Wildfires

It's been a hot week here in the Rockies. Fires are burning all over Colorado, and tonight one started here in Boulder. The Flagstaff fire is burning on the southwest ridge in the flat irons, about 10 miles from where we are. We are safe. There are many buildings and a major highway between us and the fire. We are not concerned for our own safety.

However, my little brother Mike is up there fighting it. Oh how I pray for him.

Here are a few photos we took last weekend when we went up to Flagstaff to hike and have a picnic. Amazing to think that this is all gone, all burning now.

Si's New Ride

My brother Mike dropped by for dinner tonight and took Simon for a spin on our new bike set-up. I found this trail-a-bike at a recreational equipment recycler (so very Colorado, isn't it?) as I was thinking of ways to get the three of us out on all the amazing trails around town.

Si was NOT excited. "Mom, there is no way I am going to get on that bike until you put training wheels on it." Once I forced him aboard with promises of Popsicles and yogurt, things just got hilarious. Screaming at my back: "Mooommm! This is something that is NOT fun for me!!!". "Mooommm! This is not making me happy!"

Eventually, as you can tell by the look on his face, he fell in love. We lapped this park no fewer than 20 times this afternoon. I'm looking forward to hitting the trails with these kiddos.

Ten Months

So here we are, closer to eleven months than ten, but the tradition must continue.

We made it!

What a sweet relief to arrive safely at my parents' house in Colorado. We took our first trip to the mountains for a picnic, hike and even a bit of fishing tonight. Let summertime begin!