Casey, Jennifer, and Adelyn Visit

Casey, Jennifer, and Adelyn, otherwise know as "baby Adelyn" in our house, made it out to Colorado for a long weekend visit.  To give them the true Colorado Experience we headed up to "The Condo" in Breckenridge.  We just LOVE using the condo and are extremely fortunate to be able to do so.  I'm really glad Casey, Jen, and Adelyn got the chance to spend some time there as well!

With the weather cold, and a mix of rain and snow in Breck, we headed over towards Glenwood Springs to hike up to Hanging Lake located right off of I-70 near the west end of Glenwood Canyon.

 Before heading up the 1.2 mile hike with a 1000 ft elevation gain, we stopped for some group photos!

 Elizabeth did fantastic hiking up on her own.  About three quarters of the way up her little legs had given all the could and she and Kate decided to head back and look for bugs on their way back down.  In order to keep this a fun family activity with the kids, we've learned that sometimes its not about making it to the top but just being out there.  Elizabeth did a great job and we are really proud of how far she went.  I be by next year she can make it to the top without any trouble.

 The last bit of the hike was spectacular with views of the valley we just hiked up and a steep final climb to get to the lake at the top.

 The lake is full of mineral deposits and the water is crystal clear with waterfalls at the far end.  This is certainly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

 

Andrew had a good time feeding the little brook trout his peanut butter sandwich that he didn't want to eat.

And of course the little chipmunks were in full force scavenging from the hikers.  This one didn't have to work too hard as Aunt Jennifer made it easy on him with a delicious piece of apple.  

Andrew thought it was pretty cool to see him so close.

After spending some time at the lake we headed back down the mountain to catch up with Kate and Elizabeth.  The lake fed a small stream and at the bottom of the trail the kids got a chance to play in the river a little and provided some great opportunities for some fun photos.

 Adelyn did great on the hike riding in Casey's chest pack.  She even decided to take a little snoozer on the way back down.

 Elizabeth had a blast, she even found a bunch of snail shells on the hike and had a couple of butterflies land on her which she loved!

While in Breck the kids wanted to do some ice skating - so of course we did just that - who can complain about having the whole rink to ourselves and then follow it up with a burger special at the Breckenridge Brewery on your way back to the condo before nap time!

Of course with Casey here, we had to get out and do some fishing.  The intel gathered at the flyshop said Salmon Flies on the Colorado!  Who can't resist big fish caught on big flies?!?!

Driving down to the river we enter An incredible canyon!  Casey couldn't resist getting his photo taken...

This is a pretty fishy place although we had a rought go due to the weather.  The fish were keying in on the Salmon Flies but it was cloudy and overcast - The salmon flies like the bright sunny days.

Casey worked the river pretty hard with a streamer and moved a lot of fish but couldn't get any to really commit. 

Finally the Salmon Flies started coming out!  They are probably the coolest bug in the river.  They are HUGE and the trout seem to love them!

I finally hooked into a good one on a streamer.  

 I'm guessing this place is going to be dynamite in the late summer and fall!  I can't wait to come back!


We had a great time with Casey, Jennifer and Adelyn!   We are really looking forward to seeing you guys this summer.

Weekend in Seattle

Elizabeth and I headed to Seattle last weekend for a "girls" weekend.  My brother and dad were far out numbered and wished Jan and Andrew could have come along.  Jan and my Goddaughter, Avery, was having her 1st Holy Communion and what a beautiful occasion to celebrate with family.  We had such a wonderful time and can't wait to get back again soon!

The weather was absolutely amazing the entire time we were in Seattle.  I've visited four or five times now (I think) and I've never once seen the mountains that I've been told surround the city.  I've now seen them with my own eyes!  I can now understand fully why my brother and Courtney love it there so much.  What an amazing place.

The first day that we were there, mom, dad, Avery, Madeline, Elizabeth and I walked downtown to West Seattle.  After an amazing coffee and croissant break at the best French bakery I've ever been to in my life, we took a bus to the water taxi which takes you downtown.  We then walked the piers, rode the carousel and headed up to Pikes Place Market for lunch and shopping.

If I had my way in life, I would literally eat fish every day.  Problem is that I live in a land locked state and fish does not seem as appetizing in Colorado (and Jan is a catch and release fisherman . . . for example we "caught and released" four huge trout today).  Such is life.  So when I go to Seattle, all I really want to eat is fish.  However, we were walking along the Pikes Place Market and came across an outdoor restaurant on the second floor of a building with a beautiful view.  We all agreed that the search for lunch was quickly over, no matter what kind of food the restaurant served.  We had PB&M (that's marshmallow for you jelly folk) for the kids anyway.  It turned out to be a Bolivian restaurant so we had steamed clams and oysters, paella, sangria and could have stayed all afternoon.  But by that time, we had some pretty tired kiddos on our hands and some shopping to still do so we headed back to the market for flowers for Avery's communion and of course a lucky pig ride.  

One of the many highlights of the weekend for Elizabeth was Lincoln Park.  The park overlooks the water and is pretty amazing.  I've gotten to go to many parks over the past 4.5 years and that one is at the top of the list.  What really puts it over the edge (besides the beach, beautiful water views, dense forest) is the zip line.  Yes, they have a zip line swing for kids, young and old alike.  Needless to say, Madeline, Elizabeth and I must have rode the zip line 100 times until I was so exhausted from pushing the girls back up.  So then we went on a nature hunt, looking for bugs.  It's amazing what you can find by turning over a log.  Elizabeth has the exact count but it was something like 6 worms, 2 centipedes, 2 snails, and 5 of the biggest rollie pollies you've ever seen!  Those things were huge.  

 And Madeline is a little monkey on the monkey bars.  I got tired just watching her!

So after Lincoln Park, we were off to the Pacific Science Center.  Michael has been talking about bringing Elizabeth there since he first discovered the bug room and butterfly pavilion a few years ago.  The bugs did not disappoint and Elizabeth is still talking about the Madagascar Cockroach (yes, that is her holding it) and the butterflies.  She absolutely was in heaven!  It was so precious as she did not want to leave the butterfly pavilion and could have stayed there sitting with grandma all day, just waiting for a butterfly to land on her shoulder.  Elizabeth is the greatest little girl.  There is no more talk about wanting a bunny in our house.  No, she wants a Madagascar Cockroach as a pet!  That's my girl!

What's on the menu?  This was of great interest to Elizabeth.  I think if she had the opportunity, she probably would have tried a little grasshopper scampi.

 For some reason, probably because of her book "Larry Get's Lost in Seattle," the main event of the trip was visiting the Fredmont Troll.  Elizabeth talks about the troll all the time and really wanted to go visit him so of course Uncle Michael and Aunt Courtney brought us out of the way to check him out.

One of the highlights for me was getting to play with the girls. Regan is such a little angel and has such a wonderful personality.  I just loved holding her . . . she is so light and cuddly compared to my Captain Density Andrew!

 Avery looked so beautiful for her First Communion.  It was so wonderful to be able to share that day with her.

We miss you all already and can't wait to see you in July!!

Catch of the Day

This year's inaugural fly fishing trip was a little later than past years due to hectic work schedules, a house that for some reason doesn't want to sell, and lots of fun things going on with the kids.

I had the day off and headed out to the stream - only today, of all days, I didn't have a proper camera - long story but i knew this was going to happen...  fortunately I had the blackberry to save the day!

This time of year the big rainbows and cutts from the lake make their way into the river to spawn providing a great opportunity to hook into a hawg on the fly rod.  This one took a big articulating egg sucking leech, a little home brew concoction I made up, giving me a little more confidence that I might actually land him (2 big hooks and a stronger leader).  When I set the hook I knew immediately that this was a big boy!

I also had a great time catching a bunch of 12 inch-ers - so many I lost count - fun day!