For Labor Day weekend, we loaded up the RV to explore Manitou Springs and the Colorado State Fair.
Pikes Peak RV Park in Manitou
Playground downtown in historic Manitou Springs. There are 5 or 6 active springs you can still drink from (the city installed spouts). They are said to have healing properties ... in the mid-1800's people flocked from far distances to the Springs for their famous water.
The next morning we drove an hour south to Pueblo for the State Fair
food stop 1
food stop 2
Would love to try that award winning relish!
food stop 3
Harry Potter Exhibit
food stop 4
Enjoyed our morning there... not too busy, cute monkey show, and educational!
From there, we drove up Pikes Peak
long, scary drive. and freezing at the top! but we did it.
From there, dinner at Shuga's in Colorado Springs
I had fun taking pics of the kids in the back while we waited for our food
Dinner out with our crew is always a toss up. Thankfully this night was better than some!
Sunday morning, we went to sacrament meeting, where a member of the bishopric happened to be one of the missionaries who served in my ward when I was in high school (Elder Baker). Fun to make the connection!
We then explored Garden of the Gods
-where we decided on our family motto: "When we're hiking we're happy". We then sang 100 bottles of root beer on the wall... all the way through.
Back to get some snacks before going to the Zoo
Colorado Springs Zoo was impressive! It's nestled into the side of the mountain, so the views and enclosures are spectacular.
The animals were glorious too.
Food Stop 1 (and only - believe it or not :)
baby peacocks
baby kangaroo
giant hippos - so close!
And the grand finale' was this gorilla carefully pulling his dinner from a net/hammock above him.
Great trip. But always a little exhausting traveling with our whole crew. Lots of whining, fighting, and attention-seeking. And some sleep deprivation. But sweet moments too, mostly thanks to Drew :)
The next morning, Labor Day, Sloan took Ruth to hike Mt. Sherman
Sloan said she had a few meltdowns on the way up, letting him know she hated him, etc. She seems to be ok her when they came upon this old mining shaft.
And she made it! Sloan said she was so happy at the top and was "chatty cathy" all the way down. I love that Sloan will do this with our children - what a great way to bond and teach endurance, work ethic, love for nature, and much more.
Troll shot after seeing "Pete's Dragon", which was amazing!
Reggie enjoying his car-painting kit from Luvy & Ken
Drew not sure about my green smoothies
but all about the high 5's
Reggie digging into soccer
a lot of focus on the sidelines too
we love this skate park adjacent to the fields
Drew loves the washer
Reggie loves "ggroing"
(drawing)
too cute to correct
Luke getting into ggroing too
and ggrumming
and wands
the kids eagerly helped me assemble the Box Tops collection bins
Sloan & Ruth at the Broncos game
she brought a book (just in case)
Mom goes out to run errands, and
good one, Reg
Enjoying my early morning runs - so pretty!
esp when I make it up for the sunrise
Ruth muckin around after swim practice
Reggie making some big strides with his swimming
Jon & Sloan man-date
entering new demolition phase
Last minute visit from my aunt & uncle - the Velas! I had a dream about them visiting 2 nights prior, so I called my mom and asked her to ask them if they'd ever come visit me? And sure enough, they were driving from Seattle to Tennessee and could easily stop over to spend the night with us! What a treat!
Luke was glued to Max's side
They left early Saturday, and I took Luke to see Thomas the Train for his birthday
he said it was ok for Drew to come too
we got to ride on an old stream train dressed like Thomas
and met Sir Topham Hat
he was delighted by the magician show
Meanwhile, Sloan took R&R to clean the church
get their skis & ski passes
and breakfast at Sam's... perusing the sale ads in the newspaper (those are my kids!)
back home for strumming,
cuddling,
ear holding,
and snoozin
Letting Cruiser out to cruise
Home from errands, and again, wasn't ready for what I would come home to!
he finally did it! after 10+ years of talking about it! I screamed!
but of course, he pulled it off (and looks even more handsome), so the scream quickly turned to hugs & giggles.
Sloan took me the next morning on another 14'er hike to get that white head a little sun :)
We got up around 3:30am to beat the afternoon storms and winds that typically come, and started our hike in moonlight
rising above the tree line
4-5 hours later... the final ascent
Drew was freezing and screaming, and we were exhausted. But we made it (alternately taking turns to summit sans Drew).
But he gets a little credit too
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