Tuesday, September 20, 2016

My cousin Olivia visits in June

We were so excited to have Olivia come out to visit for 10 whole days!!!!  I was super excited to get to hang out with her and see how much fun the kids would have with a "big sister" around.  One thing I wasn't prepared for was how "old" I would start to feel!!!  In really getting to spend quality time together, I realized just how much I've aged.  I don't generally think of 34 as being old and in the grand scheme of things, it isn't.  But when you're hanging out full-time with a 16 year old....

We had fun taking a day trip through Old Town and up into the Poudre Canyon.  This is the Poudre Canyon Gateway Natural Area.  There are various hikes one can explore on but also a quaint and easy little park right off the parking lot - perfect for us on this day!


Right between the grassy field and the hill of trees is the rushing Poudre River.

Glad we did a little research ahead of time and knew to bring some sand toys!



They do love each other.



The start to our day trip into Estes and RMNP.

And we found some snow in June.

At the top of Trail Ridge Road - visitor center where we stopped to eat lunch and shop :)

A short loop around Bear Lake in RMNP.


Bear Lake, as we hear thunder off in the distance - but not that far of a distance.


Ice cream stop in Estes on our way out of town.

Another day trip...this time to Manitou Springs.  It's a mountain town near Colorado Springs.

I think Jameson found his match.

Walking through Manitou Springs.

Oh my goodness...this food was so good!  We were pretty underwhelmed by the town itself, but surprising impressed by Manitou Brewing Co.



On to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs.







Jameson spots the Grizzly.

Jameson kept singing this song that none of us recognized, so I decided to record it hoping that we could listen and try to look it up later.  But, no such luck.  Anyone recognize it?!?!

Pool time at the neighborhood pool.







Back to Old Town for some ice cream, of course!  This time on Olivia - thanks girl!!!

Even up close, this one just isn't as intimidating as the real deal we saw at the zoo the other day!

Jameson spotted this friendly guy while we watched a movie together one evening - needless to say, we were pretty shocked.



View of him from one of our master bedroom windows.

Day trip to Boulder.  I'd always wanted to let the kids enjoy this splash park in the middle of Pearl Street, but never felt comfortable doing so while by myself.  This time was the perfect opportunity to mix up the afternoon of shopping with a little wet fun!


The kids loved it!

Even with a wipe out - the fun couldn't be beat.



At lunch, Jameson decided that he wanted to eat a lemon.  I wasn't totally opposed because at least twice before he's eaten a lemon and lime and hasn't been phased by it.  This time was different!  Here is a series of pics as he started to eat it...




On Olivia's last day visiting we went a saw a Saturday morning showing of Finding Dory.  It was opening weekend and would be the kids' very first movie theater experience.  They really liked it and Ava even stayed for the entire movie (although the previews frightened her enough that she had to leave the room for a moment!).

Out to lunch at Red Robin after the movie and before driving Olivia the rest of the way to the airport.  We had such a fun and entertaining time with Olivia - she must come back!!!

Always loving playing with daddy's sunglasses.