Visiting Glenwood Springs, Colorado

At the beginning of February we packed up and set off to visit my two brothers in Glenwood Spring Colorado. It's been 8 years since we were last there and they have been to Malta numerous times, so it was definitely well overdue.We decided we would leave Thursday night and drive 1/2 way. We are kind of wusses when it comes to any drive over four hours.  On the way we did a little shopping and the kids we anxious to be done in the car so we went to dinner at the Blue Lemon in Draper. I love the atmosphere and food there, even if Nolan says it's all chick food.

 I told them we were going to have a big surprise coming up because they were so good in the car after. We were taking them to Scheels to ride the ferris wheel. As we got closer Thomas and Grace squeeled in deligh, "ARE we going to get to ride the escalator?" Nolan and I looked at each other and started laughing. Our poor deprived country kids.

They enjoyed the ride, the aquarium, all the stuffed animals, and the kids place. That's my kind of store! Then we drove to our friends parents mansion to stay the night. It was really fun to see their, beautiful home, and meet our friends family. The kids were so pooped Thomas unrolled his sleeping bag right in the formal piano room and laid down 5 minutes after walking in the door. I wish I could have gotten pictures. The next morning we were up at the crack of dawn and headed out. The drive went really well thanks to a Nolan hooking up the N64 for the older kids to play and Emma and James playing with arts and crafts pom poms. Our car was covered in them, but they were happy. Thanks RaeAnn for those to stuff in a wipe case!

It's so fun to visit different parts of the country. Thomas and Grace loved that they lived right in the city, and had an awesome tree in their front yard.  We were really lucky to have beautiful weather.

 We went to a park the first day and enjoyed delicious chicken enchiladas Craig and Rebekah whipped up that night.

 The next day we walked around Glenwood and toured a few shops. Grace loved going into the rock store, and as we left told me, "I don't know what it is mom, but rocks are just special to me."

That afternoon they watched our kids so Nolan and I could enjoy a couples massage that Rebekah had lined up at her spa for us. It was both of ours first time and we are hooked! It was so relaxing and I don't know if an hour could have gone by any faster!

That night we were lucky enough to see their yearly firework show! They do it in February instead of July because of fire hazard and we all were so happy they do! My brother Brett loves his nieces and nephews. Craig and Rebekah are great hosts. They are up for whatever you want to do.

Craig is lovingly referred to as "Uncle Wii" in our family because he manages a GameStop and knows everything Nintendo. We had so much fun playing games together each night.

Usually the kids were rationed on their electronic consumption but they were happy playing and finding other things to do. The drawer full of play doh was a huge hit for my girls. Hopefully their carpet isn't too worse for wear now.

On Sunday morning we woke up and drove to Aspen to go to church at my Aunt Jan's branch. We got a lot of warm welcomes and requests to move in. Made us feel very loved. They also had food offered after each hour. I was definitely sold on that! We headed over to my Aunts dreamy home on the Ski mountain afterwards for some fun, food, and sledding. We all had a great time, and I am so happy to have such great relationships with my Aunts. Aunt Jan toured us around downtown Aspen afterwards and it's definitely a different lifestyle there! Very entertaining to see.
The next morning it was time to say our goodbyes and head home. We drove it all in one shot on the way home and survived. This was a great trip and I realized we can venture out of our little Utah, Montana, Idaho bubble once a while. But only once and a while :-)