We just returned from being in Colorado for 5 days with some friends. (I won't put their names on here for their privacy) It was wonderful and the weather couldn't have been better. Everything we did required us to be outside and I don't think any of us broke a sweat. I tried to take lots of pics and video but will condense them as much as I can :)
We got to Denver Wednesday night and drove to the condo. Thursday we decided to take it easy and stay around town. We started our day with an awesome breakfast from Vern's. It is a little gas station with a mom & pop kind of restaruant in it. It did not disappoint..... everyone cleaned their plate. The best part was that they had eggs benedict.... my favorite!!
all the kiddo's at Vern's
Later that afternoon we packed a picnic lunch & drove down the Poudre River and found a spot to eat. The dads and kids had a blast throwing rocks in the river and finding 'treasures'!!!
family pic at the Poudre River
We stopped at a spot on the way back and walked across the river (on a bridge). It was awesome and we got to see lots of white water rafters too.
We went back to the condo and let the little ones nap and got ready for dinner. We had a sweet friend of my sister-in-law babysit so the adults could go to dinner...and I think the kids had a better time than the adults :)
Friday we ventured out to Estes Park. As always the drive through Big Thompson was gorgeous. We stopped at a few places along the way and then hit the shops in Estes!!!
we love Colorado Cherry Company and always have to stop for some cherry juice and goodies!!
There are so many neat shops in Estes Park and the neatest little ice cream shoppes too!!!
After our shopping we headed into the Rocky Mountain National Park and drove to a hiking spot. We hiked about 1.5 miles round trip to Alberta Falls. (I know it's not much but it was all we could handle ....2 daddys, 2 2-year olds, a 4 & 6 year old, and 2 preggo mommas!!)
The kids loved the hike and thought the snow was the neatest thing!! We were all ready for dinner after the hike. The kids passed out on the drive home and the adults got to have a little fun playing a new game we found called 'things'. I haven't laughed as hard as I did playing that game in a long time.
Saturday we decided to stay local again and hang out in old town Fort Collins. The Fort Collilns Brewers Fest was going on so we let the guys do some beer sampling and the preggers stayed with the kids and let them play!!
The girls got pretty butterflies painted on their faces!!
London hula hooping with the giant hula hoop!!
London and Matt playing frisbee!!
After the brewers fest we did a little shopping and of course had to hit the critter store. Well it's really called Clothes Pony / Dandilion Toys but my girls call it the critter store.... because they have tons of Calico Critter stuff..... and so many neat toys and the cutest clothes.
Kinley playing with the critters. My dad bought her the dalmation family she has been wanting and she found the puppies to go with it while we were there. She carried the dalmations around everywhere we went and they came on every excursion with us!!
Kinley putting on a puppet show at the critter store. They had the coolest full size and finger puppets and just about every character or animal you could imagine.
Check out this mushroom table and stools. It made me want to redo the playroom in a fairy theme with tall flowers painted on the walls.... all so I could put this table in there!! ha ha!!
And of course I was able to sniff out a cupcake shop. I wasn't even hungry but I couldn't pass up a cupcake shop without at least having a taste. London picked the flavor... chocolate with white icing... not what I wanted to pick but it was delicious. Matt tried the tiramisu and it was fabulous as well!!
We ended the day with a relaxed picnic dinner at the park down from the condo. The kids had a blast and the dads did a great job of grilling hot dogs!!!
Sunday was spent in Colorado Springs. We took the kids to Santa's Workshop at the base of Pikes Peak and let them ride all the rides and got pics with Santa.
the lady bug ride. Kinley said this was her favorite but I think her favorite was the twisty slide. I wish I had video of her laughing as she came down. It was the biggest belly laugh I've ever heard. She wanted to go back and slide over and over after she got brave enough to go down alone.
They even have a frozen pole in the middle of the park, and yes, even in June, it was frozen solid!! The girls loved leaning against it... a quick way to cool down.
London and Kinley with Santa. Kinely wasn't so sure about sitting on his lap but did great once he started talking to her. London had no problem but told me she wasn't sure that he was the real Santa.
After Santa's Workshop we drove to the Broadmoor Hotel and the guys checked out the golf shop. The preggers stayed in the car since the little ones were sleeping. We headed to Garden of the Gods after The Broadmoor and let the kids do some rock climbing. You would have thought they had just reached the summit of Everest!!
(excuse the picture quality... my camera had died and I only had my phone camera)
Kinley on her first rock!!
Kinley, Matt & London
London on 'Balanced Rock'
London holding up 'Balanced Rock'
Strong Kinley!!
We grabbed Chili's on the way home and the kids passed out in the car on the way back to the condo. The adults ended the night with another game of 'things' and many more laughs were produced!!!
Monday we spent cleaning the condo and getting ready for our trip back home.
Even Kinley was helping clean up!!!
one last pic at the condo... London made a sign that said 'last day'
(that is what the big white glare is supposed to be... ha ha)
We had a great vacation with great friends and I am so ready to go back.
waiting for daddy to bring the car around at the airport in Houston :(
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