Anna at her drinks store at the trailhead for Grays and Torreys

After last weekend when Jude did his drinks store Anna wanted to do the same thing. So, on Saturday morning we were up early and we headed up to the exact same spot as last Saturday: the trailhead for Grays and Torreys. The weather was not quite as nice but Anna did a brisk trade and ended with $104 in total revenue about 20% of which were tips. Her profits were $74 which she was thrilled with. On the way back home we stopped in Idaho Springs for a late lunch.

Family selfie on the Beaver Brook Trail hike in Genesee Park

This morning we decided it was time we went for a family hike since we hadn’t done one all summer. Last year Marcy discovered this great hike in Genesee Park just 30 minutes from home that she did with the kids when I was away. So, we decided to make this our family hike and it was great. Just over 5 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation which the kids can handle with ease now.

Taking a dip in the little rock pool

The weather was great, not too hot or cold – Jude and Anna decided it was certainly warm enough for a quick dip in one of the rock pools. I put my feet in and the water was really cold but that didn’t stop Jude from completely submerging himself in the water. It was a nice refreshing break at about the halfway point.

Closeup of a butterfly landing on a flower

Anna decided that she wanted to take a lot of photos on the hike and make a calendar. So, she spent a lot of time doing closeups and other nature photos. She said no people or man made objects were to be in the photos. Jude decided to take just one photo, but it was a good one below. The iPhones take pretty good closeup photos these days.

Jude’s closeup of the butterfly and flower

Jude riding through the sprinklers on the way back from soccer camp

Jude had Challenger Sports this week, the regular soccer camp he has been in several times before. This was the Wash Park version so he could ride his bike every day which was handy. Anna had a new camp, 2-4-1 Sports and she absolutely loved it, saying it was the best camp ever. The idea behind it is that you can choose multiple sports to do during the week (their theme is “life is 2 short 4 just 1 sport). Anna chose tennis, soccer and universal which included archery, flag rugby, golf and volleyball.

Jude wanted to make some money this summer so for several weeks we had been discussing what he should do. When I suggested we buy some drinks at Costco and then sell them at the base of a 14er he loved that idea.

Jude manning his drinks shop at the Grays Peak trailhead

On Saturday, Jude and I were up early making a sign, getting ice and packing everything into coolers. We drove to the base of Grays Peak arriving about 10am where, as I suspected, there was a great parking spot as the really early risers were leaving already. We had our store ready to go about half an hour later and started selling our ice cold water and Gatorade. We worked for just over two hours netting $99 in revenue (including tips) and about $68 in profit. Most importantly, Jude loved the experience and wants to do it again some time.

Anna hard at work in the basement

While Jude and I were away Anna and Marcy got to work on some odd jobs around the house. Anna was a big helper with spackling and some painting. Anna enjoyed helping out there. We had a relaxing afternoon and a lovely dinner on our back deck.

Relaxing on the hammock on a hot afternoon this week

Today, I watched the British Open golf with Jude in the morning and then this afternoon I went for a run with Jude and then Anna, Jude and I played putt putt golf. We capped the weekend off with my favorite, a night out for sushi.

At the farm with the baby goats

In Iowa for our second week the cousins were all away at camp, although the twins did come back late Tuesday. But Anna and Jude had their grandparents to themselves for a couple of days. On Monday they took them to a farm that has a bunch of baby goats. They were able to feed, hold and pet them and they just loved it. So much so, they went back again a couple of days later for a second term.

Jude just loved petting the kid goats

For Jude the highlight of his week, as it has been for several weeks now, was watching the World Cup. We organized his days around watching the games and he got to see every minutes of both semi-finals while in Iowa. He even got Baba into it who was cheering for whoever Jude was supporting.

Jude celebrating Croatia’s win in the World Cup semi-final

The trip was over all too quick and we drove back to Denver on Thursday. Of course, this weekend was spent watching the World Cup, both the third place game on Saturday and the final on Sunday. Jude was really disappointed to see Croatia lose, he couldn’t even watch the game towards the end.

Anna and Marcy have a tea party on the back deck

Yesterday was super hot so we spent the afternoon at the JCC by the pool. Today was 20+ degrees cooler and it rained all afternoon. Before the rain Anna got out her miniature tea set and she and Marcy had a tea party and then Anna filled a picnic basket with they had lunch in the park.

The five grandkids in their now traditional photo by the pool

On Tuesday of this week we began our annual trip to Iowa. We stopped halfway in Kearney and we pulled in to Marcy’s parents house in West Des Moines, Iowa around 2pm on July 4. Less than a minute after arriving, as usual the kids were in the pool and they spent a good chunk of their time there for the rest of the week.

Lighting sparklers on July 4

The kids have loved being here and I think the cousins have gotten along better than what is typical. On Friday, they all went to Adventureland, the local amusement park with Baba and Grandpa. They stayed out all day, leaving at 9:30am and not getting home until 12 hours later. They went on rollercoasters, spent time in the water park, had lots of treats and had a great time. Needless to say they were all extremely tired, Anna slept in until 10am the next morning.

Watching a movie together

Jude is still very much focused on the World Cup and while he missed Friday’s games he was able to watch the Saturday games. Baba even joined in and watched one with him.

Watching England play Sweden in the World Cup quarter final

I have played golf with Nathan a few times, including 36 holes yesterday. Both Nathan and I took out Jude for a Par-3 this afternoon and then we had dinner at a sports bar with Grandpa for a boys night. Meanwhile the twins and Lily have gone away to camp so Jude and Anna will have their grandparents to themselves for the next couple of days.