Family Photos

While we were in Colorado, we had family photos taken with Bryon's family.  Us kids had organized it as an early Christmas present to Bryon's parents and were planning on just getting extended family photos taken.  Then, once we found a great photographer (one of Bryon's high school friends - Thanks Jenae Lopez!), she suggested we also get photos of each individual family while we were at it.  Since we've never had family photos taken, we jumped at the chance to do that.

So, without further ado, here is a major overload of family photos :)

Jenae was fantastic to work with!  If any of you live in Colorado and need a great photographer, check out her website... http://www.jlopezphotography.com/

The Rest of July

After Colorado,  we still had two weeks left in July.  Although I was sick and Bryon was working, we still managed to fit in a lot of fun adventures on the weekends and in the evenings.

Off for another backpacking trip with daddy.

As usual, Bear Bear got to go along for the ride :)

Blueberry picking in Hood River.

A very official water balloon fight :)

The highlight for sure was a visit from my brother and sister-in-law and their three kids.  The kids all slept in a tent in our backyard and Kai was in heaven being surrounded by some of his favourite people!

We all went for a hike up Oneonta Gorge, which was incredibly beautiful but a little bit tough for a three year old.  There was a huge log jam to climb over as well as a deep pool to wade/swim through in order to reach the falls.  But, thanks to Bryon's shoulders Kai was able to make it the whole way.

Made it! 

Crazy log jam!

"Avocadorado"

When Kai first started to try and say "Colorado" a couple of years ago he pronounced it "Avocadorado" and the name has stuck.  We all call it that now :)  And, we were really excited that we got to spend eleven days in "Avocadorado" at the beginning of July with Bryon's family.  Our time included lots of hikes (we're working our way through a kids hiking guide for Rocky Mountain National Park) , a whole day-long date (yay!), lots of time with family and friends, and a wedding!  It was busy, but relaxing too....until the last day that is, when we realized at 8:40 a.m. that our flight was leaving at 8:45 a.m.!!  Somehow, after switching the dates on our original tickets, we had neglected to remember that the times had changed also.  So, we both thought we were leaving at 9:55 p.m., like our original flight.  So, I went to check in online at 8:40 that morning and realized our big mistake!  Thankfully we'd flown Southwest, and they switched our tickets no problem...but still stressful!

Loving the plane ride!

4th of July with friends from TWU days and their kids.

Kai had a special day with Aunty Lisa, Gramma and Papa while Bryon and I got the whole day to ourselves...driving over Trail Ridge Road, lunch in Boulder, then tubing and dinner with friends in Lyons.

Cousin love while boating on Lake Estes

More fun in Estes Park.

Boys' backpacking trip.

Hiking around Alluvial Fan.

Hiking at Lumpy Ridge

More fun at Alluvial Fan...even better when cousin Andrew is there to play with!

Fun playing "Mary and Joseph" with Aunty Lisa :)

A beautiful wedding ceremony for Kody and Renee, which thankfully ended right before a huge rain storm hit.

The old high school gang back together!

Kai seems to be developing a track record for getting sick during our last couple of days vacationing with Bryon's family.  This made our trip home extra easy though, since he fell asleep in the airport and slept the whole way home :)