Rocky Mountain National Park...

Oh the beauty! Rocky Mountain National Park is the most beautiful place I have ever seen! It is expansive. It is majestic. It is perfet!

We were blessed to arrive just two hours after they opened the road for the season. Winding along the road from Grand Lake to Estes Park was just spectacular. A long day of driving for sure since we were stationed in Vail but it was worth every mile!

The kids at the Grand Lake entrance:



Within a few hundred feet of driving into the park, we saw these guys:



We took a short walk across several feet of snow to experience the tundra. At this altitude (over 12,000 ft!), the climate is too harsh for the trees to grow. From this vantage point, you can clearly see where the tree line stops and the tundra begins:





If I could go again tomorrow, it would not be a day too soon! This is truly a place that everyone should experience!

Leadville and Denver...

During our trip to Colorado, we had the distinct pleasure of happening upon the highest incorporated city in North America-Leadville, CO. It is a quaint old mining town high atop the Rocky Mountains. We enjoyed a nice walk around town and an ice-cream at a local shop. The drive to and from Leadville is amazing! Surrounded by several 14,000 ft. mountain peaks, you truly feel closer to heaven!



The next day, we drove the 100 miles east from Vail to Denver. It takes about an hour and a half but the scenery on the drive makes it seem much less.

Whenever we can, we like to stop at state capitol buildings when we travel. They are always such a great place to learn history and seeing all of the differing architectures is fascinating.

Denver did not disappoint us. We lunched in a food court downtown and then headed to the Capitol. Upon arriving, we signed up for the next guided tour. Katie was our guide. She was set to graduate high school that same week and was chosen from a large group of applicants to be a tour guide for the summer. We were on her very first tour and she did a fabulous job! We learned a ton about Colorado and its famous residents.

Here's a photo of the Capitol:



Being that Denver is the "Mile High City," here is a picture of hubby at one mile above sea level:



These two side trips brought lots of living, lots of laughing and lots of learning! :-)

The Vacation Chronicles...

We've actually been back from vacation for 13 days now but I am just getting around to blogging about it. Actually, if the truth be told, I am still waiting for Screwloose to share the bulk of the pictures with me! The pictures I currently have were taken with my lovely Mother's Day gift. The rest were taken with our digital SLR and, apparently, needed to be re-formatted, blah, blah, blah... Get to it son! The world awaits our photos! LOL!!

Traveling is a favorite past time of our family and this trip did not disappoint. Beauty is to be beheld out there in the world! We began in Las Vegas, NV, for a business conference. We stayed at the Rio this time (first time for us at this hotel). Hubby and Screwloose worked hard at the conference while Footloose, On the Loose and I kicked back in our room.

From Vegas, we traveled east through Zion National Park. We had been to this park before so we just drove through on our way to Bryce Canyon National Park. Oh my! Magnificent is a word that comes to mind! It is truly an incredible place with its HooDoos.



We were blessed to arrive at a time when we were able to view the sunset as well as arise early the next morning to enjoy the sunrise. The colors and shadows were breathtaking!



Sorry about the heads in this photo but the sunrise colors were just amazing!



After watching the sunrise, we had a nice breakfast and headed northeast through Utah towards Vail, CO. Once we entered the Rocky Mountains, I was changed! I will never forget the beauty of that first sight of them! More to come when I get those pictures! :-)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of my mom friends!

My wonderful family has been very good to me today! I received two great gifts. First, a new camera! That was from hubby. :-) The older kids went in together and got me a Starbucks gift card. Perfect timing as I just used the last of the cards I got for Christmas last week.

They also took me out for a nice Mexican lunch and a trip to Barnes and Noble. I had a $20 gift card. I used that and some of my monthly mad money to buy a book on Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks and a couple of magazines.

Here are a couple of Mother's Day pictures taken with my new camera!





Thank you for giving me a great day, family!

A Walking Billboard...

Well, I think this says it all...:-)

Train watching...

Much to the chagrin of some members of my family, I suggested a trip to our local train station this afternoon. I read online that there was a Railroad Days event this weekend. As we pulled out of the driveway, hubby reminded me that the family likes to act out its regular Sunday afternoon routine which consists of lots of quiet and naps. This is why my idea was not met with much excitement.

I conceded that, if we got there and everyone hated it, we could go back home. It's only a 10 minute drive, after all. We all knew that On the Loose would love it as he is a train fanatic. This event did not disappoint!

There were several large tents set up with model trains run by local clubs. They really were fascinating and fun to watch. The baby really did love the whole experience including a tour of a caboose and sleeping car.

Here are some photos:









I think, all in all, eveyone would have to agree that it was worth the trip. We even had ice-cream. For On the Loose...trains and ice-cream? Truly a little piece of heaven on Sunday!

Thankful Thursday...

It's Thursday again and I am thankful! Footloose reads every one of my blog posts and has approached me on Thursdays jokingly saying, "Aren't you thankful for me?" Well, my little girl, yes I am and you are the focus of my Thankful Thursday post this week! :)

You truly are my sunshine! You bring joy into my life every single day. The Lord was so gracious to trust me to be your mom. You make me laugh with your wit and I love spending every day with you.

I am so thankful for your helpfulness. You are always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needs it...mostly me! Your care of your little brother and your assistance with the household chores are invaluable to me.

Our church is a better place because you worship and serve there.

My life has been enriched beyond what I can even express because you are in it. I so look forward to sharing so much more of life with you. As you become a young woman, I am so thankful to watch you grow in spirit and in truth.

I love you my little Footloose and I am thankful for you today and always. :)

Love,
Mom