Labor Day Fun!

We took a day trip up to Estes. What is so funny, is that so many people we knew were there too!

But let me back up a bit. We were in Boulder first. We had quite the weekend and spent most of it in the car driving around, and I will get to that another day, but today, we started out in Boulder.

We attempted Boulder Falls AGAIN and it was closed AGAIN, but this time it was due to dangerous falling rock, so we went down the creek to play.

The kids had a great time, and Mason wanted to go swimming so badly, but I had to keep them dry for the ride up to Estes so they wouldn't freeze to death.  We enjoyed our hike in boulder though.

After an hour in the car we made it to Estes.

It was a gorgeous day. Only reaching 80 degrees!

Lunch! Finally!

We were having a grand time together, giggling, laughing, singing. We loved the quietness and peace from the outdoors. As I was cleaning up, I was helping Juliet with something and Mason got his wish (from earlier)...

He fell face first into the creek! Nathan leaped in and rescued him.

His entire back was dry. He is only crying because he didn't get to stay in the water. I know, Nathan and I are so mean not letting him stay there and just drown. The funny thing is that no one panicked. Not even Mason! There was no crying or splashing in fear, nothing. He literally just wanted to swim.

Mason isn't in this picture because Nathan wanted to make sure he was okay and of course, keep him from the rocks and water.

Here is a fun reference from the LAST TIME WE WERE IN ESTES PARK back in 2008!

This time we took the kids through the town...

 This salt water taffy was made on a machine that is 65 years old!

 The kids loved trying something new.

Molasses was the family favorite.

Then we went into the Ore Shop.

Bridget was totally into the rocks and information about them.

Then we had some homemade fudge.

 The firemen were collecting money, and had the firetrucks open for play. 

I bet you can't guess who loved that...

 We had a great time.

There were so many beautiful wildflowers. I love my wild girl loved them as much as I do.

Now, if you know me, you know how much I love cherries. They are my favorite fruit. More than grapes.
In fact, this is my top 5 list:

Cherries

Pomegranates

Cranberries

Grapes

Grapefruit

And Nathan's because we print this book for the kids:

Kiwi's

Navel Oranges

Sweet Apples (not Granny Smiths - which are my preference, which is what I usually buy LOL)

Dragon Fruit

and a Good Watermelon

Anyway, back to the day. There was a Cherry Palace and we went in so I could die and try every free sample they were offering. Just Kidding.

We picked up some Cherry Juice! and Cherry Butter.

We had homemade tortillas and chicken soft tacos for dinner with our delicious Cherry Juice, and then it took us forever and a day to unpack from this weekend, but...I get to start the week with a beautifully clean (and vacuumed van!) It really is the little things. ;)

After walking and hiking earlier today we ended up 1.9 miles short on our 100 mile goal.

Lucas is determined to get it done tomorrow, so I imagine, we will.

Since tomorrow is assessment day and only 1 hour of school, Lucas thinks we made it to the end of summer.

Wednesday marks the first day of school for his bud in California, and his first day of real school, not the "rules and what to do days" so - we shrugged our shoulders and are going to say...we did it. Why burst that 7 year olds bubble on a technicality? And besides, how many people do you know who have walked/hiked/biked/ran 100 miles as a family in one summer?  Exactly. It is a success!

I think next year we will set an actual date. :)

33. End of Summer Picnic

We met up with Grandma and Grandpa Witte and Ryan and Veronica for our annual End of Summer Picnic.

 The kids had a great time together, and with Grandma and Grandpa.

Bridget Kindergarten, Noah and Lucas 2nd Grade, and Elijah Kindergarten.

It was a perfect day for dinner and some splashing.

32. Gain a few more family members

I had 3 sisters/in law all due in the same week.

My sister had her baby first, 2 weeks early.

Meet : Theodore Christos T.

(with Philip)

The very next day, Elizabeth (nathans only sis) had her baby.

Meet : Morgan Riley J.

And then, almost a week late, my sister in law Erin,(jareds wife) had this little cutie pie!

Meet : Elsa Barrett W.

And, that same day we found out that my sister in law Danielle (bens wife) will be having a boy in December.

So, after taking 2012 off for the Witte family grandbabies, we got 3 in one year. 

My kids are excited to get 4 new cousins in 2013.

So the Witte count is 5 boys and 6 girls.

The Horn count is 4 boys and 3 girls.

Not too shabby. :)

31. Water Wednesdays

Usually our ward has park days on Wednesday, but July and Aug have kind of fiddled out.

So, we decided that we were going to hit different water parks around the city and cool down.

Some days we even played with water in the backyard.

This particular Wednesday, Nathan was able to join us.

It was overcast and not very "hot" but no one seemed to mind.

Here are the children at the new water/park near our house.

Mason totally caught me taking pictures of him. Haha. You can always count on Mace to give you a face. Haha.

 Nathan tried some of the equipment, HAHAHAHA

Lucas seriously needs a hair cut. He wanted to "grow it out" this summer, and I told him he doesn't grow length, per se, just thickness.He didn't believe me,so this summer was the test.

(I was right)

Believe it or not, Nathan's hair is curly too. Kind of weird that we got 5 straight haired kids.

Lucas's hair is only curly when it is this long, and believe me, it will never be like this again! yuck!

Since summer is nearly over, lets do a freckle check:

Still only a few.

I wonder when they will "come in?"