Chase Squirrels, Climb Stairs, and Hang on a Cannon

We just got back from another trip to Denver, but here is our last post regarding our previous trip.

Our last evening we decided to give downtown another try. We stopped by the capitol building and the kids had a blast chasing the squirrels that have infested the grounds. The kids loved spotting them, screaming at them, and then chasing them up the trees. We could’ve spent a lot more time doing this, but there were some squirrel-loving homeless people hanging about who didn’t appreciate the cruelty the kids were imposing on trash-eating rodents.

Madeleine caught a big squirrelly one!

  

We headed up the stairs of the capitol building for the sole purpose of mom getting a family pic on the One Mile Above Sea Level step. Rob just had to put his foot in front of the engraving. Oh, well.

 

The sun was getting low and the light was nice and warm and beautiful.

 

Like daughter like mother.

 

The kids climbed all over the cannons on display. Luckily, there weren’t any cannon-loving homeless people hanging about.
We would’ve gotten in trouble for sure.

 

Nate said he did this so his butt would get shot to smithereens.

We then walked through Larimer Square with its streets lined with un-kid-friendly swanky restaurants. Rob and I really wished we could just sit ourselves down at any of the outdoor patios and order something delicious but we trudged on to find something suitable for less refined palates. We ended up at Ling & Louie’s. It was so, so good! We probably wouldn’t have normally taken the kids there, but I’d heard good things about it, it was practically empty so the kids couldn’t disturb many patrons, and I really wanted some asian food. The kids shared a bento box with chopsticks, which was really cool. So cool, that they ate more of it than they would have had it just come on plates with forks. Rob and I ate well, but the dessert we ordered was to die for. It was the Banana Caramel Spring Roll (a decadent spring roll filled with banana cheesecake and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. Served with fresh strawberries, caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream). Now, I don’t really like banana all that much, but this was amazing. We ooohed and awwwed our way through the decadence with pure pleasure. I hear they are opening a Ling & Louie’s in SLC in the future and we couldn’t be happier.

 

Thanks for coming along this trip to Denver with us! And much thanks to Rob for being willing to drag his crazy wife and kids along with him on his business trip. He could’ve easily gone alone and enjoyed some serious relaxation time but he loves us too much. Plus, he knows that would just tick me off

Baby Benjamin’s Blessing

Here is our nifty nephew on his big blessing day way back in September.

 

 

Some of Ben’s family.

And I couldn’t help but put in a couple more of the man himself.

 

Family can see more pictures here.

Georgetown & Golden

While in Colorado we took a day trip to Georgetown. It was super cold and windy, but the little mountain town was still cute. We got there just in time for the tail end of their Fall Festival. That’s okay. It was too cold to stay long anyway.

 

 

I looked in some antique shops while the kids drew with chalk and Rob took pics.

 

 

We then took the old road to Golden, Colorado. It’s such a beautiful drive next to a river through the mountains. It had warmed up by then so we were able to walk around the town a little more. The kids loved the riverside walking path.
Nate’s favorite souvenirs are rocks. Mine too! They’re cheap…or maybe that’s me…

 

The kids had MORE fun playing on this bike rack than just about anything else.
Is Nate a boy or what? These pics just make me cringe a little. Haha.

 

We have so much fun as a family just exploring. It’s one thing I’ll remember the most about this time in our life; too broke to spend much money on activities, but having the best time walking and playing and seeing together.

Sisters: Racheal & Kaylee

These two sisters are my nieces. Aren’t they sweet?

Racheal is a go-getter, intelligent, curious, and passionate.

 

 

Kaylee is easy-going, calm, smiley, and content.

 

They complement each other perfectly.

Caroline’s Comparison

I wanted a side-by-side comparison so for fun we tried to recreate (somewhat) Caroline’s newborn pictures for her 1st birthday. We used a different location since we didn’t want to drive all the way to Layton and this time she has clothes on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Oh, what a difference a year makes!

Grand Junction and Vail

There are two direct routes from SLC to Denver: I-80 to the north through Wyoming and I-70 to the south through Green River. We’ve driven I-80 before and we will never, ever do it again. The drive through Wyoming is just too, well, Wyoming. It’s barren and makes you feel sad.

However, the southern route is a beautiful drive through the Rocky Mountains with many possible fun stops along the way. I had a list of possible stopping points since we never knew when Cara would be sleeping or screaming. Unfortunately, our first stop at a beach on the Colorado River was closed due to E-Coli. Ewwww. So we drove on to Grand Junction. The kids were happy to be there because Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat stopped in Grand Junction in Curious George 2. So…yeah. They thought that was cool.

We basically strolled up and down main street, played in the fountain, looked in a toy shop, and ate pizza. Here, Nate’s waiting for the water to spurt up.

Our next stop along the way was Vail. Ooohh. Vail. Very pretty. We visited the free Betty Ford Botanical Gardens and it was one of our best layovers ever. GORGEOUS. The playground was so, so fun and in such a lovely setting that we didn’t want to leave. But after a picnic dinner, we were on to Denver.

This is Caroline’s first time in a swing.

This sideways video is Rob playing on the spinner thing. We all took turns getting very dizzy.

One thing I want to remember is that there are quite a few tunnels through the mountains on this route. Every time we hit one all of us would take a deep breath and yell the whole way through. Even little Caroline joined in. Just a fun little memory.

Another “On My Mind” Segment

• Fatigue. Kids are tiring. Keeping the house clean…or at least presentable…is extra tiring. Making dinner every night is tiring. Entertaining is tiring. All the events and activities are tiring. Going to bed at regularly at 12:30am just to get stuff done is tiring.
• When I got downstairs this morning at 7:30 Nate was watching tv which is not at all unusual. But this morning he was watching a NOVA special on the expansion of the universe. Yep, he’s our son.
• I got half the carpet in the house pro cleaned today. Now that we’re done with constant spit-up and potty training, we were definitely due. But I have to say, I can’t wait for hardwood.
• Speaking of décor, I wish I had an unlimited amount of money to decorate my house. Actually, just a couple thousand would do right now. We have nothing on the walls STILL and our family room couch is busting apart.
• Three phrases I’m getting really sick of hearing are: “I can’t!” and “I’m hungry” and “What should I do?”
• I’m ready for another vacation. I’d love to go back to Bucerias or anywhere with a warm beach and some local flavor. It’d be even better (like multiplied by 100) if said vacation didn’t include tots.
• There are just so many pictures to catch up on. I love doing it, but it’s starting to stress me out more than anything. It just takes too long. We need a better way to sort and edit.
• Did I mention I’m tired? So far today I’ve walked Nate to school, kept the girls busy while the carpets were cleaned, made pumpkin cream cheese for bagels, and gotten ready for the day. I would lay down now for a minute but Madeleine keeps asking me to play with her. So that’s what I’ll do. Then we’re off to pick up Nate, go to the bank and the library, wash the car and gas up. Then home to hopefully relax for a few minutes before cleaning again and making dinner. Then Rob’s off to the temple (we’ve pretty much given up on ever being able to go together so we’ve started taking turns). I’ll put the kids to bed and then balance the checkbook and pay bills until our account reads $0.00. Clean up some more, read scriptures, and then finally a restless night’s sleep before starting all over tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day.
• You can’t tell from the above but I’m trying to stay positive and grateful. We have a few friends and family members who are really struggling right now with major health issues. They have been in our thoughts and prayers a lot. I am thankful for all the Lord has blessed me with, even though I don’t deserve most of it.

Halloween Day

We had a great Halloween this year in our new neighborhood. It was very kid-friendly and our kids are finally at the age where they totally get the idea of trick-or-treating. We had so much fun!

Nate decided to be Optimus Prime. He had fun at his first Halloween parade and party at school.

 

Madeleine wanted to be Rapunzel. The wigs in the store were pricey and just weren’t long enough for her liking. I decided to make one out of 2 bolts of yarn and a little ribbon. I had a heck of a time cutting and braiding. It took a couple of hours and a lot of patience unknotting the big ball of strands after Madeleine got a hold of it. Was it worth it? Well, maybe not to me. But to her? For sure.

 

 

Caroline was Alice in Wonderland…minus the black headband she refused to leave on. She’s adorable!

 

They each got a big stash of candy that Rob and I are not-so-slowly devouring. Yikes! We’re worse than the kids!

We hope you all had as good of a Halloween as we did.