Steamboat Lake Camping

 We had an incredible time camping 2 nights at Steamboat Lake.  Darin found the perfect campsite...on a peninsula in the lake.  We had our own private beach 10 yards from tent:-)

 We decided to hike Hahn's Peak, which is the peak we saw from our campsite.  It was an adventure!  We drove a few miles on a rough mountain road before leaving the car and hiking.  We only made it half way before our lack of sleep kicked in.  We had lunch here and decided to turn back.

 Stretching our legs helped us really enjoy the water.  Darin's homemade boat turned out great.  He took the boys on lots of boat rides.

 The boys loved fishing off the boat and at our beach. 

 Darin enjoyed napping on the beach....

And the 3 boys loved playing on the beach.  These red solo cups kept them entertained for an hour!

What a great place--we can't wait to go back!!

We love friends who visit:-)

We had so much fun hosting Amber and Aubrey from Michigan!  Aubrey quickly took charge of the boys, who were glad to do her bidding:-)  We ventured out for a short hike to Mount Falcon so they could get a taste of the mountains.  Aubrey was less than impressed and declared that she was never going to hike again!?  We can't wait for them to come back and give mountain living another try;-)

John's role as the "bee distractor"

Being the mom of 3 boys is quite an adventure....and they're always providing me with "first" opportunities.  We've been fighting with bees building nests in our back yard this summer.  The boys think its great fun to fight the bees and knock down the nest.  Kenny was the captain bee fighter for the latest battle and recruited John to be his "distraction".  Ten minutes later John came in crying with a bee sting on his forehead.  Kenny promptly moved to "Plan B", which was to have Jacob be the "distraction".  They defeated the bees and asked for payment....50 cents each was much cheaper than calling an exterminator:-)

John recovered quickly so I didn't think much of it.....until 4AM when he awoke crying.  The left side of his face was completely swollen, his eye swollen shut.  So I had my "first" trip to the store in the middle of the night of Benydryl!  I think I need my $1.50 bee-killing payment back!!

McCoullough Gulch Gorgeousness:-)

 This might be our new favorite hike!  We trudged 1.5 miles up the mountain and were rewarded with this beautiful waterfall. 

 It provided the perfect backdrop for refueling before we made the last 1/2 mile push to the top. 

 GORGEOUS scenery in every direction....and the feeling of being on top of the world:-)

Jacob & John: The 1st Day of PreK

 Oh my are we excited for school to start!  The J's had to wait an entire week after Kenny started. 

 The Bolthouse Boys' Superhero Pose

 It was a super-sunny Colorado morn, but it wouldn't be the first day without a picture by the school sign:-)

Kenny's 1st Day of 1st Grade:-)

This year is off to a great start!  Kenny's teacher is an all-star....sending a great letter introducing herself, sending home a bag of confetti with a sweet poem about putting the confetti under your pillow so you get a good nights' sleep before the first day of school, and sending a smore treat bag home with a little note, "I'd like s'more students like you".  Kenny LOVED his full day.  I was expecting him to be exhausted by the end of the day, but his brother's must have recharged him.  Their reunion was joyous to say the least:-)

 Kenny couldn't conform to wearing the navy blue school t-shirt.  So he chose this handsome one instead.

The school is starting a new Outward Bound-based program.  The them of the year is crew (as in rowing).  Kenny is lined up at the 1st day of school rally behind his teacher holding the Frank's 1st Grade sign.  They were all looking up at a drone that a 6th grader was flying to record the event.

July Hiking in Colorado: Herman's Gulch

We LOVED this trail!  We didn't reach the lake at the top, but enjoyed this rushing stream on the steep start of the hike.  Once the trail leveled off we were meandering through mountain meadows bursting with blooms and enjoying views of mountain peaks all around us!  We definitely will be more prepared to hike the entire trail next year:-)

Boone County Fair

 Kenny's school starts the beginning of August, which means we can't go to the Iowa State Fair:-(  Boo hoo....but it's been fun to reconnect with the Boone County Fair! 

Driving to Iowa

 We stopped in North Platte, Nebraska for gas and breakfast.  The Sinclair station had a dinosaur all saddled up for the boys.  They're great travelers....singing, watching movies, sleeping....and always one fight!?

Fun in Clear Lake

 We love the lake!  (It's the one thing Colorado lacks!).  Kenny tried tubing for the first time and fell in love.  He told Grandpa to "give me all you've got" for his second ride. 

 Jacob and John patiently waited for their turn to tube. 

 John loved it, but Jacob wasn't a fan....maybe next summer?

 Boating provided the perfect, relaxing atmosphere for Jacob's favorite past time.

 These two fish DON'T take after their mommy.  They were the first to jump in and swim to shore for a quick play on the beach.  (I'm the last one in, and do everything in my power not to touch the bottom!)

 We forgot the water skis, so Darin and I tried out tubing.  Darin was pretty adventurous....trying to do tricks and flipping over 3 times in the process.

My entire goal was to stay on the tube.  It was more fun than I was expecting!

Working in Iowa

 No trip to Iowa would be complete without some WORK!  The boys visited the Nite Owl (Grandma & Grandpa's business) and "helped" Grandpa on the printing press. 

 Sarah got put to work snapping greenbeans with Grandma Erb.

 The boys relaxing after feeding Great Grandpa Erb's donkey.

The grass is growing like crazy!  This yard is too big to bag, so the boys helped Grandpa rake the clippings, load in the wagon and dump on the garden.