Sweet Spring Saturday

What is a family of four to do when the mercury on the thermometer is perdicted to climb into the 80's, the sun in shining and there are no plans until noon.  Go hiking and enjoy the weather, of course.

Saturday morning we pulled ourselves together and hit the road to hike near Red Rocks in Morrison.  Kellan's fair head needed a hat to keep him sun free so I dug through the boxes of Oliver's old clothes and found some hand-me-down hats.  Two hats, to be exact.

Kellan was all set with his choice of blue or tan.

8:30 AM and and we're off!

As the guys rounded the corner, I got a snap shot of them in action.  You'll see, it was a bit windy and Kellan's hat wasn't doing much for sun protection.  It was more of a wind gauge than anything.

Look at those blue skies.  How do you beat that?

Oliver with a Yuca plant.

There were several other people out enjoying the day as well.  As we pulled off to the side to let a guy pass he stopped to take our picture.  He insisted this would be the 2011 Christmas Card.  He seemed to be in exercise mode so I very quickly picked up Oliver and we made it happen.  I love group photos and I was quite excited.  Little did I know, Oliver was giving a belly shot :)

Kellan loved the hike and was smiling and chatty the whole way.

Oliver posing on a rock with a view to the South.

He was a bit disappointed that there weren't more rocks to climb on.

A view to the North

Another view to the South with the sun coming up to the East (obviously).  

Our house is just over the hogback beyond Keith's head.

Our wind meter, Kellan's hair hawk.

The guys checking out a big rock.

The guys checking out some red ants.  Ironically, we had just watched a Cat in the Hat episode about red ants.  It was perfect timing.

Just moments later, Oliver pointed out this place in the ground and he informed us that it was an ant tunnel.

Oliver and Mom, taking a hike.

Quick mid-trail photo-op.

Mom and Oliver racing to the corner.  The pace had slowed down a bit so we were encouraging Oliver to speed up.  Considering he ran almost the whole time, he did great.  He loved the hike and being outside.

As Keith got a hold of the camera, he took many "cock-pit camera shots" as he called them.  I would hear him giggling behind me as he took a bazillion random photos.  You know, I loved having more photos!

Quick stop to teach Oliver about the Yuka fruit pod.

Then, the pod went in his pocket for safe keeping.

Kellan hanging off the back.

Which way should we go?

Quick, strike a pose!

Yuka love

Un Guard.

Oliver pulling out some sword fighting moves.

Another Colorado Cactus and Oliver

Oliver sword fighting some willows.

Sword Upgrade

Oliver walks softly and carries a big stick.

Picking up the pace, a little.

I love this photo.  Keith and Kellan leading the charge and Oliver and Mom bringing up the rear.

Oliver and Mom taking a short cut to move ahead of the pack.

We're almost there!  Oliver's shorter legs were slowing down, so I gave him a boost so that we could move the show along.  By this time, time was of the essence and we had to get going.  He didn't complain once but also didn't deny a ride.

Once back at the car, it was snack time.  This is the first time I've noticed Kellan sitting up by himself, un-aided.  He is officially a sitter.

The hike was so exhausting, Oliver couldn't bear the weight of his snack and he had to have a snack stand.

We headed home, quickly cleaned up and then headed to Monkey Bizness to celebrate Jin's 5 year birthday party.

There were crazy kids running everywhere, like a band of monkey's.  Kellan was very entertained sitting on the side line taking it all in.

Oliver ran from the slide...

to another play structure...

down another slide..

through a tunnel...

and down yet another slide.

All of this activity made Kellan turn upside down.

Jin, the birthday girl was being camera shy.  I had to sneak this picture of her in.

After all of the activity, it was topped off with pizza and ooey gooey chocolate cake.  YUM!

The fun doesn't stop there.  It was such a nice day/night, we headed downtown Littleton to eat in the open air setting of Merle's.

Keith and Oliver enjoying some fried pickles.  They are so good!

Dinner, complete with a Rockies game on TV and a cuddle with Dad.

What an amazing day, to be followed by rain and snow on Sunday.

That's spring time in Colorado for ya.