Up, Up and Away

Steamboat has an annual Wild West Air Show on Labor Day Weekend. Emery is quite interested in planes these days (he gets that from his Uncle Chris), so we decided to take him over to the airport to see the flying vessels. There were small planes and military planes and even a helicopter...it was "wild!" Emery was very excited to see them but got frustrated when he could not "go up, up in air in an airplane!" Oh well. It was a fun morning outing with our friends the Yender's.

Rollin' on the River

To kick off our labor day weekend, our family decided to venture out on an overnight float trip on our raft. We had a great time and Emery LOVED it. We floated a stretch of the Colorado river up near State Bridge. The river followed the train track and Emery got very excited every time a train would come by. (He and his cousin James share a love of trains!) It was a great time and we are anxious to try it again. Anybody want to come with us?


Almost full...can you believe that Hill blew the raft up all by himself? He was a little light headed. Tee, Hee.

Captain Willie and his first mate...Little Willie.

Of course Emery had to take a turn on the oars.

We camped on the banks of the river. It was a nice beachy area and Emery loved playing in the sand.

We stopped and splashed in the hot springs along the way.

Our little sailor got pretty tuckered out from the trip. The waves of the river must have rocked him to sleep.

New Hair

Emery got into the costume box and found Hill's Elvis wig. He put it on and came running up the stairs shouting "New Hair, New Hair." It might have been his most comedic moment to date. We had to share the picture.

Hahn's Peak

Last year while Annie was off in Santa Fe with her girlfriends, Hill and Emery climbed Hahn's Peak with our friend's The Carberry's. And ever since, they have been wanting to get Annie back to the top. So, this weekend we headed up to North Routt and finally did it. It is about an hour drive from Steamboat and the whole way there, Emery said "Climb a big, big mountain!" The wildflowers were so beautiful the whole way up and Emery was very excited throw rocks from the top.

Last year with Joe, Jenelle and Sam. We miss you guys!

Our two mountain men!

And one with their mountain mama...

Hill and Emery watching a rock fall that Emery just threw from the top.

I'm smiling because we are about to head back down.

Swinging at the base of Hahn's Peak at Steamboat Lake Outfitters...not bad for a days work.

Cousin's Visit

We had the extreme pleasure of having two of our nieces and one of our nephews (Trudy and Dennis' 3 children) come visit us this summer. They each came for about 10 days. Each of their visits were as different as the each of them. We hope that this is a tradition we can continue...and that our other nieces and nephews will come to visit soon!


Josie (7) came and stayed with us from July 3rd - 13th

It was Josie's birthday the first night she was here. We had a Hannah Montana birthday party and a Cookies and Cream ice cream cake from Stone Cold Creamery. Josie's parents found it quite funny that Emery's vocabulary had two extra words after his time with Josie...Hannah and Montana. Hill also got to hear much about this Pop Star in disguise and was amazed to learn that Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana were actually the same person!



Josie loved hiking and asked to go for walks every day. Here she is after a hike to Fish Creek Falls.


Josie was able to read lots of Emery's books. They had alot of fun lying in bed before his naptime reading books together. Josie was such a big help.

Lauren (4) stayed with us from July 10th - 20th

Hill took Lauren and Emery fishing every night while she was here. Although they never caught a fish, they had alot of fun trying. The pond where they went was next to the train tracks so they put lots of pennies on the tracks. Lauren loved to search for the flat pieces of copper the next day.

Lauren LOVED her Uncle Hill's motorcycle. She wanted to ride it more than anything. When we dropped her back with her parents, the first thing she said to her daddy was "I'm going to save my birthday money and buy a motorcycle!"

Lauren loved to play in the water with Emery. One afternoon they decided they needed their goggles on. She and Emery were the best of buds.


Austin (9) was here from July 30th - August 9th

Emery wanted to be everywhere that Austin was. He really looked up to him the whole time he was here. Austin was very patient with Emery...even if it meant having him sit in his lap while he tried to eat!


We took a trip out to Cheryl's farm while Austin was here. Here he is with Blossom the miniature donkey.


Austin was a big help in the kitchen! Every day he picked the menu for the evening and helped me prep the ingredients while Emery was napping. This is a picture of him from his last night in Steamboat. We made chocolate molten lava cake...his absolute favorite!

Take me out to the ballgame...

Auntie Amy treated us to a Rockies Baseball game. Even though the Rock Stars could not pull out a win against the Padres, Emery loved every minute of it. He is a big fan of playing every sport, but his favorite these days does seem to be baseball. Every night at dinner he says "Emery eat all his supper...grow big, big...hit a ball...run the bases!" He must have gotten his love of the game from his Uncle Toby.

It was a great evening and one filled with lots of memories. It is pretty surreal sitting with your son at his first baseball game.


That is alot of grass! I want a yard that big to play in!


Can I please go down to the field and run the bases?


Thanks, Auntie Amy, for my new baseball hat. My Great Gramma Austin is going to be upset with me wearing it backwards!


Can't you just see the awe in his eyes? Watching him watch the game was more exciting than the game itself!


We made it through the seventh inning stretch...and to the bottom of the ninth. What a special evening!

Santa!! I know him!

While we were in the Springs visiting family, we took some time to head up to the North Pole. It is an amusement park with lots of rides and of course a chance to visit Santa. Emery had a blast. However, all the rides went in circles...so Mom and Dad left feeling a little queasy. Oh the things we do for our children! Emery got right on Santa's lap and guess what he asked him for? A "lellow" puppy. We will see what the elves can do about his mamma's allergies in time for Christmas.

More Slothowers

This weekend we had the opportunity to gather with Hill's dad's two sisters and brother. It was a wonderful time to reconnect and spend some time with family. It is hard knowing that Emery will never get to know his Grandpa John, but he has three great uncles and three great aunts who will love him and want to be sure they know lots about his Grandpa and his love for life...and the game of golf. We thank Salle Hill & David and Peter & Ellie for the invite to come and join the family and the chance for Annie and Emery to finally meet Betsy & John.

(Emery was fed a bite of blue cheese right before this picture was taken and it did not agree with him. Sorry about his sour face!)