A Beautiful View!

There are days I wake up and realize what a beautiful place it is we live in. The tall trees, sounds of wildlife, and smell of flowers just wows the senses and really reminds us of the blessings God has given all of his people to enjoy and to care for. Each morning I awaken to this beautiful view.

I had heard the dogs barking one morning, rather aggressively. Rather put off, I ran outside to gather up the dogs and bring them inside and see what the commotion was all about. I was completely surprised to find two baby fawns sitting behind our fence. Apparently, Mama deer thought it was safe to leave these little ones laying here.

I ran inside and grabbed the kids in their pj's to see this beautiful sight too!

We all wanted to pet and hold the deer, but I knew it was against the laws of nature to intervene. We told Ken about the deer, but just a few minutes after we came inside they had already been taken away by their Mama's.

A beautiful sight to see, was my little princess in her dance recital. She had been practicing all year for her ballet and tap performances in her recital, entitled "Thumbelina." Her favorite was her ballet dance to the music, "Thumbelina." (She is the little one on the far left).

She absolutely loved being on stage!

Her "Fish" tap number was just darling!

She sure made a beautiful princess!

The kids have been enjoying lots outdoor playtime lately, as the weather has been just hot and dry. Even the swim spa, has been rather warm to swim in at 85 degrees. It has been so hot, we broke down and purchased a dual slip and slide for the kids.

They enjoyed the cool water, but were a bit apprehensive about sliding. They had more fun running through the sprinklers.

We had our weekend trip planned for Buena Vista and anticipated leaving mid afternoon, after we attended a birthday party. Well, we arrived home and Ken was under the trailer (not a good sign). Four stops and five hours later, Ken figured out that a fuse was out. A quick replacement fuse, a stop over at Maria's parents for dinner and we were finally on our way.

We arrived around midnight and were awakened to highway traffic. Apparently, being the last ones to check in at the campground left us with a less than ideal camp site. Regardless, we had a great time. Kids were up early as usual, ready to go. We enjoyed a relaxing morning, before we decided to head into town for a picnic lunch at the park.

Just this week, Ella mastered swinging all by herself. She was quick to show us how high she could go!

Eric met another little boy at the park and they had fun playing through the tunnels.

What a fun afternoon, but we were still all tired from our long evening the day before. So, we headed back for an afternoon nap. While Eric and Ken were sleeping, Ella and I had a fun time playing outside. We played a little "UNO" at our picnic table and took pictures by the tree on our campsite.  There was a perfect place for her to sit in the tree and she enjoyed playing for the camera.

We ventured over to the campground park, where they had a huge wooden pirate boat to play on.

We woke up the boys for the ice cream social, that was held for all the campers. Ella enjoyed chocolate, while Eric downed his Vanilla with Chocolate chip. They scarfed it down in time to head out a trip to the nearby Goat Dairy Farm, "Jumpin Good Goat Dairy." We learned all about the cheese making process, different breeds of goats, and goat milk. We visited an underground cheese aging cave.

The kids were not afraid to pet the goats and left thinking goats need to be our next pet. (Don't worry, we'd have to move to Denver to have goats).

We were even able to see day old kids, hold and cuddle them.

Of course, there was lots of cheese tasting at the end of the tour. The kids absolutely loved the cheese and asked if they could try goat's milk too. We just might have to give it a try, as they didn't have any available for us to try. I was amazed at how many different cheeses and spreads there were available. I even learned that I like goat cheese too!

We spent the rest of the evening relaxing. The kids were able to ride their bikes and we took in the beautiful music and campfire put on for all the campers. A nice relaxing day, it's exactly what we needed.

We left the campground prior to checkout as we were hoping to stop at Fairplay to do some fishing. However, in search of a rest area for lunch we ended up heading toward Breckenridge. The detour turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as we were able to stop for lunch at Hoosier Pass and even enjoyed a hike with all the "kids."

Ella and Eric were excited to see snow on the hike up.

God sure knew what he was doing when he created this beautiful view!

What a blessings to be able to enjoy such a sight and share it with the kids!

Memory Lane

It's always fun when you can take your children to places that are full of fond memories, hoping they too will remember these trips years later. Well, our camping trip brought us full circle to Breckenridge, Colorado. Where Ken and I visited many times as a young dating couple and where we were married almost 9 years ago. It was a surreal experience to walk down these same streets, with many of the same shops just put me  back in time. However, this time it wasn't just Ken and I. I'm not sure the kids understand the meaning of it all yet, but I hope someday they will look to this small town and think that this is where it all began almost 9 years ago.

We ventured into Breckenridge and couldn't help but get a picture of the kids in front of "The Village."

 This is where Ken and I used to stay on our many weekend getaways as a young couple (thanks to his parents, who had the cutest and comfiest little condos).

We stayed at Heaton Bay National Park, right by Lake Dillon. The Lake was extremely low in anticipation of all the snow melt coming in from the mountains. However, we still wanted to take the kids fishing. It was so much fun to have Eric join us this year, as last year he was just too little to really take part. He kept watching that bobber and so wanted to catch a fish. 

Ella was extremely good about handing out worms for everyone.

 Ella didn't want to leave until she caught a fish.

However, as it was getting dark we had to resign ourselves that the fish weren't biting tonight.  Ella said she was sad we didn't catch any fish and Daddy simply replied, "If everyone caught fish every time, it would be called catching and not fishing." We were all determined to try again the next day.

The weather held out beautifully on our first night out and we took a short walk around our loop, while the kids rode their bikes. Eric kepts doing laps all afternoon and evening on his little Hotwalk. He wouldn't even stop to eat dinner, just riding all night long and around our fire pit. Too cute!

We couldn't have a fire without marshmallows, so we took some time cooking (really burning) marshmallows.

 Ella says the best part is the crispy part!

We were amazed the kids actually slept in Sunday morning, but were definitely ready to get going!  We headed up to Sapphire Point, to see where Mommy and Daddy were married.  Little did we know how much it had changed.  The horrid Pine Beetle had really consumed much of the forest around Sapphire Point and it really did not look as beautiful as it once had.

However, we also didn't realize what a treat we were in for.  We had planned to have a snack at the Point, but instead we found ourselves feeding the chipmunks!  The kids had a glorious time watching and feeding the chipmunks.

The chipmunks would eat right out of our hands!

It's funny that Lake Dillon even looked just as naked as it did years ago, for our wedding.  However, due to much different circumstances.  We were in a drought almost 9 years ago, when we stood on Sapphire Point and said our vows.  This weekend, the city is worried about flooding from all the extra snow and so they drained much of Lake Dillon to prepare for the incoming snow melt.  What  a difference!

We had so much fun at the gold mine tour in Cripple Creek, that we decided to take the kids Gold Panning at the Country Boy Mine.  Some of you may remember, the "Country Boy Mine" was where Ken and I had our rehearsal dinner for our wedding.  The kids loved petting the donkey's!  We had to reassure Ella that they weren't using these donkey's to pull carts any longer.

Ella was finally able to find some gold (fool's gold).

We all turned up empty handed gold panning, but we sure had fun trying!

We took our time leaving the next morning, as we were in no hurry to make it home.  We decided to take the kids to the Mountaintop Children's Museum in Breckenridge. The museum was small, but had lots of interactive activities for the kids.

Ella was finally able to catch her fish.

and loved the art center.

The kids loved riding in the helicopter

and Eric was very interested in the doctors kit.

The kids didn't want to leave, but we promised them we would be back again.  We had so much fun riding down memory lane with the kids.  We can't wait to come back!

Florida Fun!

This blog has been in the making for the last few weeks!  I finally was able to put it all together and it's a long one!  I hope you enjoy photos, had to abbreviate some of it as we crammed so much into nine days in Florida.  We had a blast and can't wait to get back!  Without further delay, "Florida Fun!".

The kids couldn't sleep, in preparation for our trip to Florida. They were beside themselves and anxious to get to the airport on time. Ella awoke in tears twice in the middle of the night, thinking we were going to miss our airplane. I think she has a bit of her Mommy's worry streak.

Regardless, the kids were up in time and flew out of bed at dawn to leave for our trip. I had never seen Ella so excited and was dressed in record time! The kids did outstanding on the flights! 

Ready for take off!

 Ella kept busy with all her new books and activities we had packed in her backpack the day before. The man sitting next to her even commented on how well she did on the plane ride.

Eric was so excited when I told him we were finally heading to the airport, that even he didn't think twice to get up and get going. He has been looking forward to our airplane trip, since we first told him we booked the trip a couple months ago. The kids definitely got his full share of plane and train rides this trip.

Train ride through DIA!

By the time we arrived in Florida, Eric and Ella were ready to hit the pool. They quickly threw their swimsuits on and took advantage of the beautiful Florida weather and Grandma and Grandpa's swimming pool. The kids jumped right in!

Eric was like a fish to water and you would think he'd been swimming for months. He absolutely loved the water and with his water wings was very confident.

Ella had a blast in the pool and liked playing with Eric. She would try and "save" Eric who would be floating in the middle of the pool. Keeping the kids out of the water was a challenge and if they had it their way they would have spent all our days pool side.

Grandma and Grandpa pool side with the kids, before we had to leave.

However, this trip was booked and within 48 hours we were back on the road again to visit Uncle Mikey and Auntie Melissa in Palm Beach. Luckily Uncle Mikey lives just a short drive to the beach, so the kids were able to enjoy the water and the beach. What could be better than the beach?! The kids had a blast, playing in the waves and just having fun in the sand.

Uncle Mikey and Aunt Melissa playing with the kids!

We started reading the Boxcar Children The Lighthouse Mystery on this trip, so it was only befitting that we visit a lighthouse while we were close to the water. We found a lighthouse just a short drive away, but later found out the kids couldn't climb inside (they were too young). The kids were bummed, but they still enjoyed seeing the lighthouse up close and the large Banyon tree that sat out front.

Learning about Jupiter Island and the Lighthouse.

Family photo in front of the Banyon tree.

It wasn't long before we had to say Goodbye and start our journey to Sea World. We made good time, so we headed over to Sea World that evening. 

Hello Sea World!

We managed to see most of the shows that evening, but headed back the next day to take in more of the rides and catch the Shamu show.

. The kids loved Shamu's Happy Harbour!

We wrapped up Sea World a bit early, so decided to head over to our hotel at Disney World a little early.

The Polynesian was just as beautiful as we remembered from a few years ago. The kids immediately grabbed their swimsuits and headed for the pool, before dinner.

We made sure to schedule breakfasts with the characters, just so the kids could see their favorites. We visited with Winnie the Pooh and his Friends on Monday and Mickey and a few of his friends on Tuesday. The kids loved spending time with each one, even it was for only for a few seconds and a quick photo.

Breakfast with the characters!

The Magic Kingdom had plenty of Magic for the Kids. Ella's favorite this year was the "Small World" ride and Eric loved the RaceTrack. We're not sure how, but the fireworks show seems to get better each time we go to Disney. Ella was absolutely thrilled that we were able to sneak in a last minute visit to the princesses, just before the park closed.

Ella & Bell

Ella & Cinderella

Animal Kingdom was just beautiful! 

We all enjoyed watching all the animals, without walls, bars, and cages.

Baby Giraffe!

Ella was convinced this Lion was staring right at her!

Ella studying all the different birds.

Ella was really enthralled with the presentation about the bald eagle, she didn't want to leave. Eric liked the petting zoo and the jeep ride through the Kingdom.

We enjoyed some one-one time with Ella, as Eric napped at Grandma and Grandpa's motor home (AKA "The Buggy"). We had a wild ride on the River Rapids and flew back to the Cretaceous period and the time of the Dinosaurs. 

 Eric joined us for one last show and we headed to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. 

 The kids had a fun dinner watching the rainforest come to life. The day went by so fast, as did our trip.

We drove back to Grandma and Grandpa Swift's for our flight back home.  Since, we weren't leaving to later in the day we wanted to make a quick stop to say Goodbye to Great Grandma and Grandpa Swift

Thank you to Great Grandma for these Disney Hats!

We'll definitely be back to Disney and hopefully, be able to spend a few more magical days. Disney really is an amazing place to visit and fun for everyone and every age!  We want to thank all the Swift's for making our vacation so enjoyable!  We'll see you all soon!