Fast and Furious

I often feel like I am constantly running on the treadmill....go, go, go. If only I could get the treadmill results, hmm. This week has been no exception. It is the last full week of school for the girls, another school year has come and gone. New schedules and routines, or lack thereof, are upon us.

But this week started off a bit different than my normal. Monday afternoon I headed to the airport, by myself, to fly out to Orange County, California for my own little adventure. A workshop. I have wanted to attend a photography workshop for quite awhile. Derek and I had decided that we could make it happen this summer. I had kept in my head that if I was going to make the effort to attend a workshop I wanted to just go for it, go big, find someone who I knew I would enjoy. Over spring break an opportunity came into my inbox, a Jasmine Star workshop. Her workshops are known to sell out in as quick as an hour so there was no time to debate! After texting back and forth with Derek we decided to go for it. No regrets.

Tuesday was filled with information, laughs, challenges and new friends. I am now looking at my business through a different set of eyes. My head hurts a little and my lists are long but I am excited to dig deeper and see what I can find.

I truly am thankful for such an opportunity to come my way...I plan to post more, just waiting for some of it to settle in.

We had a quick shoot with these two hotties.

Jasmine and I

Last of the Colorado vacation - Day 3

Day 3 of our trip to Colorado was the day our girls were looking forward to the most. We had made arrangements to head over to a ranch and go horseback riding. It was about an hour and a half drive but we had zero problems getting everyone up and going that morning! We watched the temp drop as we climbed in elevation but honestly, it was a picture perfect day.

As we pulled up to the ranch (who does not have a website or I would share it here) they were cleaning up from a party the night before. The owner of the ranch was getting married the next day so they had a big bash with friends and family. Evidence was everywhere that they had a wonderful time! Our guides admitted to being a little "slower" on this morning but they didn't show it at all.

There were dogs everywhere, I am talking something like 20. All different breeds and all of them totally laid back and just chillin'. Two of them joined up on our ride, what a big playground they have to romp on each day! We met our horses, got quickly acquainted and headed out. The horses were great and it was evident the confidence the guides have in them. My girls hadn't ever ridden a horse on their own (think pony rides at the fair), but you wouldn't ever have known it. No one showed any concern...so off we went! I do have to say it was a little tough to ride a horse and take photos, I did my best!

They were so excited for this day!

Harper and daddy were the first ones up and ready to roll!

She was a total natural, she was up in the front of the pack most of the ride.

Bringing up the rear.

Emme was ready to trot shortly after this & she did!

What fun is horseback riding if you don't go a little "faster"!

Although the horses pretty nautrally just followed each other our guides encouraged us to do and go as we desired. If we wanted to get off the path or trot, whatever, they allowed it.

It was such a beautiful day.

The blue skies and puffy clouds almost look fake.

This was the top or the turn around of our ride.

The view was breathtaking.

Josh, one of our guides snapped this for us!

We saw some elk moments after this...

It is such therapy to be in this environment.

crossing through a creek

Yes, she really is asleep. How in the world do you fall asleep while horseback riding?

Like I said though relaxing & therapeutic!

Oh & it was a two hour ride.

She too was such a natural and was not even slightly intimidated.

Our awesome guides.

They were so laid back, it was just like going for a

ride with friends.

A model moment when done riding.

On the drive over to the ranch I had seen this little spot that was yelling at me to stop.

This happens alot but I don't always listen. More often no one wants to be in front of the camera for me. But on the drive back home I asked if we could just pull over to the side of the road and Emme was a willing subject. A cute one at that...

Old (but colorful) buildings, mountains, wild flowers.

See what I mean,

it was literally yelling at me to stop!

What an incredible day. We went over to Breckinridge for lunch then headed back to Canon City in time to watch football. It was a day we will not forget for a long time. My girls expectations of horseback riding are forever ruined.

Colorado trip - day two

On our second day in Colorado we decided to make a day of the Royal Gorge. I had been white water rafting out this way in the 90's but hadn't ever been in the park. The park is a bit of a time warp but you cannot deny the natural beauty . We headed in and went straight over the bridge...wait, no we hit up the carousel first, then the bridge.

Derek's palms might have sweat a little (he is not a fan of heights) but not any of my girls.

No big deal.

It is a long way down folks. The river looks like a tiny pencil drawn line.

Emme picked some wildflowers...shhh don't tell. I am sure this is discouraged

I didn't see it, honest.

I was just the recipient of the sweet gesture.

We trekked around for quite awhile then decided we would take the cable car back over the gorge vs. walking back across the bridge.

It was quite a haul up and around so we enjoyed the ride back over.

This is our view out the cable car

gorgeous view of the bridge

Josie taking in the view

Emme wanted to pose for me. Note her hands. Silly girl.

But this is what we did next...we went down into the gorge on this incline railway.

I had no idea what to expect. It was very cool!

Harper hanging on..going down!

I think the view from down here was spectacular.

That tiny line in the sky is the bridge.

Wow!

See that pipeline off to the right? It is made of redwood.

That is what was carried water from the river into Canon City, until the mid 70's.

Grandpa Bob lived in Canon City during this time and had a part in building the

system that replaced it.

The sun was just peaking through.

So Jo got serious for me.

In all the fun that was had that day and all the things we saw

what do my kids gravitate to?

Can I have a quarter mom?

Ummm, no, I am still out from the last gum ball machine.

Colorado trip - day one

We packed lots into our first day that is for sure. We hadn't made the entire drive the night before so we still had a couple of hours of driving before reaching our destination. We had decided that we would head up to Pikes Peak. That is something that none of us had done and we thought 'why not?'. Remind me of this later please....

After a hour drive up a mountain, which of course included lots of sharp turns and a 2ft shoulder protecting you from driving off the road, we made it to the top. Harper had fallen asleep at this point and the rest of us were mildly green from the great drive. The views were pretty amazing the entire drive though.

It was COLD up there! As in low 40's and windy cold...

Emme's face says it all. Crack up.

Maybe we should have ridden this!

While at the summit, Josie turned very pale and says, "I feel like I am going to pass out". Me, being totally dizzy myself, feel her pain and we headed back down quickly. We had to stop for a brake check on the way down so we got out again. But her face truly says it all.

At least she had her color back!

These two scored some stuffed animals at the summit gift shop.

A mountain bear and a mountain 'tiger' as they say.

Thanks grandpa Bob!

Yep, Derek's dad aka grandpa Bob, met us in Colorado Springs and joined us.

The girls loved it, I don't think he minded too much either.

Next up seven falls.

Wait! That just might be a genuine smile on Josie! Beautiful seven falls behind her.

I think Emme and Harper enjoyed this little guy more than the view.

He of course was spoiled and totally tame. One of the workers was feeding him.

I snapped this as he came to my feet to beg for a treat.

Gorgeous views all around!

My three mutts

I can't say that I am afraid of heights but I will say that I am afraid of steep stairs with small children. If there was a fall it would not be good! I mean really not good, and my girls were trying to skip their way up these things not even concerned about tripping on their own feet.

Stopping for a quick pic and just maybe for me to catch my breath.

At the start of a trail at the top.

We didn't venture far, but it was just so peaceful and pretty up there.

Emme was 'reading' the nature trail signs.

Did I mention these crazy girls were not even phased by this haul?

Not even this crazy ornery munchkin.

It made for a pretty long day though, I was beat.

More to come!

Labor Day Vacay

Last Wednesday after school we loaded up the suburban and headed west. Colorado. A little last hurrah to summer. Derek's dad lives there and we hadn't been to visit him in too long! (He more often comes to us). So, we were overdue.

If you have ever driven through Kansas to Colorado you might recognize this scenery.

Since we left late in the day we didn't go quite the whole way.

So these are the cute messy morning faces at the hotel.

The next day our scenery quickly began to change!!!

We loaded our days with adventure, I will share soon! For now, I am tired and the piles of laundry oh, the piles of laundry...