Visit from Texans

Last weekend we enjoyed a visit from Brian, Leann, and Landon. Tuesday we were able to get to the zoo with Grandpa and Grandma.

Trip to Henderson

After Vacation at the beginning of July we headed to Henderson to catch Community Days - a favorite of the kids each year. Our first stop was the Henderson pool where even little kids are allowed to ride the big slide. I'm guessing Abby rode it over 100 times. In the evening we enjoyed a parade. The rest of weekend brought more swimming; a nap or two for Tina and I and lots of time for the kids with Grandpa and Grandma and even Great Grandpa. Summer is fun.

Saturday July 4

On the 4th we drove to Breckenridge for their parade. Before the parade we got to see the Clydesdales. I learned that all of these horses are 6' at the shortest point (they are huge when you stand by them) and must be colored a certain way.

Before the parade started a race started; the firecracker 50. 750 bicyclists pro and amatuer from all over the country were in the race (Lance Armstrong raced a few years ago and got beat by a local). 50 miles and a 5300 ft climb twice.

The parade finally started and candy was in abundance. After the parade we hit playground #6 near Keystone lake. I loved this picture when the kids were told to make the horses go.

"Fanfare for the Common Man" became a favorite song the last couple of days of the trip. I didn't realize I had it on my phone and it seemed like majestic song as we headed to fireworks - the kids loved it - enjoy the movie. That movie represents the only use of our camera on the drive home.

Happy Birthday Mike!

Friday, July 3, was a fun day celebrating Mike's birthday in the mountains! We started out with a trip down to River Run, playground #4 followed up by a children's theater performance, "The Ant and the Grasshopper." Then we headed to Frisco to meet up with friends from Wichita who were vacationing there and had a birthday lunch followed by playgound #5 which unfortunately got cut short by the rain. I made Mike's favorite dessert (homemade chocolate pudding) that evening and then we headed up to a scenic area to watch fireworks over Lake Dillon. Spectacular!

Thursday (4th day in the Summit)

Today was a bit chilly at 57 degrees. Most of the week was around 75! We spent the afternoon by Lake Dillon. Down by the marina we struck gold with playground #3. We hit 6 playgrounds during the week! The kids had so much fun they didn't care that it rained off and on, just kept playing! Abby was selling sandwhiches and smoothies and Bethany was running a chocolate shop. Then it was out for pizza and back to the condo for movie night.

Last Wednesday

Wednesday we decided to see what was going on in Breckenridge. The girls bought matching tie-dye Breck t-shirts. We had a picnic by the stream. All the kids went for a train ride that lasted a surprisingly long time. Then we rode our bikes to the River Run area at Keystone for some free carnival games, a magic show, and bounce house. The magician ended his show with a game of Simon Says. Abby is in the right of the movie and Bethany in the upper left. He then challenged the adults to a game - Tina beat me. It was another great day.

Last Tuesday

Last Tuesday started like almost every morning... The kids played near our condo riding bike and with Tonka trucks while Tina and I read and journaled while sitting in the beautiful Colorado outdoors. There weren't free activities this day so we decided to hit the Outlet mall in the morning. We then enjoyed a picnic at a park in Silverthorne and played on the playground for a while before moving to the skate park to watch skaters show off - quite entertaining. The kids didn't want to leave. On the way back I wondered if there was still snow at A-Basin; there was (and that's a snow ball coming at Tina in Pic 3). While we could question if Abby was recalling the time we tried to teach her to ski here at age 3 she was actually upset about being woken from a nap.

After supper we took a bike ride down to the stables and looked at the horses and came across the ponies. They let us feed them some hay which was fun.

1 Week ago - more to come

We are a little sad that our vacation had to end - One of the most relaxing that Tina and I can recall. No agenda, just time together doing what's around; most of our local transportation was via our bicycles. We had a great vacation!

Now to take a look back. Last Monday we enjoyed a demonstration on making fudge (and, of course, came back after supper to buy what we watched made), we went out on the lake in paddle boats that included food for the ducks. While we were getting the boats Bethany picked up a toy for a man that was filling a toy machine and put it in the machine for him. He turned around and gave her a toy for each of her siblings - good deeds don't always get such good rewards. Back to the condo and into the pool for some fun times that turned cold too quickly.