MORE PICTURES OF THE GOLD BELT BYWAY

I should also mention that Phantom Canyon Road is 22 miles from start to finish and much of it is very narrow. The tunnels and bridges only fit one car at a time, so you have to be very careful and look ahead!! There are also many "blind curves" that fit only one vehicle at a time, so you hope and pray nobody is coming around the corner very fast! Thankfully, most people are going slow and looking at the scenery, so you get it figured out who gets to go first!

MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR!

We have been very busy and having lots of fun, I have a lot of pictures and updates! I LOVE Colorado in the Fall! And from these pictures you can see why. On Sunday, I took the kids to one of our favorites places that we have been going for a few years, The Happy Apple Farm in Penrose, CO. It is a cute, family owned apple and pumpkin farm, very rustic, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, they had an early frost and lost their apple crop this year, however, their pumpkins were looking good and we still had a great time searching for "The Great Pumpkin".

Since we were already down that way, I then took the kids on a drive to see the fall foliage which is in full bloom here. We took historic Phantom Canyon Road, which is part of the Goldbelt Byway, from Florence to Victor, CO, a historic mining town. It was so beautiful and Skyler thought is was pretty cool and took an interest in the history of it. The aspens were just starting to turn and it looks like we'll have another 2 weeks or so before they will fall. I'm hoping to get up there again soon before it's over!

Goodbye & Good Luck!

This wonderful young woman is a lot of different things to our family: she was my dance student (for 6 years!), the BESTEST babysitter & our friend! Jenny will be leaving this Saturday to begin training with Youth With a Mission in Montana for several months and then will head out into the world to do missionary work in a foreign country (unknown at this time). Please pray for Jenny, that she have safe travels to all her missions and that she is able to spread the Word throughout the world and of course, help those in need. We will miss you Jenny! XOXO

Outdoor Fun!

Today was a beautiful 75 degree day with no wind....we took advantage!

Our Trip to Iowa

On Saturday, August 30th, we loaded the car and headed to Iowa to spend some time with family & friends for a week. We left the house at 3:00 am (waaay too early for my taste) and arrived in LeMars around 4:00pm (there is an hour time difference). We stopped at my parents' house briefly and then made our way up to Brandon's parents' lakehouse in Lake Park, IA. The weather was beautiful, a little humid, but nice. We spent a few days relaxing, fishing, playing cards and watching movies. Our friends Marty & Maria Pippett joined us on Sunday with their family and we had a great time catching up and hanging out together. We were able to see and spend time with relatives and even had a nice dinner with Brandon's grandparents and aunts & uncles. It was so nice to see everyone again (and I didn't get a picture, so if someone wants to send me one...hint, hint!!!).
Before heading back on Friday, my Mom & and the kids and I went shopping~ and we shopped 'til we dropped! (and I got some much needed updates to the wardrobe!).
We headed out Friday afternoon and drove about 3 1/2 hours to Brandon's cousins' house in Friend, Nebraska. They were kind enough to let us stay and break up our looong drive. Skyler had fun playing and getting re-acquainted with her cousins. We had a nice time catching up with Tiph, Jack and the kids and even met the new addition, Jake! Wish we could have stayed longer guys! Thanks again for opening "Hotel Potter".
Cadence started to get a fever on Friday morning and wasn't acting like himself. We gave him Motrin every couple of hours and it seemed to help, but his fever would not break. We arrived home Saturday evening around 6:30pm, unpacked and relaxed. Cadence just layed down and watched a movie. By Sunday, he was still running a fever and seemed very uncomfortable. I suspected an ear infection, so I took him to Urgent Care clinic right when they opened and he did indeed have an ear infection starting in his left ear. They gave him some antibiotics and he seems to be on the mend. He even went back to school today as he was back to his happy self and had been on the meds for 48 hours. He woke up from his nap early this evening very upset, though. Unfortunately, he had developed a cold sore on his lower lip and no doubt it was hurting him. Poor little guy. Hopefully he'll be better in the morning!
Well, we had a great, relaxing vacation. It was great seeing everyone and I am bummed I did not take more pictures than I did, so if anyone has any, please send them my way!