A New Bike Rider in the Family

Recently, Miles has taken over Grant's red balance bike. He isn't quite cruising on it yet, walking the bike ever so slowly around the neighborhood. A typical bike ride is only a block long, but he clearly loves the feeling of being a big boy on a bike, just like his brother {who is now so fast he can keep up with me on a run}.

Miles Is 2!

The year went by too quickly! Since his last birthday, Miles is walking, talking and charming us with his sweet and silly personality. Here are a few pictures from his party yesterday:

He loved the balloons so much that he carried them around the house and yard.

"What was the best part of your party, Miles?" "Cake!" he said.

Cupcakes with the cousins

Silly Grandpa

A new water toy? Yes, please!

See all of his monthly photo here.

More From Colorado

Here are a few favorites from our trip to Telluride this year.

23 Months

When we weren't looking, Miles turned into a little boy. His vocabulary has exploded, he climbs, he jumps. Other developments in the last month:

• He uses three-word sentences, such as "I want eat" and "No play G." 
• He counts to 5.
• At the airport on our way to Telluride, he stood by the moving walkway, waved and yelled, "Hi, people!"as travelers went by, which got him lots of attention. Which he loved.
• He also says "Hello Daddy" and "Hello Mommy." 
• He climbed halfway out of his crib at home before crying for help, but he climbed out of his travel crib in Colorado again and again.
• He knows many of his colors thanks to Grant, who loves to teach him. 

Previous monthly photos are here.

Back to Telluride

The view from our condo.

While our trip to Telluride, Colo., was not very well-timed this year {we left the morning after we moved into our new house}, we had a great time, and it turned out to be a much-needed break after the whirlwind that has been our lives lately. We loved Telluride so much last year that we went back again this year for two weeks. This year we stayed in the town of Telluride, rather than the nearby town of Mountain Village, and Kent's parents came out for the second week. We loved our condo, being able to hike longer distances with the kids and having date nights alone when Grandma and Grandpa Smith were visiting.

10 Favorite Memories

1. Seeing wild elk moments after arriving in town.

2. Throwing rocks and sticks into streams.

3. The 4th of July parade.

4. Hiking nearly every day. 

5. Seeing bears.

6. Our 5+ mile hike on the Bear Creak Trail.

7. The hot springs in Ouray. Or, "hot pool" as Miles calls them.

8. Driving the million dollar highway and seeing trains in Silverton.

9. Seeing the singer Jewel and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band strolling through Telluride.

10. Grant's pink bike. {We rented a balance bike for him one day. It was pink. He loved it.}