Fall Colors

Today we took a drive up to Cripple Creek, Colorado to see the aspens turning. It was a beautiful drive that showed us a glimpse of God's imagination! We stopped for lunch and some yummy ice cream at an old fashioned soda shop before heading back home. Sierra was a great sport as this road trip was more for mommy and daddy's pleasure than hers... but at least she got to see some deer along the way! She loves to see the yellow warning signs that say "watch for deers!" Here are some pictures to share the beauty we experienced with all of you... although they don't do it justice. We hope that you are all having a great start to your fall where ever you are =)

A day with the family at Eleven Mile Canyon

After our long week we decided to go "get away" for a short while and escape the thoughts of school, work, and the "to do lists!" So after some breakfast we packed up the whole family in the truck and headed to the beautiful Eleven Mile Canyon about an hour's drive from home. We did take our fishing gear but only fit in a few minutes of fishing! After Sierra decided she'd rather skip/plop rocks in the water and Bongo took off and wound up tangled in the line we put the poles away and just had us some good ole fun! We drove up to the top of the canyon and through the tunnels and then on the way back down found the perfect family spot! We were not far from some potties and had a mild shallow flowing part of the river right off of the road (with some picnic benches too!). We had ourselves a quick sack lunch and then took off our shoes and rolled up our pants… and in we went!

 

Bongo was in dog heaven!!! He spent a good two hours or more running around and around the island and up and down the river. He chased sticks, a bone, and the splashes he made with his paws! Sierra loved having her toes in the water despite how cold it was! Cole busted out his waders and trekked around the water. He also shared them with me which was a lot of fun. So nice to cruise around the river without such extreme cold taking over!!! We spent at least two hours wandering around in the shallow pools discovering the water bugs skipping around on top of the water, watching the little fish swim around, skipping rocks and making them go ker-plunk, chasing Bongo and enjoying one another! We also got to see the start of the aspen leaves turning on the mountain sides. We'll have to make another drive up that way in a couple more weeks to see the breath taking beauty of fall in full swing! What a great day it was! Now we're back home… to the to-do-list and college football. Hope you are all having a great weekend too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures from Eleven Mile Canyon

First Week of Ruth Washburn!!!

Last weekend was a busy weekend spent doing more projects that the landlords have neglected to get done as promised… staining the deck and putting in a walk way off the deck to reduce mud… and watching college football! This week was my first week back at work and Sierra's first week of preschool! It was a busy week coming off of the four day holiday weekend and we were all tired last night. I enjoyed my first week back at Ruth Washburn as a Teacher's Assistant. It can be hard to be second in line and follow the lead of another teacher, but is also so wonderful to arrive just a few minutes before class and be able to leave when it's over! … No Prep-work! While I'm TAing Sierra goes to Afternoon Explorers, which is a free play program in one of the classrooms. She joins friends for lunch, some play time, and then a rest. She took a nap each afternoon except for Wednesday when she was a tornado at the end of the day! Luckily she fell asleep for a short nap on the way home and woke up a happy camper! With time she'll adjust to her new schedule and is loving the time spent with other children at the school!

Thursday morning was Sierra's first day of her preschool class with Brenda! Brenda is her head teacher and she's wonderful!!! She has been at Ruth Washburn for about 20+ years!!! And her TA, Lauren, is a kick in the pants. Cole was able to go with us to drop Sierra off for her first day and Sierra enjoyed showing daddy around the playground before school started. So far she has had a blast and had a fabulous week (aside from biting another little boy Friday!) What a horrible sinking feeling it is to be on the other side of the fence now and be the parent of a bitter!!! URGH… made me want to cry!!! We're working on using her words when she's frustrated…

In the meantime Cole has been very busy completing his change of command inventories for taking over a company command at the end of the month. This entails him going through every piece of equipment assigned to the company or anyone in the company… what a daunting task! And in the end he will sign for $64,000,000+ equipment under his responsibility! So he's a little stressed! Our lives are picking up a bit but I think it will be great in the long run as Sierra and I will have our place of belonging at Ruth Washburn outside of the Army for a while… and that will keep us busy while Cole is busy in Command!

Hope you enjoy the pictures of last week's adventures!

Pictures to go with our first week at RW...

Here's a shot of the deck after we spent a day and a half staining it!
This is Sierra after her first afternoon spent at Afternoon Explorers at Ruth Washburn (Notice her new big girl hair cut... we cut off the fine shaggy baby hair Sunday night!)

Tuesday afternoon while I was working on dinner she wanted to paint with her water colors... and painted her face like a kitty cat!

Sierra showing daddy around the "farm" part of the school playground

Riding on the tractor

Daddy helping Sierra down Big Wheel Hill on the Farm (at the bottom is the chicken coop!)

Sierra doing some painting with her teacher, Brenda

Daddy, Sierra, and Mommy on the first day of Preschool!