Little Cowboys - October 27

Here are our little cowboys all dressed up for the Fall Carnival. Aren't they cute?

Noni Time! - October 26

One of our favorite things about living where we live is that we are close to grandparents. Noni took a day off from quilting to come up and visit the boys. They had lots of fun playing grocery store, reading books and playing with the trains.

Pumpkin Patch - October 25

Colter and I joined Wyatt's preschool class for a trip to the pumpkin patch. Both boys were in awe as we turned off the road and into a sea of orange pumpkins. Each of them got to pick out a pumpkin (Wyatt is sitting on his!) and they had lots of fun running around the field. After several years of what I kindly refer to as "fake" pumpkin patches (you know - the ones where the pumpkins are brought in on big trucks!) it is nice to be back where you can actually go to the source to get your pumpkins! : )

Corn Maize - October 20

We met Noni and Papa one Saturday at the Corn Maize in Shallowater. We had fun wandering around in the maze (the picture above is an aerial photo of the maze). Wyatt kept saying, "We're lost in the maze. We're trying to find our way out of the corn." Colter enjoyed telling us which direction to turn. Eventually, despite some wrong turns and moments of confusion, we found our way to the exit. : )

Sit and Spin - October 18

I walked in the kitchen the other day to this sight. It was one of those special moments full of cooperation and laughter. These pictures just make me smile! : )

Apple Picking - October 18

Wyatt, Colter and I met my at Apple Country Orchard in Idalou for a morning of picking (and eating) apples. The boys loved picking the apples, putting them in the bucket and then wheeling the bucket through the orchard. For several days after we came home all they wanted to snack on were apples and they didn't even ask me to slice them! Colter and Noni picking apples.

Wyatt loved pushing the apple bucket.

Apples right off the tree - what could be better!

Colorado: The Pony Ride - October 3-9

The highlight of the trip for both boys was the pony ride. The Y Camp has a livery and a wonderful pony trail. Colter calls horses "neighs" and he was so excited to actually be riding one. Wyatt, who tends to be a little uncertain about new things, rode like it was something he does everyday. They both had lots of fun and still talk about the ponies, Bugsy and Shortcake.

Colorado: Y Camp in Estes Park - October 3-9

We all enjoyed our cabin at the YMCA Camp in Estes Park. It was a great chance for our boys to spend time with grandparents and great-grandparents. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family!Wyatt on the front porch with Gigi, Great-Grandma and Great-Papa.

Colter showing Great-Papa his bear.

Colter reading with Great-Grandma.

Wyatt reading with Grandpa.

Colorado: Other Pictures from Rocky Mountain NP - October 3-9

Four generations - Dan and Gloria Griffis, Danny, Jen, Wyatt and Colter Griffis, Gerald and Barbara Griffis
Colter walking with Papa and Grandma up to Bear Lake.

Danny and Wyatt at Alberta Falls.
Our Little Hikers

Colorado: Elk in Rocky Mountain NP - October 3-9

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.

Colorado: Backpacking in Rocky Mountain NP - October 3-9

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.

Colter also walked some of the way, but had the luxury of being carried when he got tired or needed a nap. : )

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!

Bike Trip to Valle Vidal: Sept.29-Oct.1

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.

Quilt Retreat - Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2006

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!