Colorado with the Eck family!

Mason points in dismay as he watches his balloon float away into the sky at Market Days.

Hannah maps out what our sleeping arrangement will be at the campground for our upcoming camping trip with friends.  The tent on the right has our family in it, and the van on the left is what the Blalocks will be sleeping in.

Story Land starts with Clifford!  We had a beautiful day, albeit hot and humid!

Hannah milks a cow!

Daddy and Hannah take a ride in the shoes!

Hannah's in the driver's seat!

Driving my tractor down a bumpy road!

Hannah poses as Alice in Wonderland -- something Mom did as a child, too!

Checking out Peter's Pumpkin.

Mason at Storyland tree slide.

Swim lessons started this year for Hannah.

Hannah (pink life vest on left) made her first trip out to the floating raft.

Hannah -- now on the far right and in the water -- loved this experience.  She felt proud and confident, as she rightfully should!

Girls played "Mermaids" after swim lessons were over.

 

Mason loves the water, but is cautious about going too deep.  He enjoys playing catch/pass the ball in the water with anyone who will play with him.

 

Mason peers out at a plane while we wait in the airport.

 

As you can see, the evergreens are more narrow and tall in CO than they are here.

Grandma and Dad

Sand slide!

 Hannah heard Mom talking about how she thinks Caitlin looks like Princess Kate Middleton and ever since then, she was attached to Caitlin at the hip!

 Night-after-night of staying up until at least 10PM Colorado time (midnight EST), Mason crashed on the couch for a little rest. 

Beautiful scenery.  The mountains were dramatic and under specific light, the texture came out of them.

Look, Mason!

Great work with the camera, Uncle Peter!

Future business types?

Catching up with extended family made the trip particularly fun.

Little time for snuggles.

3 generations of the 4 present: clearly bucket hats are timeless.

Family shot at Maroon Bells

Mason did a great job in the pack and Hannah insisted on hiking all the way to crater lake and back again by herself (3.25 miles at altitude).  Mom and Dad, as well as others, were impressed.

It wouldn't be a trip without thumbs-up :)

All four generations, sporting the bucket hats. 
Love it!

Caitlin and Peter graciously hiked with Hannah and responded to her every wish to hold hands for most of the walk.

Crater Lake, at Maroon Bells.

We had beautiful weather for most of the trip.  Notice the snow patches up at altitude!

Mason approached Oma and asked to get up on her lap.  Only after he was situated, did Oma realize he was after her blueberries!

Opa at Lost Lake.

Another family shot at 3 Lakes.

Beautiful couple on a beautiful walk.

This waterfall provided the perfect background for a photo-shoot,

so, that's exactly what we did!

WOW.  This is from the walk at 3 Lakes.  Around the lake seen here, was a campground.

Found at Lost Lake.

Opa's ranch land.

The house

Say "Cheese!"

California family poses at Maroon Bells.

Maroon Bells, Aspen / Snowmass wilderness.

The pups with their bud, Christyne.

Aspen leaves frame this image of a beautiful mountain shot -- good photography, Peter!

Cousins

Aspen on on the pedi mall.

Happy 80th, Opa!

And, Happy 25th Anniversary, Oma and Opa!

Opa and the grandkids present.

Opa was the most steady and constant hiker in our group.  He rarely stopped, but just kept going and going.

Dinner at the rental house was prepared by Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ted the first night.

Little Goober kept playing "tag" with Opa and had an absolute blast.  Somehow the children managed to stay up until 10pm Rocky Mtn time (which was midnight their biological time), and barely napped, but did a great job holding it together.....until we got home, that is.  We were so thankful for their good behavior on the trip, so no complaints!

Dinner at the rental house was delicious.

Hannah enjoys her meal while conversing with Auntie Kristi.

Kitchen crew or posers?

Cuddles with Auntie Kristi and Christyne!

Snuggle time with Dad.

Birthday Boy

Nuf said.

Grandma time!

Last hike in CO before heading home

Fun times!

We walked through beautiful meadows and aspen forests.

Crammed 13 into the car in just the nick of time, as it started pouring and thundering!

The end!

Hannah's quotes (not recent, as it's been so long since I've posted):

Hannah asks mom: "Mom, God made my skin."  Pause. "What did you and Dad do?"

Hannah tried to get Grace (who was being shy) to warm-up upon arriving from VA, by saying, "Hi little Gracie!  What does a bus say?!  Choo- Choo?!?" When there was no response to this, she said, "What does an airplane say....Meow?!?!"

Mom to Hannah: "Cousin Grace is going down to Connecticut."
Hannah's reply, "Why are they going down to Connecticut....to see Uncle Carl's Mustache?"


Mason is thriving, too.  He is talking a bunch more lately!  He initiates conversation regularly and he will engage in back-and-forth conversation, too!