The big attraction in Rocky during the fall is the elk. It is the beginning of mating season, so the bulls are bugling and the elk are very visible from the road. It makes for some great photo opportunities and our boys can now tell you what sound an elk makes!
Wyatt loved helping Grandpa take some pictures of the elk.
We really wanted to get up to the mountains to see some fall color this year. We planned a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and were able to work it out so that we could also meet up with Danny's parents and his grandparents (who were visiting from Florida). We spent the first two days of the trip backpacking as a family and then spent the rest of the time exploring Rocky with Danny's family and staying in a cabin at the Y Camp outside of Estes Park.
This was Wyatt's first backpacking trip to hike all by himself! It was a big accomplishment (almost 41/2 miles over two days!) and we were very proud of him.
The colors were beautiful!
Danny and his boys
Colter and "Bear", who has been his constant companion for the past couple of months.
Wyatt trying on Daddy's backpack. I don't want to even think about the day that it will actually fit - time just goes by too quickly!
While I was off on my quilting retreat, Danny and the boys were out biking in New Mexico. They went back to the Ville Vidal where we spent Labor Day weekend. The trees were beautiful and the elk were bugling, so despite the fact that the trip was full of steep climbs on rough roads, they all had a great time.
Mom and I spent the weekend at a Ogallala Quilter's Retreat in Ceta Canyon, TX. We had so much fun visiting and meeting new people. And we got lots of sewing done, too!
Danny used some of the money from his first paycheck to make a down payment on his new Nissan Frontier. Not only is it four wheel drive, but it has the "off road package"! He was very sad when he had to sell his truck two years ago and has been counting down the days until he could get another one. He made sure this one has plenty of room for the boys carseats so he can take it on their outdoor adventures! 
As anyone with more than one child knows, two kids from the same genetic pool can be VERY different. One of the big differences between our boys is that Wyatt hates to sleep (Danny thinks that Wyatt sees it as a form of weakness!) but Colter loves naptime and can sleep anywhere. When Wyatt was Colter's age he had already given up naps (he would lay in bed for over an hour and not fall asleep), but Colter sleeps for at least 2 hours everyday! I took this picture one afternoon when Colter had woken up a little too early from his nap and fallen back asleep on the pillows in the family room. As you can see Wyatt is wide awake and really wants Colter to wake up, too!
While we were at the beach Wyatt spotted a little boy riding a bike just like his new one. He said, "That bike is just like mine, but it knows how to go fast. I want to teach my bike to go fast." After we got back from our trip he worked hard "teaching" his bike to go fast and in just a couple of days he was racing around the driveway like a champ! Now if we can just get Colter to pedal his tricycle instead of pushing with his feet, Danny will have a couple of riding buddies!
Danny got a bike trailer to go with his new bike so that he can take the boys on bike rides. Here are some pictures from their first riding adventure!
Our flight didn't leave Jacksonville until Sunday afternoon, so on Sunday morning we went on a boat ride with Uncle Paul, Aunt Cheryl, Missy, Liz and Will. The boys got to see some dolphins, do some fishing and Wyatt even got to drive the boat!
Even on the boat Colter still managed to get his afternoon nap!
Wyatt and Aunt Cheryl watching the waves.
Wyatt and Liz on the beach.
Colter and Missy building a sand castle.
Wyatt burying Colter in the sand! :)
Our next stop was Jacksonville to visit PaPa and Grandma Emily. Colter kept telling their dog, Candy, "No-No" when she would walk near him!
All of Danny's Jacksonville Family (aunts, uncles and cousins) came over for a family dinner on Saturday night.
Wyatt and Colter had fun playing with Taylor.
Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Paul and Wyatt enjoying some "Scooby snacks." 
Colter with Aunt Cheryl and "little" Paul.
Wyatt and Colter reading with Danny's cousin, Becky.
Wyatt and Colter with "Luke." Colter really wanted to bring him home with us on the airplane!
Wyatt and Colter loved the nice backyard and beautiful weather.
Wyatt and Colter loved playing with the blocks that use to belong to Grandpa (Danny's Dad).
We also got to vist Danny's great aunts, Myrtice and Noble.
After two days in Starke it was time to say good-bye and head to our next destination.
