Colorado

Both of Ben's parents retired this year.  To celebrate they took the kids on vacation to Colorado. We had so much fun!!! We rode to Gondola up to the mountains for a hike and picnic lunch.  We spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying God's creations....being out west has made me realize, there is still beauty in the world.

My kids love being outdoors and enjoyed all the discoveries and adventures that came along with it.  They loved hiking and seeing different kinds of insects and animals.  The Waterfalls were beautiful! The trees, mountains and scenery were breathtaking!!!

Lexie looking out the window as we rode to the top of the mountain.

Grandma and Grandpa with all the Grand kids!!!!

Everyone....with the exception of me and Lexie, awoke very early to watch the balloon glow.  Above is a picture with Grandma and Grandpa with most of the grand kids.....love the double rainbow in the background!!!

There was also shopping....Lexie talked dad into buying her a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal!! All she had to do was smile, hug his leg and say, "Pweese daddy!!!"

Parker got a tattoo of a snake on his face, too!!!

The weather was chilly...I don't think it got warmer than 70 degrees...I don't know how these kids didn't freeze while swimming.  I guess when you have lots of cousins to play with....it is worth being a little cold:)

Both Parker and Lexie loved going on hikes....I think Lexie liked it a little more.  I couldn't believe how she could go and go and not get tired.  I love how at one moment she was screaming and stepping on ants and the next as quiet as could be....smelling flowers and looking for squirrels.

These are just the pictures from my phone...we took another 100 on our camera.  But I wanted to post before I forgot about it.  We really enjoyed our time with Ben's family.  This was our first vacation with them.  The kids had their ups and downs...but mostly ups:) We stayed up late and slept in.  Lexie caught a cough....which kept her up a lot at night.  We ate pizza and ice cream and celebrated birthdays.  We swam and hiked and had movie nights and a sleep over.  We enjoyed the world around us. Very grateful for family!!!