Catching up - Fall sports

I have been meaning to post about the kids soccer/flag football for about a month now, and just have not found the time to do it. Lauren was playing soccer and Cooper Flag Football, both for the second time. I hope both kids enjoyed themselves, and I know that it made our Saturday's a little more crazy.
We were lucky to have good weather for the fall, so no huddling under blankets! Here are a few pics.

Lauren dribbling the ball

Happy girl

Chasing down something

More action

Lauren with her metal

The Team

Cooper as QB

Eye on the Ball

Running with the Ball

Listening to Coach Jeff

Trying for the Take Away

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The Team

It was a good season, and I am glad that the Y has these programs. Sports are great !!

A quick little trip

I received an email middle of last week from Joel, asking if I wanted to head to Summit County for the weekend. Joel's friend, Tim, was not going to use their cabin in Silverthorne this weekend, and offered it up.  I was totally in, knowing that the weather was going to be great and the trees are changing color. Thankfully, they take their dog up to the condo too, so knowing Obi was invited we headed up after the soccer and Flag football games.  Once arriving, we hit the trails. We had a trail right out our door. We did a short 2 1/2 mile hike, and it was gorgeous day. Obi was off leash and did really great. He stays really with us very well and will come back as soon as we called his name. He was one happy pup!

Lauren was not sure she was enjoying the hike right now, but Cooper was Great!

Again a Glorious Day!

One of my favorite pics- We are truly blessed to live in such a great place

            The next morning we were going to get in about about 3 mile hike, but we hit the trail head and found out that the trail was closed for maintenance. So to get things moving we hit a trailhead a few miles from where we were going. Sadly it was not as great as the one we wanted, but it did not slow down Obi or the kids. We hiked up a little over a mile on a old fire road. Again it was great to get out, and a little cold when we started (about 40 degrees), but it warmed up quickly.

Mom, Cooper (8), and Obi (5mth), headed up the mountain. We are over 10k in elevation

Our crazy bunch with an amazing view!! (Quick note- the peak in the background is Quandry, the 14teener that Joel and I hiked a few years ago)

After the hike we walked around Breckenridge for a few mins. We not able to stay too long,  for the fact even though we hiked over 2 1/2 miles, Obi was still really to say hi to everyone we passed. He did get a workout trying to drag Joel up and down the strip.  After we dropped Obi off at the condo, we went to lunch at The Lost Cajun, and it was great. 

Lauren the Alligator

After lunch, the kids and I went to a few stores while Joel went biking. He sadly was not able to get in a big ride, but still have fun tooling around the hills nears Silverthorne, and mom only bought stuff for the kids. :)The kids and Dad hit the pool for a while, then we grab some great grub before headed back down the hill.  We had a great weekend, and are so grateful for Tim and Sarah for sharing their place.

Let's get this Started

Well, for those of us on Facebook, we know it it back to school time. I must say, I find it fun to see all those smiling faces( on kids and parents faces) when the school starts back. So here goes.

First Cooper started on August 18. He is in 2nd grade and has Ms Lehmen.

We had to wear a Minecraft shirt on the first day - and Crocs (no matter how much Momma hates them)

Lauren a little bummed that she was not going, but still there to support Coop

With Mom (who is also very happy : ) )

Lauren with her new boots - Who says you should not wear suede in Aug

Now for Lauren's first day

Do you think these too look alike ? Just a little 

Now with Mom - not as much resemblance

One more notable change, is Cooper started wearing glasses. I think he looks great. And has on another Minecraft shirt.....

Happy Birthday to Cooper

My little boy is not really a little boy anymore. Cooper turned 8 years old on August 1st. He is such a great kid, and I am so proud to be his mom!
   This year, we kept is pretty low key, but we were able to go to Casa Bonita, which we had never been to (I have been to the one in Tulsa, but it was years ago). We meet Sarah and the girls, and the kids really seemed to enjoy it. The food was about what we expected, but seeing a cliff diver, and going into Black Barts cave (about 5 times), made it worth it.
 On Cooper's birthday, we took he and one of his friend , Braden, to Dave and Busters. They ran from one game to the next with all the glee that only an 8 year old boy can.

The Legend - Casa Bonita 

Kids Heading into Black Bart's Cave Lauren(5), Skylar (3), Reese (6), Cooper (8)

Lauren and Skylar Braving the Cave

Kids exploring the cave - Don't ask what Cooper is doing with his eyes.....

Braden and Cooper playing Jurassic Park

Who you gonna Call  - Probably not these guys :)

Let's eat some cake !!

Present Time

 Here is a short video - really just to show how cute Obi is :)

 I hope Cooper had a good day, and know how blessed we feel to have him in our life!!!

Meet Obi Wan Kenobi

As you know, we lost our beloved pup Molly in April. We have really missed having a dog, but knew with a trip coming up in June, we could not get a new pup until after we returned. I started looking for a dog in late May, knowing we would need to hopefully be able pick one from the litter, and pick up once ready to be separated from Momma. Joel was a little apprehensive, not sure he was ready for the puppy time, but I knew we needed to get one when it was warm outside, since I would be making outdoor trips in the middle of the night.  Joel happened across a friend on Twitter, that showed a pic of his new puppy, that was born in early May. So he contacted him, and asked if any were left. Thankfully, there were still 5 puppies still available.  So off I went with the kids to meet with Dave, the momma dogs owner.

Cooper holding Obi - he was about 1 month old at this point

I fell in love, and knew that this was the pup for us. He was fun, and fearless. (And I am not sure anyone can resist a black lab puppy- they are the cutest). So knowing we had a new family member, we agreed with Dave to come pick him up, after the pups six week shots.  So we counted down the days until we were able to pick him up. Cooper had a play date with a friend, so Lauren and I headed down to Parker,CO to pick him up. I was a little worried he was going to be a handful, but thankfully he was still young enough that he tried out quickly and slept most of the way home.

Momma happy to have a dog again :) (he looks bigger here then he is due to the angle)

Kids VERY happy 

 So far he has been a really good dog. Other then being a BIG morning person..... 5 AM is the time to run around and bite EVERYTHING.  He seems pretty calm, and will even let a large group of kindergarten pet and poke you.   I know we are very happy to have a dog in the house, and I am thrilled the kids get to have a puppy, and a family dog while growing up. I just will be more thrilled about it once he no longer needs to get up at 3 AM to go outside.

 He has already doubled in size, so we need to keep taking pics.

We are letting him go to sleep with the kids - too cute

Can see how much bigger he is now then when we picked him out :)

When we were picking out names, we were between Obi, Cash, and Cole. But the kids agreed with Obi, and I must admit Obi is fun to say:). When calling the vet to make his appointment, the attendant pointed out that his birthday (May 4) , is know as May the Fourth be with you, with Star Wars fans. So Obi was destined to be. 

Animals and Science!! The Florida Excitement Continues

      We have covered a lot of things with our trip, and we still have several other places that we visited. Along with the last two blog we also went to Lowry Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, The Florida Aquarium, and The Clearwater Aquarium.  We had purchased the City Pass for Tampa before we came, providing us with discounted tickets to all these places.
     We hit the zoo on Saturday morning. As usually it was hot, but like most places in Florida they have water features to help with the heat. We had a great time, the kids able to ride some kiddie rides, and Mom and Dad riding the log ride. We were able to pet sting rays, and feed a giraffe.

Cooper on the Komodo Dragon

Lauren Riding on the Carousel, she choose a Dragon

Mom and Cooper after second time down the log ride - My tennis shoes were squeakie the rest of the day

Petting the Sting rays -Lauren really loved doing this

Cooper and Lauren feeding the girafffe

        

    Next were the two aquariums. We were able to see Winter, the dolphin from the Movie "A Dolphin's Tale". The aquarium was small but nice and Lauren was able to pet more sting rays.  On Monday morning before flying out we went to the Florida Aquarium.

Lauren watching Winter and his friend from the underwater viewing area

Checking out the water spout

Going into the Florida Aquarium

Lauren smiling with all the pretty fishies

More Sting Rays

Finally the Museum of Science and Industry.  It was a big place, and had lots of cool exhibit for the kids. The museum had an Imax and we watched a nice documentary about the National Parks. After that, we headed to outside the museum for the excitement of a ropes course. The kids were very excited about it, and they took off like a couple of monkeys. 

Lauren and Dad headed up

Cooper crossing over

All Smiles

Heading across the platforms

Cooper walking the high wire

Quick Video of Cooper and Lauren on the course

We had a really great trip, and I am hoping the kids will remember their first trip to the beach foundly.  We are truly blessed.