Sabbatical

Golfing with D-man. Pool with boys. Golfing with friends = Monday. 

Golfing with D-man. Pool with friends. Me time at Starbucks, outlet shopping, pedicure = Tuesday. 

Laser Fun Center (laser tag, laser maze, arcade, ropes course, 3D experience) for D-man and a friend. Lacrosse camp for T-man. Pizza out and lacrosse for T-man and Marshall. 

This is sabbatical. 

My good luck charm 

Off to the pool we go 

Enjoying a beverage in the pool 

Drinks after golf with the Wrights (beers were better than the golf game) 

T-man hustling at LAX camp 

Going into a laser tag game at Laser Fun Center 

Playing skee ball - lots of skee ball 

Arcade games 

Lax with Dad 

Out in Louisville before our Nebraska travels

Rocky Mountain National Park

We took the long way home on Sunday afternoon through Rocky Mountain National Park. From all our friends that said the traffic through Winter Park was horrible, it was definitely the right decision for us. 

We stopped in at the Grand Lake Lodge for a look around, made several stops along the Trail Rodge Road through the park, saw three moose (my first ever in Colorado) and several elk, and had lunch Lyons (Estes Park was too crazy). The boys weren’t terribly interested, but I didn’t care.  It was a nice addition to our weekend camping trip. 

Ready to head out 

The view from Grand Lake Lodge 

Grand Lake Lodge 

Mama and baby moose 

Arapahoe Valley Ranch

For the past several years, neighbors and friends have gone camping this weekend. We’ve never been as this is also Alumni weekend in Pender. However, because of sabbatical, our travel plans were different this year and we were able to go. The camping spot also changed because the original campground is still closed for the season. 

We caravanned up with our friends and arrived around 3:15. We got out tent set up, were able to explore the property and have drinks and dinner. Marshall arrived with friends around 8:00. We spent a bit of time at the bar before we all headed to bed. On Saturday, a group of us hiked around Monarch Lake and came back for lunch and relaxing. There was card playing, kayaking/canoeing by the kids, and time for the adults as well. There was quite a group at the saloon/lodge on Saturday night. T-man ran with his posse all weekend and I was able to catch him here or there for food and water (lots of hide and seek, playground time, and whittling with a pocket knife). We are one tired bunch tonight. 

Apparently, this was a much different feel than in past years - we were much less spread out and there was a lot of time together. One thing is for sure, we have a great tribe and I feel very lucky to be living and raising our boys in Louisville. 

Exploring the property 

T-man and his buds on the canoe 

Campsite all set up

Community fire pit and s’mores 

 

 Colorado’s smallest bar led to a fun couple evenings 

Taking the kayak to the river 

The lake we hiked around 

Thanks to my friend Alana for this shot 

Great friends!! 

Euchre 

Marshall attempting to put up the cover we have had for 15+ years and never used - instructions were difficult at best 

Our water guy 

The talent show - look at that view! 

Part of “camp” 

In the bar 

Still in the bar :) 

Late night pool

Ready to head out 

Colorado Sabbatical

I’m not quite sure how a week of sabbatical flew by. I had lots of tasks on my list for last week. I didn’t get everything done on it, but had a good balance of relaxing and productive time. I was able to get up and watch World Cup games (I even went to the bar for lunch with a friend and his kids to watch England play).  I got my haircut (but didn’t fit in my pedicure). I golfed in league (and our team took 3rd). I had cocktails with friends on our front porch on two different evenings. I tried out a new recipe. I ran errands in the middle of the day. We went to see Solo as a family. I went on a walk and was pelted by golf ball-sized hail (our roof needs to be replaced and Marshall’s car has considerable damage). I helped a friend with a last minute move. The boys and I were able  to leave early on Friday to secure a camping spot. Many small and big things to be grateful for. 

Crazy list 

Beer and soccer for Monday lunch - what a treat!

The hail 

Welts! 

The boys getting the tent up all by themselves 

Dad’s Day

Father’s Day started early with all of us up by 6:00 thanks to the jet lag. T-man and I ran out to get donuts and burritos for breakfast and then we headed out for a hike in Boulder before the rain set in. The rest of the day was spent doing things around the house and watching sports (World Cup, golf and baseball). We had a nice dinner of hamburgers on the grill and homemade French fries thanks to Marshall. 

Happy Father’s Day to an amazing father, husband and friend. We love you!! 

Hiking 

Lucky boys to have such a great dad 



We beat the rain, but it definitely didn’t feel like summer 

Making burgers )T-man also helped Marshall fix the grill)