Over Fall Break in October, we decided we all needed to get out of town for a bit. Because of the kids’ commitments that week, we couldn’t go far, so we planned a drive to the mountains for the day.  

We took a new route – Gold Camp Road all the way to Cripple Creek. Many years ago with the discovery of gold in Cripple Creek, a railroad was constructed from Cripple Creek to Colorado Springs. Around the 1920s, the tracks were removed, & the road was turned into a dirt road for cars. In some spots, it is a very, very rugged dirt road. This route obviously took much longer, but that was part of the adventure. 

The landscape was just beautiful – a perfect fall day. Blue sky, pine trees, golden aspens, crisp mountain air = Beauty. 

We ate lunch in Cripple Creek & did a little shopping. After a full day, we took the highway home & made it back in half the time. 

Getting out of the city & into nature is definitely good for the soul & was just what we needed. 

Labor Day weekend…Amy came to town & we took her to our annual hot-air balloon festival.

Two of my cousins, Val & Jason, from Seattle, flew into Denver for a family gathering in NE, and Kenny & I met them for lunch one day. We haven’t seen them in many years & was so nice to catch up.  

We are enjoying Friday night football games, and watching James in marching band. Go Titans!

A handsome James headed to the Homecoming dance…

Anna ready for the service run at her school, raising money for St. Jude’s Hospital this year…

Mom & Dad came out one weekend for Grandparent’s Day at Anna’s school & to watch James in the marching band.  

I helped chaperone a field trip for Anna’s class to the Olympic Museum & lunch at America the Beautiful Park. Such a beautiful day!

The last day of September was a whirlwind day. Anna was at ballet rehearsals most of the day & was getting dropped at a friend’s house afterward. James was at a marching band competition all day. Kenny & I attended a beautiful outdoor wedding for a close family friend & then drove to see the band compete in finals late that evening.  

Anna attended a vocal camp at the high school the first week of August & enjoyed performing a small show for parents. She and her friend, Emmy, had a solo part together. 

Dinner with long-time friends…a shrimp boil!

A Switchbacks Soccer game…our local soccer team. It was a beautiful night to be out.

James had a full week of band camp at the beginning of August. Families were invited at the end to see their efforts. James is playing bells in the front ensemble. They are off to a great start!

Kenny took the kids to an indoor climbing gym & they loved it! 

James’ track photo from the spring finally made it to my desk so thought I’d include this photo here.

A Vibes baseball game…

The big news for August was the start of school for the kids – 6th grade & 9th grade.  We worked on buying school supplies & uniforms mostly at the end of July so had just a few loose ends to finish up in August. I think the biggest adjustment for our family was the new fall schedule. By the time school began we were already into our ballet & band schedule in the afternoons & evenings, & adding school days was a challenge at first.  After a few weeks, we were all in our new groove.