On the Run

These last few weeks, we have been on the RUN ... literally! Grant has picked up his pace and is running everywhere these days. On our crisp fall mornings, I've been running and pushing Grant in the jogger while the big brothers ride their bikes to school. About 6 1/2 weeks after Scott's second surgery, he went out for his first run this past weekend and felt great afterward ... what a tremendous milestone! And then there's Luke & Reid. Those two are always on the run, and following are pics of their latest adventures...

The boys' school sponsors a jog-a-thon called Trailbusters. What better way to raise money for the school,  promote physical fitness, and just encompass the overall Colorado lifestyle! 

Trailbustin' Luke. They keep track of the

number of laps by adding rubber bands

to their wrist with each lap. Luke finished

19 laps (just over 3 miles!)

Trailbustin' Reid with some 5th grade girls.

He ran 11 laps (just shy of 2 miles!)

Our school offers a cross-country running program for elementary students called LandSharks. They usually offer fall and spring sessions, but this is our family's first year to try out the program. Luke's first meet was tonight, and we were so excited to cheer him on. Less than 2 hours before the start of the race, it was pouring and hailing, but like all good Colorado weather, the storm passed and the sun came out for a perfect evening race. The LandSharks race on a trail around Palmer Lake, and the races are staggered: 1/2 mile for kindergarteners and 1st graders and then the older 2nd-6th grade students choose to race in either a 1 mile or 1.5 mile race. Luke opted for the 1 mile race. About 350 students from 8 neighboring schools participated in the meet.

SuperFans

Watching the racers assemble at the starting line.

Dad & Grant

... And they're off! Luke near the start of his race.

The course runs next to the railroad track, and

the trains roll through about every 30 minutes.

Luke is the blue shirt by these tanker cars.

Striding it out on the home stretch.

Determination! I think I can ... I think I can ...

He finished 1 mile in 8:44! 

He was the first runner for our 

Antelope Trails team to finish in 

his age division. Way to go, Luke!

Mini Family Reunion

One of Scott's cousins Krys, her husband Joel, and daughter Noli are in Colorado on a camping adventure, so we met them for lunch at one of our favorite spots in Manitou Springs. It was great to catch up with them! It was so much fun to watch all the kiddos together. It gave us a glimpse of what family gatherings must have been like back when Scott and Krys were growing up!

Leahy Family on the Left :: Marsh Family on the Right

Outside the Penny Arcades in Manitou

Anyone for a carousel ride?

Beep. Beep. 

Ice Cream Truck coming through!

Bicycle Built for 4

Leaps & Bounds

The last few weeks, Scott has been improving by leaps and bounds with his recovery! Once he got past feeling so nauseous, he really turned the corner and started feeling so much better. He has completed two weeks back at work now, and this past week, he even worked regular full-time days! We can't tell you how nice it feels for our family to be getting back to a more normal routine. Here are just a few pics of some fun times with Dad lately...

Luke's 1st Cub Scout Meeting

Scott is an Eagle Scout, so he is looking

forward to sharing the scouting experience

with the boys. One funny side note ...

after the first meeting, Scott returned

home and shared that he had signed

up to be the den's Popcorn Colonel

in charge of the popcorn fundraiser.

Hilarious title! If you are interested 

in supporting Luke, you can order here.

And the Popcorn Colonel thanks you, too!

Our family loves to watch the show 

MasterChef. We've really been following

this season, and Reid has taken a

particular interest in wanting to have

our own version of MasterChef in our

kitchen. Today Scott made cinnamon rolls

from scratch with Reid for a MasterChef

challenge. Love to see the boys

taking an interest in cooking!

On the Trail

Oh, how we love all the seasons in Colorado, but after a very hot summer, we are all too ready for our temps to cool and our leaves to change to golden hues! This summer was the hottest by far since we've moved here. Because it's been so dry, the leaves are predicted to turn several weeks earlier than usual. Thankfully, our weekends are pretty free in September, so we're looking forward to enjoying time outdoors in the beauty of Fallorado! 

Today, the older boys and I headed out to one of our favorite spots to break out the bikes on the open trails. This was Reid's first trail ride, and he rocked it! The first part of the trail is an uphill climb with some sandy portions of the trail, but he kept on truckin'. By the end of the ride, he was loving every moment and riding the trail like a pro. (Keep in mind that Reid's little bike only has 1 gear, so he doesn't have the luxury of switching gears when it gets hilly ... so that's quite a feat to trail ride with HIS bike!) Luke, an experienced rider, was our leader and did a wonderful job being the front rider and setting the pace. Times like these are my absolute favorite moments of motherhood ... spending time in the great outdoors with our boys! 

Ready to ride at

Spruce Mountain Open Space.

 Reid conquers the uphill climb!

This trail features several spots with trees,

making the adventure all the more fun!

 Brothers on their bikes

 Proud Mama & Happy Reid

 Snack Break

The boys said this bench looked

like it was made of Lincoln Logs.

Perfect day for a trail ride!

Fun morning biking with these fellas!

Notice the leaves behind us are just starting to change.

The Great Outdoors

Colorado summers are best spent

in the Great Outdoors!

Hiking in the Garden of the Gods

with friends Hunter & Hudson

This summer the boys spent a lot of time

biking at Papa's house, and my dad spent

a lot of time helping Reid master riding 

his bike sans training wheels. Thanks, Papa!

 Biking to breakfast. 

Luke & Reid in the lead!

Hiking in Black Forest.

 Reid's first hike all the way up Mt. Herman Trail.

The summit is at 9,000+ feet.

Way to go, Reid-o! 

 Brothers.

Grant & His Grub

As Grant's personality develops, we are finding that our third son is quite the comedian! He's always looking to bring a smile to our faces or make us laugh. And we often find some of the biggest laughs involve food. He has quite a varied palate already and is always ready to sneak some food from some unsuspecting person (usually his brothers.)

 The older boys left the Captain Crunch out.

Guess who made himself a bowl...

and yes, that's half the box!

 Dear Costco. Thank you for making

such large bags of snacks. This bag 

is equivalent to 1/2 my height.

 Lime popsicles are SOUR!

 I like chips and salsa.

I also like to WEAR chips & salsa.

(Please note that Grant only eats very mild salsa.

Don't worry about his little taste buds!)

Do you like my 

ice cream mustache?

Once again, I like salsa.

But this time I'll skip the chips

and go straight for the fork.

Georgetown Trip :: Year 3

Today marks ONE MONTH since Scott's second surgery! This summer has been quite a journey for our family, and we are so grateful to have Scott on the road to recovery and feeling better. He returned to work part-time this past week and was feeling up for a little trip to the mountains today. The last few years we've enjoyed a tradition of a mountain getaway to Georgetown, a community full of historical charm. There's something about escaping to the mountains that is renewing and refreshing ... just what we needed as we kick off a new month and a new season! Here's to better and brighter days ahead!

 All Aboard! Grant absolutely LOVES

trains now! This is a boyhood stage

we have treasured with each of our sons,

and we were so excited to take Grant

on his first real train ride on the 

Georgetown Loop!

"Choo-Choo!"

Now boarding at Devil's Gate Station...

Waiting to board the train.

 Beautiful morning for a train ride.

 Happy Passengers.

 The train made a stop here at Silver Plume.

Then we reversed and chugged

back down the mountain.

 Mr. Conductor

 Enjoying the mountain air.

Watching the Engine 

 Father & Sons 

 "Are you going for ice cream?

Wait for ME!"

A trip to Georgetown is not complete

without a stop at the ice cream shop.

 Funny fellas on the tire swing.

Love these little smiles!