Gray Family Reunion and Graycie's Blessing

The first weekend in August we loaded into the car and headed to Utah.  TJ's brother Collin was going to be going through the Temple and we wanted to be part of his big day.  It was one busy weekend!  We drove out Thursday night and headed up West Canyon to meet everyone Friday morning.  We came back from the Canyon Saturday afternoon in time to make it to the Temple for Collin.  Sunday was our new little niece's blessing and a trip out to my sisters house to visit the Warner side and then it was back in the car Monday morning to drive home.

So first up on our was camping in West Canyon.  We had a great time with TJ's family.  Allie and Nate got to meet our little Logan and we got to meet thier little Graycie!  Lily had a BLAST playing with her cousin Wyatt and TJ's cousins!  We rode four wheelers and shot the bb gun and enjoyed great company.

 Lily did so great in the car.  As soon as we picked up Dad and she knew we were officially on our way, she asked for her special car trip treats!  She knew she had to wait until we were on our way and so as soon as she knew we were, she was ready to have all her fun treats!

 Lily's first time on the four wheelers!  Grandpa took her for a short ride around camp. 

 Lily got to shoot the bb gun with Dad.  She had her hesitations, but enjoyed it after a while!

 During the big four wheeler ride, Grandma stayed with Lily, Logan and Graycie.  Lily enjoyed having Grandma all to her self for a while!

 I have to admit that there were parts of the ride that scared me a lot!  There were times when I thought I would tip or roll the four wheeler!  We went up some crazy stuff but once we got up to the top, it was well worth it!  The road back to camp was much less scarry and we were able to enjoy faster speeds!

NO CASSIE!  DON'T JUMP!

I wish I had taken a picture at the Temple with Collin, but we sure did have a great time with him at the temple!  

Then it was time for our little nice's big day! We were so happy we got to be part of this special day in the Wagstaff family!  Such a beautiful little girl!

Mount Evans and Echo Lake

Colorado is BEAUTIFUL!  There are so many things to do out in nature!  We have seen just a glimpse into what Colorado has to offer.  Back in July we headed up Mount Evans to check another 14er (lingo Coloradans use to identify the 50 + mountains that are over 14,000 ft at the summit) off our list!  The first one we did was Mt Bierstadt back in 2007, which we hiked up!  Now we have Mt Evans checked off our list, this one we drove up!  So not as hard to conquer!  The kind of 14er I am willing to do with the kids!  Maybe when they get older we will truly conquer another 14er with them that we hike up.
Anyways, Mt Evans is very unique!  It is the highest paved road in North America!  Along the road, you pass through 3 life zones, ancient trees, lakes and forests, and the land above the timberline!  It is rather amazing to see the scenery change!  It is a beautiful drive!
We stopped for lunch at a beautiful picnic area called the Chicago Forks and took some pictures!  The area was so beautiful!  Lily enjoyed some rock throwing!  We still haven't grasped the skipping rocks thing yet!  But no worries!  Lily LOVES to find rocks and throw them in the water to see the splash!

 After we finished lunch, we headed up to the top of Mt Evans.  The weather up on top was nice and cool!  A welcomed break from the HOTTEST SUMMER ON RECORD!  We were unable to hike up to the very top because we know just how much Logan likes to breath and when we started to hike up he started to have some trouble with his breathing.  So we enjoyed some time walking around!

 This building used to be a restaurant until it burnt down leaving only the stone work!  I guess we will have to make a trip up Pikes Peak, another 14er you can drive!, to enjoy some eats at the top of a 14er!

 Lily with her beloved dandelions!  She LOVES dandelions and will pick any that she sees.  If you are ever lucky enough to get one from her, know that you are very loved! 

 The official marker with the summit height!
As we headed back down, we stopped at Mount Goliath Natural Area.  This is home to some bristlecone pine trees.  Some of these trees are over 1,600 years old!   

Our last stop on the way back down the mountain was Echo lake!  This is a beautiful lake.  Lily enjoyed throwing more rocks into the water!  We would love to go back to Echo lake and camp next summer!  It was beautiful and so peaceful! 

 

After we got down the mountain, we stopped in Idaho Springs for some delicious pizza at BeauJo's.  We had a great time up in the mountains!  We feel so blessed to be surrounded by such beauty!