Etheridge family in the mountains

Sometimes playing in your own relative backyard is the most fun!
We didn't go far for our E-family vacation this summer - we rented a house in Glenwood Springs and did all the fun mountain activities:
~ rafted the Colorado River
~ enjoyed gorgeous views from the hot tub on our back deck
~ played a little mini-golf
~ spent a day at the hot springs pool and enjoyed the new slide and fountains
~ took a gondola ride up the mountain side to the Adventure Park

But this was much more than your average family reunion/getaway. It was also a pretty momentous occasion - Mojo's 70th birthday! We celebrated on the deck, with a view and a beautiful birthday cake! Couldn't ask for better...

Good night, sweet prince.

When we got Gabe, he was one of a ten-puppy litter!

The cute little girl who bred him named each of the ten puppies after Disney royalty. Gabe was originally dubbed "Prince Eric" (from Little Mermaid)

In the beginning, I would refer to him sometimes as Prince Gabe - it seemed fitting considering all the fawning and veneration he received in our house!

 We will always cherish our sweet boy, my favorite child, best hiking partner and cuddle buddy.

Rest well, Prince Gabe.

selfies!

When 2 of your best friends since grade grade school visit for the weekend - it is photo worthy.

a morning paddle on Lake Avery

dinner date!

hike to the top of Meeker

a day in Glenwood - and a soak at Iron Mountain Hot Springs

There were many other fun photos of course - perhaps that would better tell the story of what we did. But I think these selfies tell it all - the smiles report how wonderful it was to be together again and I can tell you that there was a good balance of reminiscing about our past, discussing our present, and dreaming about our future! It's great to have friends like these who not only have known you for 35 years... but who still love you and go out of their way to come see you in your corner of the mountains!

Trying to find summer

There are 3 reasons why this summer has started off a little different than our usual June....
(other than me leaving for a week right as school gets out!)



#1: as soon as graduation wrapped up, the high school went under full demolition/remodel mode! This meant that all the time I usually spend in June in the office for paperwork and end-of-year tasks was either cut short or nixed all together! While I finished all the necessary work from a remote office, I found myself with more time to enjoy being at home and settle into "summer mode"






#2: Hamp is a working man. He got a summer job as a lifeguard at the Rec Center indoor pool and is there about 20-30 hours a week. It's not that he desperately needed the money - but he did really need something to do other than play xbox and stare at his phone all summer! He has proven to be (not to my surprise) very responsible and he likes the job well enough... though neither of us are too fond of the opening shift at 4:30AM. Needless to say, he has discovered the joy and necessity of "down time"!


So with me not in the office and Hamp at work, Sam has had more opportunity to play!  (no big brother to cramp his style and mom available to play chauffeur = fun times!)




#3: This summer has been particularly wet and cold. With a generous snowpack still trying to thaw, the rivers were too high to run and the lake was cold and the trails were still either snowy or muddy at best! But that didn't stop us from finding fun.... Sam & I went with friends to find hiking trails that were dry (and waterfalls that were awesome!) and we danced with friends downtown at Meekerpalooza despite cold, wet weather! And we did eventually break down and braved some chilly days at the lake - it just wouldn't be summer if we weren't on the water!










By the 4th of July the days had warmed up and the boys were in full summer mode of working, playing and finding adventure! After the parade, both Hamp & Sam signed up for the 3-on-3 basketball games and then we all enjoyed fireworks together from the deck of our favorite friends!

And all the adventure has left Gabe resting in the eye of the storm - always lazing on the couch or catching rays in the yard! I strive to enjoy moments with him as he seems to be aging quickly before our eyes.... and being with him this summer keeps me in check to always remember to slow down and enjoy the sunshine!