First Family Vacation!

We did it! We survived our first family vacation. Jared, Maya and I trekked up to Estes Park, Colorado for a family reunion and had a great time! Everyone LOVED our little Maya and she was an absolute joy the whole trip. The second day of driving coming back she had a little teething issue, but that can be forgiven. (So, tooth numero three AND four, upper front left and right, are coming!)

We attended the Clare Family Reunion (my Grandmother's family) and met so many people. On our way up we had dinner with Dustin Wallace in OKC, spent the night in a crazy, huge hotel (had an indoor swimming pool with a water slide!) in Salinas, Kansas, drove the next day and hooked up with Lindsey Kuhn in Denver to pick up the family t-shirts, had delicious brats and fixins at Cousin Bev's house in Arvada, spent the night with my Uncle Dale and Aunt Clare in Westminster, had breakfast with many family members at La Peep the next morning, drove up to Estes Park and checked in at the Y! And that was all just getting there! Whew!

First night of the reunion we had a cookout served by the good folks at the Y, checked into our cabins (the same exact cabins we stayed in 25 years ago), distributed family t-shirts (they were a hit!), and crashed! Sunday morning we all gathered for the family portrait. There were about fifty of us, we got some good family portraits of just the three of us too! Can't wait for those to arrive. That night we ate a wonderful Italian meal, had the always fun talent show along with awards and other entertainment. (You'll see a couple of videos below, be prepared to giggle. - could only get one to load, will try the other one later!) On Monday, we went shopping in "downtown" Estes Park while everyone else went rafting. We got lots of silly souvenirs and took lots of cute pictures. We came back to the cabins only to dive into cooking dinner for fifty again...this time fajitas and birthday cake! After dinner we played a rousing game of white elephant. I never knew how crazy a white elephant game could be and now I know! I want to throw a party just to have the excuse to play white elephant again! Too fun. Tuesday morning we had to leave and it seemed like it ended too soon. Everyone said their goodbyes, took their last pictures and gave their last hugs. I very much look forward to the next reunion, as crazy as my family is, they are my family and I love em!

The drive home wasn't as speedy as the drive up. We drove up to the Rocky Mountain National Park and took in some amazing views! We saw lots of beautiful elk and took some cute pictures. That night we slept in Trinidad, Colorado. I would not suggest eating at the Trinidad Cafe. Unfortunately, though, it was our only choice. Wednesday we trucked it down through New Mexico and ate lunch in Santa Rosa at the Comet 2. The tacos and enchiladas were divine, too bad the service wasn't! After lunch we made it to Roswell and of course had to stop at the UFO Museum. We got there 15 minutes before closing and they let us walk through without paying the entry fee. Thanks guys!!! Took some pictures and bought our requisite souvenirs and were on our way again. Wednesday night we stayed at Jared's Uncle Bill's house, thanks Uncle Bill! Thursday morning we headed over to Jared's Cousin Vicki's house to meet her two cute kids. Her little June has got the cutest, biggest cheeks that I just wanted to squeeze! And a very well behaved little Wyatt...those are going to be good kids. Wished we could have visited longer, but really wanted to get home. We got home around 7 pm and just collapsed.

We drove through 5 states (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico), saw countless family members (tooooo many to name!), saw lots of animals (buffalo, bison, cows, deer, elk, chipmunks, squirrels, beautiful birds, dogs, cats), and had lots of poopy diapers! It was a great trip!

Anyway, here are our pictures and videos...this trip will go in the baby book. Hope you had a good week and here's to the weekend!

"Yes, cheerios are a good way to start a long trip, thanks for offering Maya."

Getting ready for bed in Kansas

Daddy, Mommy, Maya, Uncle & Aunt at the cookout!Aunt Joyce, Maya and 2nd Cousin Kitty at the Ranch House

Could this be considered talent?

Sweet Maya resting while shopping, this gal can do it all!
Playing piano with Aunt Joyce

Some deer walking through, as if on cue!

The YMCA Library, how wonderful it would be to have this view everyday!

Joyce as the exclamation mark!The Stanley Hotel, the one Stephen King based The Shining after.

pretty pine

Wonderful kids at the reunion, Paige, Gracie,
Ian & Jackson with Maya and me!

a squirrel and chipmunk

family portrait at 12K feet!

There's still snow up there...it was a bit chilly on top!

a herd of elk on the mountain-side

Daddy and Maya trying to keep warm

as we were driving up the mountain we noticed that there were a lot of
cars stopped on the road ahead of us, as we approached we realized why!
This small herd of beautiful elk were grazing on the side of the road.

See how close I was to them!!

pretty flora

gorgeous mountains

a pathway through the wilderness

sometimes all it takes is a stick (or two) of Mom's
chapstick to make the teething pain go away

sleepy baby

a choice purchase from the UFO Museum

silly Sassy!

Meeting new cousins is fun!