Hiking Day 2

On our second day in Ouray, we hiked a different part of the Perimeter Trail.  Here are some beautiful shots we took along the way.  We found a wonderful little stream to stop and have lunch.  That night, we had a visitor show up, about 10 feet from our porch, while we ate.  

Hiking Day 1

About 100 feet (straight up) from our cabin was this waterfall.  It was a gorgeous view that you could see from anywhere in town.  It also happened to be a great spot on the perimeter trail that wound all the way around the town.  Since we weren't acclimated to the altitude, it was a lot harder than we thought.  

This is the view of Ouray from up near the waterfall.

 Us on the trail.

The cabin with the blue roof is next door to the cabin we were staying in, it's covered up by the trees just below it.

Ouray Colorado

Derek and I wanted to go away somewhere for our 10 year anniversary.  We decided to go someplace where we could read, sleep, hike, and just relax.  A friend loaned us their family cabin in Ouray, CO and it was perfect.  We woke up every day to the beautiful mountains and had coffee on the porch, usually with a blanket.  Then we spent the days hiking, reading, and napping.  The whole vacation was perfect. 

 The view from our porch.

 Annika packed us some toys so we would have something to do on vacation.

Ear Infection Part ?

Starting after Christmas Asher started getting ear infections.  However they were pretty far apart and we didn't think much of it until he had one in April and the doctor mentioned getting tubes.  From the middle of April until the end of June, Asher had 4 ear infections and on this night we ended up at Children's Mercy.  Luckily our doctor got us in to get his tubes fairly quickly and we can happily say now that he is doing great.  Probably the most exciting part is he is now sleeping through the night!!! 

Bike

Annika wanted us to take her training wheels off her bike so she could practice riding without them.  So we did.  And she tried.  For about 10 min.  Then she asked to put them back on.

Date Night #7

For July's Date Night, we went to the Royals/Twins baseball game.  It was a gorgeous night, in the mid 70s.  Unfortunately, Monica was not feeling great, but she was a trooper, trying to power through it, making it until the 6th Inning.  She would have kept going, but I couldn't let her suffer any more and we headed home.  All in all, it was a great night: perfect weather, good baseball, a few beers, and an amazing woman.

 Minnesota boy, living in KC.

Park

We are lucky to live close to so many great parks.  Many are within walking distance or just a 5 minute drive.  Both kids love going to the park and it is something we do almost everyday.  Asher is getting big enough that he can do most things on his own, which is good since he loves to climb and seems to have no fear.  Annika has been working all summer on the monkey bars and has mastered it and loves going back to try it again.  It's so fun to watch them both have so much fun.

 Anything Annika does, Asher has to follow.

Asher

Since Asher isn't old enough to do all the things Annika does he just gets dragged along for the ride.  But as long as he can be around us, especially Annika, he is happy.

We bought a watermelon and just put it in the fridge and didn't think anymore about it.  Until we came into the kitchen and found Asher eating it.  On the floor.  With his hands.  

We are fortunate and can go to the pool where Derek coaches as much as we want.  Asher LOVES the water and isn't really afraid.  He spends a lot of time jumping in, climbing out, running to the side, and jumping in again.

Oh salsa.  Asher loves salsa.  Actually sauce of any kind.  He will take a chip and fill it with salsa then just he that.  He will continue this until the chip is flimsy and won't hold any more salsa.  Then the chip gets put down and he grabs a new one.  

Watching soccer and cheering for USA!

At the beginning of the summer nap time was a struggle.  We didn't have darkening shades on the windows so Asher seemed to think naps were optional.  Often we would find him like this.

On one of the days were Asher was supposed to be napping, he decided to play with baby powder.  He has on a dark navy shirt and dark blue jeans.  Not that you can tell.  Take a look at his room here.