Fall break trip to Utah

We spent our fall break in Utah. We always have a lot of fun there, and it seems like there's an endless list of new places to explore.  This trip, we went climbing at Mill Creek which was gorgeous with lots of fall leaves. We also attempted a slot canyon (we didn't end up doing the slot part, but did get to go tubing), hiked through Fisher Towers and Goblin Valley (the kids' favorite spot for hide and seek) and found great apple picking on our way home near Palisade.

We planned to take the kids down a slot canyon. It was colder and wetter and more technical than we thought, so we just make it part way to this little pond and the kids floated.

Tubing in Straight Wash

Mill Creek climbing

Mill Creek

The kids love playing hide and seek in Goblin Valley.  After it took me 20 minutes to find Ama, I'm not sure this was the best idea.  I thought I'd lost her forever in the desert.

Goblin Valley, Logan's favorite

Fisher Towers

Campground outside Moab

Hiking out to Fisher Towers

Fisher Towers

Apple picking near Palisade.  We found a great, uncrowded, in expensive little farm.  Apple picking near Denver needs to be reserved months ahead of time, so it was nice to find this spot. 

Apple picking

Harry Gates hut trip

We went back to Harry Gates for our fall hut trip this year. You never know what kind of weather you'll get this time of year in Colorado.  We had it all-- sun, rain and snow.  We managed to get in some aspen rustling, climbing, and hikes along with cozy cabin time.

Camping attire always includes a pink ballerina dress

Rustle rustle

Ama and Wyatt watching the snow fall

Hut trip to Sangree Froehlicher

We did a quick trip, just us, to a hut near Leadville. It was a 3 mile hike in through a wet forest with super cool red and white spotted Smurf mushrooms, and we had the whole place to ourselves. We played lots of board games, did a quick hike to the top of the hill nearby, made pizza, and roasted marshmallows. On the hike out, there was an exciting freak hail storm, and we had to huddle under an old piece of scrap metal until it passed.

Zimmy was not on our hut trip... but he's too cute to delete

Quick hike to the hill above the hut

Who needs a Baby Bjorn when you can just stick your baby down your jammies?

Eclipse

We journeyed to Nebraska for the big eclipse! We were ready for the apocalypse.  We had days of food and gas strapped to the roof of our car because we were sure we'd be stuck in traffic for hours and the Nebraska infrastructure would not be able to handle the hordes of people. We were pleasantly surprised that they all went to Wyoming, and we sailed there and back with no traffic. We decided to camp in the Pawnee National Grasslands because it was on the way, and it turned out to be a big wind farm. We feel asleep to the lull of turbines turning-- super fun for me.

The next morning we drove north and watched the eclipse from Scottsbluff National Monument, where we learned a little about the Oregon Trail while we were waiting. It was a super festive atmosphere.  Everyone cheered as the eclipse approached totality and it did seem that for a moment we were all united as a human race.  The eclipse pictures were a nice break from all the political posts that fill my Facebook feed.  As soon as a tiny wedge of sun peeked out from behind the moon, we ran for the car and pealed out of there to beat the traffic home, in true Anderson style.  It was only a 24 hour trip, but super cool-- definitely made me think we should make sure we travel to the next one in 10 years!

Pawnee National Grasslands

Heading west on the Oregon trail

Approaching totality

First day of school 2017

First day of 4 year old preschool and first grade. What a difference a year makes! Amelie ran right in with no tears.  Thank goodness.

Summer 2017

This has been a full summer with lots of great adventures. It flew by way too quickly, but we were lucky to get to see lots of friends and family.

The Radtkes came to visit! Rob is our buddy from our Air Force days, and his kids are about the same age as ours.  We don't see them too often, but the kids always pick up right where they left off.

Fort building at 3 Sisters with Sam & Grady

Ama loves her baby Zimmy

The mountains are calling...

Top of Elephant Butte next to 3 Sisters

Our cousins came to visit!  The kids had such a great time together.  I think a trip to West Point is in order!

Cousin pileup

The annual father's day picture, on our walk to the Rodeo parade. 

We've been spending our climbing days at Devil's Head. The ladybugs have been a big hit. I'm not sure they love Amelie as much as she loves him.  

Devil's Head

There's some fun tunneling on the way to the crag

Tree climbing

Uncle Andrew

And his mini-me

Aunt Maddie is a favorite around here

Ama and her buddy Olivia

Olivia's birthday.  Amelie clung to Olivia... she wasn't too sure about the princess

Watching the other kids at Olivia's party...  by the time Ama warmed up, the party was about over.

Slip and slide fun

Snapchat with Uncle Andrew

My 2nd and 3rd babies

A sweet cousinly headlock

Ama and her baby Zimmy