Family pictures at American Basin

American Basin is a GORGEOUS place 20 miles or so - but close to an hour drive in a 4x4 - away from Lake City. It was SUPER cold, but we braved the cold to take these pictures. It was a pretty bumpy ride up and back, but somehow the little man took a nap. What a trooper. Don't be surprised if you see these again on our Christmas cards.

Colorado fishing pictures

It was neat for me to get to see how interested and excited Paul was about fishing. The 3 guys were up at 6am almost every morning to go catch fish. Most of them were caught at Deer Lake.

Patrick was pretty psyched to see a beaver at Deer Lake. We decided to name it Marsha, since her animal personality is a beaver. It was pretty funny to hear him talk about Marsha the Beaver.

We caught (I say we because I was there, not because I cast a rod) 23 fish that day at Deer Lake! We had a great fish fry with our fish, hush puppies and potatoes. Mmmm! It seemed like every time someone cast, they caught a fish. I sat on a rock and read a book and took pictures. I also had taken a pretty nasty fall that day, it was only about a foot and a half, but I landed on my knee. Thankfully, it's just sprained, but that didn't do much for me feeling old a day after my birthday.

Patrick was into fishing as much as a 3 year old can be. At first he thought we were going to catch "cod fish," but then we told him they were rainbow trout. He liked catching the "rainbow fish."

Family Vacation pictures

The cabin was perfect size with a perfect deck. The weather was perfect - sometimes hot and sometimes cold and rainy. We had fun laughing at stories and each other. I had a great birthday shopping and eating gourmet pizza and playing cards.

Patrick enjoyed the new adventure of the mountains and the forest. We would talk about what animals were in the forest. He tried to tell us there were giraffes in the forest. In addition to his adventures to find pinecones and flowers, he loved to throw his football down the mountain and then go get it. He really was a good little mountain man.

If you have a sec, Google "Alferd Packer." He is a notorious cannibal from Lake City. Our cabin was less than a quarter mile from the "Alferd Packer site." The whole town (all 315 of them) is obsessed with the cannibal. I thought it was kinda funny, but everyone else thought it was pretty creepy.

Last week of Swim School

This week they put on life jackets and jumped off the diving board! Paul knew one of the other life guards from Tramps, and he asked him on Tuesday if Patrick could jump off and Ed said sure. This time - his first time - it was with NO life jacket. As you might expect, he jumped with no hesitation. And didn't even wait for "3," he jumped on "2." He was a bit disappointed when he had to wear a life jacket when the whole class jumped. Am I ready for this little thrill-seeker, daredevil I've got on my hands?

My birthday reminds me how blessed I am

My birthday reminds me of just how blessed I am. . . to have been born into such a loving family, to have met a wonderful man, to have created such an amazing little child, and to have so many caring friends in my life. For all that you are to me, thank you. I am truely blessed to have you in my life. Here's to my 32nd year of life, laughter and love.

Fun with Bubba & Grandma

Happy Birthday, G Christopher Snead!

For all you do, this blog's for you!