Hiking the Twin Sisters Trail

Kristen and I are bold and brave mamas!  So we didn't think twice about driving our crew up to Evergreen for a hike this morning.

   John was so excited for the hike, he had to sleep with his backpack on:-)

We hiked about a mile up and found this pretty spot for lunch and exploring before heading back down.  No hike would be complete without ice cream!  The Baskin Robbins in Evergreen made for a bunch of happy hikers!

Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park

We left Grand Lake on Saturday morning and headed into the park for a quick hike before heading home.  We decided to do a 1.5 mile hike to some cascading falls.  We arrived at the cascades to be attacked by man-eating mosquitos.  The boys were frantic for their fruit snacks (the reward for reaching our destination), and Darin and I were frantic to head back to the car.  Needless to say, no pictures of the cascades.  A wonderful family from Kansas City came to our rescue and offered us some mosquito repellant wipes. So we were finally able to sit and enjoy our fruit snacks:-) before heading back to the car.  What an adventure!

Boating on Grand Lake

 We had a fabulous Friday floating on Grand Lake.  We rented a big pontoon for the 4 adults and 5 kids.  Each of the boys took a turn driving. 

 John was taking us around in circles!

 Kenny was a steady captain....until nature called and Darin had to navigate up to shore!

 We took along two fishing poles, which was perfect--one for each daddy to monitor:-)

 Happy Bolthouse Family on the water!

Kristen and I enjoyed this view all day.

Slumber Party in Grand Lake!

Our good friends, the Jasperson's, spent a week in a cabin by Grand Lake.  They invited us up for the last two nights.  Here's night 1--movie for the boys while the adults played some killer games of ping pong and air hockey in the rec room:-)

Making "Applesauce"

 The boys are phenomenal hunters and gatherers.  They filled their pockets with crab apples on a walk to the mailbox.  The decided to turn them into applesauce.  TASTY!

Annual Trip to Elitch Gardens

What a fun day at Elitch Gardens thanks to Lockheed Martin:-)

 We did it all.....and were even smiling upon departure. 

 We invited the Jasperson's along.  Ian was out with a fever, but Keegan and JR joined us. 

 This picture says it all:-)

 The boys called this the Optimus Prime ride!

 What sweet little blondies.

Summer Fun

   Nothing says summer like popsicles!

Kenny and Jacob lounge with after-nap popsicles.

Darin and the boys flagged down the ice cream truck to get these sweet spiderman treats.