Summer of fun in Colo-RAD-o part 2.

After the family reunion, my family stayed in the mountains but changed our location to Silverthorne/Dillon where we spent a few days hiking, kayaking, and working at that bucket list with a hot air balloon ride.  As I wrote about earlier, this is the summer that I truly fell head over heels for Colorado and this weekend definitely increased my love for this beautiful place I get to call home.  Nothing beats enjoying the outdoors with my family!  

 

Early in the morning before our flight.  

Mom and Dad came up to watch the kids while we were up in the air.  We blew lots of kisses to each other and waved dramatically as we got further and further away.  

Saying goodbye to our "small" people on the ground.  

Love the pics with the shadow of the balloon behind us.  

 

It doesn't look like it, but we are high in the air.  

From my dad's camera.  

Other people had the same idea!

They put us to work after the flight...

The balloon is massive!

Rolling it up.

Our view during the flight.  Sharing this once in a lifetime trip with my love was incredible!

 Other fun things we did this summer included family camping, lots of mountain biking for Blaine, a few Rockies games, and lots of pool time.  Why does summer have to end???

Cousin Ellie came along and shared her enthusiasm for all things outdoors!  

Hoping to catch a fish!

Bella caught...moss!

Cooking our traditional hobo foil dinners.  YUM!

Getting a little sticky!

Those jumbo marshmallows are really quite HUGE!

We actually found some GF graham crackers so Blaine didn't have to miss out on the fun.  That is one BIG S'more!  

One last fishing attempt before bed and they actually caught a fish!

Hobby or obsession?  Maybe a little bit of both!

We love a good groupon deal!  Family horseride in Estes Park.  

The girls both squeezed into their "too small" pink cowgirl boots for the occasion.  

Bella did awesome on her own.  

Mom found out on this trip that she is allergic to horse dander.  

 

Grandpa, the cowboy.  

The kids loved chasing around the farm animals.  

Fun in the $5 rock pile seats!  When we ended up getting rained out...we sure were glad we didn't have more expensive seats!

Fun at the ballpark with my nieces.  

Glad Makell could visit us from Oregon. 

Bella and friends, Kinley and Sophie.  

And we ended our summer, as always, celebrating our wedding anniversary.  For our 12th, we got to spend 24 hours kid-free (thanks to family and friends) where we enjoyed an afternoon being quite glutenous at a gluten free expo.  We found new products and ate everything to our heart's content.  It was pretty enjoyable!  I'm so grateful to have married this guy 12 years ago and for all of the joy our relationship and family brings to me.  I am beyond blessed!