Family Vacation to Colorado: Day 5

Today was our last day in Colorado!  Tomorrow morning we'll load up our van and make our journey home.  There is one thing we have been repeating to Noah over and over again--"When we get home from Colorado, NO MORE DIAPERS!"  We're praying this scheduling, build up, and preparation will make him eager to go potty in the big boy potty...although I have my doubts.

We have had such a wonderful time together!  It is going to be hard to get back into real life!  One thing that this trip has convinced me of is that our boys are completely and totally head-over-heels for their Daddy.  Both boys wanted to sit with Daddy, hold Daddy's hand, and walk with Daddy throughout the entire trip.  I remember reading in a book that little boys start pulling away from their Mommy around age 4, so I have expected this from Caleb.  But now my baby doesn't even seem to need me anymore!  :(  I am SO thankful that they have such an amazing example for their Daddy!  They certainly are blessed to be loved so deeply by someone who wants to spend his every waking moment with them!

Today was pretty low-key.  We planned to ride the gondola up to the top of Keystone mountain to hike around up there and have a picnic lunch.  We got there right around 9:30 only to find that the gondola didn't open until 3.  We could have gone up the chairlift, but I don't think my anxiety could have made it riding up with both wiggly boys that could easily slip out and fall 30 feet.  We opted to hike around town, eat lunch, and then go on our favorite trail behind the condo.  It was a wonderful day!  Caleb collected nearly 2 tons of rocks for his "collection" and Noah enjoyed throwing all of his in the river.  :)

We saw this statue down by the gondola and Caleb ran over to it and said, "It's Papa & Lola!"  :)

My sweet boys and my rugged "Mountain Man"...he went without shaving all week just for me!  I like the scruff every now and then!

Sword Stick fight!

Boys being boys!

A little friendly competition:  Racing on the bridge!

Caleb is definitely our competitive child...can you tell?!?!

Goodbye Colorado!  Thanks for an unforgettable week!  We will miss you!

Family Vacation to Colorado: Day 4

It's been yet another amazing day here in the Rockies!  We made the 30-minute drive to Georgetown (one of the most adorable towns I have ever seen--it reminded me of Stars Hollow in "The Gilmore Girls").  We made the trek so that we could ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad...a real-live steam engine the weaves in and out of the mountains.  We all had a blast and even got a little soot on us to boot!

Our family getting ready to get on the train!

Exploring while we wait...we went over the bridge in the background!

Although they had covered cars, we opted for the open air seating!  Being right behind the engine had a few drawbacks...including getting ashes and soot all over our clothes and in our hair!  :)

Little Noah soaking it all in! 

The boys and the conductor!

At the Silver Plume Depot

Birds-eye view while we were on one of the bridges

After our train ride, we ate at a local restaurant in Georgetown.  

I just loved this picture--being in this town makes you feel like you've stepped back in time about 50 years!  

After getting back (and the boys refusing to rest), we had dinner and then went down to the river at sunset.

Only 1 more day here...I can't believe it!

Family Vacation to Colorado: Day 3

Our prayers for no rain were answered today, despite the forecast!  It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed spending time outside riding bikes and going on "bear hunts".

These past few days have been incredible.  I have a new love and appreciation for my sweet family.  I haven't felt this stress-free in a long time!  We've had so much fun together and still have had plenty of time for relaxing (I've already read one book and am working on finishing another).  :)  As much as the boys love being outside, they're also enjoying getting to play more Angry Birds than usual.

The boys showing off their new sunglasses and Angry Bird hats!  Thanks Lola!

Cool guys!

Getting ready for our bike ride!

Kevin had the privilege of pulling both children...up and down the hills.  He got his workout in!

The boys on their favorite trail--going on a bear hunt!

Sweet boys

The water was COLD!

Noah LOVED looking for just the right rock and then chucking it into the river.

He was amused that he splashed himself!

Relaxing by the river while the boys threw rocks in the river!

Caleb and one of his many rocks from his ever-growing rock collection!

What a great day!  Can't wait for tomorrow!