Mountains in Autumn

Sunrise

This weekend, we drove into the mountains to see if we could capture some of the fall colors in some photographs with the kids. Fall is my favorite time of year, and I wanted to snap some pictures of the beauty of creation as well as my sweet children. After deciding the local foliage was past its prime, we headed out on a spontaneous trip into the mountains. The morning after we arrived, I was blown away by the breathtaking beauty that surrounded us. The sun rising over the mountaintops cast an orange hue on the already-gorgeous fall colors.

The kids just wanted to get outside and play, but they grudgingly cooperated with their camera-obsessed mother and posed for a few shots. I was not happy with my results, but I realize that I need to learn more and practice with my camera. Perhaps I can salvage some of the better ones with editing.

All set to go

After our photo session, we hopped on ATV's and rode around the paths and trails. Then the kids wanted to fish. They successfully hooked a few trout, which always results in excited smiles. Then it was time to head home. We packed up and rolled out of there in time to attend their Sunday evening activities.

It was so nice to get away. Spending an evening away from laundry and the constant beckoning of housework provided a much-needed break for this weary mom. Put that evening in the mountains in autumn, and you get one happy girl.

  

Handsome AJ

K and H

Miss A was not happy, but she tried

Timo and H with his fish. He didn't want to touch it.

Proud of her catch

Little S

Family Retreat

We went on a family retreat last weekend up in the mountains of beautiful Colorado. The drive up there was gorgeous, and it was refreshing to spend some time surrounded by the peace and quiet of nature. We didn't even have cell phone coverage or Internet access.

Driving up

Our mornings were spent in sessions, learning how to grow in our Christian faith and apply it to our lives in marriage, parenting, and reaching out to others. Our afternoons were free, allowing the kids to go out on boats on the lake or to catch minnows and crawdads along the shore. Timo also took the opportunity to practice fly fishing, while I seized the opportunity to nap one afternoon.

K on a paddle boat with a friend

Timo with the boys on a paddle boat

The lake

One of the mornings, we ate breakfast by the river. It was rather chilly, but A slept snugly in my Boba. As for the other kids, it is always nice when you don't have to worry about spilling on the floor.

The smiling picture

The silly picture

H sharing his blueberries with S

H by the river

Our morning view by the river

More of our morning view

The last full afternoon, we packed lunches for a picnic at a destination of our choosing. We opted for lunch by a waterfall about a half hour away. It was a short hike after the drive, but it was easy enough for all but the youngest of our group to manage. In all fairness, she isn't doing any hiking these days.

The waterfall. It was about 70 feet high.

Our attempt at a family photo

Another family photo. A wasn't very happy at this point.

After we left the waterfall, we stopped at a reservoir for another photo op.

The kids

Wait! We have five kids, not four.

Another family photo

The weekend was great. I came away from it with a lot of good information, and I think the kids enjoyed themselves and learned a lot, too. I hope to make it up there again sometime.

Gone Fishin'

Last weekend, we took the kiddos fishing. Between the move and traveling, we really needed a relaxing weekend away as a family. Well, it was away, but I am not sure how relaxing it was.

It started off well enough. Timo got the poles and lines ready while I corralled the herd. It was a beautiful morning, even if we did get a later start than anticipated.



Timo  loading up the hook with bait.



The lake

  K was excited to get started, and she and AJ fished for a short while before they decided it was lunch time.

K fishing

 While I fed the kids, Timo took a turn fishing. It was the best uninterrupted time of the whole day. Too bad the fish weren't biting. And he lost a couple of flies.


Timo with his fly rod



H is for my little ham.



AJ enjoying his sandwich.



K relaxing on a chair, getting ready to eat some marshmallows.


As the day wore on, so did the kids' enthusiasm. If someone had caught a fish, I know it would have been easier for them. The sporatic rain showers didn't help, even if they were short-lived.

AJ fishing. Look at that rod. No wonder he didn't catch anything.

 H didn't have patience for fishing. He wanted to reel it in right away and at record speeds. He decided throwing rocks in the water was much more fun. AJ eventually joined him. That didn't help K or Timo with their fish-catching efforts.


H brushing off his hands after throwing a bunch of small rocks in the lake.

 K moved around to various spots, and I saw some fish swimming around, but they were not biting.

K trying a different spot.

 When AJ's line got tangled in his reel, and K's did the same. We decided it was time to head home. All three kids fell asleep on the drive down the mountain, but I enjoyed the views.


A view on the way back



Another view



Yet another view on the way down.

When we got home, all the kids said that they had had fun, but we will have to try a different lake that is not so over-fished next time.