Last day in Colorado

Yesterday was our last day in Colorado, and it was so bittersweet. We took the girls up Flagstaff rd in Boulder. The road winds up the side of the foothills, and gives spectacular views of Boulder. We had a picnic lunch at the summit, and took a 1 mile hike at the top.












On the way down the road we stopped at a red rock formation to hike a little more. The girls love climbing on rocks!!












We were hot after all that hiking, so we went to downtown Boulder to wander around Pearl St and get some ice cream. Yummy Haagen Das!!

We went back to Erica and Carter's house and everyone met us there after work for a farewell sushi party!! Even Amy Kolczak came with her boys! It was a great last night in Colorado!! But it was sad to say goodbye to everyone.









We left early this morning and are hoping to make it to Omaha, Nebraska. We're all so sad to leave CO!! We had such a great time there!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rocky Mountain National Park

Yesterday we went to RMNP with Mary, Greyson, and Joe. We started with a nice picnic lunch just inside the park. Then we took a one-way dirt road up the side of some amazing mountains! We stopped at Chasm Falls and hiked up and down the creek. The girls were great at scrambling over the huge boulders.









We stopped at some scenic turnouts and at a hiking trail. We didn't hike far due to the mosquitos, but we saw lots of elk poop! Above the tree line we saw a small herd of elk right by the road!!


After stopping at a visitors center and hiking on the alpine tundra, girls started falling asleep, so we started our drive home.



We enjoyed another yummy dinner at Erica and Carter's house, and finished watching Gnomeo and Juliet. The girls treated us to a talent show with Auntie Erica's keyboard and microphone. Another fun day in Colorado!!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

St. Mary's Glacier

On Stephanie's advice, we checked out St. Mary's Glacier yesterday with Erica, Mary, Justin, and Greyson. It was such a beautiful drive, hike, and destination!! We played on the snow of the glacier, in the creeks of melting snow, and around the beautiful lake at the base of the glacier for a long time!!















We also stopped in the cute city of Idaho Springs for Beau Joe's pizza and some window shopping. And we ended the day at Erica and Carter's house with a yummy grilled dinner and a movie (Gnomeo and Juliet). Another great day in Colorado!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Two Fourteeners!

Yesterday we left the girls in the care of Auntie Mary and her friend Jen, and we went with a big group to hike Grays Peak and Torreys Peak. We had to leave very early, and caravanned up to the trailhead via a very bumpy two-track road. We started the hike at 6:45am and got to the first peak at 10am. Not bad for 3+ miles uphill at high elevation!









Then we hiked down and back up to get to Torreys Peak. It was so beautiful and clear and there was hardly a cloud in the sky (very rare). We enjoyed lunch at the top, and took lots of pics before heading down. In all, we hiked for 7.5 hours!!











Then we went back to shower and see the girlies at Jen's (air-conditioned) place. They had a fun day of ice cream, movies, a playground, and swimming!

We moved to Auntie Erica's house to sleep there for the rest of our visit. We all slept well last night!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bouncing around

Today we bounced all around town. We started the day at the Cherry Creek Farmer's market with Mary, Justin, Joe, and Stephanie. The samples were great, and we bought lots of goodies. Then we went to nearby Wash Park to play in the creek and on the playground.



It was hot out, so we all met up at the Boulder Res(ervoir) to swim. The mountains were such a beautiful backdrop!! The girls had a ton of fun horsing around with everyone!


And there was an unforgettable moment when Greyson pooped out all over Joe, all the way down to a completely coated foot! Poor Uncle Joe!!


Then we drove to Broomfield to visit Erica and Carter's house for the first time. We had a ton of fun playing in their beautiful back yard.


After dinner we had to head back to Denver, though, to prep for tomorrow's early outing - hiking Grays and Torreys Peaks! Wish us luck!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day in Denver

Yesterday we had a nice, leisurely day in Denver. We hung out at Mary & Justin's all morning and the girls got to take the dogs on a walk to the playground. We went out to lunch and then visited M&J's school and classrooms.

Then we went to the huge REI store downtown and wanted to buy everything!!



The store is right by 2 rivers, so we went people-watching and wading in the rivers.









Then we went back to M&J's to make a yummy grilled dinner and dessert. Megan joined Jessica and I in the tent last night and we all had a good night's sleep!!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mt. Evans

Yesterday we drove to the top of Mt. Evans with Erica. The road is the highest road in the US, going to over 14k ft elevation. On the drive we saw bighorn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, and mule deer. At the top, it was a short hike to the very top, where we spent lots of time enjoying the views. It was the girls' first fourteener, and our second.





















On the drive down, we stopped several times at lakes, scenic overlooks, and a nature center. We had lunch at a cool lodge.






Then we drove to Golden, and met Mary & Justin there for the Coors brewery tour. Yay for free beer (and free pop for the kiddies).








After the tour, we walked through downtown Golden and had dinner there. It was another long, fun day!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First day in Denver

Yesterday we woke up and played with Greyson, Sammy, and Sophie while Justin and Chris made us trash potatoes for breakfast. Then we all headed to Boulder to Celestial Seasonings for the tour and tasting room. Joe met us there and played with Jessi while we were on the tour. We bought LOTS of tea!!



Then we went to the huge Whole Foods for lunch, before heading out on a scenic drive to Boulder Falls. The creek was very high and was pretty much white-water rapids the whole way! The falls were so wild and rough, and amazingly beautiful. We hung out there for a long time, letting the girls climb rocks and find treasures.





Then we went to Joe's apartment and met him, Erica, Carter, and Stephanie. We hung out for a while and had some porch beers before walking to the Boulder Farmer's Market for shopping and dinner. We walked to Pearl Street to play in the fountains and try all the toys in the toy store. We ended the night with more hanging out on Joe's porch and ice cream!!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone