Mile High Hamiltons: Giddy-Up of a Good Time

Our first full day in Steamboat, we were up and at 'em early and we headed over to the Gondola Square to check things out. It was a great day to splash in the creek that was running right down the mountain. In a few short months, skiers will be swooshing over this creek bed.

Keith and I took full advantage of the glorious morning to kick back in these chairs and watch the boys have fun.

Oliver

Kellan

Owen

Toe Cuddles.

Ahhh!!!

The sun was out in full force and it felt fantastic. So fantastic that Carrie opted to work on her summer tan.

Owen, Oliver and Kellan stopping for a quick photo before heading out.

On our agenda for the day was a dip in the Strawberry Hot Springs just outside of Steamboat Springs.

There was no food allowed by the hot spring, so we perched above the hot spring for a bit of a picnic. Keith and Eric watched on as the kids munched on their Ham and Cheese.

Jennie was adorable in her hot springs outfit.

Once lunch was done, we made the short hike down to the hot spring.

The hot spring itself and the source of the heat. This water was HOT but merged with a cool stream for the perfect temperature to dip in.

Kellan loved swimming in the hot spring and he sprawled out like a little frog in bathtub water.

Jennie and her Mama, enjoying the hot spring.

Oliver loving the hot spring.

Owen and Eric soaking up some sun in the hot spring.

For a long time, we looked at this little beach across the hot spring. To get there, you had to swim through a very cold pool of water. Eventually, we got brave and went for it. I'm so glad that we did :)

While taking this photo, we had no idea that our darling son was plotting a cold shower for us.

Kellan even joined us on the beach side, charming as ever.

After a great afternoon at the hot spring, we headed back to the Condo for some R&R before heading out to the evening activity.

Eric had no problem kicking back and relaxing.

Those who took R&R to heart the most were Oliver and Gami. Oliver curled right up in her lap and took a snooze. I think Gami may have fallen more in love with him during this moment. It was so sweet that we all tip toed around to not disturb them.

After all of that R&R, we headed out for dinner before the main event.

Oliver put on his cowboy hat and sipped on a Henry Weinhard Soda, which his Mommy works on in her day job.

Owen was sportin' his new cowboy hat too, complete with a sheriff's badge.

Even Kellan has his hat and sheriff badge, which he checked to make sure that it was still in tact.

Howdy Pardner!

That must have been some GOOD soda!

After dinner, we headed down to the only place in town that resembled a spa for horses.

As the horses were being misted down like they were sitting on a tropical bar patio, the boys kicked up their heels with a "YEEE HAW!!!"

That's right folks, it's rodeo time in Steamboat Springs. (I was SOOO excited)

It was hot, we had hot seats, the boys looked hot and the rodeo hadn't even started yet.

Hot or not, they were all smiles.

Before long, we headed to the other side of the arena for some shadier seats. They were much cooler and we found the view to be better as well.

The boys still had their game faces on.

As the announcer asked for the crowd to stand and remove their hats for the National Anthem, the boys did just that and Kellan looked on skeptically.

As the National Anthem began, the boys belted out the lyrics and Kellan lost all of his skepticism and jumped right in.

Then... they were off!

Bareback Bronc Riding was up first.

We all hoot and holler for the Coors flag.

There is nothing like the evening light to capture the essence of the moment.

Even Mama has a photo to prove that she was there :)

Kellan seems to be a budding photographer and it couldn't make me more proud. He loves it and seems to have quite an eye.

That long lens also caught a sweet moment with Oliver having an adorable conversation with his Daddy.

Next up was the Bronc Riding.

Rodeo is serious business.

Check out how far that horse jumps with all fours.

The rodeo can be serious, but it also has some humor, like a smiling horse.

I always love the littlest cowboys at the rodeo.

Then, Kellan got his moment in the spotlight. They rounded up all of the 4-6 year old kids and headed out to the arena. He's in that crowd somewhere.

Hey, there he is!

He was high stepping it all of the way out to the middle of the arena.

The kids hear the instructions for chasing the sheep and pulling the ribbon off of it.

Then, they were off!

Kellan is in the back to the left with the white polo and blue stripe.

There he goes again.

Ooo... maybe this is his chance.

Oh no, missed step and stumble...

He almost goes down! (left)

Whew, looks like he saved the spill.

He's still in the race (back middle)

He didn't get the ribbon on the sheep, but he had an absolute blast. The big kids could have gone out with the 7-14 year olds but as Oliver said, "I would be racing against 14 year olds, there's no way I'm going out there." Once they saw Kellan do it, we think that they wished they had gone. That sheep was no match for our flag football players.

Finally, our favorite sport of the night, bull riding.