apAdventures

Imogene Pass Run is fast approaching. Only 4 weeks away! We made another trip to Flagstaff so Mandy and I could get some training in. This weekend’s goal: Complete a 17 mile loop up on Mt. Humphreys. And we did!…woohoo! Oh, and of course we did some climbing while we were up there too. 🙂 Here are some pics from the weekend. No climbing pics unfortunately because my camera battery died.

Ivan and Alina at Priest Draw. What’s she so excited about over there?

Dalan, Silas and Mia

The pony’s in for it

I’ve given up long ago trying to keep this boy clean while climbing

One of the many gorgeous views on mine & Mandy’s 17 mile loop. From the Snowbowl parking lot we ran the Kachina Trail to the Weatherford Trail up to the Humphreys Saddle and then down Humphrey’s Trail back to the parking lot.

Mandy contemplating what she’s gotten herself into

Gaining elevation

Still gaining…

Almost there

The apex of our journey. On a clear day you can see the Grand Canyon from here. This day was too hazy.

Mandy at Humphreys saddle and psyched!

The boys got jealous of us gal’s big run so later that afternoon we watched the kids while they went off on a short excursion of there own. They ran a 5ish mile loop from the campsite up to the Kachina Trail and back down the campsite road. Here’s John on the Kachina Trail.

Paul on the Kachina Trail

Relaxing at camp after a hard day’s play

The next day’s agenda: Paul and John go for an early summit bid of Humphreys via the Humphreys Trail (~10 miles roundtrip) and then afternoon bouldering at Priest Draw. Here’s Paul on the summit. 10 miles + v10 = Ultimate Winner of the Day. Paul just missed it by falling on the last few moves of Lolita on the Mars Roof.

This about sums up the weekend. Tuckered out!

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Bubbles on your mouth again! (sigh)

I’ll take care of it.

Hold still.

No, no. Over here.

Theeeeeere we go.

All better now. Say cheese!

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Men’s Swimming: “Guys looking for fish.” (when the swimmers turn around at the end of the pool and swim underwater for a few strokes)

Rowing: “Look at all those bobbers!” (referring to the buoys that separate the lanes)

Men’s Beach Volley Ball: “Uh! No sandals on! Guys in bare feet just like me!”

Thank you Silas.

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Itching to stretch our muscles after all our eastern-ly travels, we wasted no time after arriving home and headed up to Flagstaff this past weekend. Paul is eager to tick some of his long-standing Priest Draw projects and I’ve committed to running the Imogene Pass Run in Colorado this September. So Flagstaff is the place to be. We met up with our friends John and Mandy and their three little ones (I talked Mandy into running Imogene too!…not that she needed any persuading) and had a fabulous time, despite the torrential monsoon downpours!

Ivan, psyched to be out on another big adventure

…but not quite sure which activity to try first: bouldering, trail running or investigating his newly found fingers/hands

Silas’ choice is simple: Diggers. All the time diggers.

…or picking flowers for mama again

Ivan enjoying the bouldering

Silas too

And let’s not forget mama

Now dad’s turn

Paul working out the moves on BK Broiler, v10

More BK Broiler

Construction / snack zone

Tree hugger

My Morgie

Paul on Lolita, v10

More Lolita

Attack of the Silas! (Silas loves to jump on dad after dad falls off the boulder)

Don’t throw rocks please

Away from the pads while dad is climbing please

Me and my boys

“Baby Ivan sooo cute”

Are these what I think they are?

Yes! The fingers I’ve been drooling over all day!

Hey, mama’s sending! Doesn’t anyone care?

Silas with his new friend Mia and her ponies

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Well the Tour de Family is over and we’re back at home now. We concluded the trip with a few more days down in Pittsburgh before hitting the road back to Arizona – see photos below. We’re soooo happy to have embarked upon such a crazy adventure with the little ones…cause now we know that anything’s possible! 🙂 We are blessed with two outstanding little travelers. We hope to do a similar trip east next summer again.

ps. Full credit goes to Jenna and Kate for giving us the kickstart on this roadtrip with their wedding invite! Thanks you two! And congrats again on your beautiful marriage. 🙂

Ivan getting all the smooches he can in from Grandma

…and hugs

Making his rounds: Now getting some good advice from Pap Pap

The boys with their Pittsburgh cousin!!! Luke!!!

Silas with his Aunt Francine

Brrrrruuuummmm

Silas with Grandma

Silas with the windmill

Silas with harry potter

Silas anticipating what kind of city life he’ll see next: garbage truck, mailman, or dog lady

Yard work with Pap Pap

Earning his keep

You missed a spot, Pap Pap!

Nothin’ like a hard days work

Now it’s time to play!

C’mon Pap Pap!

Got him!

My buddy

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Grandma’s garden and berry bushes are bursting with yumminess! So Silas did A LOT of veggie and berry picking with her during his stay. I finally snapped a few photos the day before we left:

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Ivan meets his Great Grandma

Silas with his Grandma and Great Grandma

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Silas getting a personalized digger demo with “Digger Man” (aka Tommy) and a close-up with Jane’s horses.

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Ivan and Grandma:

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Papa and Silas at the pond:

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