We made it! We got to Colorado and back and not only did we survive, we even enjoyed ourselves! :) For those of you who don't want to read a LONG travel log, skip this post.... for the rest of you - enjoy lots of pictures and lots of info! :)
We started out on Friday, right after Dan got back from work around 1pm. I
grabbed a Jane Austen Audio Book and was content to drive until the book was over - then Dan took the wheel and finished the trip. The kids did surprisingly well. Between iPods for the girls and crackers we made it through the trip only hearing "when will we get there" a few times and the worst whining coming from Eileen who didn't like having to hear my audio book! :) (LOL - I'm sure she will like Jane Austen someday - but hey she's 4 - I guess i can understand it she doesn't get it yet!) We got in around 5am the next morning having driven straight through (except potty breaks and meal breaks)
We got what rest we could before then next day then spent the next day going on walks, finding treasure and playing with Grandpa Francone. The kids were comfortable with him right away and loved traipsing around while mommy and daddy tried to recover from the all night drive!! We also managed to hit the area just in time for Burro Days. This is one of those awesome local events that they do every year. So that night we went down to Fairplay to check out the activities - including a BBQ and a barn dance. Unfortunatly Eileen wasn't feeling so hot by this time - so we left shortly after eating dinner.
The next day we found a church building and attended the Frisco Ward. We went from Frisco, Texas to Frisco, Colorado. The funniest part was that there were a couple other people visiting there from our home stake! There we actually more visitors in Sunday School than
ward members. The second week, Anna and Aaron took the nursery numbers from 1 kid to 3 kids. After church, my Uncle Stuart came up with his 4 kids to play with us for the afternoon. The kids had a blast playing Twister and having fun with their cousins. Eileen was so funny to watch play Twister! She kept getting her right and left mixed up! :)
The next day we got all geared up to go fishing. Eileen and Anna got to take poles that my sister and I fished
with when we were kids. We walked to a near by pond and Dan and Grandpa cast and then the girls would wind the reel. Technique may have been lacking, but it was fun and while their attentions spans lasted they really got a kick out of it! So after about an hour we walked back for lunch and nap times.
On Tuesday, we climbed into the back of Grandpa's pick up truck (well Dan and the kids did - I sat shot gun) and went up Mosquito Pass. Mosquito Pass requires 4-wheel drive, and for good reason too!! The scenery was stunning,
the ride was bumpy and Eileen's favorite part was getting high enough to find snow. We made it as high as the North London Mine and got out and played and looked around before heading back down the mountain. Eileen loved the snow!! Anna loved it once she got over slipping and falling on it. Aaron even got into the snow-throwing action by grabbing Aaron sized handfulls and tossing them a foot or so away. Then we all snuggled back up in the truck for a bumpy ride back.
Wednesday we went down to Breckenridge where we soon outfitted ourselves in tourist-y sweaters (having forgotten to pack any) We walked around enjoying the ambiance. I found a fun quilting shop and the kids found an awesome toy shop. We then headed for a park/playground area for a picnic lunch and some play time. The kids had a blast!
Thursday evening more people starting arriving. Dan's brother Paul and his wonderful family came up to play with us and my Aunt Tina
and cousin Frankie came up. We managed to get a fire going and roasted marshmellows for s'mores. After getting all good and gooey, we went inside and put the younger kids down to bed and we started teaching Aunt Tina how to play Settlers of Catan. Tina was soon hooked on the game, but Paul's oldest daughter Bianca CREAMED us all!! She beat us old fogeys soundly!
Friday we went down to South Park City which is a restored mining town. We got to walk around the buildings, climb on trains and old mining carts. We checked out the old equipment and drug stores and lots of other neat exhibits. Eileen kept comparing the mining displays to "what the dwarfs do in Snow White" It was cute to see her make that connection. Also my Uncle Frank and their old foreign exchange student Bernard came up. We played settlers again and to Tina's major excitement - she won! :)
Saturday the Jones' headed down to Breckenridge again for
more playing. Saturdays are much busier!! They had a cool gold panning exhibit going on, so the kids got to try their hands at panning for gold. Then once again we went to the play ground to eat and play. That evening we roasted hot dogs outside and Paul made his famous Dutch oven Peach Cobbler. Once agian we got all sooty, sticky and deliciously full!! Aaron didn't want his hot dogs cooked, he just wanted to chew on them! That night Paul and Candace started for home. :( The kids had such a good time playing with their cousins and getting to know them.
The next day we went to church again and then in the afternoon we walked to a neighbor to see her horses. They
were beautiful and the girls loved looking at them and feeding them snacks. Then we started getting ready to take off.
Monday morning bright and early we headed for home and after a LONG stormy trip (LOL - we actually got hailed on in AUGUST!!) we arrived safely at home.
In addition to all this (there's MORE!!! - yep) no day was complete with out going on walks and collecting wild flower and lots of coloring and swinging on the tire swing. I think we exhausted my Grandpa!! But Eileen told us on the way home that she was going to miss him and asked when he could come visit us. So at least wonderful memories have been made!
This trip has reminded me of a few things:
1. Colorado is GORGEOUS!!!! The landscape there is just stunning!!!
2. I LOVE my family - immediate and extended. I love spending time with them!!
3. I don't like dry - i seriously missed the Texas humidity. :)
4. I LOVE my bed. I'm so glad Dan and I got that bed when we got married and I have NEVER regretted it. I missed it this trip!
5. Traveling with kids may be possible after all....
6. I'm so glad we made this trip before purchasing a new vehicle - between spilled crackers, hail storms, and the like - I'm glad it went to a car that is on it's way out anyway!! :)
Ok if you made it to the end of this travel log - you must really love us - so WE LOVE YOU TOOO!!!!!!!!!!! :)
couldn't refuse on a used '09. So after 10 years with my little Altima I said a (and NO I didn't ACTUALLY cry!!! and even if I got a bit chocked up - hey I'm pregnant!!! Give me a break!!!!) sad good bye to my first car. The car that we drove off into the sunset after our wedding reception. The car that brought all three of my babies 
home from the hospital. We traded it in to the dealership (and they were very generous about what they gave us for the trade in) for a newer and bigger vehicle. We have found however that we must be a Nissan family - we traded out tired little Altima for a roomy Quest - yes that's right we are also now a 
mini-van family. I dreaded this for MANY years, but have spent the last couple years resigning myself to the necessity. Considering that I've never driven anything bigger than the Altima - it's probably best... :) Anyway - out with the old and in with the new! We love it! and best of all???? I don't have to fall down to get in!!! :) *sigh*
What we needed most!! Diapers and Wipes!! :) With two big sisters, this little girl is fairly well (and stylishly) covered - but you can never have enough of these!! :) Especially since her's isn't the only one still needing a diaper to cover it! :)
