July 2017

July started with driving from Chicago to Grand Rapids, MI to spend time with my brother and his family.

This is a statue on Calvin's campus. It was fun to walk around and see the ways that campus has changed and not changed since I was there. (Have I bragged here about how insanely proud of my brother I am for changing careers, taking on teaching thermodynamics, and being so great at it?)

We spent a few hours at a beach on Lake Michigan. Michigan's not joking around. None of this just walk out of your car and you're on the beach. You're going to work for the beach. Going down the dune is the easy part. My advice: pack light.

But so worth it. I have such fond childhood memories of beach time in Michigan--no sharks, no salt water burning your eyes...

Fear not, you still get a swimsuit full of sand to really complete the experience. (Also, this is how deep that beach was. I am sitting at the back edge of the beach taking this picture.)

Fun time with cousins.

We spent a day at Dutch Village, a fun little Dutch heritage/amusement park. Highlights: learning to klompendans.

Oh but wait, it gets better. Then you can put on Dutch costumes!

There was a petting farm. We narrowly escaped without buying a bunny.

And you want a small world experience? While at this little Dutch park in Holland, Michigan, we run into Ella, Naomi's classmate and ballet buddy from Colorado.

Learning how to make wooden shoes.

Annika makes a cute Dutch boy.

Sarah, a little Dutch girl.

Stroopwafels! My mom used to bring these back from the Netherlands when she traveled. It was one of our favorite treats. But there is nothing like eating one fresh. (You can also get them on amazon these days in case you're dying to try one. And you should be.)

Catching fireflies--don't have those in Colorado. And I'm not sure what that is on Sarah's arm. I'm just going to assume it's a massive mosquito.

All ready for the fourth of July!

Roasting smores with our friends before watching fireworks.

We spent a couple days with our friends the Farmers in southern Colorado near the Spanish Peaks.

The chipmunks get really friendly if you have a peanut to offer them.

We cleaned out the mint chocolate chip ice cream at the little local ice cream counter.

Such a gorgeous place to hike and explore.

The girls got along. Sometimes.

We always love time with Owen and the rest of the Farmers.

Because you can never get tickled enough.

We did lots of hiking.

And got lots of dirty.

And had lots of fun.

Mid July we took a weekend trip to Placerville, outside Telluride, with some friends. There was a house we rented together a few summers ago that we just had to get back to.

Because you eat at a huge dining table with this view.

...and the kids can ride a zipline like this.

...and if you want to lay in a hammock and read or sleep, you can.

The adults played a lot of three on three volleyball. Enough for me to be sore for several days.

And we did some slacklining. Mark decided to go from a 2 inch slackline to a 1 inch this time. Because 2 inches wasn't hard enough?

This is the bed that we all remembered and brought us back to this house. I don't think I've ever seen so many stars.

But this is your view as you wake up. 

And this is your view three minutes later when your kid finds you.

There is a fun observation tower.

Naomi and Audrey camped out on that one night.

We went for a run one day. You know, humans weren't really designed to run up and down hills at 7,000+ feet I've decided. I wanted to die. If the altitude hadn't killed me...

...this would have. It rained the evening we got there and we saw these fresh bear tracks half a mile from the house the next day.

Nothing like a game of sardines (a variation on hide and go seek) in the dark to make you feel like a kid again. Because hiding in the woods and waiting for people to find you before the bear does is a great idea.

Mark is such a good sport.

Until next time, Telluride. 

Naomi did a lot of dance this summer. Aerial was a favorite.

Mom came out to help us while our summer babysitter was away. Picnic dinner in Boulder.

We camped one night on Dave and Val's property. This is how Railsbacks wake up. Some look like they never slept. Because they didn't.

Naomi and Timothy collecting wildflowers.

The adults spent the next day working on the ceiling. I got to use the saw!

The finished product, which Dave nailed lovingly by hand when both of his nail guns failed him.

Waiting with friends for floats at the county fair parade.

Annika and her friend Travis as the color guard passed.

Summer sunsets, always make me feel small and grateful.