On top of the world!

Or so it seemed after that long of a hike!

Aidan making a grand impression.

Leaving his mark. When you summit a 14er, most people leave a note under a rock.

Tristan and Jack (Aidan's best friend).

Josh was there too but I haven't gotten the pictures of him yet. Will share once I get them.

Labor Day

Josh and the boys joined our friends for their traditional Labor Day 14er hike. A 14er is a mountain at least 14,000 feet. You can see how many we have here at www.14ers.com They are hiking up Mt. Democrat and will cross over to Mt. Lincoln because they aren't that far apart.

Josh sent me this picture about half way up, it took them 3 1/2 hours to make it up to the top! I'm so proud of them, this is a first. Once they get home, I'll try to upload some more pics and details.

The most fun

This will seem like a repeat to some of you but I have to blog about Mr. Pax. He cracks me up right now. Lot's of talking, funny faces, and engaging in conversations now. He is clapping his hands now too which is awesome and is a result of going to so many soccer games I think. He doesn't like it when I yell so I've always concentrated on including him with clapping and saying Yeah!

Here's a clip of a conversation:

I'm not ready for him to crawl yet but it will happen soon I can see. He gets up on his knees now to reach for things. Baby gates here we come.

Luca's memorial

There was quite a bit going on after Luca's death to remember him. Tristan's team had to play in a tournament the following weekend and they had his number added to the sleeve of their jerseys. They played their first game with only 10 players on the field instead of the normal 11. (This symbolized being a man down.) There was a moment of silence mid-day with a balloon release at the field. Their second game was played with them all wearing a skull cap because that's what Luca wore during games to keep his hair pulled back. They did go on to win the tournament also which was awesome. What a trying weekend.

His celebration of life memorial was the following week at New Life Church. There were over a 1000 people there. Not a dry eye left the service though - his dad closed the service and his speech was so emotional, so raw, the adults were sobbing. The boys were okay until that and then it all seemed to hit them. We weren't able to stay afterward for the dinner (no appetite) and Tristan cried all the way home.

Something like this though does make you appreciate your family even more and realize that you can lose someone unexpectedly so cherish every minute.