Crystal (the long post)

This year our trip to Crystal was later in September, and shorter in length than usual because we went for Brynne and Peter's wedding! We headed up to the mountains on Thursday after Tim got off work and spent the night at the cabin. We woke up early on Friday to drive to Glenwood Springs and stopped to do the Hanging Lake hike. As we were walking away from the car on a paved sidewalk and James complained that he was bored of walking, I had some doubts that we would actually complete the hike. But, he turned into a little hiking maniac the second we hit the trail and he made it all the way to the top and back down again without a complaint!

 I get bonus points because I wore Mac the entire hike up. He is heavy!

 Hanging Lake really is spectacular, and I am so glad that James was able to make it!  

James had so much fun hiking and was really proud of himself!

We spent the night in Glenwood and went to the rehearsal dinner that night and then headed up to Crystal early Saturday morning. We took a quick hike to our favorite spot at the waterfall as soon as we got there before the festivities of the day began. 

We stayed in a different cabin this trip than we usually do-The Printshop. We usually have the Cinnamon Roll House in the back meadow. This is one of the original cabins on the road through town. 

Both boys made themselves at home immediately and wasted no time in getting filthy dirty and exploring while Tim, Steff and I did what we could to help finish setting up for the wedding.

Planning a wedding in a town with no electricity and accessible only by 4 wheel drive is no easy feat, but Brynne's parents did an outstanding job. It was one of the most incredible, special and intimate weddings I have ever been a part of, and we all felt so honored to be a part of Brynne and Peter's day. It was definitely not your average wedding-this is the bride getting her hair done on the back porch, the curling iron was hooked up to a generator :-)

The ceremony took place in the meadow behind the Anderson's house. It is breathtakingly beautiful back there and I truly can not imagine a more picturesque setting for a wedding. There was a stringed quartet playing Beatles music and you could hear the rushing Crystal River and waterfall in the background as Peter and Brynne each walked through the meadow with their parents.

Peter's family is Jewish and his mom made a chuppah out of Aspen trees that their siblings held up over them during the ceremony. The guests-there were about 40 of us-made a tight circle surrounding Brynne and Peter while they said their vows, and each of their family members said their own special blessing to the couple. A life-long family friend of the Andersons performed the ceremony. I can safely say there was not a dry eye in the meadow. I literally cried from the second Peter walked out with his family until the ceremony was over. It was so beautiful and I get choked up just thinking about how special it was to be there.

Mac crashed out right before the ceremony started, which I think was his own special gift to the bride and groom. I was terrified he would start screaming during the ceremony and Tim or I would have to miss out on it. I speak for everyone there when I say, "Thanks for your well timed cat nap Mac!"

 Our attempt at a family photo in our wedding finery-Mac was still asleep though.

The reception was in the yard of Tays House (the Anderson's cabin) and the transformation that Brynne's family pulled off was incredible. Dr. Anderson brought in a huge generator that he set up in a ravine way behind the cabin and then ran the wires up in the trees so you couldn't see them, or hear the hum of the generator when you were in the yard. They set up paper lanterns and little white lights over the tables where people ate dinner, and round cafe lights over the dance floor. Speaking of the dance floor, Dr. Anderson built it himself as well as a stage for the band! There were candles and lanterns everywhere that looked so beautiful once the sun set.

The tables were set with mismatched antique china, and wild flowers were in glass bottles of every size, shape, and color. There were baskets of antique quilts that Brynne's mom collects scattered around, so people could cover up with them when it cooled off, and there were propane heat lamps to warm up under. There were so many personal touches that made the evening perfect.

 James had a blast at the reception running around with the other kids who were there.

 I mean, is this magical, or what?

After the sun set, it cooled off fast, so we all changed into our warm, comfy clothes to enjoy the rest of the reception and the bonfire after. Brynne was a beautiful bride!

The wedding food was catered by a bbq place in Marble which was fantastic. Two of Brynne's brother Tays' friends bartended and served up beer, wine and mojitos in mason jars. And instead of wedding cake, they had individual fruit pies-James was in heaven!

After the reception ended, the party continued at a bon fire with smores-there were even custom marshmallow roasting sticks for each of the kids! On Sunday morning, the boys were up with the sun. We stayed warm in bed and snuggled for awhile before we headed out to the mill and then back over to the Andersons for a big pancake breakfast before heading home!

Congratulations to Brynne and Peter! We are so happy that we were able to be a part of their special day in one of our favorite places in Colorado!

Crystal

We just got home from what has absolutely become one of our favorite times of year-our annual trip to Crystal. As I was forcing all 3 boys to take a group photo in front of the mill today before we left, I told them they had no choice, it was tradition! 

2009 

2010    

2011

2012

Apple Picking

Holland and I have wanted to take the kids apple picking for the last couple of years, but we always forget until fall is already here and all the orchards are booked. Well this year, Holland was determined to knock apple picking off our fall to do list and got us reservations this summer! Our long awaited apple picking date arrived on Friday afternoon and we met at Yaya Farms in Longmont after Riley and James were both out of school. We had the orchard completely to ourselves and all the trees were in the shade, which made for a perfect afternoon of apple picking.

Mac couldn't have been happier and just ran around shouting, "Apples!" and helping himself to whatever he found.

James took his job of finding perfect apples very seriously, and filled his bag with almost 7 lbs of apples in different varieties.

Comparing their loot.

I love these pictures of Mac because they really show his off his mullet in all it's blonde glory.

Tim was working at the hospital on Friday, so he got done a little early and was able to meet us at the farm.

Checking out the horses on our way out.

We left with our apples, which are currently being baked into a pie in the oven, fresh apple cider and my favorite fall treat-apple cider donuts. We may or may not have had to go back to the farm this morning for more of the donuts. Delicious! Happy fall!

iPhone Update

It has been awhile since I've uploaded any photos off my phone, so here is a hodge podge from the last month or so.

 The scene these two make when we pick James up from school is pretty hilarious. Mac and I wait outside with the other parents and when the preschoolers walk out the door, Mac shrieks, "Bubba!" at the top of his lungs and makes a bee line for him and they embrace each other like they haven't seen each other in weeks. Um, school is 2 1/2 hours. They do this every.single.day. They then hold hands and walk across the street to the park. Adorable.

Legos had completely taken over the house, so we reorganized and now have a designated Lego station. All sets are kept together in their own bin and my hatrid of Legos has dramatically decreased now that I am not finding random pieces all over the house.

 We enjoyed a couple Rockies games in the last month.

 Photo bomb by Tim.

 Our last day of summer break, we played Adventure Golf with the Haleys. The boys loved it.

James got to go through the Rec Center catalog with me and choose one fall activity to sign up for. He chose Tae Kwon Do. He is just starting with one session, which is 2 days a week for a month. So far he loves it, so we might need to sign up for the next session as well.

We are going to Disneyland! We decided that half the fun of Christmas is the month of anticipation and excitement leading up to it, so we sent James on a scavenger hunt around the house last weekend and it ended with him finding tickets for he and Mac to go to Disneyland and Cars Land at the beginning of October. We can't wait!!

I am taking care of my friend Aimee's little girl Stella every other Wednesday this school year. Her first day with us was last week and it went great. Her and Mac were adorable together and anytime we walked anywhere Mac would yell at her, "Hand! Hand!" and insist on holding her hand. They are about 6 weeks apart and entertain each other pretty well.

We have a jam packed September, I can't believe it is already almost half over! We are taking our annual Crystal trip in 2 weeks and then heading to California the week after that. So much to look forward to!