Colorado was calling

 The week before Covid precautions hit, Andy and I booked a vacation for the 5 of us in Estes Park, CO.  We reserved a house with a hot tub, close to the mountains, and looked forward to heading west for some quality family time in CO. As the world changed and shut down, we were unsure if we would get to go on this trip.  Thankfully, as things began to open up, we were able to see how we could still stay safe, yet get out of town to the open spaces of our planned vacation!

We drove first to Kearney, NE where we were able to catch up safely with Uncle Richard and Aunt Pat.  The kids ate up Pat's corn dogs, ice cream cones, and all of Richard's stories.  It was so great to get a visit in with them and it was the perfect way to break up the long trip to CO. 

The next day we drove the rest of the way to Estes Park.  The kids did great in the car as they read, watched movies, and played games.  

It was so fun to watch the horizon as we inched closer and closer to the mountains.  The kids had fun spotting the ridge line up ahead but not so much fun feeling the elevation and winding roads...good thing we had some car sickness meds along. 

Our house was found easily and we were thankful to get out of the car, spread out, and hop into the hot tub!

beautiful views from our deck

trying steamed artichoke with lemon butter...a favorite from my childhood

elk outside our cabin

Brooks quickly made sure I knew how lucky we were to have running water and bathrooms, he was certain that our cabin would be "roughing it" but he was happy to see all the amenities. 

 After a home cooked meal (we were able to cook nearly all our meals), we headed to bed so we were ready for our first day in the mountains!

 2nd Day 

Our first full day started early with coffee on the deck - my favorite thing, followed by breakfast, packing of lunches, and heading out to the Rocky Mountain National Park.  

We chose a family friendly trail to hike the first day.  The kids were tired when we called it hiking, but as soon as we called it climbing and allowed them to go off the trail their energy was back!

They loved climbing the rocks and finding beautiful views along with little creatures who wanted our food. The cool temp of the mountain streams and lakes was a highlight. 

spotted an elk on our way out of park

freezing our feet in the mountain pond

mom and baby mule deer outside cabin

can't get much better than this

Summer 2020

 The summer of 2020 has been a whirlwind of our favorite things. We have very few organized activities, many of our camps were shut down, and we have limited responsibilities or things on the schedule besides work. This has been a blessing that has opened us up to more time together enjoying many of the things we love.

Our babysitter from the previous summer returned and has spent her days playing with the kids just like they hoped.  Emily takes them swimming at the lake, out for ice cream, hiking, picnics to the parks, and she is learning how to bake thanks to Marie. 

Our free time is spent playing all of our favorite sports outside, riding bikes, hiking with dogs, camping, finding frogs, fishing, swimming in the lakes, boating, enjoying our fire pits, and getting as much family time as we can. 

 Here are some highlights:

getting better at family selfies

Falls Park

Bennett is the king of jumping off the boat

4th of July fireworks on the boat

date night thanks to Grandma Nel

time with the Dickes clan

4-H photo entries

drive in movie night

Brooks the frog whisperer

family camping trip

new hog barn in the family

these kiddos are too good at mini golf

Marie completed the BEST shooting program

Camp Foster still happened!

Eight is Great for Bennett

Summer is a time of cake and ice cream at our house and Bennett knew just how he wanted to celebrate his big birthday.  We had to make some minor adjustments due to Covid, but we still had a fabulous time.

We invited a few friends to play outside, eat donuts, and socialize...it had been so long since I had seen him run and play with friends and really laugh the way your friends can make you laugh.

His friends were so thoughtful and kind with the way they greeted him, celebrated him, and even found just the right gifts for him. 

We also celebrated with family - lasagna, cousin time, a difficult yet amazingly fun cake, and fireworks.

Happy birthday Bennett...you are smart, funny, and I know you will do great things!

Marie is 11!

 This girl turned 11!!  

It was only fitting that on her birthday she was able to demonstrate her variety of interests by having her dance recital (Covid style) and also receiving a new basketball, volleyball, and net!

Marie is a good student, great friend, and even better daughter and sister.  

She continues to grow and mature in ways that are astounding to us.  She loves to read, play outside, be with her dogs, make her friends laugh, and help her brothers.  

Marie - you are a delight and we are so blessed to have you in our life.