Steamboat Springs Part II

In the last few days of our vacation in Steamboat we walked to Fish Creek Falls, took another stroll around downtown, and listened to the string quartet in the Botanical Garden.

The whole Roden clan gathered for a family photo...

One of my favorite things we did in Steamboat was visiting Fish Creek Falls. We walked through the woods to see the falls from above and below...

Strolling through downtown...

One afternoon we went to the Botanical Gardens to listen to a string quartet. Beautiful setting...

Steamboat Springs Part I

We left Minnesota June 18th, destined for a gathering of the Roden clan in Steamboat Springs, CO. This is the first time Jason's mom, dad, siblings and their kids have been able to do a vacation where everyone can make it (very hard to coordinate the lives of that many people!). So we have here: Jason's mom and dad, seven kids and six significant others, 13 grandkids. I think that toals 28 people. There was one night where the pool was full and when I looked around realized it was just our people in the pool! We filled it up!

Steamboat Springs is beautiful, in a valley between some low mountains, with the town spreading up the mountainsides. There is a river running through town, and everything is really green and beautiful.

We've been spending a lot of time in the pool at the resort...

Cousin Jordan & Anja

Jason, Anja, Elise

Cousin Sawyer and Anja

We've also taken in the botanical garden (we went there for a large group family picture then stayed to play around)... gone for walks along the river and wandered around downtown.

Jason, Elise and a bunch of cousins go on a "snake hunt"

Cousin Renner and Anja

Cousins Renner and Jordan are about the same age as Anja. One day their moms and I took the little ones for a walk along the river.

We have walked around downtown. Kind of a cross between a historical "old west" town and an upscale/artsy boutique area. Every shirt I liked seemed to be at least $100. On this day Elise stayed behind while Anja and I strolled around.

Cities Visit

The girls and I were in the Cities last weekend to visit friends. Special thanks to Russ, Heather & Grayson; Nancy, Phil, Faith & Graham; Rick, Kris, Morgan & Sam for hosting us.

We were lucky enough to enjoy a playdate with friends...

Elise and Anja had a great time riding in Grayson's car...

We visited the science museum. Since Elise LOVES dinosaurs, I wanted to give her the chance to see some real fossils, not just pictures in a book. She really liked the dinosaurs...

We played out in the "Big Backyard" at the museum...

But Elise and Anja both enjoyed the human body exhibits the best. Lots of germs and viruses to look at, "patients" to diagnose...

And on a cold, rainy day we visited the Como Park Conservatory. Elise was disappointed we didn't see any "real" animals. Fish were the best substitute, and they were popular. Elise was VERY disappointed I didn't allow her to touch the fish.

Soccer

Elise started soccer last week, and is having a great time.