Colorado 2014 {Part 1}

We arrived in Colorado and set up camp on Sunday, the 6th. We went for a short hike that evening and just kinda played it low-key. Then Monday we loaded up and headed up Pikes Peak. The last time Adam and I had been here was with my parents when we were dating, probably about 12 years ago. It was fun to go again, this time with our 2 kids. We stopped along the way to admire the views.

And took the obligatory touristy photo at the top.

We walked around the gift shop a bit and enjoyed some greasy donuts, french fries, and pops before heading back outside to look around some more.

Then Sutton had a meltdown about something inconsequential.

We threatened his life to make him smile for a photo. ;) I kid. Kind of.

Brothers on a mountaintop.

I'd spotted this area on the way up the mountain, so as we were heading down, I made Adam stop so I could take a few photos. It didn't last too long because there were bees on those flowers.

I just thought it was so pretty right here.

And I took a few photos around our campsite. We ended up having to move our campsite (long story), so this was the second place we stayed. Sutton did a lot of playing in the rocks all around.

Ren did a lot of being cute.

This was our ride for our trip. Adam's parents graciously let us take their FJ on our trip. It has a really big back seat, which was nice for the long drive. And it looks mountainy, so that's a plus. :)

This was our view. I was standing in the same spot as the photos above, but with my back to the tent. And the bathhouse was just to my left, which was handy. Adam flew his quadcopter around a bit with the GoPro attached to get some great footage of the views.

And before we left Colorado Springs to head to Denver to visit my brother and family, we stopped to check out a cabin that belongs to some of Adam's relatives. There was a little creek that ran next to it that was pretty.

And here's the cabin. No one had been there in quite some time, so it was pretty overgrown and we didn't know what to expect on the inside.

We were surprised to find it very homey and liveable. We may be staying here in the future!

Once I get my phone-photo situation figured out, I will post part 2 which will include a lot more of what we did. These were just the photos off my nice camera. :)

Birthday & Anniversary

To play catch up a bit, I'm going to post a few photos from my birthday (waaaaaay back in May) and our anniversary at the beginning of June. Because, even though I'm a blog slacker now that I have two kids, I feel that these two events are important.

Side note: I just got a new computer and during the switch I seemed to have misplaced some of the photos from my phone so...I'm missing some. :( Sad.

First up, my birthday. It was a very important birthday. Not only was it my Golden Birthday (I turned 29 on the 29th of May), but it was my last birthday of my 20s. And probably the age I will tell everyone I am for the rest of my life. :)

I got to wake up to this...always a good thing:

We went out for breakfast at Jimmy's Egg, as is our birthday tradition.

We went swimming at the indoor pool at the downtown YMCA...I had some cute little swimmers. I believe this was the first time for Ren to be in a pool. I just put his feet in and he didn't seem to notice or care. But holy adorable!

And my big guy. Showing off some mad paddle board skills.

After lunch, Adam had booked me a massage across town. So enjoyed a peaceful, kid-free drive on a beautiful blue-sky day.

I stopped for a frappe on the way. The massage was grand.

Then since I had a little cash in my wallet, and since I knew everyone at home was napping, I treated myself to a pedicure.

That night, Adam took me out on a date! We went downtown and walked around Old Town Square. We went in a few shops and he bought me a really cool hand-warming mug.

Then we went to the Old Town Warren theater and ordered food in our seats and enjoyed a movie. X-Men Days of Future Past.

My mom & dad sent me this card that I found perfect and hilarious. I love my mom's sense of humor.

A few days later, Tara and I had a joint birthday party/cookout at their new house since Tara's birthday is only a few days after mine. And a year. I'm a year older and WISER. ;) I lost the photo where Tara had her eyes open, so this one will have to suffice. I apologize, Tara.

June 3 was our 8 year anniversary. I love this man I married...more each day. I also love that he can find simple ways for us to celebrate that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Adam kept our anniversary plans a secret until we were heading out that night. On our very first anniversary of dating (waaaaaaay back in 2002), Adam had a pilot friend fly us in his small plane from a tiny airport in Newton, Kansas to a little bit bigger airport in Hutchinson. We ate at the Airport Steakhouse, and then flew back to Newton. I hadn't been back to the Hutchinson airport since. So Adam made us reservations. Things were a little different 12 years later with two kids. And I wouldn't change any of it.

Much to Sutton's sadness, we didn't see any airplanes take off or land while we were there. But I did see my handsome husband being sweet to my baby boy.

After dinner, we went to Dillon Nature Center in Hutch, to the new free children's area. Definitely worth a stop if you're ever out that way. We walked around and let Sutton play for awhile. I took a photo of Adam and I (you know, since it was OUR anniversary), but that was one that got lost. This was all I had from that adventure.

Edit: Here are a couple more photos from that evening I recovered. Adam and I. I think we look a little worse for the wear after 8 years. :/ Few more wrinkles, a little less hair...

And part of the Children's Garden at Dillon Nature Center.

Sutton's 4th Birthday Party

The Saturday after Sutton's birthday, we had a breakfast birthday party for him here at our house. We rented a bounce house for the backyard, and got a bunch of donuts for all of his guests to enjoy. I'd left decorating, favors, and cake up to Adam since I've been so busy with work...and he went above and beyond.

           

Sutton's obsessed with Captain America, so the theme was a no-brainer. But most of the decor at the party store was Avengers themed, which is fine too. Adam also drew a Captain America on our chalkboard and we printed out Sutton's face for the head. He loved it.

Adam had told me that he just picked up a pre-made cake from Dillons, but when it came time for the unveiling...this is what he'd ordered for our boy. :)

The birthday boy!

We were worried that the bounce house portion was going to be rained out, so his cousins came over a bit early to get started jumping.

Grandma Ancy had to get in on the fun.

This is Sutton's best little friend from school, Zane. They're so cute together.

Donuts and cake. Good combo for 10am on a Saturday. :)

My child sweats. A lot. And he'd had grape juice. He was a mess by this point.

Everyone singing:

Then it was time for presents. More Captain America stuff! :)

Happy Birthday to our big 4-year-old! Maybe sometime I'll get the photos from his actual birthday off my phone and do a post about that day. :)

Edit: Click here for the phone photos of Sutton's Birthday.