one year with Lucky Penny

*** dog appreciation post ***

Penny  has been with us for a year now... and she has become the very best companion!

She travels incredibly well and is simply happy to be included in whatever activity we are doing. She is great to hang out at the Brewery with us, is always up for a walk, loves her "babies" (stuffed animals) and treats, and most of all she is truly dedicated to her people. My favorite part is that she has been a great motivator for me to take her on some fun hikes all over the state:

South Fork Trail in Meeker

Crystal Mill Trail in Marble

Winter doggo in Meeker!

Devil's Causeway - Sam's sunrise hiking partner!

Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride

Flatirons Trail in Boulder

I am so happy that she came into our lives - I think we are all better for having her with us.

I'm also just so glad that we can give her a happy home and love and attention (and treats!)

Senior Homecoming

Sam's homecoming week was everything he wanted it to be... fun, spirited, and successful!

As student body president, he was ultimately in charge of much of the organization of the week, including arranging and emceeing an all district pep rally! So when everything went smoothly - including the Seniors winning Powder Puff, Peach Fuzz, Parade, and Spirit week (!) he was particularly pleased. It helped that he got to share in the fun with all his favorite people, and get all dressed up to take his girlfriend to the Homecoming dance.

one more round...

... of Varsity golf as a MHS Senior player!

Sam finished strong this year with a fun final golf season - including more beautiful courses around the state, a great team to practice, travel, and play with, and several really good rounds of tournament play!

He tried something new his freshman year, stuck with it throughout high school, struggled with missing class to attend tournaments but made it through with not only flying colors in the classroom but also great memories on the course. I am so proud of his dedication to being a good team member and his tenacity with trying to improve at the sport. Between the great coaching and the best of friends, I know his time spent on the course will always be a positive influence in his life.

September in Colorado

Autumn weekends out here are the best time to go hiking...
so Sam and I (and Penny!) took advantage of that with a couple of great adventures!

Our first trip was to Telluride to check out Bridal Veil Falls and we took Sam's girlfriend with us, which made for some even more beautiful photos!

waterfall #1:

waterfall #2:

and Bridal Veil Falls:

(that small, bright spot on the rock at the bottom of the falls is Sam!)

We found another beautiful weekend to visit Hamp in Boulder and all got to hike together in the Flatirons!

It made my heart so happy to be outside with both boys and I can't wait to go back and find some more trails...

First Day of School!

After a terrific summer season - it's back to school time.

Sam is a Senior this year and already going full steam ahead... Student Council President, Varsity Golf Team, and Women's Volleyball Manager - I anticipate a fun-filled, full few months this fall!

And Hamp started his 2nd year at CU Boulder - living in the fraternity house and loving every minute!

I recently saw a poll of top 10 colleges voted "most fun" and CU Boulder was ranked #1... so I feel like it's a great fit for Hamp!

(just hope he gets some studying done, too!)

End of Summer

The goal was to find balance this summer - balance between work and play!

While all three of us spent a lot of time in the office/ranch/restaurant, there were definitely some highlights that made it all worthwhile, including:

a concert!

a first tattoo!

Fourth of July festivities with (girl)friends!

Not as much time on the water as we wanted... but we all got in a float or two this summer!

And mostly just good times with friends... there were some fun regional adventures including:

Strawberry Days in Glenwood Springs

Balloon Festival in Craig

And a night out with friends in Grand Junction!

Back in Meeker, once Hamp got fully sucked in to working every day on the guest ranch, Sam managed to squeeze in a volleyball tournament fundraiser and a part in the summer community theater production of Mamma Mia!

And I managed to sneak away for a weekend to celebrate Mojo's 75th birthday on the beach!

Not too shabby for a summer when Sam spent most lunch and dinner hours tossing pizzas at the Brewery and Hamp spent too much time up in the mountains on the guest ranch... but they never really complained, probably because they both got to work with their best friends!

And I think I did a pretty good job of finding that balance of work, play, and time that I got to spend with these two!