Summer Summary - Episode Two

Ouray, Colorado.  If you have ever been there you know that is enough said.  This place is beyond beautiful.  It is like no country I have ever seen.  We were lucky enough to sneak up to the Clarkson's cabin-under-construction for the 4th of July.  We planned on camping next door to the cabin since they were still working on this masterpiece, but when we got there and saw the bear paw and nose prints on the windows of the cabin, it didn't take much to convince us to stay in one of the empty rooms.  There were windy cliffside roads that would make anyone dizzy with nerves, amazing peaks all around us, streams, old historic mines, and did I mention a lack of oxygen!!  Elevation was around 13,000 feet.  Muchas gracias to the Clarksons for there serious generosity in letting us stay there.  This was a fun adventure for all of us.

Fourth of July Morning Parade

Damon, Colleen, Sage, Emma, Monson, Soren, Thane, and lil Liam!!

 

If you think you have been on serious quad rides before you are wrong.  We took all the kids up this mountain. . .

Yeah and it was hours and some extreme off roading.  But the view was completely breathtaking.  We felt like we were in the clouds.  And I had a hand on each kid because this is no place to trip and fall--believe me!!  Talk about anxiety.

Some more of the view.

Lake near the cabin.

The town is nestled down into a small valley surrounded by these towering peaks.  On the night of the 4th, when it gets dark, everyone decorates their jeeps and rides down the canyon into the town.

Then they shoot the fireworks off right up and over everyone.  I think that Cash's face is the perfect nervous excited face.

It was by far the coolest 4th of July we have ever experienced.  Thank you Clarksons!!!!!

PS-At the risk of appearing narcissistic and just down right embarrasing I am posting this picture.  There came a point on the quad right when I just couldn't take it anymore.  I yelled to Ty "Stop the quad!"  I leapt off and began spinning on the green hills and singing "the hills are alive"!  If I only had the dress--darn.  Does this count as stopping and smelling the roses?  It was invigorating, and I got a standing ovation from my audience (well Ty). You would do it do if you saw mountains like these.

Summer Summary

Contrary to what our blog has reflected, we had a completely unforgettable summer.  Now that we are over our depression (due to its end), we are finally ready to talk about it. 

Mission Beach 2009 . . . Wheeler Style!

We had been looking forward to this trip for a long time and it did not disappoint.  We went for early morning walks searching for shells, critters and even found starfish!

Ate super healthy . . .

Swam hard . . .

There may have been a serious game or two of ultimate frisbee (is that brotherly love or a take down?  Nice stride Shelby!  )

Boardwalk bike rides. . .

Fun with cousins . . .

Played in the sand . . .

Some of us love the sand more than others.

Can you just hear his thoughts?
First Pic: "Oh yeah, cookies sound good."
Second Pic: "What in the ?!?!?"
Third Pic: "ARGH!"
Fourth Pic: "Score! I found something resembling a cookie in the sand!"

 

Did I mention that I somehow talked Ty into running a half marathon with me, Nikkii and Stephen?? It was magical to say the least.  Can't you tell by this pic (that I stole from Nikkii's blog) how magical we are all feeling?  No but seriously, we had Coach riding a cruiser behind us armed with water and power gels.  Running at the beach is always the best running ever and it was so fun to be able to do it with these hoodlums.

Stay tuned to see how many of them I can talk into running a marathon with me this November!!

Cash was quickly put in charge of animal control . . .

Fun at Belmont Park . . . (which one of these two looks like a more capable driver?--scary!)

 (pic by Matt)

Just so many happy faces everywhere . . .

Okay so here are the real happy faces.  We had to attempt a family pic so Matt Blonde my bro-in-law took some really cool pics.  I love, LOVE, LOVE my in-laws.  We have so much fun together and they are truly my bestest friends.  But the main reason I love them is because they laugh at my jokes and are really good at doing dishes.  Haha.  Definitely looking forward to many more beach trips with these folks.

 

By now the kids are sorta done smiling.

 And so the sun sets on Episode One of Summer Summary.  Until next time. . .