(last) weekend adventures - part two

Finally getting to part two...
Last Sunday we did an out and back hike to Lost Lake near the Cottonwood Pass. It's a perfect 2 mile long trail to a gorgeous little alpine lake.

Here's a nice view of the area near Cottonwood Pass.

The view from the trail

A small taste of the fall colors

Lost Lake

Toby and Elise climbed up a small peak near the lake for another view.

Our little hiker looking down on the lake.

It was a good hike. The only problem... we didn't catch anything! No trout dinner that night. :(

weekend adventures - part one

Weekend off + gorgeous weather = a fun weekend in the mountains!

On Saturday we drove to Pikes Peak, a 14-er not too far from Buena Vista. Weather permitting, you can actually drive to the top of this mountain.

Pikes Peak in the distance

Toby and his girls on the mountain.

Unfortunately, the road was snow covered at the top and we could only drive 16 of the 19 miles to the top. But the views were still spectacular and Elise loved the opportunity to play in the snow.

On the drive down the mountain we stopped here to enjoy the view.

Incredible, isn't it!?

gone fishin'

We're in Buena Vista, CO for the next few weeks where Toby is doing a rural medicine rotation. Buena Vista is a sweet little mountain town made up of about 2,000 people and surround by "14-ers" (mountain peaks that reach over 14,000 feet). As you can imagine, this is a gorgeous area and fun to explore.

On Wednesday we took Elise fishing at Cottonwood Lake, just a ten minute drive from town. It was a beautiful and successful trip...

Elise helped reel in the second Rainbow Trout.

Here's the day's catch! Hopefully we'll enjoy another fish dinner this weekend. :)

our little thumb-sucker...

First Family of Four Vacation

We spent the past three days in the mountains, enjoying a short but sweet first vacation for our family of four. Our time out of Junction started with Toby's 17-mile Imogene Pass race from Ouray to Telluride. Here he is approaching the finish...

Reaching the end with an impressive time of 3 hours and 24 minutes, placing 177th out of 1,150.

10 miles up and 7 miles down...

The St. Mary's group

Telluride, across the street from the finish.

Our sweet Claire bear

Elise loved the gondola ride to Mountain Village and back.

Leaving Telluride

Our campsite in Ouray

Ouray hot springs pool

Claire all bundled up at the campsite

The view from our campground

au naturel

Playing in the Uncompagre River in Ridgway

What's better than throwing rocks in a river when you're three?

Our yurt in Ridgway

View from the yurt

Toby and his girls

Enjoying a big breakfast outdoors

Overall the trip was outstanding. Claire and Elise did really well and we all managed to stay warm and dry in our tent (despite one wicked 2-hour thunderstorm). Now Toby is off the rest of this week. It's wonderful to have some down time together.

in love

Claire is beautiful... such a sweet baby. At only two months old she is so engaged and interactive. And there is just such a sweetness about her, with her wide curious eyes and adorable cooing sounds. This little one already has me wrapped around her tiny finger. I'm in love.

Elise's 1st day of preschool

Today was Elise's first day of preschool. She woke up a bit early and very excited - as if it was Christmas morning. After a big breakfast of swedish pancakes and sausage and a few pictures of our schoolgirl, our family of four drove Elise to school. (Toby's working evening shifts this week, so he got to go with us to drop Elise off and pick her up and treat her to lunch. I'm so glad he got to be a part of this big day!)

My two girls all ready to go. Claire pretty much slept from 9pm last night until I woke her up at 8:45am to leave! (Ok, so she did eat at 6:45am, but she didn't cry then or even open her eyes, so it almost doesn't count!) :)

Thanks for the new dress Gramma!

I thought I might be sad to leave her at preschool, but I was so excited for her that I was all smiles all morning.

Walking up to the play area to sign in.

Elise was so thrilled to start her school day that I didn't even get a hug or kiss goodbye!

Here's Claire just chillin' at home while sister was at school.

When we picked Elise up, we took a few minutes to peek in the classrooms and take a couple of pictures. Elise thought we should stay and play some more. If it wasn't for a promised lunch at Chik-fil-A, I'm not sure how we would have gotten her out the door! :)

I'm sure this play kitchen will become a favorite for Elise.

Posing by the picture she made

Signing out. Elise was happy to see Claire and show her off to her new school friend Izzy. :)