Colorado Vacation

The four of us took our first vacation together this past week to Colorado. Frank was being sent to Denver for a training Monday-Thursday, so since the hotel and car were already covered (thank you, City of Dallas) we got a fun fare and off we went. We left on last Thursday and spent the weekend visiting the Anthony family in Monument. It was so beautiful there. I don't think it got to 90 degrees the whole time we were there. So refreshing! Each morning, we had breakfast on their back patio, wrapped in a blanket, and enjoyed this view

While there, we visited the Focus on the Family headquarters, where there's an amazing interactive play area. Too bad I didn't run in to Dr. Dobson while we were there. I have a thing or two to pick his brain about. I'm sure he'll contact me once I send him this picture for the next cover of "The New Strong Willed Child"

After that, we visited the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. It's the only zoo actually built on a mountain. It was very cool, but kind of a beating to push a stroller on.

Once we were in Denver and Frank was in trainings, I set out with the two hoodlums by myself. I totally get now why single parents rarely vacation. GAH. First we went on a tour of the Hammond's Candy Factory and got to see them making candy canes. I was impressed, but Lilly was just concerned about getting her lollipop.
One of our favorite things to do was to eat dinner out together at restaurants with a patio. Having dinner, outside, not sweating, was awesome! Everett was even content in his seat as long as we were outside. Everett didn't really get that we were in Denver. All he knew was that Mommy and Daddy were happy and relaxed, and Lilly was excited, so he was a happy kid!

The kiddos and I enjoyed a trip to the Denver Children's Museum. Lilly's favorite part was playing, in costume, on the firetruck. She got to make the lights and sirens work, and drive the truck. But her most important job of the day was taking care of the (stuffed) firedog.

We also enjoyed dinner at the Downtown Aquarium one evening. What a beautiful restaurant! We sat next to a huge tank full of "Nemos and Dorys." The best part was when the diver came into the tank and fed the fishes right next to us. Then he gave Lilly a high five through the glass.

Our last night there, we went with the Anthony's to Casa Bonita, which is this really fun, really huge all-you-can-eat Mexican food restaurant. There's a waterfall inside, where a diver comes out and cliff dives about every 20 minutes. They had pirate shows, arcades, caves to explore, and mariachi bands to enjoy. The room we were seated in had a huge stage, with a magic show once an hour. The magician wasn't the best, but at least we got Abby volunteered to be his lovely assistant. Somehow, Lilly managed to find her way on-stage as well. Her favorite part was interrupting the "Miller Time" act to wave and yell, "HI MOMMY! LOOK AT ME!!!" from the stage. I was so proud. :)

Much to our surprise, the security line at the airport was unbelievable! So we missed our 3pm-6pm flight home. So we hopped on a 4:45 plane to Phoenix, then hopped on another plane to El Paso, then on to Dallas. We got home around 11:30 with two very tired little ones. Fortunately, they were amazingly well behaved. I was so proud of my little troopers! We were sad to leave Colorado, with the beautiful weather and the Anthonys, but it sure was nice to have everyone in their own bed (and in their own ROOMS) again!