Bahamas

Wow, can't believe it's February! We enjoyed a wonderful week in the sun and loved watching Mae and Owen play in the water and sand! Mae is still enjoying Busy Bees and talks often of being a big sister to another sibling soon. Owen wishes he could be outside all day riding bikes, playing with sticks, and exploring the world around him. Buena Vista has mild winters compared to many mountain towns in Colorado but it sure is windy. We often escape inside due to the winds but we swim in Salida often, go to play dates during the week, and play in our fantastic new rental home. Baby Blazer is growing and kicking lots...I'm on a 10 week count down! We have found a great church here, Dave is growing in his job, I'm getting to help Wilderness Ranch as well as Noah's do hiring for guide staff, and we are settling into a good rhythm for now. CANNOT wait for warmer days, though! Missing all our friends and family!

Play Time

Taylor is one of Mae's favorite friends! She lives down the street and we often go see them at their home. They are so sweet together!

Owen's idea of fun is anything cars, trucks, bikes, airplanes or tractors. :)

Pumpkin Patch

We've always heard how great the Buena Vista Pumpkin Patch was and we completely agree. It's held at a community farm that feels like a family farm where you take a wagon ride to a field with the pumpkins are waiting for you to pick them out. Goats, calves, and chickens to visit along with face painting, pony rides and old fashioned games. Mae and Owen had a blast for three hours! Hooray for Fall Festivals!

Mae + soccer = ?

Mae has started soccer in Buena Vista. A bit more of a princess than a rough and tough girl, Mae's favorite part is running around and making sure we are watching her. :) When balls come her way she runs out of it's path. She runs around just enough that it almost looks like she knows what she is doing but if you watch her longer than a minute or two you will realize she doesn't quite get the concept yet. But she is so fun to watch!! Usually picking at her fingers, watching the other players, looking for mom and dad, or eagerly anticipating her end of game treat is what she is more likely up to.
Go Mae!

Owen's 2nd Birthday!

Our day was spent driving down to the Hooper Pool by the Sand Dunes! We swam in the 98 degree water, went down the slide, jumped off the diving board, and ate that beautiful jeep birthday cake that Betty made for Owen! Grandma and Grandpa Blazer joined in on the fun and we were all worn out by that afternoon. Owen came home to open gifts of trains, tools, and a new Strider bike! We are ready for more boy fun. :) I am so grateful for this sweet boy in my life.

Exploring

One day we all loaded up in Dave's jeep and headed to 11,500 feet on Mount Princeton! We discovered a beautiful chalet that Young Life build many decades ago where we had a great picnic and enjoyed a Saturday morning together. Mae and Owen both have been able to experience their first raft trips this summer! They were in awe the first trip...and loved being so close to the water. We've checked out a local farm, goat dairy, and often go on bear hikes. A light dusting of snow is now on the mountains and the kids cannot wait for the 'real' snow to set in...they are fired up about winter. :)

Slide Fun

Enjoying the outdoors at Mountain Meadows is a family favorite past time! Mae and Owen spend LOTS of time on the fort at the cabin. We play hide and seek in the grass, visit the cows and horses nearby, go on golfcart and jeep rides, jump on the tramp, bathe Noah, and play in the creeks. Mae is about to start Busy Bee's in a few weeks...Owen and I get to walk Mae to school as it is just around the corner from our house. Mae and Owen are enjoying the river and have been out twice for raft trips! On our most recent hike we got to see a bear! Owen can't stop saying 'see bear' to everyone we talk to. Noah's Ark is just about to close down for the winter...we are sad to not have staff dinners with our new friends and will miss playing with the other staff kids in the evenings. Julie, Kimberly, my dad, Melissa, George and Gracie made it up for a visit! We toured Noah's, went climbing, ate treats and K's, and enjoyed one another's company. So thankful to have family come from far away to visit.
Fall is around the corner and we can't wait for more family time together and for fun outings with friends. Always thinking of our friends and family! Love to all of you reading this!