Sep. 13, 2006 - Colorado Adventure!
We went on vacation -- want to hear about it?
We arrived in Loveland, after traveling all day. It took around 11 hours. Safely making it there in a new to us unproven van, that we miracously purchased just a few days before. Praise the Lord for safety. So we did what our family does best. Ate and laughed, and ate and talked. The next day -- more of the same, then celebrated as a family -- sisters and brothers and some close friends -- giving my dad and mom their "gift". A trip to Durango, Co, for 5 days... a few little things thrown in. They LOVED it, as you can see.
Sunday we were able to celebrate at their church. My older sisters who are single, threw the wing ding. They bought the cakes and decorations etc. For some reason I got put in charge of decorating. Oh me... I begged and pleaded with everyone -- someone please help me make these bows. (The days leading up to the party). But at the time of decorating... I was on my own for some reason. I guess bows scared them as much as me. But they ended up o.k.ish. We hung their enlarged wedding photos on the tails of the bows. There 5 bows all together -- not a one looked the same as the other :rofl: Oh well... Then we decorated all the tables with "gold" (or brass) candle holders, along with a few glass candle holders thrown in to fill it out a little.
On Monday - 3 of my sisters and their families had to fly out of Denver. So we borrowed the church van and took 2 families, then my older sister who lives in Loveland as well -- she took my other sister later on. Since we were in Denver we decided to visit the zoo. Beautiful weather all day long. It was fun. B.T.W. midwest ladies... the Omaha zoo is better. ;) But Milo -- the 4yo LOVED it. Here is Mansel petting an alligator.
After the zoo we went to a resturant called Casa Bonita. It was an experience in itself. 3 story building. Entertainment. All you can eat beef or chicken mexican dinners. And of course games for the kiddos. Tori said, "This is my favorite resturant". Like we get to very many. :lol: Milo is in his "protection" mode. Look at his hands. He fell down on the way to the van and skinned up his elbow. I put a band-aide on it. But it hurts. It isn't wanting to move it. Poor Fellow.
That morning my sister had received a phone call from a friend in her church. "Would your sister and family like to stay in our cabin?", she wondered? Well -- would we ever. SURE!!! So -- we hurried and washed clothes and then she traveled up the mountain Tuesday evening with us, to show us the cabin. We stopped at another resturant on the way up for supper. Here was our view during supper. My sister, dh and kids were exploring the lake.
So here we are -- Tuesday night at the cabin.  I know... my kids kept calling it a house too. OK -- here is the kicker. My dh cancelled his "four-wheeling" vacation in October to tag along with me to my parent's 50th wing ding. Guess what they had at this cabin? A FOUR WHEELER!!! So my dh got to go out 2 days and ride their ATV on real mountain trails. It was AWESOME. Isn't our God great??? He rewarded my dh wonderfully for honoring my parents this weekend. Oh my word -- the view was awesome. We all had a great time.
Here is Tori standing on a trail that we could have hiked... we didn't do this particular one -- but we did others.
My son's loved the climbing best.
When I showed Mansel this photo -- he said, "Woah... was I that high up?" He once asked me if we could hook up a chain to a rock and drag one home to Iowa. He wants some of those in our back yard. These really are the Rocky Mountains.
Well -- Wayne wasn't as excited about the rocks. I tried to stand him on this one, but he kept trying to get closer to the ground. This rock wasn't even high -- just up to my knees... but he felt too far off the ground.
We traveled home on Friday -- it was only about 1 1/2 hours from home. Did some shopping in the Outlets of Loveland... Horray! And woke up Saturday for still more adventure.
Greely, a small town east of Loveland has Potatoe Days. This was so neat. It is held at a little Centenial Village and you walk through the path that leads to all sort of historical sites. They've brought in an old TP, wood cabin, a wagon that a family lived in to help the health of the tubucular wife. Amazing history and TONS of free stuff. The adults paid $5 a piece and kids 11 and under were free. Oh my word -- they lost money on us that day. Free popcorn, watermelon, cookies, tortillas, soap, etc. Oh and lunch was included... a baked potatoes with all the toppings. We stayed there all day long.
Finally we went to church with my folks and sister on Sunday then headed home. Kids tired... but fun was had by all
My wonderful dear hubby of mine said that it was his favorite vacation ever!
Isn't he a gem!?! 
Now we are home -- and unpacking -- doing mountains of laundry and school? Ooops... we missed school yesterday and are getting a late start today. Well -- we are supposed to be doing school. Ü
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I feel very blessed today. What great memories we created! Thank you everyone who made our vacation such an awesome one!
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