Getting Out

This year I really want to get the boys out.  I've been trying to take them hiking, and although we usually don't make it very far, it is so fun to see them explore.

I took the boys up to NCAR, in South Boulder near where I grew up.  It was beautiful and green!

Austin did a lot of this.

He usually has so much energy and loves to be outside so I was shocked at his anti-hiking.  He'll get used to the idea.

Zach did a lot of waiting.  He is a great hiker (so I think) and could go way farthar than Austin will tolerate.  We brought a magnifying glass so he was happy to play with that while I tried to bribe Austin to keep going.

The boys got sidetracked by the big boulders with holes in them.  They spent 30-40 minutes filling up these holes with rocks and sticks.  The rocks had to be arranged just perfectly together.  At first I was antsy to get moving, but then realized that this was also what I wanted.  Being out in nature, discovering, and enjoying our time together.  So we hunted down the perfect rocks, and arranged and rearranged until it was just right.

When we reached a stopping spot, we had some snacks.  I wanted to get a picture of the boys together, but Austin was pouting for me to open his fruit leather.  So Zach leaned over and gave him a kiss and said, "It's alright buddy.  You'll get it in a second."

Joy.

The boys have been fighting like cats and dogs lately.  Austin is growing more mischevious and Zach is home all the time and gets bored quickly, and like any brothers they know just how to bug each other.  Some days aren't pretty and are challenging.  But I'm so grateful for all of the happy, loving, fun moments that fill in our days and make it all worth it.

On Memorial Day we went up to Eldorado Canyon with Pete.  It was busy and we had to park a ways from the trail we intended to go on, so instead we crossed the stream and headed up a trail right next to the stream.  It was pretty, but a bit rocky and required some scrambling that was a touch tricky carrying Austin in the pack.  Not difficult without carrying him, but he was wiggly in the pack and was really throwing off my balance!  I wanted to carry him awhile to test it out for going on my own with the boys.   I'm hoping he'll like to ride so we can do some "longer" hikes.  I think he would have done better if the trail were more even and we were moving along faster and smoother.

They threw a lot of rocks in the stream.

Exploring a cave that was on the side of the trail.

I let Cal carry him back.  :)

It has been so fun to have Pete close by!