Summer Vacation!

Obviously this post is long overdue and I haven't exactly gone in order but better late than never right?
This summer we changed things up a bit and spent our summer vacation in Snowmass, Colorado, just outside of Aspen.  Usually we are pretty die hard beach goers but this year, with my brother moving to Arizona, the trip west to the mountains turned our to be perfect.  He and Jessica were able to stop by on their way to their new jobs and visit for a day or two and we got to explore something different.  Plus, the cooler weather and lack of humidity was fabulous.

Here are a few shots of our fun times exploring Colorado.

This guy and his friends came to nap on patio area outside our bedroom every day.

You can see how close he is.   All of us were mesmerized Ava and the boys in particular.

You can see in this picture the side of the portable crib where Ava slept while we were there.  She was right up again the sliding doors to the outside and would take her nap every day with the deer.  

The view looking out over the valley from our house.

On our morning walk we discovered this little stream flowing down the mountainside.

The color of the flowers was breathtaking

Exploring the shops in Snowmass.

Just the girls posing for a photo op.

On Wednesday nights during the summer the town of Snowmass has a rodeo.  If you know my children, you know they love rodeo, especially John David.   So of course we had to attend.

As part of the rodeo they have two events for children....Mutton Bustin' and a Calf Scramble.  For those of you who are not up on your rodeo lingo....Mutton Bustin' is little cowboys and cowgirls riding sheep instead of bulls.  They have to hold on for 8 seconds....or until they fall off.  It is hysterical.  A Calf Scramble is when they turn calves with ribbons tied to their tails out into the rodeo arena.  The children chase the calves and try to pull the ribbon out of their tails.  

My three didn't want to ride the sheep but they did participate in the calf scramble.

None of them caught the calf and got the ribbon but they had a blast running around the area (holding hands I might add).

When they got finished and back to the stands they were so proud of themselves for "working as a team."

Near Snowmass there is also an old silver mining town that is now a ghost town.  We spent an afternoon exploring the ghost town and enjoying the scenery.

The ghost town is on a small river.  We took the opportunity to stick out feet in the water.  Boy was it cold!!!

One of the many prairie dogs that now makes it home in the ghost town.