Linda Rokos Watts

I've always thought fly fishing was kind of geeky. In high school all the guys use to fly fish the Yampa in Steamboat and they would wear all their goofy lookin gear and spend hours in the river. I never understood it until now. Connor had got me hooked on fishing. He bought Stella a good fishing pole for Christmas this last year but last weekend was mama's turn. I finally got my very own 9 foot long fly fishing rode. Let me tell you...it's not a cheap sport. Those suckers are expensive and all the gear that goes along with it adds up quick. Having just started to learn, I don't have all the geeky gear yet. We'll see just how many fish I can get before I start investing more into it. So far though I'm hooked! :) My new travel case. The rode breaks into 4 pieces and is made of carbon fiber so this little baby keeps it all safe! My fly reel. There she is in all her glory. I still need to find a good name for her. It's the fuzzy red heart fly... I don't ...

Three days at her dads and I missed the lil bugger like crazy. I took this silly little pic while we were waiting for the bus this morning. Wishing everyone a happy, wet, and cloudy day!

Saturday morning the foo, his brothers and I packed up the cars and headed up to Steamboat for a little weekend get away. We got a fantastic condo right on the mountain with a beautiful view of the valley. It was so bright and green up there it was breath taking. We spent all of Sunday shopping downtown, buying Connor some new cowboy boots and hiking up Fish Creek Falls. It was nice to get out of town for the weekend the only thing missing was Stella. We really missed her this weekend but she was off having a great time at here dads. The view from one of the decks. Steamboat Valley at its greenest. A late night(8pm) pic of the crew right before putting Grant down to sleep and a pic taken earlier in the night of Adam and Laurie making Blue Cheese Buffalo burgers... mmmmm ! What do you get when you put 3 brothers in an elevator ? Yeah...I don't know either! :) Baby Grant in a new hat my mama made for him and Grant and Dad watching the Nuggets. Go Nuggets! Fish Creek Fall, Steamboat...

You can't make a trip up to Steamboat and not go to the hot springs. They have changed quite a bit over the last 10 years since the time we use to sneak up there in high school but they sure are still great! We spent all of Monday morning relaxing in all the different pools of warm water up there, we even did a quick lap in the cold river, it was FREEZING! This is one of the new steam rooms they build into the mountain. Megan and I chillin poolside. The boys. Connor, Robin, Adam and Chad with his back turned. Another little structure with one of the springs running right through it. It's amazing how warm it keeps the structure. The springs were a great way to end a fantastic trip to Steamboat.

Stella has been taking piano lessons this whole year and she's getting really good. She's put in the long hours of practice and with thanks to my mom for the extra help...(i know nothing about piano or how to read music) she's now learning Bach. She has a recital coming up in a month and she will be playing Musette in D written by Johann Sebastian Bach. She even studied Bach in school so she's really excited to play his music. Johann Sebastian Bach himself. Dates to be posted soon on her recital. Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! :)

Lavender is not only on of my favorite colors but the actual flower is beautiful. We have then all around our house and they are in full bloom right now. My mom stopped by my office today with a bouquet of freshly cut lavender flowers. Smells so yummy! Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day! Thank you mama!

Meet baby Grant (Chad and Laurie's new baby). Laurie came over from London on Saturday and we finally got to meet Grant on Sunday. Two adorable kiddos! Connor meeting his nephew for the first time. Both of them had the giggles. Stella and I on our way to Laurie's parents place for a fun Sunday afternoon! Stella and I spent a little of Sunday morning shopping for some new summer clothes. I love all the bright fun colors and patterns. Lot's of food and lots of friends over a beautiful weekend....it doesn't get much better! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is enjoying the summer weather!

Saturday was suck a beautiful day that we decided to pack up all our gear and hear out to the far west end of the South Plat. We spent the day fishing, treasure hunting, and playing in the sun! Mama and the lil one. Heading into the woods with our GPS on a treasure hunt. The doggies were trying to help but we didn't have much luck. We didn't end up catching anything in the 5 hours that we were out on the water but we sure had a good time. It was a great way to spend a beautiful Saturday!

Learning how to drive to a 5 ton beast with no brakes! I love a good challenge! This Michigan machine was built in 1978, the same year I was conceived and she still runs like a champ! A little scary and intimidating at first but once you get the hang of her she rocks! Here's our new stone we got in from Arizona, it's purdy and expensive. Meet George, he's our chopping machine. He got a little lovin today. He got all power washed and greased up! Here's a back side view of George, without him we wouldn't be able to cut these benches below or for that matter any of the other products we carry. Eloy (our yard manager) made some new arch benches yesterday. They sell like hot cakes. Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday! TGIF!

Date night came a little early this week. Mom and dad gave us really great tickets to the Rockies game last night so we went to see the Rockies and Astros play. We all met up down town at Baker Street Pub right next to the stadium to grab a few drinks on the deck before the game. Now I have to admit that I'm not a h uge fan of baseball but seeing a live game with friends is always a good time. Darcy, Ryan and Connor Ryan, Darcy, Connor and I trying not to spill too many beers on the guys in front of us. Connor avoiding the self pics. :) REEEAALLLY bad heartburn x 4! We had awesome seats, they were to the right of home plate and 15 rows up. The weather was beautiful and the mood was silly. We had a great time and I was even home by 10. I checked in on Stella when I got home and watched her sleep and snore for a bit and almost woke her up with my giggling. Her snoring was too cute. What a great date night. Thanks mom and dad for the tickets! :)

Happy Mama's Day!!!! My parents, along with the Vosslers and other close family and friends gathered in the misty, foggy afternoon on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day with a BBQ! I am one lucky mama to have such a kick ass kiddo! Flowers and gifts make happy mama's! :) My mama with Uncle Tommy and Stella! Family love! A toasty fire and lots and lots of beautiful flowers! A lovely evening! Stella, Connor, my mama, and Olga all watching dad give a mother's day speech! The guys gathered around the new kegorator (my dad's mother's day present to himself!) :) Goofy kids! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MAMA!