Happy 14th Tegan!

Our wonderful oldest turned 14 in September. It is so fun to watch him grow and mature and to be there with him along this journey. This past year was a big change for all of us as he branched out into the speech, debate and theater world. He has begun to break away and have his own life. We found ourselves a family of four at times and it was just odd. However, this is to be expected and we are so thankful he is exploring his passions and getting to develop a wonderful group of friends. We're also thankful he loves to come back to us and enjoy time with his family. He's always ready for a strategy game or a good debate with anyone who will oblige.

With his annual cake of choice - Maple Cheesecake

This year he received a pretty big birthday present from us and Papa and Cher-cher. He got a trip to Oregon on his own. He opened this present on his birthday and then flew out the next morning and was gone for a week. It was so good for him to see his old friends and, according to all our wonderful friends who hosted him, it was as if he had never left. He just fit right in and had a great time. He even got to go to the Challenge class there, which was on the same lesson as he was missing here. I was afraid he wouldn't want to come home, but thankfully, he did miss us and was excited to see us again.

With some of his great friends in Oregon - Elise, Logan, Maddie, Lily, Van, and Andrew

Our maturing boys :)

Celebrating his 14th with Maddie, whose 14th birthday was the day after Tegan's

On the Oregon coast with the Sims

One of the things Tegan has always wanted to do is backpack into the Great Sand Dunes National Park. We have camped here several times, and hiked on the dunes, but never spent the night in them. Andy surprised Tegan the Saturday before his birthday by waking him up early and then hopping in the car with all the backpacking gear. He had never been backpacking before, so it was quite a way to break him in with the hike on the sand, but they had a great time together.

Ready to go and thankful for the great weather.

Tegan got a new hat for the occasion.

In the grassy area before the real hiking begins.

The first of many breaks - much needed when hiking through sand.

A rather lonely looking hike - good time to contemplate the past 14 years.

Making progress - taking a break on a ridge

A very isolated camping site

Just their own footprints

Time to play a bit

Sunset in the Dunes

Good morning!

The sun is coming up over the Sangre de Cristos

After a great night sleep in the very quiet dunes

Following the kangaroo rat footprints

Spilling out of the tent

Boys and fire - always a necessary combo

The camp stove fuel also works to light the sand on fire

Heading out with a much lighter pack

They met another hiker on the way who offered to take their picture

A parting shot of the dunes

An abandoned building with a "No Trespassing" sign in front of it. Why Tegan is standing in the picture I'm not sure.