Ahhh Colorado. My 2nd favorite state in the U.S. (but very favorite place to visit!!) We had our annual family vacation to Estes Park recently, and as usual, had a wonderful time!! (I've linked all the places we visited, which is why they appear brown. Click on the word and it will take you to that web site giving more information on those places.)
This is how we roll. Both boys had their own earphones and dvd players!!
This is how we roll. Both boys had their own earphones and dvd players!!
I was so proud of the boys. We drove 11.5 hours and only stopped ONCE for lunch!! Here we are stopping for the night at our hotel in Trinidad, CO.
The boys woke up very early the next morning (like before 5am early.) So while I stayed behind to get ready and pack up, Daddy and the boys went downstairs to breakfast.
We're off!
We left Trinidad and headed to Colorado Springs, where we stopped at Garden of the Gods.
The weather and views were great!
I don't think he had a clue as to what he was looking at...
He's taller than the mountains!!
We then stopped by Cave of the Winds
The boys were getting a little too close to the edge!!
They loved climbing through this "caver's challenge."
We made a quick stop in Lyons before heading up the mountain to Estes.
These 3 big elk welcomed us when we came into the neighborhood!
Connor couldn't wait to get out the baseball pinball game. Some of you might recall what happened last year with this game: This Too Shall Pass
Connor L-O-V-E-S to go fishing, hence him wanting to be a professional fisherman when he grows up! So going to Trout Haven was the top thing on his list.
He caught a big one!
Showing off his big catch!
It was a success!! We all enjoyed trout for dinner!
Mr. Cool
Next on the list was playing putt putt, which is Reid's favorite thing to do!
The "Hole in One club"
The next day while Daddy was fishing, MeMaw, the boys and I rode the Estes Park Aerial Tramway to the top of a mountain and looked around. It was beautiful.
Can you tell it was a bit windy?!?
While we were exploring the mountains, Daddy was fly fishing with his friend, Jerry.
The next morning, Josh and I hiked Twin Sisters Peak. I love hiking in the mountains and even though it was a bit steep, the views were amazing!
Wearing my ROAR shirt for sweet, Harper, who has SMA.
We came to the side of the mountain where the horrible flooding was last September. It was sad to see so many trees washed away.
My mountain man!!
There are so many unique trees in the mountain. This trunk was completely twisted. I saw some that had grown around rocks. Very cool.
That afternoon we went down the big slide downtown. This is another favorite of both the boys!
After sliding, it was time for another game of putt putt on a different course this time.
Josh and I were able to slip away one night and play darts.
I was doing a Josh look.
We had fun spending the week with MeMaw!
MeMaw's best friend, Marne
The boys woke up early every morning, so one morning we bought donuts and sat out by the river downtown. We are bundled up in August!!!
Stopping to play the chimes and make beautiful music.
It's hard to see, but the boys are standing on the bridge.
I love this of Daddy and his boys.
Each afternoon or evening after supper, we would walk around the neighborhood. I could walk all day and night while I'm there!
One day Connor was out sweeping off the driveway when he started screaming and ran inside. He had been stung a few times by bees. After we calmed him down, he took his shirt off and a bee was still in his shirt. Poor guy, but he quickly felt better!
Looking at the deer
The day before we left, Josh and I wanted to embark on one last hike. We chose to climb Estes Cone.
On our way, bright and early!!
Love that I'm married to an outdoorsy, adventurous man!
We made it to the top! Over 11,000 feet.
Check out these breathtaking views!
We had a picnic on top; I don't think I'll ever have a more beautiful picnic setting!
We fed some chipmunks!
Here's the street view of Estes Cone:
After we climbed down, we met up with the boys and hiked a family favorite, Lily Lake.
Daddy found walking sticks for the boys, which they thought were so cool. (Look at Mr. Cool)
Another view of Estes Cone from Lily Lake
Look closely for Connor and me!
There we are!
The boys LOVE getting to spend time with Daddy and going on fun outings!
So sweet!!
There's that fisherman, scoping the water for fish!!
After a week in beautiful Colorado, it was time to go home :(
The boys are very interested in volcanoes, so we stopped in New Mexico at the site of Capulin Volcano.
Standing at the bottom of the volcano.
They were given an activity book and if completed, they could become Jr. Park Rangers.
Standing on the lava rocks.
Working on their books.
One of the activities Connor had to complete was interviewing a Park Ranger. This man was so nice and Connor did a great job.
Then it was time to take the pledge to be an official Jr. Park Ranger
They did it!!
We promised them we'd stay at a hotel with a swimming pool and they swam until almost 10:00pm!
Back in the car for our last leg of the trip.
As always, we had SO much fun in Estes Park and can't wait to go back!!
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