Anna and the Dahlens go for a hike in Breckenridge

The annual trip to Keystone began on Friday night when the Dahlens arrived from Iowa. Saturday Marcy and I had to go and pick Jude from camp in Bailey. It was a 2 hour drive each way so that occupied most of our Saturday. It was so great to see Jude after 2 weeks, we had really missed him. His camp went really well, even the backpacking trip they did. He said his favorite part of the trip was “cowboy camping” where they slept under the stars. Jude said he had never seen so many stars before and he was mesmerized by it. Meanwhile, Anna went with the Dahlens and Olive to Breckenridge for a hike.

Jude enjoying his first lunch at Chimayo after camp

We didn’t get back from picking up Jude, after a late lunch at Chimayo, until 3:30pm. The rest of the day was pretty low key. Jude watched a movie and played video games after going screen-free for two weeks.

Fitting on the giant chair at River Run

Sunday ended up being a big day. We walked over to River Run in the morning where they had an art show. Then we all went to lunch at Chimayo (Jude’s idea). After lunch, we decided to rent bikes but first it was done to Keystone Lake for a stint on the kayaks and standup paddleboards.

Lily, Jude and Anna at Keystone Lake

Then we were off on an epic bike ride. We intended to ride all the way around Lake Dillon to the Frisco Marina, around 14 miles. We didn’t know whether we would all make it but the kids (Lily, Jude and Anna) did really well and made it there easily.

We made it the 14 miles to Frisco Marina

The kids refueled at the Island Grill right on the lake as well as at the candy store and then it was time for the big ride back. We took it a bit slower on the way back and Anna struggled for some of it. She was trying to keep up with the older kids and had an asthma attack part of the way back. But we had her inhaler and she was able to recover well. She really pushed herself hard.

Anna was a trooper on the 28 mile bike ride, the longest of her life

It was after 7:30pm by the time we made it back but we did it. It was the longest bike ride of the kids lives and they were rightly proud of themselves. Marcy, Jude and Lily waited for Anna and I several times and right at the end they waited at the top of our street so we could all finish the ride together.

Finishing the epic bike ride just before sunset

Meanwhile Mandy and Nate had Olive and the twins. They all went on the paddle boats, including Olive who seemed to enjoy herself out on the water for the first time.

Olive and Nate paddle boating on Keystone Lake

It was a great start to the week in Keystone. The kids are all really tired tonight, especially Anna whose little legs and lungs got a real workout today.

Anna with her new crutches and sprained ankle

Anna had 2-4-1 Sports camp this week, one of her favorites from last summer. She had a great time on Monday and most of Tuesday. She played tennis, soccer, handball, spike ball and others – they are really in to providing a variety of sports at this camp. Unfortunately, on Tuesday afternoon Marcy got a text from the camp administrator: Anna had sprained her ankle and could not put any weight  on it. So, Marcy picked her up and took her to get crutches so she could at least get around. Anna was a trooper and went to camp Wednesday to Friday to participate where she could and watch her campmates. She still said it was a good week.

Hanging out at the gas station waiting for the spare key

I had Ridhwan class this weekend so Anna and Marcy (and Olive) were on their own. Yesterday, they hung out at home and today they decided to go to Lair o’ the Bear, a favorite hiking trail in the foothills. It was Olive’s first time out hiking.

Unfortunately, it did not go smoothly. They stopped to get gas on the way and Marcy dropped her car key in the sink while she was washing her hands in the bathroom. When she tried to start back up the car it didn’t work. She called AAA and they could not help. So, I left class at lunchtime, drove home to get the spare key and then dropped it off at the gas station. They continued on to Lair o’ the Bear, getting there a couple of hours later than expected.

Olive had a great time in the creek at Lair o’ the Bear

Olive went crazy at Lair o’ the Bear. It was first time out in nature like this and it was incredibly stimulating for her. She absolutely loved playing in the water and was running and leaping all over the place. They hiked only a short while because Olive was well and truly getting her exercise.

Jude got in some rock climbing at his camp

We did not hear from Jude all week but we could follow along with some photos. We saw him canoeing, standup paddle boarding, rock climbing, tree climbing, mountain biking and more. He seemed to get having a good time, we all can’t wait to find out all about it when we pick him up on Saturday.

Jude all set for his two week camp

Jude has a two week camp that started today. So, much of the weekend was spent getting Jude ready to go. Marcy worked like crazy to get everything together, it was a long list. In the end Jude seemed really excited to go on his camp, which includes a three night backpacking trip. Marcy got to see his cabin where he will be staying for most of the next two weeks, it is a beautiful mountain setting.

Anna showing off her new baseball at Coors Field after the Rockies game finished

Meanwhile Anna and I rode our bikes downtown to the baseball game. We had been given free tickets from a friend and we decided to skip the first few innings so we got there halfway through the game. It was just the right amount of baseball and we included a break during the seventh inning stretch so Anna could go shopping. She bought a souvenir baseball for $7 with her own money. Then we had dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery before riding home.

Evening family tennis at the local courts

Jude decided early this past week that he wanted to go and play tennis. He and I played one night and then for the next three nights we had the whole family playing. It became a routine thing after we put Olive to bed to ride our bikes to South High School to play tennis.

Olive gets a clean bill of health from the vet

The big news this week was that Olive can now run around like a normal dog. On Tuesday, Marcy and Anna took her to the surgeon who took an x-ray of her leg and said it was healing well. She was free to run around now like a normal puppy. She has been easier to deal with as well now that she is tired out at the end of the day. And we can also start really training her again now.

I have to mention the incredible morning of sport we witnessed this morning. The cricket world cup final was probably the best game of cricket I have ever witnessed. We were sad to see New Zealand lose but what an effort by England to take the cup. And between overs I would switch over to the Wimbledon final where Federer should have really won 9-7 in the fifth. Both games ended differently to what we had hoped but it was a truly spectacular morning of sport that I will never forget.

The traditional photo by the pool with all five cousins

We spent the past week in West Des Moines visiting Marcy’s family. Marcy, Anna and I arrived on Monday afternoon meeting up with Jude, who had flown out four days earlier. While it looked as if the weather might not cooperate we actually had a great week with just a couple of thunderstorms. As always, it was great to hang out with everyone and spend some time in the pool.

Waiting for the West Des Moines July 4 parade

Nate and Mandy took all five kids to Adventureland one day where they went on roller coasters and spent some time in the water park. On July 3, there was the annual West Des Moines July 4 parade. Ella and Chloe where in the parade on the VFW float and there were plenty of politicians as well. Marcy even got to shake Bernie Sanders’ hand.

Sparklers on July 4

On July 4 Nate and I went and played golf while the kids spent the day at Baba’s house in the pool, having a water balloon fight and then doing this fun food challenge based on Ellen Degeneres’ show. The kids were in teams of two, both blindfolded, with one tasting the food and then the other asking questions trying to guess the food.

Anna doing the blindfold game with Chloe trying to guess the food she is tasting (cinnamon)

On Friday Nate and I were gone all day, playing 36 holes of golf while all the kids went bowling with Baba and Grandpa. Then it was off to Dairy Queen for dessert.

Enjoying some DQ

Saturday was our last day and the kids decided to go to Living History Farms, where they have an 1850’s Iowa town and some working farms using 19th century technology. We visited various farmhouses, a church, a school and many of the businesses in the town. This also happened to be the place where Mandy and Nate got married so the kids posed for a photo under that very gazebo.

The gazebo at Living History Farms where Mandy and Nate got married