THE DRIVE
We filled nearly ever inch of free space in our van with kids and luggage before we set off on our two day drive from San Antonio to Colorado Springs. The kids were awesome in the car. For lunch we had a picnic by a duck pond.
Tyler and Samantha enjoyed feeding the very friendly ducks.
Poor Lincoln was sick with a stomach bug so he slept through our rest stop.
Collin was so happy to be out of his carseat and he loved crawling after the ducks.
Danielle hadn't learned to crawl yet so she sat and tried to eat leaves.
THE GRANDPARENTS
It was so nice to have extra hands to help with the babies.
Grandma
Grandpa
THE COUSINS
One of my kids favorite things was playing in the backyard with their cousins, Ethan and Morgan. This picture was taken post water balloon fight which I failed to photograph because I was busy soaking myself trying to fill balloons.
Never underestimate the entertainment value of the towel cape.
I love my parents backyard. I dream of having a backyard like it someday.
What good are capes without some weapons?
The babies are wondering what the older ones are doing. Morgan is about 5 months older than the twins.
THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY
You can't go to Colorado Springs and not take the kids up to tour the Air Force Academy. We were able to watch planes, gliders, and parachutes.
Lincoln, cousin Ethan, Samantha, and Tyler
That's a cadet parachuting in the background. They were landing about a 100 yards from us. It was fun to watch.
Needless to say but Joel enjoyed his R&R.
PIKES PEAK
Joel and the kids had never been up on Pikes Peak so up the mountain we went.
Grandpa and Grandma came too of course.
It was cold and windy.
But the view was amazing. (I think Sam must have taken this photo. Pretty good for a five year old.)
There was snow. Samantha has been talking about snow all winter and was so desperate to see some. She was so happy to be able to not only see the snow but pick it up and throw it.
Lincoln was ornery most of the time we were up on the mountain so I'm surprised we ended up with such a cute picture of him.
THE SLIP 'N' SLIDE
The kids loved the slip 'n' slide but they didn't love the freezing cold water coming out of the house. After 6-7 slides down they couldn't handle the cold water any more.
Lincoln tried really hard but got frustrated that he couldn't make it all the way to the end like his brother.
Samantha made it most of the way down.
Tyler was a slip 'n' slide pro.
Collin kept coming back to play in the water but would cry every time because it was so cold.
Danielle didn't seem to mind the temperature of the water. She loved splashing in it.
The next time they played in the water they all passed up the cold slip 'n' slide for the pool filled with warm water from the kitchen. My wimpy Texans :)
BOWLING
Grandpa took us bowling. This was a first for the kiddos and they loved it and are begging to go again.
Tyler bowled a 76 his first game and then an 81 for his second. He really improved once he got the hang of throwing the ball.
Samantha's ball rolled slowly but she used the bummers to her advantage and bowled an 86 and then a 78.
Even Lincoln figured out how to throw the 6lbs. ball down the lane. He bowled a 76 and then a 69.
The twinkies got a little bored but they were troupers to let us bowl two games.
FISHING
The kids were so excited to go fishing with Grandpa. They have been talking about it for months. We went a couple of times and they had fun but sadly all were caught were two tiny fish.
Samantha loved playing in the water with the net more than she loved casting out her line. Despite her pleas that she wanted to catch a fish she caught none.
Lincoln enjoyed fishing but he got tired of it long before his siblings.
Tyler was the only one patient enough (no surprise) to keep throwing out his hook and he finally caught this little guy. I was able to convince all the kiddos to touch the slimy fish (sorry no pics).
I hooked a little fish too and yes my children are cowering away from it. I guess none of them wanted a wet slimy fish slap :)
THE PARK
One of my favorite things about summer in Colorado is that we could go to the park nearly any day and any time.
Lincoln
Samantha
Danielle and Collin
Tyler, Lincoln, and cousin Ethan
TRIP TO UTAH
We also made a trip out to Utah to see some family and visit BYU. We saw lots of extended family and it was great.
Here are the kids with Grandma C and Great-grandma H and Great-grandpa H
While in Provo we ate lunch at Cafe Rio. Yummy!
THE FOURTH OF JULY
Saturday we went to a church breakfast. It was so nice to be at an activity and not be in charge of it. The kids got their faces painted while we were there.
Tyler wanted a vampire. I have no idea why.
Even the twins got their faces painted.
Lincoln is blowing bubbles.
Samantha
It's insanely hard to get five young children to all look at the camera.
The babies loved looking out the screen door.
Sunday night we put on long pants and jackets and then sat in the rain to watch the fireworks.
Cousin Morgan, Collin, and Danielle
THE NORTH POLE
Our adventure continues to Santa's Workshop for a day filled with amusement rides.
My brother Erich and his family joined my parents and us at the North Pole.
The kids loved the unlimited rides.
Lincoln wanted to be like the big kids and went on nearly all the rides with them despite the fact that he hates g-forces.
The Roller Coaster
Me and my boys on the Ferris Wheel
This ride finally proved to be to much for Lincoln. Notice me covering his mouth. I was afraid but thankfully he kept it in. I had to ask the girl to stop it so we could get off.
This is how the babies and grandparents spent most of their day.
THE ZOO
The zoo in Colorado Springs is on the side of the mountain. They have some really nice exhibits but lots of hills. We never made it to see all the animals.
The kids are feeding crackers to the giraffes.
Tyler, Lincoln, and Samantha
They had free face painting.
After several hours the little ones could stay awake no longer. So Grandma took them home.
Grandpa, Tyler, Samantha, and I went to the Will Roger's Shrine of the Sun.
The shrine had a great view of the city.
MORE CUTE PICTURES
I am burned out on adding photos and typing picture captions so I will close with a few cute pictures I couldn't leave out.
Danielle finally learned to crawl
She was so happy to finally be able to move
Danielle playing in the backyard
Danielle loved this rocking chair. I wanted to take a picture of her sitting in it wearing something cute but it never happened.
Collin loved chewing on the rocks
Collin helping wash the car
Collin loves to stick his arms in the arm
Silly Samantha
3 comments:
Cafe Rio! I'm so jealous!!! The kids all look great!
Such a fun trip!
What a fun trip! Looks like you all made some great memories. I get that you were pretty ready to be home at the end of it, though. Whenever we visit Utah we try to see both sides of the family. It ends up being a lot of traveling even once we get there.
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