Fall means COLOR

My favorite season here in Colorado is officially fall with its crisp mornings and generally nice afternoons.  This year I have felt an explosion of color going into the mountains/foothills multiple times and enjoying the aspen changing colors.  Even around town I see beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows from the trees turning and it makes me happy.  We caught the aspens at just the right time in Kenosha pass with lots of family and then the next week, I went hiking in Golden Gate Canyon state park and loved the colors there so took the family back (minus Rachel who was on a Grandparents trip to Florida) two days later.  I played around with color filters a little to make them pop and loved the results.

 Dude's Fishing Hole (my hike)

 I inspired a few people to head up to Golden Gate after posting pictures on Facebook and we ran into the Stohl's and Evelyn's friend Laynie.  They sure are cute friends.

 Forgotten Valley

 Evelyn was skipping a lot of the way downhill and being so cute.

 Maybe next year we'll hike to this shelter and spend the night all together.

Family Pictures 2016

Fall means family picture time and since it is now mostly a pleasure taking them with everyone smiling on cue, here are some of my favorites from this year's shoot.  It was a bit windy but we were able to get in and out in about 45 minutes thanks to Kelly Auger, our annual photographer.

Some fun family shots

Elizabeth, our beautiful 12 year old.

Rachel, our beautiful 10 year old.

Evelyn, our beautiful 8 year old

Couple Picture

Dad & his girls

 Mom & her girls

 

Rachel and Elizabeth were going on tiptoes the whole session so I had to take this picture on flat ground and with flat feet to prove I am still taller, for now.

 The girls all together.  Mostly friends but sometimes frienemies.  I do love watching them mosly love each other. 

It's Great to be 8

My baby is 8, I can't believe it!  To kick things off for our big 8-year old, we had an indoor swim party with friends at the recreation center.  This was probably the easiest birthday party I've hosted and what made it even better was Aunt Melissa was here to enjoy it.

My attempt at fun pool party favors.  They got gobbled up

Evelyn's actual birthday was celebrated with a yummy breakfast of crepes but we held all other family celebration two days later due to Eric being out of town and then more family would be coming in town for a big celebration Friday.

Whipped cream never tasted so good :)

The girls had Friday off and Eric took the day off so we headed up to the mountains for our annual fall drive.  My dad requested a trip to Red Rocks Amphitheatre so we made a stop there first and played on the steps.  Mom, dad, Grandma Schultz, Patricia, niece Cami, and Melissa were all there to join us for the weekend.  After Red Rocks we drove up to Kenosha Pass and I was so excited that we timed it perfectly this year.  The aspens were in full yellow splendor with a little red/orange mixed in and I couldn't get enough of the color.  Even though it was windy and cool we had a good time walking around with the multitudes of people who also had the same idea.

 (Rachel didn't want any pictures taken of her so no individual shots of her)

 Friday night we had even more family come join us--Lynne & Rob, Lisa, Brent, and Mike for Evelyn's birthday dinner of pizza and birthday cake and presents.

 Saturday morning bright and early we headed over to the church for Evelyn's baptism. We shared the morning with Luke from Evelyn's primary class and had a great program witnessed by friends and family.

 The Bartholomew clan including cousin Aaron and his wife who drove up from Colorado Springs.

 The Carlsen clan

We love our Evelyn so much and the beautiful young woman she is turning into.  Some other things we love about Evelyn at this age:

• Found her love of reading and math doing GT reading and Sunshine math at school.
• Currently loves gymnastics and perfecting her cartwheels at recess with friends.
• Loves accessorizing with necklaces and lipgloss.
• Still loves her special blanket made by Grandma Bartholomew (on her 2nd one now).
• Sleeps with one stuffed animal on a rotation.
• Generally smiley and happy, always good for a hug and goodnight kisses.
• Mom & dad's helper in the kitchen baking yumminess.
• A great friend and sister.
• At dinner time she loves recounting all the events of her day to us.
• Everyone who knows her loves being around her, she's a great friend.

We love you Evelyn!