Road Trip!

We were up bright and early on July 5th to start the 9 hour drive to Vail, Colorado. With two kids we knew there would be lots of stops so we wanted to get a few hours under our belt before the kids woke up. Normally we would have tried to be more rested before attempting something like this but it just wasn't possible with everything going on. That led to a few stops when we would have preferred to have continued on. Then our check engine light came on. Luckily we were near Hays and the girls were waking up so it was a good time to stop for breakfast. 

 While Kevin investigated the car issue, the girls and I finished breakfast and played in the awesome playhouse that the Hays McDonald's has. It was great that the kids had some place to run around inside since it was definitely hot out. Kevin was able to troubleshoot the car but we lost a TON of time. The 9 hour trip ended up taking us more like 12 hours and we were very happy to make it to the condo! My parents arrived not long after us so we got settled. Then my Mom and I went to the grocery store to get ready for the week. We wanted help unloading the car and this is how these goofballs came outside to help. (It had been raining)

Everyone was pretty tired the next day and my Mom had altitude sickness so we took it pretty easy. We decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood and check things out. 

Anna screamed and threw a massive fit while Kevin was trying to get the carrier adjusted. She did NOT want anything to do with it. Once he had her on his back though she was ecstatic and didn't want to get out. 

Group shot with Vail Valley behind us.  

Another one. 

It was wonderful to have such a relaxing day after the craziness of the previous week. That and just being able to hang out without having to be somewhere for a change. 

Later that day we loaded up and attempted a drive to this hike that Kevin and Dad heard about from a Ranger. The directions were a bit strange and we couldn't drive the entire way so we got out to walk and never made it to the waterfall promised. It was still fun walking but I had only packed Deet-free bug spray for that particular hike and that stuff does NOT work well. Luckily Anna and Jane didn't get bit but mosquito's and other bugs always get me first. Whenever I'd see a mosquito on me I'd make everyone re-apply bug spray. 

In the past Seth hasn't really interacted with my girls much. He's into his video games and he's always worried about them chewing or slobbering on his stuff. Over the past few months he's been a little more involved and enjoys it when he makes either Jane or Anna laugh. Over the week Anna and Seth really bonded which was fun to see. 

Anna keeping her eyes on Seth

We enjoyed staying in with a movie that night after the girls went to bed and rested up so we'd be ready for a hike the next day!