The Bartell's

After the Miller's left, the Bartell's came into town. They dragged Mason along with them. We had a great time with them as well and I was especially glad that Mason came...I miss him so much and I can't believe that he's already a teenager. Seems like just yesterday we were playing hockey with his chico sticks when he was three. We went to Glenwood Springs/Basalt/Aspen for the weekend. We stayed in a cabin along the Frying Pan river in Basalt. Dad fished all weekend while the rest of us played. Mom, Mason and I went up to Adventure Land in GS. The alpine coaster was awesome (much more fun with two people b/c you go faster) and Mason got me to go on the giant swing. Slightly scary, definitely exhilirating. Saturday we went down to Aspen and then to the hot springs in GS in the afternoon. Mason and I enjoyed the pool then made our way over the water slides and then to the diving board where I almost lost my bottoms (I hope those kids with masks on were looking the other way). Sunday I made everyone hike up to Hanging Lake. Words of advice: never take anyone on a hike that you haven't been on yourself. Mom and Dad did awesome and we made it to about mile 2.2 of a 2.25 mile hike. At this point the trail takes you to the edge of the mountain. Dad is deathly afraid of heights and we all agreed that he shouldn't come any further so he headed back down. Dave and Mason basically ran up the trail like billy goats so by the time Mom and I got up there they had already explored. We ate our sandwiches and enjoyed the lake along with a few of our best friends. The trail was so crowded and while the lake itself is mesmorizing, it is definitely not peaceful with all the people up there. It is definitely worth doing at least once though. So I hike up a little further and we're near a waterfall and I say to Dave "is it raining"? He's like "no, it's just the waterfall". Wrong! It proceeded to downpour. Well, I have the keys to the car so I give them to Dave so that he and Mason can run ahead to catch up to Dad. Mom has already started her descent so I run (this is huge b/c my knee didn't bother me at all) until I catch up with her. Mind you, I'm wearing a white shirt and my shorts are somewhat see-through when wet...just ducky. Mom is having a hard time seeing b/c her glasses are all wet. We finally make it down and what happens? It stops raining and the sun comes out. Maybe we should've hunkered down under a tree but then we wouldn't have a great story to laugh about now.

We also went to a Rockies game and the only reason I'm mentioning this is b/c it quite possibly might go down in history as one of their best games (it certainly holds the record for the longest game at this point). But much to Mason's chagrin, we didn't see the "great" part. Before you piss and moan and yell at us for leaving (like Josh did), let me set the stage for you. The game started at like 6:40 or something like that. There were two (count 'em...one, two) points scored in the first nine innings. So all-in-all it wasn't a very exciting game up to this point. So now the game goes into extra innings and many times the Rockies get on base but they just can't bring anyone home. Finally in the 11th or 12th inning (well after 10:00 and it was a Monday mind you) we decide to leave. We know the game has to end at some point but we just can't take it anymore. Well, on the way home we hear that the Giants scored three runs in the 14th inning. The Rockies still have their chance though and after we get home (and after Mason has fallen asleep) the Rockies hit a grand slam. Yep, a grand slam. I bet it was cool.