27 August 2014
School and Run Fun
A couple of school papers...Julia likes Fancy Nancy because reading it with Stacey at night on her bed is "fancy". Also, her self-portrait. And here is Julia and Jonathan at grandpa's latest race...running a lap around the park and then cheering him on at the finish.
24 August 2014
DeCaliBron
DeCaliBron...short for Mt Democrat, Mt Cameron, Mt Lincoln and Mt Bross.
Distance - 7.25 miles
Elevation Gain - 3,700 feet
Time - 6 hours
Four peaks in one day. Not bad even though the trip was short and really only two of them counted towards my total. I had already completed Mt Democrat and Mt Cameron really doesn't count as a 14er since it's just an unofficial bump along the route to Mt Lincoln. This trip brought the total up to 20 of the 53 14ers in the state.
I woke up at 3 a.m. and met Eric, a former coworker of mine who was in town visiting from California in the blue hat, at his friend Rich's house. We drove just south of Breckenridge and were on the trail by 6:15 in the morning. I took a few photos, but most of the time the weather didn't make for good pictures. The wind was blowing and we encountered some snow on this trip. Although it didn't stick, the ice crystals hitting your face in the wind made for a colder than expected journey.
Eric and Rich braved the elements in cargo shorts. I guess I should have suggested that they bring more clothes, but the selection was limited for Eric anyway while he was here on vacation. I felt great on this hike, mainly because the pace was a little slower than usual. However, I've also concluded that these trips are just becoming easier because of experience - physically and mentally I know what to expect, and I've also really fine tuned my optimal food and drink.
My knees hurt, but otherwise I feel good. I almost considered mowing the lawn when I got back home on Saturday, to give you an idea how good I felt. I was glad to get these checked off the list. I didn't find it to be that scenic, I had already tried in the winter to hike them and the weather didn't hold, and they were the last few around this area of the state.
I still had a lot of fun even though the hike wasn't much to write home about. It sure beats the alternative.
Distance - 7.25 miles
Elevation Gain - 3,700 feet
Time - 6 hours
Four peaks in one day. Not bad even though the trip was short and really only two of them counted towards my total. I had already completed Mt Democrat and Mt Cameron really doesn't count as a 14er since it's just an unofficial bump along the route to Mt Lincoln. This trip brought the total up to 20 of the 53 14ers in the state.
I woke up at 3 a.m. and met Eric, a former coworker of mine who was in town visiting from California in the blue hat, at his friend Rich's house. We drove just south of Breckenridge and were on the trail by 6:15 in the morning. I took a few photos, but most of the time the weather didn't make for good pictures. The wind was blowing and we encountered some snow on this trip. Although it didn't stick, the ice crystals hitting your face in the wind made for a colder than expected journey.
Eric and Rich braved the elements in cargo shorts. I guess I should have suggested that they bring more clothes, but the selection was limited for Eric anyway while he was here on vacation. I felt great on this hike, mainly because the pace was a little slower than usual. However, I've also concluded that these trips are just becoming easier because of experience - physically and mentally I know what to expect, and I've also really fine tuned my optimal food and drink.
My knees hurt, but otherwise I feel good. I almost considered mowing the lawn when I got back home on Saturday, to give you an idea how good I felt. I was glad to get these checked off the list. I didn't find it to be that scenic, I had already tried in the winter to hike them and the weather didn't hold, and they were the last few around this area of the state.
I still had a lot of fun even though the hike wasn't much to write home about. It sure beats the alternative.
21 August 2014
18 August 2014
17 August 2014
Back To School Party
Yesterday was our first neighborhood back to school party. Every year two neighbors host a barbecue, scavenger hunt, movie night and camp out in their backyard.
The kids had a great time and we were able to meet some of the neighbors we hadn't before. Julia and Jonathan ran around the neighborhood for the hunt, then settled on a bean bag chair for the backyard movie. We didn't finish the movie or camp out though, since it was such a late night.
We're glad that we moved and live on a street like this - we feel like we actually have neighbors.
The kids had a great time and we were able to meet some of the neighbors we hadn't before. Julia and Jonathan ran around the neighborhood for the hunt, then settled on a bean bag chair for the backyard movie. We didn't finish the movie or camp out though, since it was such a late night.
We're glad that we moved and live on a street like this - we feel like we actually have neighbors.
15 August 2014
First Paycheck
A few days ago, Willow, a girl a few years older than Julia that lives on our block, decided to start her own business with the kids. Julia and Jonathan and other kids were hired for the job. A few kids quit...some were fired. Julia and Jonathan made the cut.
The retail industry is tough, but the kids scrounged up enough old toys and actually sold a few to some of the other kids on the block. Julia was so excited about it that night and the next morning. At the end of the next day they received their first paycheck for all of their hard work...$2 each.
The retail industry is tough, but the kids scrounged up enough old toys and actually sold a few to some of the other kids on the block. Julia was so excited about it that night and the next morning. At the end of the next day they received their first paycheck for all of their hard work...$2 each.
13 August 2014
First Day of School
Today was Jonathan's first day of school! He was so excited to finally have his own class and teacher.
Last night, after we put him to bed, he called Stacey back into his bedroom because he wanted to tell her something. Stacey knelt down beside him and asked what he wanted...and he said in a whisper, "Mom, I'm so excited about school tomorrow. I want eggs and a banana for breakfast so that I have energy for school".
After breakfast Jonathan put on his Cars backpack and we took these pictures. We arrived at school after a fun ride in my truck. Jonathan didn't seem nervous at all and didn't seem to mind that we were leaving him at school. He was very excited when Stacey and Julia came to pick him up though. There were lots of hugs.
I think he'll really enjoy school, learning, and meeting some new friends...even though when I asked him tonight if he met any new friends he responded with a flat "no".
Last night, after we put him to bed, he called Stacey back into his bedroom because he wanted to tell her something. Stacey knelt down beside him and asked what he wanted...and he said in a whisper, "Mom, I'm so excited about school tomorrow. I want eggs and a banana for breakfast so that I have energy for school".
After breakfast Jonathan put on his Cars backpack and we took these pictures. We arrived at school after a fun ride in my truck. Jonathan didn't seem nervous at all and didn't seem to mind that we were leaving him at school. He was very excited when Stacey and Julia came to pick him up though. There were lots of hugs.
I think he'll really enjoy school, learning, and meeting some new friends...even though when I asked him tonight if he met any new friends he responded with a flat "no".
12 August 2014
Jonathan's First Classroom
Somebody had fun at meet your teacher day, before the first day of school...
10 August 2014
Backyard and Patio
I've spent a lot of time and effort this summer in the backyard. We moved in just as Spring started, so I decided early on that this year would be a good time to focus on cleaning up the outside of our new house. Although the yard had been professionally landscaped several years ago, the prior owners didn't keep up with nature, so things had gradually deteriorated into a giant mess of weeds, rocks and wood chips.
I've finished everything that needed (or that I wanted) changing, except for painting the fence. I painted the light fixtures, I cleaned up and removed countless bags of wood chips that had been blown all over the place and/or been washed along the side of the house and mixed with rocks. I brought in new rock for the drainage area, new rock for the window wells, and brought in a couple truck loads of gorilla hair mulch. I obviously trimmed all the bushes and weeded the property, restored the lawn back to its pre-dog phase, ripped out two trees and planted a new maple...and FINALLY, decided to end the summer with putting in a paver patio over the concrete that had been stained by fertilizer rust.
If that seems like a lot of work, it was. The hardest project was the patio. It took five trips in my truck to unload and load 900 pavers. The entire project took me five solid days to complete; four of them when I was on vacation. The first four days I was able to get the pattern down and 99% of the bricks glued down over the existing concrete slab. Yesterday it took me an entire day to cut the bricks around the edges and pillars. I did all of the cutting with my miter saw and a blade from Home Depot. It was the same cost as renting a saw for a day, but now I have my own blade should I need to cut something else in the future.
The rest of the summer I'll just keep up with the maintenance part of the yard and turn my attention to the inside of the house. We haven't even put up a single picture inside, since I've been so focused on the exterior. The other say at the dinner table Julia complimented me and said, "you're so much more talented than all the other Dads around". Yesterday, just for saying that to me, I let Julia put down the last brick...
I've finished everything that needed (or that I wanted) changing, except for painting the fence. I painted the light fixtures, I cleaned up and removed countless bags of wood chips that had been blown all over the place and/or been washed along the side of the house and mixed with rocks. I brought in new rock for the drainage area, new rock for the window wells, and brought in a couple truck loads of gorilla hair mulch. I obviously trimmed all the bushes and weeded the property, restored the lawn back to its pre-dog phase, ripped out two trees and planted a new maple...and FINALLY, decided to end the summer with putting in a paver patio over the concrete that had been stained by fertilizer rust.
If that seems like a lot of work, it was. The hardest project was the patio. It took five trips in my truck to unload and load 900 pavers. The entire project took me five solid days to complete; four of them when I was on vacation. The first four days I was able to get the pattern down and 99% of the bricks glued down over the existing concrete slab. Yesterday it took me an entire day to cut the bricks around the edges and pillars. I did all of the cutting with my miter saw and a blade from Home Depot. It was the same cost as renting a saw for a day, but now I have my own blade should I need to cut something else in the future.
The rest of the summer I'll just keep up with the maintenance part of the yard and turn my attention to the inside of the house. We haven't even put up a single picture inside, since I've been so focused on the exterior. The other say at the dinner table Julia complimented me and said, "you're so much more talented than all the other Dads around". Yesterday, just for saying that to me, I let Julia put down the last brick...
05 August 2014
Summer Photos
Here area several photos of the kids from the last month or so this summer. I've been collecting them on my phone as I take them or receive them. Usually they don't warrant an individual post, but they do tell the general story of what we've been up to lately.
On July 4th the neighborhood had a mini parade over to the community center. There were food trucks and some activities for the kids, like an overcrowded bouncy house, games, face painting (although I think that was DIY), etc. It was fun to see what people had done to decorate their bikes, strollers, etc.
On the one months anniversary of Jonathan eating on his own, he opened a fortune cookie and was told that "business and health matters will improve around you". It was very interesting timing, and since it comes from the source of all truth, it must mean we're on the right track. I also included a picture of what I call "summer legs". It's not as noticeable here, but I woke up one morning and noticed that both of the kids' legs were really battered and bruised. If you need a visual on how active they've been in the summer, this picture says it all.
Julia and I spent some time together one Saturday morning. We ended up buying her a few things at Old Navy and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. That is, after we had fun playing with the merchandise. Jonathan wanted to borrow Stacey's glasses to practice his audition for a part in Jerry MacGuire. The human head weighs eight pounds. Finally, here are some shots of the kids' pride in some of their new school supplies. This is Jonathan's first backpack (he starts school this year) and Julia's lunch containers (she starts full day first grade this year).
The kids are really enjoying their car this summer. In fact, it's usually the focal point of playtime outside with the other kids, since almost everyone seems to have them. In this shot they are usually the helmets from Michelle to play a game (police man and race car driver - or something like that related to racing). They also have enjoyed their new goggles and arms floaty things from Michelle. If one thing sums up the summer, it's Julia's "THE Painting of Nature"...
On July 4th the neighborhood had a mini parade over to the community center. There were food trucks and some activities for the kids, like an overcrowded bouncy house, games, face painting (although I think that was DIY), etc. It was fun to see what people had done to decorate their bikes, strollers, etc.
On the one months anniversary of Jonathan eating on his own, he opened a fortune cookie and was told that "business and health matters will improve around you". It was very interesting timing, and since it comes from the source of all truth, it must mean we're on the right track. I also included a picture of what I call "summer legs". It's not as noticeable here, but I woke up one morning and noticed that both of the kids' legs were really battered and bruised. If you need a visual on how active they've been in the summer, this picture says it all.
Julia and I spent some time together one Saturday morning. We ended up buying her a few things at Old Navy and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. That is, after we had fun playing with the merchandise. Jonathan wanted to borrow Stacey's glasses to practice his audition for a part in Jerry MacGuire. The human head weighs eight pounds. Finally, here are some shots of the kids' pride in some of their new school supplies. This is Jonathan's first backpack (he starts school this year) and Julia's lunch containers (she starts full day first grade this year).
The kids are really enjoying their car this summer. In fact, it's usually the focal point of playtime outside with the other kids, since almost everyone seems to have them. In this shot they are usually the helmets from Michelle to play a game (police man and race car driver - or something like that related to racing). They also have enjoyed their new goggles and arms floaty things from Michelle. If one thing sums up the summer, it's Julia's "THE Painting of Nature"...
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