September splendor in Crested Butte

Avery cruisin' Main St. on her bike.

Kebler Pass. Beautiful drive thru vast Aspen groves. Peak Fall foliage!

Avery playing in a massive Aspen grove. My favorite time of year!

Not too bad for a self-timed family photo!

Enjoying the hot tub after a great hike!

At our friend Al's restaurant in CB South. Excellent New Mexican grub. Highly recommend if you ever visit the area.

Brrr..chilly morning. Halen and I out for an early morning walk while the rest of the clan sleeps.

Avery requested this shot. She wanted to have her picture taken with Daddy on this bench.

Kudos to Chris for holding two kids up while I take this pic! :)

Sunday morning breakfast. I'm pretty sure there are more cruiser bikes than cars in CB.

Ahhh...the good life!

On our way home. Avery had to go potty and when a 3 yr old tells you she has to go potty you pull over. It was a nice break from the drive. :)

Third Stop - Louisville, KY

Third and final stop on our Midwest tour was Louisville. Quick three day visit but we packed it in! Good times with great family and friends...

Spent a beautiful day down at Waterfront Park.

Cousins eating crackers.

Ending the summer with a splash at the Boatclub.

Visiting with the Tuckers. Avery had a blast cruisin' with Coleton and zoomin' around with Hudson. I'm just hoping she doesn't ask for her own jeep or 4-wheeler.

Goodbyes are tough. Avery enjoyed her last few minutes with Bumpa and we snapped one more family shot...

Circled the Arch in St. Louis, snapped this photo and jumped back into the car. The home stretch!

Second Stop - Jackson, MI

Warm and very humid we were able to beat the heat at the cottage. Av loved jumping off the dock and Halen was having fun in the tug boat. (left Avery's suit in Holland, that explains why she's in her undies!)

Fun day at the park with Grandma B.

Back at the lake, couldn't resist taking this pic. Av borrowed a suit but it didn't cover her bottom very well. We decided to take it off and she was better off with her undies. Below - Lookout, crazy 3 year old driving the boat!

Again, Aunt Sara threw Avery a birthday party since we were in town "around" her bday again this year. (Thanks Sara!) She loved the fairy outfit from Grandma B and enjoyed some yummy chocolate cake!

First stop - Holland, MI

Spent a beautiful, WARM weekend in Holland at Uncle Eddie and Aunt Suzy's. Hit the beach for some sun, sand and surf and just relaxed...

Grandma B made a surprise appearance Friday evening. Before she headed home I tried to get a photo of all the grandkids together. Besides Halen, everyone happily participated. Maybe he was just tired from the drive.

Enjoying some beach time at Holland State Park.

Again, trying to get a photo of the kids together. Not sure what Tommy is showing Halen. I think Frankie is worn out and no idea what Avery is doing.

Last photo on Windmill Island before we walked home. I think it was about 100 degrees with 100% humidity or sure seemed to feel like it - at least Frankie is still smiling!

All the kiddos playing together.

One thousand two hundred and something miles

Bright and early Thursday morning with the car loaded, Anna, Avery, Halen and I hit the wide open road. Fourteen hours later we made it to Des Moines, IA and got a room for the night. Back at it bright and early the next day we made it to Holland, MI just before dinner time. As much as I was dreading this drive it was great. I wouldn't have been able to do it without Anna (or the dvd player!). She managed the kids while I did the driving. Thanks Anna!

Sod Museum in Nebraska. It just happened to be next door to the gas station where we stopped.

My co-pilot in the back with the kids.

Taking a break somewhere in Illinois...

Anna's Visit

My twelve year old niece Anna has been visiting for almost 2 weeks. Today is her last day so I've decided to dedicate this blog post of pics to her! :) Loved having you Anna. Thanks for all of your help! xoxo

Bouldering on Flagstaff Mtn.

Anna helping carry the load.

Avery and Anna at the top of Flagstaff Mtn.

My nanny the past 12 days. Anna and I hiking after dinner one night.

Anna and Avery ridin' the waves at Water World.

Halen and Anna cooling off at Spruce pool.

The girls coloring.

Anna tubing down Boulder Creek!

Avery serenading us while we wait for Anna and Jeff to float by on their tubes.

My sister Sara, Avery and my niece Anna at dinner.