the steamboat gondola

We had a great time riding the gondola up the mountain on Monday morning!! None of us had ever been on a gondola before...

 Everybody on!

riding up the mountain...

 this is the sign at the top -- when you get off... we loved the rule "bikes and dogs don't mix" -- true!

 looking down at the ski village

 the boys at the top... once you get off the gondola, it looks like you're at the top, but there's another set of slopes behind you!

 Hiking down one of the trails -- Jerry has been deemed Carter's mule for the week... Carter has let us know that he does not hike. Anywhere.

 looking down another slope, with the chairlift above

 then we hiked back to the top, where we had gotten off the gondola, and had a picnic lunch

 the boys played a little soccer and frisbee...

 the view from the TOP!

Time to head back down -- what a great morning!

weirded out

So, I got weirded out seeing all the random countries and places that were supposedly reading my blog. Due to that, I have made it private. I am happy to add your email address to my list if you're not already on it... just send me an email or Facebook me!

Thanks :)

hi-ho, to denver we will go!

We left bright and early Saturday morning for Steamboat Springs, CO via a night's stay in Denver. Since we are about 700 miles from Steamboat, and we have a lovely, spirited, hates-to-ride-in-the-car two year old, we decided that stopping in Denver would keep all of us sane and happy.

 The trip to Denver went very smoothly, thanks to a lot of prayers, treats, DVDs, snacks, and surprises!!

 checking out the sea turtles

 boys love rattlesnakes...

 cool stingrays

 a baby yellow sea horse

 the underside of a stingray... see his eyes and mouth?

 yes, that's just one LONG fish between the boys!

 we told Carter that the fish was kissing his hand ;)

 the tigers were sleepy that afternoon...

 touching a stingray and a starfish

 check out this shark's teeth... oh my!

 I love the sea turtles!!

 We had a great afternoon at the Downtown Aquarium! We then ate a yummy dinner at the Corner Bakery, swam at the hotel pool, and hit the sack!

it's over 100 degrees... again

We're closing in on a record number of 100+ degree days here in the 'Ta. The grass is a crunchy brown, you start sweating profusely when getting in a hot car, we've spent a TON of time at the pool, and I'm ever-so-thankful for our AC. One evening last week, the boys were bored and needed to run off some steam, so we set up our Elmo sprinkler in the front yard. They loved it!

the zoo with Nana and AL

Last Friday, I didn't have to work, so we decided to head to the zoo with Nana and Aunt Laura. We had a fun morning filled with lots of animals!

This chimp was soooo frisky! He was banging on the glass and dancing in front of the kids. Grayson loved it, and Carter clung tightly to me.

 This little guy has been my FAVORITE animal for the last year... and that's how old he is! A cute little one year old chimp. Love him!

 Carter really wanted to see the hippos...

 and there they were. All cooled off in their pool.

 Two brothers checking out the two lion brothers just resting peacefully

 Super excited to go on a boat ride!

What a great morning at the zoo! :)