Colorado Trip

The trip in a nutshell: Video of Colorado trip
Our summer vacation this year was a trip to Colorado!  But first up, was a quick stop in Tulsa.  JKK took the girls swimming at Coco's....

...while I went to see my beloved Joywave with my friend Michelle!

I love this weird little band.

then super early wakeup call to head to Colorado - I call this "road trip art"

First, we stayed in Colorado Springs for two days, just our little family of four.  We stayed in an airbnb that had a playroom!  This barbie cruise ship was everything to Syd.

Millie is the master of relaxation

early morning coffee run with dad

Then we drove up to the top of Pikes Peak!  It was beautiful....and very curvy.

JKK can handle it.

We made it!  Sooooo high!  Colorado Springs is about 6k feet above sea level and the summit of Pikes Peak is over 14k feet above!

stunning...and chilly

We took a few pics and then went inside to the gift shop.  Apparently they are famous for their donuts, so JKK queued up and the girls and I checked out the shopping.  One minute later, I notice Millie swaying back and forth with unfocused eyes.  I couldn't tell if she was going to vomit or pass out.  We sat her down and noticed how sweaty she was.  Thankfully a paramedic came over to check her out, and she was fine...just a case of severe altitude sickness.  We jumped back in the car and started down the mountain and she felt much better quickly.  Kinda scary!

our sweet ride handled the mountain just fiiiiine

On the way back down the mountain there is a strange little amusement park that has been around since the 1950s - The North Pole.  It is Christmas themed and pretty darn cute set back in the forest.  Christmas music was playing and it was all adorable.  The girls loved the rides.  Well, Syd did...Millie only rode some of them.  She's been way more cautious with rides because she's afraid she's going to throw up.  It's a very real fear for her right now.

A little afternoon treat at the Colorado Springs location of Oskar Blues!  Our favorite.

Before we left the area, we visited the famed Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and it didn't disappoint!

An absolutely gorgeous zoo set into the side of the mountain.  We had a great morning!

the sky ride was the coolest!

moose!

Finally, we headed to Erie to see my people!  These kids are 17 and 14...you wouldn't think they would want to hang out with my girls, but they are so good about entertaining them!  It's just amazing to me how much love they have for each other.  Makes my heart so happy.  We are so comfortable there with them...always enjoy our visits!

so much love <3

so many dogs <3

so much beer <3

and Nana was there too!

Millie and Syd love the trampoline.  They are planning to put this at the top of their Christmas list. ;)  And maybe a dog too...

s'mores!

dog walking - the girls didn't leave those poor dogs alone all weekend

ty ty

it's all fun and games until you have to figure out how to get down...

the four of us went to get a tasty beer before dinner and were treated to some live music - it all feels so lovely in colorado

pretty girls

then dinner on the patio at oskar blues - a great ending to a fun trip!

Ethyn and adorable girlfriend Izzy

the girls fight over Kendyl

kids, go play on the bus while waiting for dinner ;)

I just love when people participate in my shenanigans

dancing to the live music with Nana!

After dinner, Ethyn drove these girls to get ice cream.  A first for all of us!  Pretty cool.  They are great kids.

It was a long ride home the next morning, but these two napped like champs.  Jealous.

While there, I made a little album of polaroids...here are some of my favorites!