Fall Fun in Ohio and Iowa

Ohio, here we come!  One night in Dayton (Don met some people for USAB work), then off to Cleveland for a night (NBA opening night:  Cavs v Celtics), and then to Columbus (USAB mini academy with Cavs teams).  What a fun time we had criss-crossing Ohio in our rented car.

Thanks to our good friend and GM of the Cleveland Cavs we enjoyed special tickets to see the opening game which was a good one!  Cavs won. 

Don in the Cavs practice gym

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland was fun!

From Ohio we flew to Omaha to take in soccer games for both Landon and Owen in Council Bluffs.  What a fun weekend. 

Owen with his team

Such a cutie, our dear Landon

Owen

Owen receiving his 2nd place medal from his coach.

Great job boys

Don flew from Omaha to San Diego and then back to Denver for a couple days of work.  I rode back to IC with the Kahlers and enjoyed a week there.  Don flew into Iowa and we enjoyed Landon and Owen for a Friday night sleep-over and more soccer games.  Papa got to lead a Thursday evening basketball practice for Landon's team.

Papa leading practice

Don took the boys to an Iowa BB practice.

The boys both played soccer games on Sunday.  It was COLD!!  30 degrees and frosty when Owen had his first game.  Both boys won both of their games.  What a great way to end the soccer season.

Halloween in Indiana!  We didn't get to be there, but thanks to April we received these photos of our cute boys.

Fall Weekend in Estes Park/Rocky Mt Natl Park

I picked Don up late Sunday night at the Denver airport (he did 4 cities in 4 days for USAB) and we headed to Estes Park for our second annual fall weekend exploring Rocky Mountain National Park.  We pulled into Ponderosa Cabins about 1 am and awoke to snow Monday morning.  We drove the few miles to enter Rocky Mt. Natl Park and headed to Bear Lake.  It was slow going in places due to the curvy road and snowy conditions.  I'm so glad that I packed the winter coats, hats, and mittens.  Next time I'll remember the winter boots.  It was beautiful!  And cold!  We saw many elk, much more than last year.  We enjoyed the winter hike around Bear Lake except for the wet and cold feet.

Monday morning from our cabin balcony

And we're off to Rocky Mt park

Elk sighting in the heavy snow

We saw big herds of them

A flock of wild turkeys, too

Bear Lake

We enjoyed the evening in our cabin complete with a fire in the fireplace.  Don picked up a pizza and we relaxed and warmed up.


Tuesday
We headed back to Rocky Mt. Nat'l Park to find that Trail Ridge road was still closed due to the snow.  We had wanted to drive the whole distance through the park and head home from the other side.  We drove the Trail Ridge road for eight miles to the Many Parks Curve where it was closed.  After enjoyed the lovely view we backtracked and headed home.

We had a great two days in Estes Park/Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park.  It was not the fall days we had planned on, but it was beautiful and a new experience with the snowy weather.

Fall = Soccer

Fall means soccer time so I headed back to Iowa and then Indiana to watch the grandsons play.

Saturday, Sept 9 Owen had two games at Prairie.  His team won both:  7 - 1 and then 4 - 0.  Owen scored several goals in each game.

Off to Wilson's Orchard after the games to pick apples and have donuts.

Landon had two games on Sunday in Cedar Rapids.  His team won both - a close, come from behind win over Iowa City 3-2 and an easier 7-0 win over Muscatine.

A Weekend in Indy
Don flew into Cedar Rapids for a few days in Iowa and then we were off to Indiana to see our three boys (and Brent & April) for the weekend.  It was a fun weekend of soccer (all three played a game on Saturday), pool time (so glad it was still hot enough for that), many games of Monopoly Jr, uno, and Rummikub, backyard football, and a trip to the apple orchard.  
 

Watching big brother and waiting for their games.

Great left-footed kick, Kasen

First year of soccer for 4 yo Cam

Way to go, Cade

Two afternoons of pool time!

Apple orchard time