Monday, June 20, 2016

They're Here!!

June 16-17, 2016
Longmont, CO

Warning - gramma with camera

Oh goody, goody, goody! My sons, daughter-in-law, and grandson arrive today :-))))

We pick up the mini-van, drop off the Jeep, and do a bit of grocery shopping before heading to Denver International. Of course we arrive early because I can't wait, so we make several circuits before they're at the curb. They were able to get flights from Burbank and Seattle that arrive within 30 minutes of each other so everybody's ready to go.

With no Cracker Barrels in either of their home states, we go there for late lunch/early dinner. After being a great traveler on the plane, Ezra continues to be a delight while we get caught up.


Even cuter with Daddy's bunny ears


They all get settled into their hotel rooms a few blocks from the state park, and then we sit outside the motorhome for some more visiting.


Ezra reading to his Uncle Jeff who he LOVES so much :-)
Books are wonderful!
and Mommy is too of course!
Daddy as playground equipment (that motorhome looks much closer than it is)




The bugs send us inside for a while before they return to the hotel.

With temps expected to be over 90 degrees on Friday, we drive to Estes Park where we make a couple brief stops to stretch our legs and enjoy the beauty of the area. This is the Colorado they are expecting to see!


Shalise, Ezra, Jeff and Brian

Rocky Mountains
We check out the RV park Bill and I are moving to next week, then head into the national park. 


Sneaking a kiss at the view point
Jeff enjoying the view, and making his mother cringe - you can see it from this side of the wall!
And it is a beautiful scene
The Trail Ridge Road draws you in with spectacular vistas, water falls beside the highway, and switchbacks with tall trees on both sides. There's even open plains thrown in before BAM! you're driving the most important people in your life along the edge of the friggin' world!! The 4000 foot climb includes 11 miles of narrow highway above the tree line. Of course there are no guard rails - it would ruin the experience if you couldn't see the million-mile-drop-off!


Lava Cliffs, RMNP
Above the tree line
This is an amazing drive into the Rockies, taking us from lush green meadows to flat tundra. The wind is so strong and cold at the top that I don't take any photos. Brian and Shalise take Ezra to experience his first snow - he's not too impressed :-) 


Nice of this couple to pose for perspective while I'm in my warm car
Not long after beginning our return drive, the traffic comes to a stop. By the time we notice a huge herd of Elk on the hill beside us we've missed our photo op. But when the traffic again slows for an upcoming parking area, I spot a lone bull resting along the road.


Tuning out the tourists
Harsh tundra
We make our way down the mountain and through the very busy downtown of Estes Park to a peaceful and very nice Waterfront Grille

Still so happy after a busy day

Everyone enjoys their meal and the van is much quieter on the way back :-)

The kids spend the rest of the evening at the hotel while we make it an early night.  

What a great day we had! It is so wonderful to have family with us. Saturday we plan an interesting combination of science, tasting and BBQ :-)))))






19 comments:

  1. What eyelashes Ezra has. He's going to be a lady killer.

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    1. Between the lashes and the smile, he's already "working the crowd" :-)

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  2. He's getting so big!!! I love the pictures of the grand baby!

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  3. Just LOL at gramma with a camera. I just posted one that should have had that caution as well. What fun for you to have all your dearest ones with you. Your little Ezra is darling. What a charmer. Love the picture with those two teeth. How old is he now? Seems like he's gotten so big so fast. Wasn't it just a month or so ago you were posting about his birth? You picked a fabulous place to bring them all to. We spent nearly a month in Rocky Mountain National Park a couple of years ago and it was flat out wonderful. Love your pictures. Great memories for me. Thanks.

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    1. Fortunately the elevation in Longmont isn't bad, I don't do great up in the NP, but it is so beautiful. Ezra is 10 months old already. It goes by sooooo fast - you'll see :-)

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  4. Grandma's little boy sure is growing up. What fun it is to share adventures with family. I understand the reason for going to Cracker Barrel. Rumor has it that some of those restaurants will be opening up in Oregon !!! I hope so.

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    1. They are very popular everywhere we've seen them - and a real treat for anyone who hasn't tried them yet :-) He is definitely growing up!!

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  5. We have been in Loveland for 2 wks. Heading to CO Springs tomorrow. It is beautiful country, good pictures.

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    1. Should be cooler there - we enjoyed the daily thunder storms! Safe travels :-)

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  6. One of my favorite vacations memories from growing up is horseback riding in the Rockies. RMNP is such an amazing place, nice you're able to share it with you family, enjoy.

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    1. We've seen lots of horse property here and horse trails when we were in the park - what a beautiful place to ride!

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  7. Great photos of Ezra:) I just love those big eyes:) What a great time! I'm so glad you got to drive through RMNP when there was snow. What a difference the snow makes in the scenery. This is such a gorgeous place!!! That bull elk is really working hard at shutting out the tourist:)

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    1. It's melting fast so I'm glad we got up there when we did. The kids enjoyed seeing it, and of course introducing Ezra to the cold white stuff! Mr Elk was so chill - he had a perfect spot and was nearly invisible from the road.

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  8. I can't believe how much Ezra has grown! He's just as adorable as ever. :-) Love the family photo on the Estes Park marker. So sweet that they've all met up with you in Colorado for a family vacation. Need a photo of Ezra with you!

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    1. It was so wonderful to have them all join us here! Other than the high temps it was a perfect visit. We're already looking for our next rendezvous point :-)

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  9. Great photo shots of Ezra...adorable and such a pleasing smile. Parents may have gotten very lucky with that little one. Nice to see your kids too! Have fun this week. Cindy

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    1. He's a charmer for sure - has us all wrapped around that tiny little finger already :-)

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  10. I can hardly think of a more beautiful place to spend with family than RMNP. Ezra just keeps getting cuter.

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