Beginning of our month long trip.......Part 1

Back in March, we promised the boys we would take them to Legoland this summer.  After a few months, we planned a month long trip out west to visit friends and family to camping on the coast to a whole array of lifelong experiences.  Off we go on our grand adventure as a family!  

First stop...Dinosaur Monument northern Utah(east of Salt Lake City). First thing, set up camp.  Jonas and Silas were amazing helpers in unloading and setting up.  We got a new tent(after returning ours from last year) so they were curious what it looked like. 

 Before the day was over, we hurried off to a short hike into a box canyon. Very fun!

 Indian rock art in the form of Petroglyphs. It astounds me every time I see them. So surreal!

First night of many nights cooking smores over a campfire! The best part about camping!

That night Silas ran a temperature of 102 degrees.  I was up all night feeling awful that I didn't bring medicine on the trip.  We were no where near a store.  We waited it out until morning.  Still didn't break, so Matt went around the campground asking campers for children's medicine.  First mom he talked to, she gave us a whole new bottle.  Wow! Praise God!  He was back to normal in 15 minutes.

 We packed up and headed to the Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall in the monument where the kids discovered dino fossils, where dinosaurs use to roam.

 Jonas and Silas are Junior Rangers from other national parks so they were full of excitement to hear there was a junior ranger program at this monument.  They had to finish their activity book within 3 hours to receive their badge.  They did with flying colors!  They felt so proud!

Next stop, eastern Nevada in a national forest.  Never knew Nevada could look like this...mountainous, lush trees, and cool air.  

 The joy of making campfire in a national forest...finding your own wood.  Jonas dragging a tree limb back to camp. 

 Why are campfires so fun?

 Next morning, we drove up to a remote lake to fish for a few casts before hitting the road again.  No fish but enjoyed seeing a waterfall and crystal clear water.

 Silas had the wiggles so we hiked up a trail for awhile.  There's snow!!

Next stop...Lake Tahoe!

Last few weeks of May!

I haven't updated this blog in so long.  From last day of school for Jonas and Daddy to Mother's day to golf trip to Rockies game, we seem to never stop having fun!

Jonas finished out his year at Highlands Classical Academy where he learned so much from making friends to memorizing poems/verses to standing up on stage with confidence to preparing to be a kindergarten.  He has grown up so much!  And it blessed my soul to watch him flourish at HCA.  Ms Kate's comment for the year "Jonas was such a positive leader in the class, everyone wanted to be his friend and he made sure he befriended everyone."  What a sweet and special boy!

Here is good old friend, Cohen on the swings one last time.

 Out for pizza with his best friend, Owen.  In which Jonas always says "I became friends with Owen before my mom knew Owen's mom."

 Class of 2013

Asa, Silas, Jonas, Issac, Owen, Madison, Chole, and Alliana

 One last swing on the monkey bars.  A new skill that Jonas picked up a few months before school was out.

 What a year together! Silas was always there to support Jonas in his school drop-offs and pickups. 

Mother's day 2013-This is what I wake up to every morning...this little sunshine of life. Silas-you are always smiling, you color my world!

My favorite breakfast joint, Country Road Cafe, in Kiteridge. I ordered an unique omelet(like always) and...

Jonas ordered a half, I said HALF, order of smashed mashed egg dish. He took 4 bits and was full! Leftovers from here are as good as the day of.

 We took a stroll behind the restaurant along Bear Creek.  Throwing rocks and finding sticks is what boys are made of.  And I'm so glad they are mine!

 After naps, we played soccer at Green Mtn High school. My competitive streak came out and the boys loved the challenge. 

 The rest of the week, I was able to spend some one on one time with each boy. Mother's day turned into a week of mother activities.  Golf-my second love in the sport life!  Jonas has really taken an interest and oh how that makes me happy.  We hit a basket of golf balls at the range and then headed to mini golf.

 Biking-my first love! After a year and half of biking without training wheels, Jonas has graduated to a 20" bicycle and rides better.  Better control, quicker speed, and overall feels comfortable! I'm so proud of you Jonas!

Canada Golf trip 2013-what a special time to be with my dad and brothers for a long weekend.

 Off to our first Rockies game of the season!  The light rail opened up near us in April so we were able to ride it all the way downtown near Coors Field.  Perfect!  Uncle Jon and Aunt Mo happened to be going to the game too, so we invited them over for lunch before with the Pratts and Grandmom/Grandad unexpectedly showed up.  What a treat!

Two generations of Brothers!!

 There's always a first for everything but I didn't think cotton candy would be introduced at their young of age.  Peer pressure from friends is tough! They were hooked! Now Silas orders that blue Cotton Candy ice cream any time we are at an ice cream shop. Yuck!

 It was a scorcher that day!  And we bared it all the way through!  Rockies won!