Thursday, June 26, 2014

Playtime at the Beach

Some friends invited us to share in a secret little gem this summer--Prospect Lake Beach. I had no idea it existed and, oh, did we love it! It's a nice, clean, sandy little beach with a life guarded swimming area, all of it small enough that I could sit and talk with friends while the kids played. I often heard throughout the summer, "Can we go to the beach??" I think Jacob and Makenna liked playing in the sand as much or more than they did the water. It is a place we will surely visit in summers to come!







Friday, June 20, 2014

Estes Park Getaway

We decided to vacation this summer close to home, in the beautiful Colorado mountains. We rented a small cabin in Estes Park for four nights, and spent our time exploring the surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park. What beautiful scenery! The kids were great hikers--pregnant Mama was the one who lagged behind, much to my chagrin. We hiked to Gem Lake, hiked around Bear Lake (an easy stroll compared to the one the day before!), as well as Sprague Lake, the latter two residing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Such beautiful mountain country!
We couldn't get away with hiking as the only activity during the week, partly because the kids wanted to do other things and partly because I physically couldn't handle anymore. (Being pregnant at 37 is not a cakewalk!) We rode the aerial tramway to the summit of Prospect Mountain, which looks out over Estes Park. We had been told not to miss feeding peanuts to the chipmunks up at the top, but I think they were too full for more as we had a hard time finding any to take our peanuts! Oh well. 
I think the kids would tell you the highlight of the trip was the (small) amusement park we spent a morning playing at: giant slide, mini golf, bumper cars, go-karts, and bumper boats. They both loved that they had their own steering wheel in the go-karts and felt like official drivers (though they in no way controlled the cars). :) Other favorite activities included fresh doughnuts for breakfast at a local bakery, playing in the hot tub at our cabin, eating dinner at a restaurant most nights, and lots of other fun little things that only happen when you're on vacation. It was a great get-away and we will definitely go back. 
Waving at the camera
A view of the mountains as we ascended up to Gem Lake.
Cooling off in Gem Lake after a long hike (it was a 1200' gain in altitude in 1.7 miles)
Jakers
Beautiful Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

They both thought they were extremely funny!
Bumper Cars!
Jake and Mom going down the giant slide
Fun times getting wet in the bumper boats.
Doughnuts for breakfast! We pulled up to the bakery, which was called "Donut Haus" and Jake reads the sign, but says "Do Nut Has?"--we hadn't told them where we were going beforehand. :) My little beginning reader! 
Smores!

Lots of pictures from Sprague Lake (another beautiful gem in RMNP)

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Kindergarten Graduation

Kindergarten graduation...celebrating a year of accomplishment and the end of Jake's first year in elementary school. I'm one of those parents who thinks its a little over the top to call it a "graduation", but I do admit that Jacob and his classmates are cute. And it was a fun little program full of song and dance, performed with kindergarten style. 
Marching down the aisle to Pomp & Circumstance with his classmate Katelyn.
Receiving his "diploma" from the principal
Jacob with his kindergarten teachers, Mrs. MacDonald & Mrs. Lee