August was a whirlwind. I promoted to colonel on the first, we said goodbye to my parents on the second.
The kids started school the second week of August. They big ones got lockers and their schedule; Latin and orchestra everyday. The little ones met their teachers and thrived.
I asked Anna where she wanted to go for her birthday and, after she initially choosing Great Sand Dunes, chose Rocky Mountain National Park. We went up with the Kosers for Labor Day weekend.
We left early Friday and drove straight to the park. We picked up the junior ranger books and badges and drove into the park. Our first stop was the Alluvial Fan hike. We hiked up to the waterfall/creek crossing.
Zach, Anna, Teddy and I skipped across the creek by jumping from dry rock to dry rock. Kristi and Ella went a little further down, took off their shoes, and waded through the cold snowmelt. We played and splashed and went back and forth across the creek.
We then got back into the vehicles and drove up the gravel Old Fall River Road. Halfway up the road, we saw two moose.
We made it to the Alpine Visitor Center and then hiked up the paved trail. We got some mountainous family pictures and then headed down to the YMCA of the Rockies.
We checked into our room and then had a group dinner with the Kosers. We played basketball, gaga ball, and horseshoes.
We went back to our hot room, set up the fans, and fitfully slept.
She gave him a smile with a future in it. 