Vacation #1

We are home! We made it home safely and had so much fun. We were in the car a lot! That was good for our family -- we had to get along and we had fun! We got the decking all on before we left, so that project was put out of our minds for a while. Glenn finished the last of the pieces on Friday night before we left. We just have the rails and the steps left.

Then we started out on Saturday morning. The vehicle was pretty much stocked up. We had told the boys that they needed to drink a lot so that they didn't get sick with high altitude - so they wanted to start within the hour we were on the road. We needed to explain they could slow down or we were going to have to stop for bathroom breaks every 60 miles! We went through Kansas. Grant was so excited because no one in his class has ever been to Kansas. He wanted a picture of Kansas. Not sure what he wanted, but this was not it---

We stayed overnight in Kolby, Kansas and then got up bright and early to drive to Colorado Springs. We had "church" on the road, talking about our favorite Bible stories. We passed the time listening to books on tape. They are wonderful! If you have to travel anywhere - my suggestion to you. We had earphones for the kids but a couple of times we all listened to "Hank the Cowdog" and his adventures -- hilarious!

Our plan was to drive up Pike's Peak. They close Pike's Peak one time a year for an auto race up the mountain, Sunday was that day! Oh, well, change of plans -- we went to Royal Gorge. Here are some pictures of our time there.

They had an old Western backdrop there that the Jail picture was taken. We told the boys if they didn't behave they would end up there! LOL Every one in our family was a little nervous of the height but it was so gorgeous there!

This one is looking down from the bridge -- do you see the little rafters at the bottom?

This picture didn't turn out so good - but just a reminder - God's got the whole world in his hands

What handsome little men!

This was from the bottom, looking up.

We then met at Glenn's sister. She lives in Colorado Springs with her family. Glenn's dad and younger brother and family were there. We all had supper at a park. It was good to connect with them again. On Monday morning we went up Pike's Peak. I think I had a touch of altitude sickness or it was all the winding roads up to the top, because I just wanted to get down!

This was at the top of Pike's Peak.

We then took a tour of the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek. We went down 1,000 feet underground in a little steel cage with 8 people in the cage. Grant got a kick out of this sign! If you can't read it -- Bureau of Mines Regulation 93-3 (B) Farting on the Miners Cage is Strictly Forbidden. LOL

We did find gold - They purple in the rock is an indication that there is gold near. When the mine closed this passageway was opened to make for better tours. This vein was found but never harvested. It was very interesting tour because a miner who worked there before it closed actually gave the tour! Now any gold mining done in the US is done by using Cyanide. This eats away the rock and leaves the gold. The only companies that do it are foreign so they can't be sued if the Cyanide happens to leak into the environment. OH - My picture is upside down!

We then went to Winter Park where our reunion was to be held. We stayed there Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday, we rented four-wheelers and went up into the mountains. Here are a few pictures of that experience! I really liked it!

Aren't they cute!!!!

I would definitely do the 4-wheeling thing again! I got a bit dirty but I had so much fun. Neither one of the boys really wanted to ride with me --- not sure why... We had every kind of terrain-gravel road, very bumpy gravel, streams, and rocks! I didn't like that so much but we couldn't turn around! I did it though and would do it again!

So that is our trip in a nutshell. I should be cleaning and packing for our next adventure - but this is too fun. We had a passenger on the way home. One of Glenn's cousin's dad was hospitalized on Tuesday. So I was very close to my boys, in the back seat, for 12 hours -- I was getting benought-sp?- and needed to get out!!!

Car Activities

Yes, I am procrastinating again. But I am doing something of value -- I am finding some car games that we can play off the Internet. I found car bingo and some other games. I just wanted to share a couple of the web sites. So if you are planning a trip you too can find some activities to play. http://www.momsminivan.com/index.html has a lot of printable games, great for the car. The other site is http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/index.html, it also is a fun site for kids. Happy vacationing to you too!

Vacation...Vacation

We are busy! We are building a deck, painting the house and getting ready to go on vacation and then vacation! Last year after we decided to return to Big McDonald Lake in Minnesota for a week, Glenn's mom's side of the family decided to have a family reunion in Colorado. It so happens that it's the direct week before we leave for the lake. Because his dad is going, we felt we needed to support him and go. We are only going to be there for one night when everyone else is there because we have to hurry home so we can pack again and leave for the lake! Glenn's sister lives out there. We decided to leave Sat. and drive most of Nebraska into Kansas. On Sunday, we hope to take the kids to Pike's Peak and have supper with his sister and his brother from here and dad. Then on Monday we go to Winter Park. Tuesday night we will see all the relation and Wed. we are driving home! Thurs and Friday I can wash and repack for the lake! Crazy!!!!! Well that's what our next week entails. I wonder what I can pack for the lake already and not forget that I packed it?!? Well, I better go -- I think I am procrastinating.....

Remembering

365 days. 12 months. 1 year. Today, one year ago, Glenn's mom died. It went so fast and yet it seems like a lifetime ago. She loved birds and flowers. She walked with a hitch, better after she had her hip replaced. She smiled and laughed, and when she laughed really hard tears came out of her eyes (Glenn does that too). She was soft spoken and had a tender heart. She loved gardening and at one time had 3 gardens! She always sent you home with some tomatoes, or cucumbers from her garden or corn if the time was right. She grew watermelon and cantaloupe. She liked to sew but never found time for it. I can't believe it's been a year. Glenn's dad is doing better than I could have ever imagined. He is getting out which I thought would not happen. But he says the house is too quiet and he does not like to stay there. We miss you mom!

Home

We are home from camping! My camper is not home but we are. It is so windy that I could not handle it anymore -- I'd use a Dutch word but I don't think I can spell it! We had a beautiful day yesterday but the wind is blowing like ever out there today that it just wasn't much fun to even be outside! So Glenn is getting the camper and the boys are vegging in front of a movie. I really enjoy camping - yes I do, but I so love to come home!
Well, I'm off to clean out a camper, start laundry and plan for supper --- did I say that I love to come home??? Have a great day!