Mountain spring

Eating cookies in front of the bike shop. That's how we roll.

This is what happens when a Gunny Girl gets to shed her winter clothes.

Hiking right before a snow storm. Yep. Spring in the mountains.

Time for an after school bike ride on the Van Tuyl trails.

Riding allllllll the way home. Love this kid on a bike!

Bike rodeo on a Saturday morning. Intense stuff.

Playing with friends at the museum on a sunny spring day at the ski area.

Best Mother's Day card EVER.

This hiking gear not made by Patagonia.

Tygh just wants more hike treats.

Climbing with friends on a spring evening.

Eating watermelon while big sister climbs.

Last day of school!

Hanging out the pioneer museum.

Yeah. Summer is going to be pretty rad.

Desert hiatus

This family didn't take spring break due to Mom and Dad's work schedules. We took a 3-day weekend in the desert instead.

Normally, we would camp but the truck is wavering on the edge of breakdown and every campsite was full. We stayed in downtown Grand Junction instead, thanks to Mom's work discount.

Everyone woke up to rain on Saturday morning. This required some window dancing.

A visit to the Museum of Western Colorado was in order. Tygh was pretty scared that Dad was going to make him try to fly this airplane all by himself.

On top of Grand Junction. On a clear day, Colorado National Monument would be clear behind these two.

If you can't ride bikes, you may as well wear a bike dress.

The weather cleared by Saturday afternoon and it was time to ride!

Hazel's return to singletrack was a little shaky (to be expected after a long, snowy winter) but the park proved to be super fun.

We also made time to hike Colorado National Monument after Mom and Dad finished riding their bikes.

Hazel became a junior ranger for the third time.

 
And, of course, more singletrack was shredded prior to departure.

What's been going on

Spring has mostly sprung in our mountain town. Since skiing is over for the season, we are anticipating bike rides and bluegrass nights and camping.

Soon. Very, very soon.

Last week was warm enough that Hazel biked home from school in a summer dress. With snow as a backdrop.

Friday night involved Mexican food and margaritas for the grownups. Transportation was of course by bike.

It was a windy, rainy weekend. Hazel and Tygh made up for it.

One way to beat the wind and rain is to hit the climbing wall. Hazel is already a crag rat. Tygh is next.

SPRING

Or something to that effect. Spring in the mountains essentially means snow snow wind sun sun snow more snow more wind more sun...

Ski season ended today. Mountain biking season starts next weekend. Hazel has a new (PINK) mountain bike awaiting her with hand brakes and gears. Tygh has a Strider with his name on it. Bring it on!

In the meantime...

Some sibling wrestling on the bed.

The park has melted out! Mom was supposed to be working when this picture was taken but it was spring break for Hazel and daycare was closed. Mom didn't get a lot of work done that day.

A bluebird ski day with Cameron and Audrey. These girls have been following each other all over the mountain this season. LOVE.

After skiing with Hazel that day, Tygh passed out in my lap. And didn't wake up for TWO HOURS. The alpine sun will do that to you I guess.

Kid yoga every Tuesday! Hazel is now enrolled in gymnastics for the spring session which happens to be at the same time as yoga. Bummer.

The last day of ski lessons means the always anticipated Cruiser Cup. The difference in Hazel's skiing last year and her skiing this year? Massive amounts of confidence. We are some crazy proud parents.

Hazel's ski class on the podium. Her instructor had seven girls this year. That's a lot of pink.

And this weekend. It was closing weekend at Crested Butte. Tutus required. Silly poses optional.

Today for real was the last day of the season. Instead of following her friends all over the mountain? They followed HER. And they couldn't keep up with her. I was floored. And proud. So incredibly proud.

 
Skiercross!

What a year of growth for this amazing kid.

 
Skiing with best friends is the...best.

Not to forget about Tygh. He dressed up for the last day too. He was upset to see ski season come to a close. We get it, Tygh. We get it.

One month

A very over-due blog post on one month in the life of Hazel and Tygh.

(Sorry about the delay. Mom has a new job...and a part-time job...and another part-time job. She is kinda busy.)

Ending cross-country ski lessons with a smile.

Typical morning craziness in the Barker house.

Hazel watched ice dancing in the Olympics. She has now decided on her future career path.

Ski racing at our local Gunny hill!

Girl Scout World Thinking Day. Hanging out with all of the older Girl Scouts was pretty rad for Hazel.

This guy.

Tygh learned to walk. And then he wanted to walk everywhere, including around the ski bus instead of ON to the ski bus.

You know. Skiing.

Hanging with his friend Russ (or "Wuuuuhhh" in Tygh-speak).

Colorado boys after a relaxing afternoon at Waunita Hot Springs.

Hazel made a leprechaun trap at school. Because the gingerbread man trap at Christmas was such a success?

Ouray with friends from Bend.

Skiing at the Lake City ski hill on a bluebird day.

Photo op- sorta- at the Lake City ice park.