rocky mountain high

I was invited to teach an all-day course for the Desk and Derrick's annual conference in Denver, so with it falling between the hubs' and my birthday, we decided to go together and sightsee as our birthday gifts!  We flew into Denver on Wednesday, and I taught the class on Thursday.  Three of my students passed their tests and became certified, after six years of courses.  Yay!  

On Friday we got up and went to Denver Biscuit Co., for a ridiculously yummy breakfast.  Then we headed to Pikes Peak.  We couldn't get on the railroad because the only available tickets were for 8:00 am, so the hubs geared up to drive the entire way up to the summit.

We didn't see Big Foot, sadly enough.

We stopped at the Crystal Reservoir, where a wind storm picked up all the dirt in the parking lot and we almost lost our way back to the car!

Well, I guess technically we did find one Big Foot...

The view from Ute Pass, on the way up.  It took about an hour to drive to the summit.

We made it!  Let me tell you, upon arriving in Denver, the altitude was affecting me.  I passed out after my class, sleeping from 7:00 pm until 8:30 am the next morning!  Altitude sickness was like being hungover and out of breath, with a chronic headache.  The minute we stepped out of the car on the summit, I was afraid I'd pass out.  I felt better when we got indoors, into the highest gift shop in America!

We were level with the clouds and could see for miles.....

I refused to look over the edge for our drive up, because there are some areas where there's maybe a few feet between the road and a cliff.  Plus, there's almost no barriers stopping your car from plummeting over the edge.  The drive down was almost as bad, in that we now added my fear that Hertz wasn't too careful with their brake inspections!

But I didn't need to worry - we made it down in one piece.  I even got some great shots of the drive down to the bottom of the mountain.

We left Saturday and I was thrown back into reality by returning to work this morning.  This is the second time I've taught this "Land and Leasing" class, and honestly, I'd probably do it again if I get to travel to awesome new cities!

barrett: 40 months old

Barrett has been in preschool for two weeks now, and has adjusted beautifully!  His language has exploded, and he enjoys getting to play with other kids his own age.  And like the other kids in his class, he's learning all about potty training!  He's getting good at pulling down his pants and pulling them back up all by himself, and he especially loves washing his hands once he's done.  

Barrett loves when Britton plays with him.  Tonight Barrett and Britton piled a ton of pillows on the bed and pretended to "sleep" and Barrett had a blast.  He didn't want to go to bed, so I had to get Britton to "march" with Barrett to his room.  Then he wanted Britton to stay for stories.  It was a beautiful moment of sibling bliss.

Likes:  dressing up as Tinkerbell tonight, playing tag, going to school, anything to do with construction equipment, chips

Dislikes:  when we forget to charge the Kindle

85 months old

This sassy 7 year old has just completed her second week of second grade!  Britton has adjusted well to her new school, and even had a new friend over last week for a playdate.  She especially loves art and music, and is excited to tell us about what activities she is doing at school.  

Britton started gymnastics last week, and absolutely loves it!  She did gymnastics last summer and when I asked her what physical activity she wanted to do in Texas, she was set on gymnastics.  The Rio Olympics may have helped her decide!  Next Sunday she starts piano lessons.  We found a piano teacher right down the street from us, which is so convenient.  Britton hasn't been really interested in doing Brownies here, so I didn't push it.  I think two activities a week is fine for now, and if she wants to pursue other interests later we'll adjust to it.

Likes:  her new Descendants dress, sewing (she made her doll an apron with pockets, all on her own!), Legos, The Sisters Eight book series - we just finished the second book tonight!

Dislikes:  when Barrett wants to do everything she does