Summer-Fly-By

Each summer seems to fly by faster than the one before and with a busy, enjoyable summer means I've taken lots of pictures but, haven't had time to post them in a timely manner. So here is a post of our summer in review. It turned out pretty lengthy but, was also a fun way to recap what we were up to for a full month.

Red Rocks on June 8th to see one of our favorite artists the Fray.

A very long drive home from Lake Powell and rainy weather wasn't going to keep us from seeing the Fray. It was such an amazing concert.

Ava's first triathlon of the summer.

Ava competed with the 9 - 14 year old girls (she was still only 8) and did awesome. They had to swim 3 lengths of the pool...

...bike 2 miles and...

...run a mile. 

Toughest Kids-triathlon to date and Ava rocked it. Dylan was screaming with pride for her. Hopefully Dylan will be able to participate in the next kids-tri. 

One of our favorite memories of the summer was camping with our friends up in Ken Carl.

Simon wasn't able to join us but, the kids and I headed out with friends and had a great time.

We love getting to sleep in the tent. Just wish we could do it more than once a summer.

The next morning we all headed out for a great little hike and...

...explored the beautiful area where we camped.

Ava loved being the oldest of the group. 

Another first of the summer was the kids track meet out in Aurora.

Up first, Ava ran the mile race with the 9 year olds.

She started off with her normal steady pass and by the third lap it was clear she was in the lead.

By lap 4, she really widened the gap and finished up winning her first track race! What a fun moment for her (and me too)!

Up next was Dylan's 50 M relay. So cute to see all the little guys out there and Dylan ran awesome too.

Dylan's next two events were the 100 M and 50 M dash. The start-gun caught Dylan by surprise (he actually hated it) so he had a little delay getting off the start line for the 50 M and then once he got going he actually almost caught all the other races and ended up in 3rd place. In the 100 M dash Dylan ran so hard and placed 2nd. Ava finished her events with an 800 M run. She was tired from the mile but, still ran hard for the 800.

So proud of these two kids. They ran great.

The summer heat calls for some cooling off time at the Big Dry Creek.

Ava's camps this summer included a volleyball clinic at Araphoe High School as well as a week long basketball camp. She had a wonderful experience at basketball camp and won a few of the little contests so she was very proud to beat some of the older girls.

Speaking of basketball... when out for dinner one night at Rock Bottom (I forgot they have TVs) it was pretty cute when Ava and Simon were watching a basketball game that was on and they both turned at the same time and said "did you see that... three 3pts in a row." Like father like daughter. So cute.

This summer we've really enjoyed a number of family runs/bike rides together on the High Line Canal.

It's such a great way for us to all exercise together as a fam.

Dylan our entertainer and his...

...new best buddy, Sasha. They've had such a great summer at Willows camp together as well as a few play-dates outside of Willows too.  They really make a funny, entertaining pair.

Track meet #2.

Stretching for the mile race.

Racing with the 9-10 year old girls and boys. It was a very hot morning and Ava was already sore from the overall summer activities of two nights of track practice, 4 v 4 soccer, basketball at the gym with dad, and swimming during the day at Willows. So she happened to be pretty tired that morning but, still put in a great effort and ran really well. I messed up my watch at the start so I missed timing her race. Bummer.

Ava and Dylan thought they were pretty funny when they came out dressed in Star Wars after I asked them to get their PJ's when coming home late one night. They knew I'd say "guys... I thought I asked you to get your PJ's on" because when I did ask, they quickly showed me their PJ's under their costumes. Some how they thought they were still following my request. Kids.

A wonderful night out with friends for Kylie's birthday. 

Cheers to a great night out.

A busy summer means we haven't had too many days at the pool yet but, we've really enjoyed the relaxing time when we're there.

Dylan is really love'n all his big-kid water slide time.

Another one of our favorite events of the summer is the Pear Street Mile. Mom and Dad had a wonderful time racing in Boulder and spending time with our kids and friends for such a fun race, but neither of us ran a PR. While Ava on the other hand ran big PR... running a 7:16 mile and most impressive was... 

...Dylan. He ran an awesome 8:03 for his first mile race. I still can't believe how well he ran for his first mile race.

Yea for the most fun and festive neighborhood 4th of July parade! 

Love this kid. 

After the parade we headed to Jenny and Steve's for a little 4th of July BBQ with friends. We just loved getting to see Jenny, Steve, Hannah and Luke. 

Then it was time to end the night with an amazing fireworks display.

Dylan loved all the blue fireworks the best.

Summer wouldn't be complete without a few walks to Yogurt Land!

This summer we've had some crazy rain and hail storms that flash through in short spurts causing lots flooding. Luckily, the flooding is short lived.

July 12th we celebrated Marley's 11th birthday with the kids putting together their traditional scavenger hunt for Marley's birthday party. 

Marley is always totally confused but, seems overwhelmingly excited and gets tons of treats and lots...

...of love from the kids. Happy birthday to the best dog in the world.

That wraps up the summer from June 8th through July 12th!