Karate Party

Cody and Tyler were invited to a Karate Party by their friend Zak.  The boys had a lot of fun and a couple of the games were won by the Millsers. In one game Cody managed to beat Tyler as they were the last two standing. It was unusual to see Cody so determined to beat Tyler.

Tyler leaps for USA

Punch drunk?

Practicing their moves

Camping at Cold Springs

We finally got to camp as a family at the end of the season.  We normally camp in Estes Park, but this year availability was limited so we went to a campsite near Blackhawk.  We stayed for a couple of 'cold nights' and managed to get some hiking in.  Cody and Tyler collected a lot of firewood and we managed to make a big fire on Saturday night so they could eat S'mores.

Ready to eat

On the trail

Fire

Indoor Skydiving at iFLY

Cody had a birthday party this weekend and i thought Tyler and I can have some bonding time. So, i suggested that we go for indoor skydiving and surprisingly, he said OK.

It was quite a drive down to Lone Tree and some wait before we went in for our class which was a short video asking us to keep our chin up, straighten or bend our legs and relax!

There were about 10 of us. 9 of them were boys ages from 6-10 and then there was me. So, of course i was more determined to show them that i could be better than them! :)

Tyler and I had a great time "flying". Seemed kinda natural and we promised to be back for more.

Tyler went first

And then i went

This was high flying with the instructor

Wheeee!!

Here are some videos of our flight.

Cody and Tyler take part in the mini mini haha triathlon

Cody and Tyler took part in a triathlon today. They had to swim 1 length of the pool, then bike just over a mile, then run a 1/4 mile. So it really was a mini mini triathlon.

They were drawn in the same heat and the same lane for the swim, so that made logistics a little tougher for me as I had to watch them start, then run out to get them ready to bike, then help them when they finished.

It all worked out pretty well. Tyler finished his swim first, so I managed to help him get nearly dressed, before swapping over duties to get Cody dressed.  Tyler came back on his bike first, so Siew Gin had to sprint to the finish line to see Tyler complete his run, then a few minutes later Cody finished.

There were no prizes awarded, but I am sure the boys would have finished first in their age categories.

Tyler

Swim Start 8:47:08
Bike Start 8:48:24
Bike End 8:52:09
Run End 8:54:02



Cody

Swim Start 8:47:09
Bike Start 8:48:56
Bike End 8:54:00
Run End 8:56:09

Staging area

Ready for the swim

Heading to T1

Getting Cody dressed

Cody on his mini bike

Tyler headed into T2

Tyler nears the end of his run

Cody finishing

With their medals

Mills boys take part in a track meet in Boulder

We had one last track meet this year.  This was organized by Boulder Road Runners and allowed us to get some official times in the books.  I signed Cody up for 100M and I signed Tyler and myself up for 800.

Cody was the first to run and completed his 100M in 19 seconds, finishing first. Then it was Tyler in his 800M, he finished second in 2:57.4 and then I ran in the fast 800M finishing 11th in 2:41.

Only good news for me was that I managed to beat Tyler's time (at least this year anyway).

Cody at the start of his 100M

Tyler finishing his 800M

Tyler lap details

First day back at school 2016

The kids went back to school today and as with every year, i torture them with "first day back to school" picture. One day, one of us will realize that it's not worth the fight.

Anyways, they skipped in glee when our friend Lydia(car pool mom) showed up, so, i assume they were happy to get back to school(more likely they wanted to get away from my camera)

So here are some pictures of them. The usual sign is missing because we ran out of ink on our printer.

I went by the school to watch their little first day parade but they were too busy with their friends to notice.

Here we go, school year 2016-2017!

Not bad.. my little toothless

Can i be less willing face

Last day before school - Triathlon training, Bicycle Cross and Geocaching

The boys go back to school tomorrow, so we got up early before it got too hot to practice for their triathlon this weekend.  I got to run, while they rode their bikes to test out the bike and run course. We took a detour afterwards to check out the mini bicycle cross course, and just happened to spot a geocache on the way.  I was surprised that Cody was willing to ride the bike course, usually he is nervous, but today he did quite well, despite not having a proper mountain bike.

Cody riding in the distance

Tyler at the top of the course

Cody before the downhill

Tyler about to turn

Tyler and Alan compete in the Sunrise Stampede 2 miler

I normally run this race so I can get a qualifying time for Bolder Boulder. This year as Tyler has been running well, I also signed him up for the race.

This was a new course this year, and seemed easier than the previous course, less turns and less uphill.  It still has a stadium finish.

I finished in 13:11 for 37th place and Tyler finished (with a great sprint) in 75th place with 14:55.  So I managed to beat him by 1:44, or about the same time as the world record for 800!

Tyler and I both placed first in our age group, so we had to wait around a little longer for the presentation.

At the finish line

Tyler gets his award

With his mug!

Tyler stats

Alan Stats

Four Mile historic Park

We only have 2 days left of summer break before going back to school. This afternoon I took the boys to Four Mile historic park.  As well as checking out the house, they got to pan for gold and eat food from the 1800's (well the food was made today using a recipe and oven from the 1800's).

Panning

Also Panning

Find some gold

I found some as well

Not so keen on the outhouse

Kumon Awards

Kumon awards was held outdoors in the park this year, and we had to wait to the end to pick up Cody and Tyler's awards as they were both ASHR3 for reading and math.

2 awards this year

2 awards for cody as well

The boys pick the rides at Elitch

We went to Elitch Gardens this morning.  I had to let the boys pick the rides as they don't always like the rides I pick!!

They picked a lot of smaller kiddie rides, and Cody settled on shipwreck falls as his favorite, with Tyler picking boomerang.  I did get a chance to ride twister 2 while they watched.

Ready for Batwing

Also ready for Batwing

One big T-cup

Cody finally loses his front tooth

Cody has had a wobbly front tooth for a couple of months.  Today it finally fell out, so a visit from the tooth fairy may happen tonight.

Missing tooth

Found it

Cody completes his first 14er - Quandary Peak

Back in 2009 Steffen and I did this peak, and today Cody completed his first 14er - Quandary  We did the hike with our friend Vivek and Tyler came along to complete his second 14er.  This was a long 6.9 miles, with the last 3/4 of a mile gaining over 1,100 feet so pretty steep.  Cody did a great job to get this done, and on the way we saw a few mountain sheep.

Cody reading there are no easy 14'ers

No Ladder, but a small bridge

Only 1,100 feet to go

Who is that behind us?

We made it

Thanks Vivek

Tough climb