Family Reunion

 Happy Fourth of July!  We spent the week in Utah at Kathy's house in preparation for a Stott Family reunion.  Because I had to be in Greeley for my two weeks of on-campus work the day after the reunion, Josh, Jake, and I actually missed the extended family get-together.  But we were able to see every one in the immediately family except David's family in London.  We were able to go on a tour of the Sweets candy factory, go to a water park with Kathy's family and Grandma, visit Great-Grandma Stott, run/walk (depending on which child you were with) in Kathy's neighborhood Independence Day parade, and do lots of catching up with sisters and playing with cousins.  We were excited to set off fireworks since they were banned in Colorado due to the fires.  Kathy's neighbors set off ones so big we didn't even need to go to a show.  It was great!

Kaylee

Aunt Susan

Erin

The Bitners

The Duffins

Mom & Dad

Josh enjoyed playing in the fountains at the mall.

The boys took a break to warm up and dry off.

The reunion (that I missed)

Jake spinning at the park

Royal Gorge Bridge

Joel at the river with the bridge above

No trip to Canon City is complete without a visit to the Royal Gorge Bridge.  Josh and Jake REALLY wanted to ride the Skycoaster--the giant swing that flings you over the river.  We were able to convince Wyatt that it wasn't that scary and Jake made the height requirement by a hair.  All the boys thought the ride was amazing and weren't even nervous!

Wyatt and Josh on the Skycoaster

Karen and Jake--he really wasn't nervous at all!

Josh playing dead

Joel, Josh, and Jake

Wyatt

Dawson, Josh, Wyatt, Jake, and Alexa

Crossing the bridge (Skycoaster is in the background)

River Fun

 Our summer fun continued with some visitors from Arizona.  Joel brought his kids up to stay for a week.  I wanted to take them to Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods, but the fire in Colorado Springs closed all the roads to those attractions.  So we headed south instead to see Bishop Castle and go to the natural rock slides.  Sarai was our personal tour guide and we enjoyed having her kids around to show us the ropes.

 Joel's kids loved going down to the Arkansas River by our house and went swimming there every day.  Water levels were pretty low this year but they loved fighting the current and Josh and Jake enjoyed jumping in. 

Jake, of course, did his favorite belly flops.  I'm guessing the life jacket absorbs most of the pain.

Summer Has Begun!

 Summer started out with a quick trip to Breckenridge courtesy of Uncle David and Aunt Ashley!  They invited us up to spend the night with them at their condo.  We enjoyed hiking, going on a long bike ride (which Jake thought was too long so he walked his bike the last mile), playing kick ball in the park,  throwing rocks into the river (every boy's dream!), eating yummy food, and warming up in the condo's hot tub.  Thanks Dave and Ash!

Jake (wearing my favorite shirt)

Josh

Cousin Levi

Cousin Kyle, Jake, and Levi

Josh, Karen, Jake

Kyle and Jake

Kyle and Josh

First Day of Vacation

After Josh's science fair project, he was really excited to make homemade root beer with dry ice.  When the first day of summer vacation started with "So, what are we going to do today?  I'm bored." I decided it would be a perfect time to try out the root beer recipe.  We had to go to three stores to find the root beer flavoring and I was expecting it to have a lot more bubbles, but Josh and his friend Wyatt loved it still.

Last Day of School

As much as the boys love school, I still think this is their 3rd favorite day of the year (after Christmas and their birthdays).

Jake's class sang a medley of songs including God Bless America.  That hat left glitter everywhere!

Josh recited a poem while standing on his chair before getting his awards.

Jake's pretty excited about graduation from Kindergarten while his aide, Mrs. H., and his teacher, Mrs. Jarvis, look on.

Josh with his teacher, Ms. Milam, and his aide, Mrs. Conwell

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend with family hiking, feeding the chipmunks, and swimming at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.  The waterfall was impressive, the chipmunks were scared, and the hot springs were perfect.

Josh in front of the falls.  He loved climbing to the top with the older cousins.

Jake in front of the falls.  He enjoyed running away from me on the trail.

Aunt Tamara's enjoying the view opposite the falls.

Cousins Hyrum and Cedric

Josh's patience paid off while feeding the chipmunks.