The Forth of July in Telluride

The kids and I headed to Telluride,CO with Anna, Rich and Emilia to celebrate Independence day and enjoy the mountains.  Poor Brian had to stay behind to work and study.  We missed him!

Viola sat on Rich's shoulders to see the parade.

 Then we headed up the mountain on the gondola.  Viola loved it!

 Emilia Faye (Effie) seemed to dig the gondola too.

 We stayed with the Millers, a family that Anna nannied for back in savannah when we were in college.  Now our kids are the age they were back then. Weird.

 The house was up on a Mesa near Telluride.  Viola loved running all over and picked lots of wild flowers and giant dandelions.

 It turns out that red cowboy boots are also perfect for running all over a Mesa.

 Can you see Ricki in the bottom right corner.  The Millers have a herd of tiny dogs including Walter and Belle.

 On Friday night we all had a yummy meal together and spent some time enjoying the cool Mesa evening. I'm not sure Charlie quite got the hang of hula hooping?

 Jasper knows how to hula a hoop.

See.

 Paul and Sarah loving on Effie.  Walter in the corner.

 Georgia and Ava did some rope twirling for Jasper.

We went exploring around the house and discovered this really cool swing.

 So many flowers!

 Sometimes there just aren't enough pockets.

On Saturday we got to see Davis and Anna (former neighbors who moved to Salt Lake City).  We got to spend the day with them and ride the gondola again, yay!  Viola was so excited to see Anna because she is her "best of all friends."  I was so excited to see them because they helped me tremendously with the kids.  Davis pushed the stroller all day, I think he really liked the quick fold technology of the Baby Jogger.  Thanks for the help guys we miss you!

 Charlie did some prospecting.

  He found some bones.

 Don't be stepping your foot on my claim, find your own parcel.

 Bear proof trash cans, which are necessary because they have had bears going through their trash before!

 We all enjoyed this gorgeous spot.

 On Sunday we attended worship in town then Anna and Rich went on a lunch date so we went off on our own to explore.  We rode the gondola one last time, saw some stuffed dead animals at the nature center on top of the mountain, had a picnic and played in the river. 

 More rocks!

 Thanks camera timer.

 That evening we hung out at Adam's house (an old friend of Anna's from her summers in Telluride) We ate a lot of meat, some of it killed by Adam.  It was yummy.  This awesome sauna is in his backyard.  Viola wants one for a play house.

 We came home yesterday, Rich in tow since he had to be at work on Tuesday,  Anna stayed behind.  We had a great time Thanks to all who invited us, hosted us, and fed us.