and E yelled "Yeeeehaw, faster daddy!" all the way down. 

The Colorado Vacation - Part II

Our next stop on the CO trip was Casa Bonita in Denver.  Apparently, a trip to CO just isn't a trip without a stop at Casa Bonita.  We met the Kings in the Casa Bonita parking lot...the boys were happy to see each other:


We all chowed down on some grub and explored the indoor caves, rides, and waterfall.  The boys also did a little mountain climbing while in Casa Bonita...

Casa Bonita was pretty cool but I was ready to head to the real mountains...

The Colorado Vacation - Part I

Immediately after the 4th of July, we took a trip to Colorado to cool off from the sweltering Kansas City heat. Denver has the coolest childern's museum we've found.  So, of course, we had to make a stop to check it out.  E really enjoys playing with their extensive train collection.  He and I built a really cool train track that spanned two train tables.  The other kids were pretty impressed.

We also painted some cool pictures in the art gallery!

Happy Independence Day!

Mary, E, and I had a small Independence Day celebration in the comfort of our back yard.  E whetted his firework appetite with a few sparklers, throw-down snap-pops, and parachutes.

Everett in the Rain

We got a sudden burst of rain yesterday while we were playing the in the sandbox.  At first, I scooped up E and ran inside.  Then, we decided it would be fun to shuck our shirts and run around in the rain. 

E and I were having a great time...then the neighbor kids joined in and it became a full-on party.  Summer is the greatest!

Happy Independence Day!

E had a fun party at school to commemorate our country's independence.  All the kids marched around in fun hats and big, happy smiles.  Here, E and his good buddy Gavin lead his classroom out to join the march.

Snack time followed the march!  The teachers passed out plain ol' sugar cookies, followed by a dollup of icing, and finally sprinkles.  The kids were supposed to decorate their cookies with the icing and sprinkles; however, E simply couldn't wait.  He was the first kid to down the cookie!  Next, he went mono y mono with the icing and, of course, won convincingly.  Gavin, on the other hand, waited patiently to eat his cookie.  Like a good buddy, when Gavin saw that E was fresh out of snack, he generously offered up some of his sprinkles by sticking them on the end of his finger and rubbing them on E's cheeks.  Mary and I had a hearty laugh along with Gavin's parents.  Peas in a pod.

Super Lincoln is 4!

Last Sunday Lincoln celebrated his fourth birthday with a big bash.  Lincoln invited E and a bunch of his other buddies over for a cool party.  We had a great time eating cupcakes, playing trains, and generally being crazy boys!

Everett the Cyclist

We've been blessed with the greatest neighbors that all have childern older than E.  As a result, we often get cool hand-me-downs...like this awesome, brand new bike!  I did a little tunin' and tweakin' then convinced E to give it a go.  He was hesitant at first but soon figured it out.  Getting E on a bike is pretty important and special to me as it is with any father.  Many of my most fond childhood memories include my bikes.  Seeing E cranking his little legs made my excitement explode with thoughts of the rides we'll share in the future.