Colorado Adventures

We spent a week in Colorado earlier this month and had a great time.  Here's a bit of a look at our week. 

Day 1 on the road.  I grossly overestimated how long Miles would sleep in the car.  Each time we got going he slept for 30 minutes or less and then just fussed until the next stop.  So I spent a lot of time in the back with him to try to keep him happy.  We made it to Dalhart, Texas our first night and all slept well!

Our first stop in New Mexico.  Before we got on the highway we stopped so I could feed Miles.  While I fed him David and Cooper explored a little.  Cooper was determined that he was going to the top of the mountain in the background of this picture, but alas he did not ;). We made it to Denver Saturday evening and spent a little time at the home of our friends Lucas and Yali eating dinner and catching up.  When we decided to try to go to Colorado we knew we wanted to see them since we hadn't seen them since they moved last summer.

Sunday morning we met up with Lucas and Yali and the kids for a hike.  It was so fun exploring in Colorado!

Cooper and Leon. 

After our hike, they headed home and we went back to our hotel for nap time.  Cooper stayed up but it was good for Miles to get a good nap in that day after 2 days in the car!  We joined them for dinner again that night.  

Monday morning we met up to explore the Red Rock Amphitheater together.

I had to include this picture, because this was what it was like getting a family picture.  Cooper did not want to take pictures with us.  So he decided he wanted to go stand up 2 rows away from us.

Luckily Lucas snapped this one before Cooper moved away.  After this activity we parted ways with our friends.  It was so good to get to see them for a few days and catch up on life.  But then they headed home and we headed out to Breckenridge.  The views on the way to Breckenridge were amazing.  At one point you go through a tunnel and come out surrounded by snowcapped mountains... this was all of our reaction:

We stopped for lunch in Frisco when we got off the highway.  I had to snap this picture eating lunch with mountains in the background.  When we got to Breckenridge we got settled in our VRBO and I headed out to buy groceries.  We stayed in for the evening.

The next day we stayed close to our rented home.  Luckily there was a bunch of snow right outside our house!  So Cooper and David headed out to play while Miles napped.

Then after nap we all went out together.  Miles' first time seeing snow!

There was a pond behind our house and it had frozen on top so Cooper enjoyed checking it out.  

We also spent a little time walking around downtown and buying some Breckenridge souvenirs.  The rest of the day was spent resting after a few days of traveling and hiking.  David went to grab dinner and I snapped this picture of Cooper watching a show and Miles napping.

The next morning was one of our big family hikes.  We struggled a bit with the high altitude and honestly everyone was feeling a little under the weather, but we took it slow and steady and enjoyed the hike.

Just moments before I snapped this picture, Cooper was upside down laying on the side of this hill, but I just missed capturing it.  We had gotten off the trail and were trying to get back on it, but overestimated our ability to climb this slope to get there.  Luckily we caught up with the trail not far ahead of this.

The whole hike Cooper just wanted to head back to the water.  Even though it was cold, he wanted to play in the stream.  So we figured we'd let him right before we headed home so he could get warm/dry clothes after.  He didn't last long but was glad to be with the water.

After lunch we decided to drive up the Boreas Pass to the Continental Divide.  It is listed as one of the most scenic drives around Breckenridge.  Honestly at the beginning I was not sure I would make it because we were on the edge of a cliff with no railing and not enough room for 2 cars in some places, but after the first little bit the road widened and the drop off wasn't as steep.  And we were glad we checked it out!

It's hard to tell, but this is a picture of a Moose outside our house.  While he was eating breakfast on Thursday Cooper said "I just saw a Moose!" so I went and looked and sure enough one had walked right by us.

A family picture in our new Breckenridge shirts.

Sweetest brothers.

Then we headed out to hike around Lake Dillon.  This trail was a perfect hike for us and had beautiful views

Cooper wanted to get off the path to explore a bit and he did great.

Hiking with his Daddy!  We had several rough behavior moments on our trip, but we are still so glad we went on this trip together.  It was fun seeing Cooper explore in such a different setting than he was used to.  

On our way home we decided to make a stop at the Royal Gorge.  Cooper loved looking down between the slats in the bridge.

One last family picture before we left Colorado.  

We stayed another night in Dalhart on our way home and got home late Saturday evening.   It was a great time away together.  And it was a perfect trip for COVID days because we were able to spend most of it outside and away from crowds.  Thankful for the opportunity to check out a new state together!

Months of Miles: 5 Months

Weight: 20 lbs

Diaper Size: 4

Clothes Size: Some 6 months, some 9 months

Things you Love: Being Held, Eating, being outside, your thumb, hanging toys on your bassinet and play mat, being sung to, getting your clothes changed (most babies don't love this, but you just giggle so much on the changing table), rolling over (until you're on your tummy too long!), your brother

Things you Don’t Love: Being hungry, your car seat, loud noises

Milestones: You started rolling to your stomach this month, but will frequently get mad after a few minutes there. Sometimes you can roll back to your back, but you don't always. You've started showing more interest in your brother this month and you both just make each other giggle like crazy. You make lots of sounds and Cooper will frequently tell us you said something specific ("Miles just said bump!" "Miles was singing to the music!"). You went on your first family vacation this month!

Oh my sweet baby boy, your smile just melts me.  I love holding you and I love that you still love to be rocked (by this point your brother couldn't be rocked to sleep because he'd quickly wake up, but you let me rock you to sleep and you easily stay asleep).  You still go with the flow pretty well, but you are also starting to make your displeasure known more.  We all 3 would do anything to make you smile.  You light up our days and we're just so glad you're ours.

State Fair Drive Thru

One of our Fall traditions is going to the State Fair.  Because of COVID (in our house it's known as "Safe and healthy time") they had cancelled the fair awhile back.  Fletcher's Corny Dogs almost immediately started announcing popups where they'd have their food truck out to serve corny dogs and we considered going to one, but I can't eat dairy right now so I wouldn't be able to have one.  Then they announced they'd be doing a drive thru Fair experience with food and pictures with Big Tex.  David wasn't really interested in going since our littlest guy doesn't love the car so we had decided not to go.  But then my mom mentioned wanting to go, so we decided to take the kids on Friday and check it out.

We signed up for the 10:00-1:00 spot.  We got there at 9:30 and they were letting people in early so we actually got in before 10.  It was really well organized for us, we drove thru and got drinks, then fries, then corn dogs, then cotton candy.  

We let Cooper get out of his car seat to watch while we drove slowly through.

He loved seeing everything!

They had a space set up to park and get a picture with Big Tex.

We wore our masks in line and Cooper refused to take his off for the picture because #3yearold.  They had photographers taking pictures and then texted them to you right away.

It was fun driving past the Ferris wheel.  Cooper was adamant he would not ever want to ride it.

Our whole crew.  After we took our picture, my mom held Miles for the rest of the drive.  Anytime we interacted with fair staff they require you to wear a mask (which I appreciate!) so I kept mine on most of the time.

After Big Tex we stopped for a midway prize.  They have you pick a number and then that door determines what size prize you get.  Cooper chose 3 and got a large prize, a stuffed dog to take home.  Then we picked up fried Oreos and kettle corn before heading out.

We were done by about 10:30 and they had a parking lot at the exit where you could stop and picnic.  A couple was leaving and offered us their spot in the shade and then took a picture for us!

Cooper enjoyed all of the food.

Miles enjoyed the beautiful day!

Picnicking.  Cooper's favorite was the fried Oreos.  There were 3 in the container so we told him that was perfect so we could each have one.  He ate one and then started on another and when my mom reminded him we were sharing he got upset and said "But I was hungry for all of the fried Oreos."  Poor kid did not want to share, but then moved on to finish his corn dog and eat some cotton candy.

It was a beautiful day and we had a great time!  I know there had been some slower days the first weekend while they were getting started, but everything was efficient the day we went and everyone was so kind and seemed excited to have people at the Fair!  I'm glad we had a chance to check it out this year!

 

Pumpkins at The Arboretum

This past week we had the chance to go to the Pumpkin Village at the Arboretum with some friends!  

My sweet pumpkins both looking and smiling!

Baby's first pumpkin patch!

My big boy loved climbing on the pumpkins

He also had a blast with his friends!

My friend snapped this picture of baby M and it is my favorite.

It's definitely a weird year so it was nice to have a fairly normal Fall activity!  

September iPhone Rewind

Fall arrived this month and we had a lot of fun!

This guy is definitely loving his thumb and he's pretty precious.

College football is back!  The boys enjoyed all sporting their OU clothes.

We had a visit from Nanny and Pappaw!

Miles had his 4 month check up.  He is so confused about me wearing a mask so he stayed pretty reserved the whole time.

Our church had a service at the Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco.  We were thankful for an opportunity to worship with our church in a place that we felt fairly safe since we aren't ready to be back indoors yet.  They also took pictures at home plate which our boy loved!

Batman week of Superhero School brought some matching Batman brothers.

Someone is getting pretty good at tummy time

We had a friend invite us to join their "Adventure Club" so we join a group of friends every Friday for hiking.  Cooper has been having a blast!

Our littlest guy hangs in the carrier while brother plays.

We've also been doing some family hikes in preparation for our trip to Colorado.

We got to meet up with our friends for a picnic at the park.  Cooper loved getting to see Maddie, Eli, and Aiden and running around with them after lunch!