Colorado

7 Years, 6 Weeks.

"Colorado, Colorado!  Escape the city in a Rocky Mountain way.  Come on down, we'll take you...Colorado, Colorado, Colorado!"

~ Paper Bird

We spent last week in Denver, CO to see the grandparents, great-grandparents, and family.  Normally we would make our trek out west during the holidays, going every other year while Papa and Nana would alternate and come to Florida and visit us.  But this year the California Isidro's are planning on coming to Florida to spend the holidays with the family, so we decided to do a summer trip to Colorado instead to make up for not going in December.  It had been 3 years since we did Colorado in the summertime, and it did not disappoint.  The weather was hot but manageable, and we were able to enjoy the outdoors for the majority of the week, as Friday gave us a big cool down into the weekend.  All in all, a fantastic trip with a lot of memories made.

Day 1:

We had finished packing the night before but wanted to make sure we had time to finalize our lists and make sure we didn't forget anything.  I had asked Duncan to drop us off at the airport after church, so we left at 11 since we had a 2 PM flight.  The plane was completely full and we sat on a single row, with another young girl from another family sitting by the window.  Her family had boarded late and they couldn't find any seats that would allow them to sit together.  Anyway, the flight was smooth except for the landing, as there was a small front coming through the mountains and you could feel the turbulence as the pilot banked the aircraft to line us up amidst the wind shear.   We were picked up by Papa and Nana and proceeded to their place, as we had family over for supper of burgers, baked beans and potato salad.

With our Über driver!

Getting our bags checked in.  Everyone had their own rolling duffel bag!

Riding the tram to the gates terminal.

But first, a quick bite for lunch!

She likes to travel in style!

Boarding the aircraft.

Ready for vacation!

Braelyn made nice with our seat mate Jordan.

The twins watching a movie on Daddy's laptop.

Retrieved our baggage, heading up the escalator to be picked up.

Not at the grandparents house 5 minutes and already playing with toys!!

With her great grandparents, Papa2 and Deeda.

Kohlden greeting Deeda.

A hug for Papa2!

Maddy giving her greetings.

Sharing something in common with Deeda!

A nice picture with her greats.

The gang on the Campbell's back patio having supper.

The cousins getting reacquainted over a game of soccer.

Nana and Papa enjoying their 7 year old girls.

Day 2

Sunday was Father's Day, and we were treated to a nice big breakfast by Papa.  Originally we thought Papa and I would be playing golf, but since it was Sunday AND a holiday, we decided to forgo the golf and just spend time with the kids.  After lunch we headed over to see the movie Cars 3, and then we went miniature golfing at Putter's Pride.  We bought the "All You Can Play" admission so after we completed the first 18 we went to a Mexican restaurant for supper, before heading back to play another 18.

Kohl enjoying breakfast a la Chef Papá.

Braelyn taking in some sun on the back porch.

Getting my Father's Day card from the kids.

The group at the movies to see Cars 3.

Kohl's putt has a good line to go into the windmill!

The crew enjoying some good golf, with some perfect weather to boot!  

A nice Father's Day together.

2nd round of mini golf, into the night, with some great lights.

Day 3

Monday we took Papa2's old boat out for a spin in Cherry Creek Lake.  The great-grandparents had recently sold their Jeep and the boat to Uncle Jay, so he was excited to take it out for the first time this summer.  The water was Lake Powell cold in June but refreshing, as the direct sun was intense.  The view was nice with the snow capped mountains in the distance.  We had a picnic lunch on the boat and spent most of midday there.  Afterwards we met up with the family, along with the Reynolds and Eric Brodis, at HuHot, a Mongolian hibachi style restaurant for supper.  

Cherry Creek Lake [Reservoir] with the mountains in the backdrop.

Kohl taking a turn at the helm.

Maddy enjoyed riding up front.

Papa2 just enjoyed being out in the water!

Such a good pilot.

The girls enjoying the ride from the back.

Great scenery of the snowcaps.  

Water was a bit chilly but refreshing!

Papa2 makes sure to let others know we have people in the water.

Body surfing.

The crew at HuHot.

Braelyn sharing something with Deeda.

Catching up on his show to end the day.

Day 4.

On Tuesday we ventured out to see the Rockies and surrounding countryside, so we drove up to Estes Park just outside of the Rocky Mountain National Park.  On the way we swung by Boulder to go to the Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory, where we attended a free tour of the plant and packaging center.  It was neat to see/smell/taste some of the different kinds of tea they had available.  We even had free samples and were able to take some free tea home with us.  After the tour we drove up to Estes Park.  It's a quaint resort town with lots of neat shops and restaurants, and we enjoyed lunch and a little sightseeing before heading into the Park.  Because Braelyn is still technically in 4th grade (she's in 5th grade in August) we were able to get into the National Park for free!  We went for a short hike around Sprague Lake and drove around a bit, stopping by the side of the road with some other sightseers who happened to spot 3 moose grazing in the bushes.  Afterwards we drove back through Boulder, stopping in town have supper there.

You're getting very sleepy....

Enjoying some tea by the fire.

Great way to sample different kinds of teas and get caffeinated up! 

Fashioning some trendy headwear, we wore nettings on our tour of the factory.

Tour over, we were able to get some free boxes of tea to take home!

Samplind desserts at Estes Park.

Heading to the Rocky Mountain National Park!

At the gate checking in, getting closer to the mountains.

Braelyn signs us in for free!

Taking a breather on our hike around Lake Sprague.  

The scenery was incredible!

More great views of the mountains.

Cars on the side of the road meant something...

so we stopped and got out to take a look to see...

MOOSE!!!

Token photo by the sign to prove we were actually there.

Supper on the rooftop of Lazy Dog's Sports Bar & Grill.

Day 5

On Wednesday we took the kids to the Denver Museum of Science and Nature, part of our Science Center's reciprocal program, so we got in for free, including Nana.  Actually though, we did have to pay for the planetarium portion, as that was extra, but the main museum was free.  We went there last in 2015, so it had been a while, and there were some new additions, including a children's wing.  That evening a group of 12 of us took in the Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field.  It was the first time any of our kids had attended a professional baseball game, and it was great to have them see the players batting and running around the bases.  Alas, we lost huge to the Arizona Diamondbacks, they having a stellar inning in the 4th and scoring 10 runs which the Rockies could never recover.  But other than that we all had a fantastic time, and enjoyed the weather, the food, and the company.

Under an elephant outside of the Nature museum.

But first, a quick bite to eat.

Maddy fashioning her moose antlers.

Braelyn on an interactive desk top.

Sitting on one another in line for the planetarium.

The gang just before we enter Coors Field.

Nice panorama from field level.

Panorama view from our seats on the second level.

We got there early, as you can see from all the empty seats.

We sat in two rows so we could sit and hang all together.

The girls brought some fans to keep cool.

Cousins enjoying each other's company.

Hanging out all together, they had a grand time.

The 10 year olds using the fans.

Just a spectacular sunset during the game.

With the game all but lost, they just enjoyed hanging out together.

A fun evening at the baseball game.

Day 6

On Thursday we went to Denver's water park, Waterworld, and spent the day there playing and splashing in their wave pool and numerous water slides.  Having several water parks at home and being able to compare them to Denver's, Waterworld was pretty impressive.  Some of the water slides with tubes were even comparable to some Disney rides, with animitronics and lights/special effects.  The weather started pretty hot, but then storms rumbled through, forcing the park to shut down twice due to lightning in the vicinity.  We waited the storms out, until they park reopened the rides, but when it rained it was freezing!  The park was huge, and we didn't even get to see a couple of the different sections they had.  So we'll definitely hit that again when we go back.  That evening Nana stayed with the kids while Tangie and I took Papa out to Topgolf for a belated Father's Day outing.

Sun was bright, we started at the wave pool, which became a favorite attraction,
because we've never seen waves before...

Maddy and Caylee eating lunch together.

Grey skies and an empty wave pool meant suspension due to lightning.

And then the sun comes out and everyone goes back in!

Nana and the twins in the kiddie section.  Notice the dark clouds creeping back up behind them.

Another rain delay.  They decided to wear their towels as burkhas.  

Some tire swings over water.

Kohl getting his hair washed by Nana, what a diva!

Enjoying an evening at the links!

Day 7

Friday we awoke to totally different weather, overcast and 49º!  A 45º swing in less than 24 hours!  We hadn't planned on any cold weather while we were there but at least we had packed some light sweaters and jackets so we doubled up and we were good to go.  Mommy and Nana took the kids to the Children's Discovery Museum while I stayed behind to start the packing process and then we all met up at Papa2 and Deeda's for supper, celebrating Callen's upcoming birthday with hotdogs and games on the back lawn.

Different spelling, but she wanted to take a picture with the sign.

Breakfast croissants at a coffee house.

Stopped to see our good friend Pastor Dany at Lifesource Adventist Church.

Sliding down the cowboy hat at Bear Creek Park.

Molding some clay at the Children's Museum.

Working on painting a sunset(?)

More clay play with Cay.

The Bigs putting together crafts at the workshop.

Something with blocks and rocks.

Putting the croquet stake in the ground.

Taking a break, he immediately went to this pose!

Deeda spooning beans onto Maddy's plate.

The kids getting their supper on.

Enjoyed the food and conversations on the back patio.

Singing happy birthday to Callen.

Family group photo, eldest to youngest.

Great grandkids with the great grandparents.

Everyone going a little crazy!

A nice one with Papa and Nana.

4 out of the 5 lying on the grass.

Group hug for Deeda!

Day 8

Sabbath we attended church where the kids sang special music up front with Papa.  We went out one last time as a group for lunch before heading out to the airport for our flight home.  The flight back wasn't nearly as crowded as the flight over there, and Braelyn and Mommy had an extra seat next to them.  The flight was smooth, even as we flew through evening storms in Florida, touching down just after 11 PM.  Marlissa picked us up and we drove back home through the pouring rain, the thick humidity reminding us we weren't in Colorado anymore.

Enjoying breakfast before the church service.

Mommy catching up and talking with Papa Harold.

Up front for the children's story.

Helping out with the offering.

Sitting with the Greats during service.

Papa up front with his 5 grandkids.

Final picture of the Bigs.

Nice capture of the Littles.

The group at Asian Basil for lunch, 19 of us!

Parting shot from airport.

Thank you, we had a great time!

She'll miss Papa's big bear hugs.

Loving Southwest and its colorful characters!

Buddy gets the window seat this time.

Mommy and Brae across the aisle, enjoyed the empty extra seat!

Maddy getting ready for take off.

Goodbye Colorado, it was fun!

Clear blue above the fluffy clouds.

Leaving a nice sunset in the west.

Taking the tram to baggage claim in Orlando.

We certainly enjoyed our time together enjoying and exploring Colorado in the summer time!  Thank you to all our friends and family for a fun week!  See you all soon!

When in Rome...