One night in Vail

Chuck's sister Lynn and hubby Gary came to visit us last weekend. It was so fun...and a little odd...to have someone from back home here in our little house in the mountains. They had rented a condo in Vail--which is about an hour and a half away from us. They came to see our town, have lunch, see the house, then head to Vail. We were meeting up with them on Saturday morning to do a little sight-seeing, and maybe a hike or two.

Once in Vail the boys wanted to swim. We have hardly swam this summer, and they were missing it TONS. So, we went swimming---until it rained.

After that, we got dressed and headed into Vail. Our goal was to take the gondola up the mountain (something I wasn't too excited about, being afraid of heights and all) and have dinner. Well, due to the rain and lightening strikes they shut down the gondola. I did a small cheer inside. :) So, we settled for a restaurant that wasn't at 10,000 feet.

Afterward, we headed back to the condo and found a fire pit by the creek. Yes, another creek. I think Chuck and I will be buried by a creek. ;) We found some wood and made a great fire. There are no bugs here, so we ate salsa and chips and had some drinks by the fire. The food did attract a furry visitor, though. When it got dark and we were talking, a big raccoon came crawling out of the bushes and brushed up against Chuck's legs. The raccoon was as startled as we were, I think, and all I could do was thank God it wasn't a skunk. :)

The creek was excruciatingly cold. Check out this picture....you couldn't stay in the water longer than 30 seconds.

This is the best picture!

Lynn and Mitch were the toughest--or had the toughest feet--and stayed in the longest.

Tanner's shocked face.

"Hurry up and take the picture, Mom!!"

Uncle Gary--the boyscout--making the fire.

It was a late night, and soooo much fun!

THE NEXT DAY.....

We decided to drive another hour west to Glenwood Springs to hike. We wanted to see 'Hanging Lake'. The brochures all said that it was an easy hike, so we knew the kids (and choice adults--myself included) could do it. We packed enough energy bars and water to feed an army...then headed out.

An easy trail so far....I hope it's a little more rugged than this!

The cement trail led us to this....beautiful. Mitchie....don't drink that water!

My guys with their 'camel backs' on.

"Mom, this trail is tough...let's rest..."

The trail followed this stream.....completely uphill.

Another rest. He is sitting on a rock ON the trail.

Breathtaking scenery.

But...some of us were NOT happy. :)

Even Lynnie needed a rest.

Oh my.....we're almost there!

After hiking for over an hour, we came to this. This is a lake at the top of a mountain--hence the name 'hanging lake'. I guess the earth at one point was level here, then a large portion of it sank, forming the lake. It was crystal clear.

If you look really close you can see the rainbow trout swimming below the water.

Just beautiful...

The Johnson hiking crew. Poor Allison had to work this day, so she wasn't able to come. :(

Here's Tanner at the top of the waterfall.

On our way back down...but still at the top. Oh this picture makes me nervous. I'm clinging to the mountain.

O.k. maybe I'll get a little closer for this shot.

Fine....I'll get in the picture. Notice the death grips I have on the boys? VERY VERY HIGH!!!

The trek down did not take us very long. Mitch practically RAN the whole way down. Where do they get their energy?? All in all, it was well worth the "EASY" hike up.

Thanks, Lynn and Gary, for a great weekend. It was so nice to see you.

My Birthday

It's that time of year again....my birthday. Can you feel the excitement in my voice? As the years progress, birthdays take on a whole new meaning. I guess it's a time when I start thinking about my life and all that has happened in it. Not only am I getting older, my kids are, too, and I guess I can't help but feel a little sad...o.k. a lot sad. I always try and fill that day with the things I love to do. So, on my birthday I woke up to find a beautiful hanging basket from my Alli. She also bought me breakfast--our favorite rolls--and a very meaningful card. Did I raise such a thoughtful girl??

I took the kids out for lunch--Chinese, our favorite! Then we headed out to go paddle boating.











The naughty duck that bit my finger. I screamed so loud that everyone on shore was laughing at me. Must have thought I had food!








My fellow paddler. I don't think she did her share 'cause at the end I was sweating up a storm, but she was as cool as a cucumber. :)

That night a huge herd of elk decided to come to my birthday party! We counted 30+ elk...babies and all. It was sooooo cool! As we were watching them walk through our yard Allison walked outside with cupcakes with candles and sang 'Happy Birthday' to me. It was such a sweet ending to the day.

What we've been up to....

It's been a while, I know. We've been quite busy. All last week I painted my heart away. I painted the wall that connects our living room and dining room, and I painted the kitchen. Do you remember the before shots:

This is when the previous owners lived here.

Here is after I painted. Take into account that I haven't put anything up on the walls yet. That's next:

Please ignore the mess. We are a little cozy in this house. :)

So, that took up my week. The boys and I went to the creek one evening and walked in the water. The water was ice cold, but it felt good on a hot day.

We ended the evening as soon as they started fighting and pushing each other in the water.....brothers....:)

One of the highlights of the week, for Mitchell, was a letter from his best buddy...and cousin...Jonnie. As you can tell from his face, he loved it! Now, just to get him to return a letter back to him.

Thanks, Jonnie. We miss you!

Our week in Minnneeeessooooota

The kids and I packed our bags and headed to Minnesota last week. It was a VERY long 14 hr. trip in the car. The kids all do great--except for the 100 stops to go to the bathroom, I mean really, can't you wait 10 minutes until we are THERE?? I guess all the junk food I packed to get us through was taking it's toll on their stomachs....poor things.

Every day was crammed with stuff--running here and there to see everyone. We spent the majority of the nights with my sis-in-law Lynn and her husband. They have this big, empty house with enough beds for all of us. Needless to say, she waited on us hand and foot. The kids loved it, too.....this Mamma don't do that! One morning Lynn made Mitchell ice cream with Reese's cereal mixed in it for breakfast. He giggled through the whole meal. I didn't say a thing--Auntie's have to spoil their nieces/nephews from time to time. Like Lynn says, "There's so many more important things to worry about in this lifetime." That's going to be my motto from now on. :)

On Tues. we went to my Mom's to see Sharyn, Lorrie and all the kids. We had fun swimming and laughing and catching up with each other.

Jonnie and Mitch will always be best friends.

The girls--Alli, Cassidy, Alaina, Courtney, Ashley

That night we stayed with Lorrie. The kids played outside and slept on the floor of their family room. Lorrie and I giggled into the night in her bed. I think we kept Allison awake in the next room. :)

On Wednesday the kids hung out with our old neighbors. That evening we went to the opening night of Sonshine. They were offering a free concert to thank all the residents of Willmar. It was very nice because most of us can't afford to send the whole family to Sonshine, so the younger kids got a taste of what it is all about.

On Thursday Lorrie and I took the kids to the local pool. Mitchell loves swimming so much--I had to pull him out when it was time to go. He's a little fish, I tell ya.

Is he cute, or WHAT??!!

That evening I headed to Green Lake to hang out with my girlfriends. We sat on their patio and had dips and cocktails and watch the moon rise over the water. It was a perfect night with great friends.

Alli jet-skiing with her girlfriends before Sonshine.

The beautiful moon rise.

I found out on Friday that I have a new niece! I'm so excited, and little Rose is adorable. I can't wait to meet her. Congrats Julie and Greg...and her big sisters Analese and Mara. She will be greatly loved.

The rest of the week was filled with Sonshine runs, movie nights, lunch with Grandpa, Lego's with big cousin Chris, and mini-golf and a movie with Lorrie and kids....

"Where ball doe??"

The girls had a great time at Sonshine...seeing all their friends and meeting new ones. I love that music festival. There are so many unique personalities professing their faith. It's a great thing to see and experience.

On Sunday we headed home to Colorado. I have to say, once we got back here I found that I missed the mountains while we were away. I looked eagerly for the elk and deer that come down the mountain in the evening. Seeing Chuck after a week was really good, too. :)

This weekend is the jazz festival here in town. I can't wait to check out the bands. We are lucky to live in a town that appreciates the arts. There is something new to check out every weekend.

It does feel good to be home.....