This post is full of oh so many pictures but I couldn't not post them. They are good memory keepers of our family trip to Colorado over the 4th of July. My whole family was able to make the trip to Silverton, Colorado this year. Of course there were two exceptions, Aaron's annual two weeks of Guard duty conflicted with the dates so he couldn't come. And since he couldn't come I decided that I would rather not do such a huge camping trip with just me and a 1 and 3 year old. I am so blessed to have such an awesome mother in-law who watched Rockwell for the week. As soon as I got to the campsite I was most definitely reassured that leaving him home for this trip was the right choice. I think he would have loved the dirt and cousins, but it was best for him and me, to not come. Anyway Daisy and I had a blast. Its been six years since I was here in this beautiful place and it was the best to be able to come back and be with my family.
Day One: Travel.
We were all up and early to make the long drive up to Colorado. Daisy has turned into the BEST traveler. She looked out the window for hours and slept. The only time she started to whine was when she dropped her marker. I loved it, made the drive enjoyable. I also drove most of the way and drove through the mountains into Silverton for the first time so the was kind of a big deal for me.
Our camp was right by the river (all the more confirmation that Rocky was better to not be there) and set up our tents.
I snapped this right before dinner and thought it was a cute picture. Daisy is fun.
I told Jeremiah I am glad that he is on both sides of my family because he likes to dutch oven cook and so far I have noticed that no one on the Brooks side has attempted it. And camping without delicious camping food from the dutch oven is still fun but definitely enhanced with it. Camping is a lot about the food. Jeremiah made Fajitas the first night and they were yummy.
Day Two: Aspen Loop.
I think everyone should explore these mountains at least once in there life. There is such a beauty here. Jeeping is the fasted and a fun way to do that. I think my Dad has a slight obsession with it ;). We were up early and hit the Aspen Loop and as it suggests is a big loop that takes you up into the mountains past waterfalls, ghost towns, and the occasional private cabin in the middle of nowhere. You go over two passes. The first is Engineer and once you pass over that you go down into Lake City which is another old mining town. Then you go up another pass, Cinnamon Pass, which takes you back to Silverton. Its an all day drive and worth it. This day was the only day everyone went up jeeping. I sat in big foot most of the morning with some of my nieces and nephews and loved it. They are getting older and they are fun to be around. They listen to you when you talk, but they are still kids and they have great imaginations. My niece Parker and Abbey have every word, to every Frozen song memorized and they had no problem serenading the caravan. At one point Grandma told all the kids to pucker their buns. None of them knew what pucker meant and as soon as Bode understood what it meant to squeeze your buns together he did just that. He squeezed as hard as he could and wrenched up his face. I laughed.
Abbey, Daisy, and Bode
Daisy was pleased that she got to be with all the big kids. She is only three and a half but I think she felt like a six year old getting to ride with all her bigger cousins. She made me laugh. There was one river that flowed down the mountain and every time she saw it she would yell "look another river". I couldn't get her to understand that is was the same river, it just looked different because it was always moving. And every time some one pointed out a waterfall she was scream "I SEE!". She was having a good time.
The first stop of the day was at Animas Forks. Its has always fascinated me to see how and where people a hundred years ago lived. And over the last 6 years there has been a lot of renovations to all these old homes. The first time we came here I think I was 12. If you look closely the house all the way in the back is the house that has been preserved the best. Growing up I always dreamt of building a very similar house and living in it. Makes me laugh now, my taste has changed a bit. Although I like the romance of it.
Beautiful view. I could live here.
Heidi and I.
This was on top of Engineer pass. There was still snow and snowball fights were inevitable. Daisy barely let me set her down though, she was very concerned she would fall off the mountain. She told me multiple times she didn't want to fall.
This isn't my picture but it makes me laugh. This is my nephew Mike. He must have been tired.
The Papa family in their Razor. It got a little dusty and that is why they look like robbers.
July 2014
We stopped at this water fall and I couldn't figure out if it was the same one I had climbed down to 10 years ago. It was but it is so much bigger now and I don't think I could get out there now.
July 2004
After we stopped for lunch and ice cream in Lake City I hopped in Razor with my Mom, Jill, and John and let just say I feel a little bad for John :) But he was a good sport.
Cinnamon Pass.
Day Three: Train Ride. Everyone rode the train on Wednesday except Daisy, Grandma, Grandpa and I. We will another time, didn't sound like fun with a three year old. Anyway we all got up early because we needed three cars to drive everyone into Durango by 7:30 to get on the train. I was the third driver so Daisy and I came along. However I didn't ride with Daisy on the way there, I rode with Jill and John and their kids, while Daisy rode with Heidi and Jeremiah. Unfortunately Jeremiah's car was the car all the kids got motions sickness in. Piper threw up and then Daisy did. Poor kids. All was well though after that and everyone rode the train back without incident and Daisy and I drove back to camp just fine. Pete and Brittany came up this day too, so it was fun to meet up with everyone when the train rolled into Silverton. We all ate at High Noon Hamburgers and I was a little peeved because I spent 15 buck on two hot-dogs and a kids drink. And when I say two hot dogs it was literally just a hot dog and a bun, no extra fix-ins. I felt a little ripped off. We walked around town after that and I got Daisy a little moose. We headed back to camp where I got Daisy to take a much needed nap. While she slept I got to play with all my nieces and nephews.
Grandma brought box of prizes.
Bode
When everyone got off the train there were some little girls who were trying to sell rocks they had found. Mike must have thought that was a great idea because as soon as we got back to camp him and some of the other cousins started to collect and try to sell some rocks. I think some kids made a few bucks, it was a generous camp. Bode tried to sell me a rock and I told him it didn't have enough gold in it for me to buy it. About ten minutes later he came to me with a better rock with more gold, I almost gave him 50 cents for it :).
I think one of my favorite things about this trip was watching all the cousins play together. They are all really great kids, kind and well behaved.
It got cold at night. Way cold. We woke up to frost the first morning. I don't know if living in the heat for 6 years has made me a wuss but I was so cold at night. Daisy said she never got cold because she was wearing footie pjs. She was cute and would burrow under the covers.
Ben and Paisley
I think Bode really thought he was going to find gold. He even made his own mine. I loved his hat. Quinn played Settlers the last night and I found out that he is really good a board games. He beat me soundly.
She is a cute girl. I had to buy her a new shirt at Wal-Mart the day she puked, I only had spare bottoms and she was a little messy.
My kids have a talent of looking right though you if they are weary of you. They have always been this way especially to their uncle Jeremiah. I think its because he is so tall and they are used to shorter men. Anyway Uncle Jeremiah wore Daisy down this trip and I think she likes him now.
Day Four: The Fourth of July.
I bought Daisy this shirt to wear on the 4th. She fought me on it though. She did not want to wear it. I had to tell her however Grandma told me she had to wear it, so she begrudgingly put it on. However after a few minutes of wearing it she received some compliments and decided this shirt was the best item of clothing ever made. I told her I wanted to take a picture of her and she posed. She has never posed like this before. I just laughed.
The Silverton parade was perfect. Not too long or too short, lots of candy, and a fire hose at the end that drenched us. Daisy was a little timid as first. It took her a while to pluck up the courage to go and snatch some candy. She was excited though when she finally did it.
All the cousins (minus Rocky)
After the parade we went and took family photos. I was kind of bummed because half of my family was missing but there is usually always someone missing so no use letting it ruin the day. I took these cute pictures of Daisy and Grandpa Dave. Daisy has always liked her Grandpas.
I had to get some picture of Daisy in some daisies, could not miss the opportunity. However I think she forgot how to make a normal face.
After lunch some people went jeeping and others did a mine tour. After everyone got back we all went into town for funnel cake and ice cream. It was a 45 minute wait for funnel cake so we just got some ice cream. Then we headed over to the park.
When Daisy first saw Uncle John she ignored him too. But after a while she warmed up to him and I noticed she had pulled him over to the swings as her official swing pusher.
Daisy and Piper are about a year apart. Sometime they play together sometimes they don't, this day they did.
Next came the fireworks. The firework show in Silverton is awesome. Its the best I have ever been to. I would like to to got the beach someday for a firework show. But for now this is my favorite and it is very impressive.
She wasn't too willing to smile for the camera, but she liked the fireworks, that made her smile.
Daisy was a good girl. She went with the flow, ate well, slept well and played hard. Also how many picture can we spot Aunt Jill making this face ;)
Day Five: Last Day.
Our last day in Silverton was a relaxed day. Kids played and we shopped and ate.
My niece Megan is getting older. We walked around town for a bit in the afternoon and she is a great girl. I was eleven when she was born. Time goes by way to fast.
Dash is my oldest brother Pete's youngest and he wasn't too keen on anyone else.
He was happy to be with his big sister though.
For our last dinner we went out to eat at a yummy BBQ place called Thee Pitts. There is another one at 55th and Bell. We will most likely be making a visit.
Hugs goodbye.
Parker
Quinn
Bode
Laine, this picture makes me laugh every time I look at it.
Ben. I kept asking Ben if he knew who I was. It took a few days and me giving him candy a few time, but I think he will remember me.
Charlotte. She is a sweet baby. I enjoyed getting to hold her.
We ate the best food. I also notice that the men cooked at this camp. I had no problem with that.
Top left: Pete and Brittany, Top Right: Heidi and Jeremiah, Bottom Left: Jill and John, Bottom Right: Tim and Connie
It just such a beautiful place.
Sometimes you just have to skip.
Mike and his awesome batman PJs and boots.
I sent this picture to Aaron one morning. Its a lot easier to wake up with the sun when its not already a 100 degrees and the air is crisp.
:)
Just some more pictures....
I love my sisters.
Dash
Charlotte
I had forgotten how much time I have spent in these mountains. The last six years of my life have been marriage and kids and adult life. It was a different trip for me this time, but I had more fun than I had had on any other trip before. I love being with family.
