let fall begin

Crispy, yellow Aspen leaves, cool, clean air and snow peaked mountains was our perfect fall weekend spent in the gorgeous Breckenridge Mountains. 


Our drive began early in the morning.  Madison took her AM nap on the two hour drive into the mountains.  She is always such a good little baby.  Content (most of the time) and relaxed (most of the time) as long as scheduled feedings and regular naps happen. 


Our first stop was near Wilkerson Pass.  The area was filled with glowing yellow aspens with such a depth into the mountains.  The colors and the beauty God has given us is such a blessing.  These drives are the reason I thank God every night.  Breathe taking.  Here are a few pictures from the first half.

If you make this picture bigger you can see her sticking her tongue out at us.  She frequently thinks spitting and flapping her lips is the best way to communicate.

Poor baby needed a nap.  At least Dad looks happy!

The second half of the day was spent in Breckenridge.  Ben had researched and found a secluded umbrella of Aspen leaves over a dirt road.  GORGEOUS!  Boreaus Pass is a bucket list must.  I don't think I need to convince anyone because the pictures show it all. 

Our day was the perfect fall day perfect with the perfect drive home.  Music off, baby asleep and Mommy and Daddy recapping just how lucky we feel to be so blessed with a lovely family and picturesque views.

love you grandma and grandpa

When we had Madison I figured our company weekends would increase.  It has..... substantially.  So I asked Ben the other day, "Were we just that boring of company before."  He said, "No, but we didnt have the cute looks of a little girl named Madison."  I couldn't agree more!

Grandma and Grandpa Benson came to visit for a long weekend.  We spent time enjoying the beautiful weather while hiking at the Air Force Academy.  The trail is Stanley Canyon Reservoir on the Academy and is about a 4.5 mile hike.  Rocky and steady incline are two words that would sum up our day.  We started mid morning and ended right about dinner time.  At the top was a beautiful lake with horrible fishing (not that we knew this before hand).  Madison did great on the way up and enjoyed screaming on the way down. Daddy made multiple comments on the noise level is his "bad ear." Poor thing got a horrible diaper rash and I think her carrier just ended up rubbing her too much.  Poor baby.  Here are a few of the beautiful pictures from our weekend.

ptarmigan lake trail

Our first hiking excursion went great.  Madison enjoyed the great outdoors on Daddy's back, looking and watching the beauty of the mountains.  Here are the stats on this first attempt at hiking:


Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1470 ft
Difficulty: 5/10


Evaluating this on paper doesn't seem to bad.  Then you carry a baby and a 10 lb bag on your back.  The trail begins to seem daunting at the bottom of that trail.  Both Ben and I say, "It should be fine.  We are young.  Madison is a great baby.  No problem!"  


Next Day.........


Two sore parents and a very happy baby!


Here was the BEAUTIFUL scenery along the way.

A very tired, exhausted little girl

The big mountains

My crazy hair after a long day hiking

happy birthday daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy!  We love you!

We celebrated Ben's birthday with a few friends and quality family time.  Madison and Mommy picked out some fly fishing gear that he has been wanted along with a hat.  Madison thought she looked better in the hat.  Daddy agreed! 

Madison is such a lucky girl to have a daddy who loves and cares for her so much.

mom, i dont understand your problem with laundry

My little girl helping me with the chore that never ends, laundry.  The washing and drying seem to be a bit easier when you have this cute face to look at the whole time. 

Mom!  This is way to much laundry!!!