Our Summer Adventures/ Ella's 1st Birthday and Fort Collins

The day after returning to Grammy and Papa's from Leadville, we headed to cousin Ella's first birthday party. We hadn't seen her in a few months and were totally absorbed by her. She unwrapped gifts with ease and ate cake with everyone watching. Then... she sat in her pool and played while everyone sat around her and watched. She was totally content the entire time... awww sweet Ella!

In Mid-July we headed to our old hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado for 4 days. We stayed in the Everett's barn, loved visiting with friends, playing croquet, eating at Hu Hot, watching the fox get comfortable on the neighbors house and attending a Pioneer picnic where we got to see lots of old friends! We even sold our lot of land that had been for sale for two years while we were in town!

Our Summer Adventures/ The Mountains

After my sister's wedding, the Champney side of the family ( minus Kari and new husband Steve) headed to Dillon for 4 days. We had a blast swimming, boating on Lake Dillon, hiking, eating :), playing games, shopping, visiting and "scootering" with cousins, Aunt Kim, Uncle Pat, Grammy and Papa.

After Dillon, the kids and I headed to Leadville for 2 days to visit Casey's Uncle Clay, Aunt Nancy and cousin Colin. We four-wheeled up into the mountains right from their backyard. We rode around old mines and up the highest four-wheeling trail in the U.S. ( the picture where Eliza is cold and tired). We enjoyed the hot tub, wandering mainstreet in Leadville, fishing, cooking s'mores over an open fire and the peaceful, easy life that comes with living in a small mountain town... rich in history.