Scandinavian Fest

We had a rather hectic weekend. We were disappointed to find out Mark didn't get to come home for a 2 day RnR when expected and then had a evacuation scare due to a fire VERY close to our home. It ended up being okay (for the boys and I) except for the Mark coming home part. Those guys are getting beat up by the High Park fire. We are hoping to see Mark for a couple of days soon. He needs a break and we are missing him.

Yesterday, we decided to unwind at the Scandinavian fest. It was fun for the kids to run around and blow off some steam and great material for the adults. There was plenty to laugh a giggle about; the outfits, Viking reenactments, log chopping to accordion music....just to name a few.

There may have been a few Ikea references and plenty of pole dancing......The Maypole of course!

Doggie Day

Cruz and I decided to take the doggies on a long over due hike yesterday while Coop was at camp. We went with some friends and had our own pack (7 dogs total).

Truth be told, this is the first hike Kokanee and Targhee have been on since we moved to Colorado.

I received some sad news about a friend's dog earlier in the week so I decided to dedicate our hike to Oscar.





Got mud?







The clean up was kind of a pain. They were both filthy but Kokanee's filth was camouflaged amongst her chocolateness.

Story Time

We try to make it to story time every week if we can. The Estes Valley Library Children's Program is truly ahhhhmazing. I can't say enough about how much we enjoy it. I have no doubt that it will always have a soft spot in my heart as I think back to our toddler/preschool years.

As part of their summer reading program, this week's program was outside at Lily Lake. They had their regular story time, puppet show and included a scavenger hunt and make your own trail mix station (Cruz's favorite).

Coop is still talking about it three days later. Not because of the beautiful scenery, the fun activities, or stories (although he thoroughly enjoyed it all). But because of a slip up that one of the librarians made during their puppet show. I don't even know if he understood the slip up but he laughed and laughed and giggled and laughed.

It went a little something like this; One of the bears in the puppet show intended to introduce the audience to their amazing campsite but she accidentally said "we have an amazing website". The adults laughed and so did Coop over and over. He brought it up with one of the Mom's sitting next to him....'those bears have a website, bahahahahaha'....

I doubt he even knows what a website is. Oh, that kid. He cracks me up. Apparently, bears with websites is a very funny concept to him. He reminds me of the hilarity of it all several times a day now.

Story time has influenced Coop quite a bit. More than I can even comprehend.

And look at our big boy Cruz sitting nice a quietly with all the big kids!





By the way, Coop wants to know if you heard the one about the bear and a website. Bahahahaha.

Costco Cuties Strikes Again

As I sit here recovering from our afternoon down-the-valley-waste-an-opportunity-for-a-nap Costco run, I couldn't help but think what a difference a year (11 months) makes.

Here's a pic from July '11 during a trip to Costco......





Don't they look sweet and happy to be sitting next to each other? Sharing a seat as pilot and co-pilot was a novelty to them back then. They enjoyed sitting together and staying in the cart.

And now we have this.........

















If there was audio on this post you would here "Hii-yah" being chanted over and over. Apparently they have learned about karate chops all of a sudden.

Before we began our journey up the canyon, I introduced the boys to Costco dogs and pizza. Actually, it was a first for me too! Although, I didn't actually order anything for myself since I was trying to be "good". Instead, I finished off the hot dog they insisted on and then wouldn't eat and the rest of Coop's pizza. Nice. So much for being healthy.












In summation, Costco is hard work with some laughs thrown in too.

PS...never mind the state of Coop's hair.

Smoke and Wool

Not more than an hour after Mark left for his fire, the boys and I decided to get out of the house and hit the Wool Market. We needed to distract our minds from the fact that Daddy was back on the road.

I posted on Facebook that I asked Coop if he wanted to head to the Wool Mart and he answered; 'yes!! I LOVE Walmart!!'

He was pleasantly surprised with the end result (phew). We saw llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, lamb, bunnies, vicuñas and darling "farmer kids" (as Coop called them) tending to their flocks.

Off in the distance was "Daddy's Smoke".

Cruz kept crouching down saying "awwww, babeeez" and holding his hands together like  he was scooping them up.

BAAAAAAA!

Daddy's Smoke off in the distance.....

Lily Lake

We were fortunate enough to spend two full days with Daddy this past weekend. He came home Thursday night and was gone again Sunday morning :(.

This time, we watched the fire he was to be called out on flare up before our eyes. We noticed it on a little hike we took to Lily Lake on Saturday. It's somewhat bittersweet to have Mark so close yet so far away. It does put things in perspective for Cooper though (I think). As we drive around town, we can point to "Daddy's smoke" and feel a little closer to him. Connected in some way.

Camp!

Coop completed his first week of camp! We decided to enroll him at the YMCA of the Rockies a couple of mornings a week. So far so good! We weren't sure how he'd react to the whole idea as he hasn't seemed all that interested in school. When the topic of school comes up he always wants to know if 'mommy is going to stay there with him'. This was part of the reason we decided to wait one more year to start preschool and give him some time to adjust to his new surroundings & town.

Last week, the camp had a welcome meet & greet cook-out so that everyone could get acquainted before camp started. What a great idea. The counselors were amazing and immediately made the kids feel welcome and part of the camp-family. Coop had a blast and didn't want to go home. The cookout made it much easier to explain to Coop that he was going to play with his 'big kid friends' the following week. When his first day arrived, he was ready and rarin' to go. The only person that cried when we dropped Coop off was Cruz. He wanted his 'Poopah'.

We decided on the Y because of the camp atmosphere and because it is one of three schools we are leaning towards for preschool. If we do choose the Y for preschool, this will be a perfect transition for him. He'll associate all the fun and familiarity of camp when it's time to start getting into school-thinking mode.

Ever since I set my eyes on the Y, I've been secretly biased that this is where Coop will go to preschool. I think Mark is pretty much decided as well. Every time I drive through the grounds, I can't help but want to stay hang out. After Cruz and I dropped Coop off this morning we drove around and I thought to myself how lucky we are to have this place as an option. People actually book their family vacations here. Imagine Dirty Dancing in the Catskills. That's the vibe the Y gives me. Nobody will put my "baby in a corner". (sorry couldn't resist a little Dirty Dancing reference).

Only time will tell how the rest of the summer goes, but as of right now, Coop loves camp. And Cruz and I are enjoying a little one on one time a couple of mornings a week. Coop's Tuesday's are all about arts and crafts and Thursdays are pony rides. A pretty fantastic way to spend a summer morning!










Our little CAMPER!


The obligatory hurry-and-pose-for-a-first-day-of-camp-while-Lil-bro-runs-amuck-in-the-background photo. Apparently, Cruz likes the idea of camp too!

Tram

Today's adventure is brought to you by the Estes Park Aerial Tramway. We hiked a bit, picnicked, fed some chipmunks and enjoyed the awesome views of our beautiful town.

rock hunting

stick finding

a little reflecting

chipmunk bribing

bouldering

we live in the mid-lower right where the road curves.