A Family Vaca to Colorado

Maddox going down the 'rock' slide downtown Breckenridge

A view of the mountains from downtown Breckenridge.  This was just down the hill from our house. 

Maddox spent a lot of our vacation dumping sand out of her shoes.  We encountered a lot of sand ( CO is a dessert!!:) and Maddox hated the feeling of it between her toes. 

So most of you know we took our first official vacation with the kids this past week or so.  It was kind of a family reunion as Aunt Brooke, Uncle Tyler, Grammy, Papa Dick,  Aunt Diane, Uncle Brian, and cousin Hannah all joined us.  Grammy and Papa Dick rented a FABULOUS 5 bedroom house for us to share in Breckenridge Colorado.  We had a blast.  THANK YOU THANK YOU Grammy and Papa Dick. It was so nice to get away from the monotony of work and house chores and to have an extra set of hands or two to help out with the kids. There are a ton of pictures and most of  them have captions that will describe all the fun stuff we were able to do.  All three kids played really well together. It was nice to see them interact and learn from each other. We got to take a gondola to the top of Breckenridge ski slope number 8 to catch some great views and to partake in the Fun City they have set up at the top of the mountain for kids.  Carter and Maddox got to ride a pony, pan for gold and jump in the bouncy house. They had a lot of other activities up there as well but a lot were for bigger, older kids. But, we still had fun and the views were amazing. One day we rented mountain bikes and went on a 20 mile bike ride to the neighboring town.  ( at 9500 feet this was no small feat!!) Luckily we had a tailwind on the way back and we got to eat a nice lunch at the halfway point.......phew it was hard work and I wasn't even pulling the kids. Kuddos to Uncle Tyler and Eric for 'dragging' the kids along, as the bike shop boys called it :) Maddox, compliments of Aunt Diane, got to go on an hour long horse ride along the Breckenridge ski slope/forest!!  Kennon unfortunately had woken up pretty unhappy that day and needed full on attention of both Eric and I to keep him at bay so we opted out of the horse ride. But, luckily Maddox was willing to ride with Aunt Diane. She was a bit scared at first as this horse was NOT a pony but a big size horse but once they got going she was all in.  We spent a lot of time hanging out at the house playing, some time at the pool, and eating fabulous meals cooked by Papa Dick and Grammy. Kennon slept like a champ both nights and naps but had a role reversal with Maddox as SHE was up most nights and did NOT nap the best. Ironic eh?  as I had been entirely worried about Kennon not sleeping. The weather was fabulous. Most days it didn't get above 75 or so and down to 40's at night with little rain.  Breckenridge is a cute little town with a city center, river walk and tons of cool shops and places to eat with a Market on Sunday mornings. It was a perfect town to keep the kids interested as there was a little rock slide at the center of the town and big open area for them to run around in as well as allow the adults to catch some great scenery views.  I'll let the pictures and the video do the rest of the talking. Again, thanks to Grammy and Papa Dick for such an amazing vacation. I"m already looking forward to next years reunion.

I love these Mary Jane shoes. Maddox is able to get them on by herself NO PROBLEM. 

These girls were eyeing Kennon. They thought he was adorable and you can see from his hammy look he was living it up. Downtown Breckenridge!! 

C'mon mom are you coming.

This is my 'I'm doing something I shouldn't be' look....and I use it a lot!! 

Maddox working on her rock climbing. She'll be ready next time we come back. River walk-downtown Breckenridge 

I'd love this photo of Maddox and the scenery if that family wasn't standing in the middle....oh well!! 

Maddox looking on at the River Walk in downtown Breckenridge.  You can imagine what is going through her mind!! 

A view of the mountains from downtown Breckenridge just down the hill from our house 

Maddox pushing Kennon ( one of her new favorite tricks) to downtown Breckenridge for some exploring. 

Getting a little assistance from Grammy 

Base of Breckenridge ski run number 8, just a a couple hundred feet from our house. 

Maddox and Eric River walk Breckenridge city center 

Kennon, Maddox, and Carter at the LONG table in our house. Feed us please!! 

A photo taken from Boreas Pass Road

A photo taken from Boreas Pass ( ski runs at Breckenridge)

Engine number 9 Denver South Park and Pacific Line. The train has a snow plow on the front to clear the snow from the tracks. It took its last run in April of 1937 put out of business by trucking lines. 

Not sure what he is looking for but I thought it was cute. 

Carter and Kennon enjoying a snack on the deck. 

Cousin Carter deciding if he likes ridding the pony while Mom and Dad look on. 

Maddox was very hesitant to get on Butterscotch but we got a few circles out of her before he sneezed and then she wanted off very quickly. 

Panning for gold at the top of Breckenridge Ski Slope number 8. 

Grammy and Papa Dick at the top of Peak 8. 

Snack time while cruising in the caboose with Eric at the helm. 

Eric and Uncle Tyler.  Cousin Carter observing from his caboose. 

Pasta at the halfway point of the 20 mile bike ride. Frisco Colorado. Kennon apparently needed some carbs for the long ride back :) 

Family photo after a 20+ mile bike ride. Way to go Dad for pulling both the kids up and down hills and into a headwind. 

Great family shot post the bike ride.  One of the highlights of the trip. Cousin Carter, Aunt Brooke, Uncle Tyler,  Laura, Maddox,  Kennon, Eric, Uncle Brian.  phew....what a crew. So much fun!! 

Maddox and Carter making brownies.

check out Carter's shirt.....appropriately worn on the day that we did a 20 mile bike ride.  Aunt Brooke was sure thinking when this went into the suitcase. 

A beautiful rainbow out our porch after a brief cool rain.  

Beautiful photo from downtown Breckenridge looking up at the ski slopes.  

Maddox and Carter dancing at the Street Market downtown Breckenridge Sunday morning. There was a dude playing some great Mexican type music and the kids loved it. 

The Knowles family before they hopped on their horses

Cousin Hannah and Maddox waiting to get on their horses. 

Cousin Carter and Aunt Brooke on Captain and Uncle Tyler on Blondie. 

Uncle Tyler on Blondie who proved to be slightly fussy about the flies that were biting her. 

Aunt Diane and Maddox on Shilo 

Almost ready to start the trail ride into the forest. 

Maddox and Carter saying good bye to the horses at the end of the ride. 

Two Mountain Dudes and two Mountain girls posing for a picture.   ( it was about the best we could do !!  This was the day Kennon was so unhappy....teeth??

Happy 40th birthday Eric