April in Colorado

One morning I decided we were going to take our school books with us into the woods, and make it a picnic, ohhh or we could do a hotdog roast... and stay out until Aaron got off work and then spend all evening in the woods......yeah I get carried away with ideas sometimes. We did get some time in the woods, but school never got done that day and it was a lot of trouble. I've got to master the KISS system....keep it simple stupid. This shelter is really cool though, and we built a fire in the stone fireplace and the smell of the fire and the pines and the sound of the creek, it was an idyllic setting. 

I want to live in this shelter, or at least camp here a few nights. It feel so "Little house on the prairie"

If you are driving by and not watching you will miss it because it blends so perfectly into the hillside.

Cooking their hot dogs on sticks I whittled sharp with my new pocket knife.....they think I'm so cool. LOL

Isaiah's favorite thing to do is chuck rocks into the creek.

His shirt says "Major Hunk"....'nuff said.

Rocks, water, dirt, digger toy....its a little boys dream day.

Levi eventually lost this little boat in the current, but it was fun while it lasted. Next time we'll get some kite string so we don't lose out boat.

This was the end of the afternoon and the reason we never got to the books. Rock verses baby skin. ;( We patched him up with our new first aid kit (so thankful Aaron picked one up over the weekend) and drove back to the hotel. He got a nap and all was well again and we still hauled Aaron back out for another hot dog roast that night.

Little Moments

Random pictures, no big event, just the little in between bits of our hotel life.

Celestial Seasonings inspired us to institute a weekly tea time, a habit that's really starting to stick.

They all love tea time and scones with "wupped keem"

Rebecca needed a spring haircut. 

Our hiking backpack...prepared for just about anything.

This girl is getting so grown up on me and I'm seeing a sense of style pop up that is uber cute!

Spring does make its way to Colorado, just a lot later than in North Carolina. This is the first blooms we say and its from April 7th!

The boys were fighting some upper respiratory stuff so our first trip to Garden of the gods was just for the trading post. We wanted them to get another slow day before we did more hiking. 

We all took turns with the vintage pinball machines while Isaiah got in a nap.

This playground had a Peter Pan theme! That's London Bridge, and in the background you can just see the mast of the Jolly Roger.

'Lost Boys' area was all trees to crawl through and hang on.

This was a rock formation and in the summer water runs through the park to make mermaid lagoon.

As cool as all the equipment was, it was the view that made it feel truly like something from a fairytale.

Frozen rivers and big diggers!

This post was written a long while back, while we were still in Illinois in February, but never got published. Ooops! So here out of order is a little bit of Peoria. 

The Illinois River had a thick layer of ice that stretched well over 50 feet into the center.

The theater at the Caterpillar Visitor's Center is in the box of a gigantic dump truck.

In the command seat!

Even the big boys like playing with these diggers.

The front of the theater truck ;)

Simulators, which the kids were sooo bad at. HAHA.

The CAT gift shop. Toys, clothes, hats, bags, everything CAT.

Gotta represent!

Resurrection Sunday

      I failed this year to do anything traditional. Looking back I wished I had tried to make a nice dinner in our little kitchen, but I thought we'd grab something somewhere. I did find a church to visit, but it was a disappointment. Maybe I missed something, but starting the sermon with "I'm going sum up the gospel in a single tweet" set my teeth on edge, and I personally just like good music no flashing lights required. So after a rather uninspiring sermon and anything but majestic music we hit the taco bell drive through. Next year, no matter where we're at, I'm going to do better! We went for a hike that afternoon, which was just what the day needed. No matter how stressed or discouraged life is, I always feel better if we get outdoors. If you ever need to be reminded of the greatness of our God the sheer majesty of the Colorado landscape is the best! A little hiking and everyone's spirits were lifted and I sang hymns in my head to myself while we hiked. ;)
         

Trying out our life straw from REI.....a water filter gadget that requires mama to carry less bottles of water in her backpack.

Mama's Llist

    I did lots of internet searching, brochure perusing, and planning ahead of our trip and I had a list. I love a good list! I actually had a list of activities to do with the kids, day trips to take, trails to hike, nature centers, and one for just Denver attractions. I"m proud to say we did about 90% of the list. This particular Saturday we checked off three stops. The REI flagship store in Denver, Hammond's Candies in Denver, and a visit to the town of Boulder. Boulder is just so fun and funky!

I love the old building that houses REI....here's what the internet says about its history.  "

The 90,000-square-foot building was built in 1901 to house boilers and engines used to generate electricity for the Denver Tramway Co. rail system." 

The exposed beams and large skylights are so cool!

Kids play area for the little climbers.

Free Saturday climbs for members....which we are, which makes me feel so outdoorsy. LOL

Rebecca was a bit fearful, but we cheered her on.

Coming down was her favorite part. Kicking off and coating down.

Isaiah wanted to buy a board......someday buddy, someday.

Hammond's Candies was a repeat from last trip too, but this time we brought Daddy with us. Aren't they all so sweet?

Isaiah popped a caramel in his mouth before we made it to the register.

All their goodies.

They all got free suckers after the tour and a famous Hammonds Candy Cane. Our van will never not be sticky again!

Next up, Celestial Seasonings in Boulder. Their tea tasting cafe is wonderful! 

This tea set is so cheerful!

Thought of Grandma Maryann when we found the biking jersey's on a rack. Do you have one like this, Maryann?

Pearl Street Mall, Boulder

Rebecca remembered this bookshop from 2014 and requested we visit again. 

New Nancy Drew book held close. 

Spring is trying so hard to come, and the snow just beats it up!

Goodies to enjoy later.