colorado summer

for our final vacation of the summer we headed west. we couldn't pass up a week in the mountains before school started back up.

we began the week in one of our favorite spots...

nothing beats the flowers down in the village.



















the girls jumped right into some of the activities at the base of the mountain.









then we hit the pool before dinner.

the next morning ry joined the boys for a little round of golf,

while the little gals and i bummed around the village.


we spent some time at the children's museum.
during the summer months they turn the ski school into  a huge playroom. with so many fun activities for the kids to do.






we met back up at the creek to do a little exploring.





and enjoy a little starbucks.


just hanging with her friend thomas jefferson.

then more pool action.


the next morning the girls jumped out of bed because they knew two things...
1. it was their dad's birthday
2. aunt mary was coming up to play!!!

we had big plans for both.


we headed over to vail and up the gondola to adventure ridge.
man, oh man is this place awesome.


tubing hills...






ropes courses...

zip lining...

and a visit with our favorite ski patroller!

kisses for the birthday boy.

it was getting pretty toasty at the top of the mountain, so dan took the little girls back down on the gondola. ry, lil and i couldn't leave without riding the roller coaster. yes, a roller coaster built into the mountain.
so. much. fun.





 then it was home for the afternoon to bake some birthday cupcakes for daddy before we headed out to dinner at our favorite saloon.












5 mary haucks all in a row!