We took off after a full belly of oatmeal and fruit and made it over 4 hours before making our first stop. I was economical and packed lunches that morning so we stopped at a rest stop somewhere along the beautiful Nebraska landscape :). It was really windy, but we managed and there was a little sand pit that the kids played in, (although I cringed a little knowing they would be getting sand all over the van when they were done). After potty breaks, diaper changes and dumping sand out of their shoes, we hit the road again. On any other day, each kid would fall asleep for a good 2-3 hours. Yeah, not that day! The twins took mini-I-don't-need-a-nap naps and AJ "wasn't tired," so after a couple more hours of riding everyone was ready for another break. We stopped at a Wendy's and shared a Frosty and allowed the kids to get their wiggles out. We spent the next few hours making up silly games, playing any song or watching any movie possible to keep everyone happy. This was definitely the longest stretch of the trip. Just an hour away from Loveland we stopped for dinner because the twins were still on Iowa time and according to their internal clock it was time for dinner. A little after 6:30 CO time we pulled into Canterbury Court. The twins fell asleep pretty well that first night while the older girls spent 40 minutes deciding where they were going to sleep. In the end, AJ ended up sleeping with Justin in the basement all week while I slept in the guest bed upstairs.
Day #1: Deaner had to work, so the rest of us played outside, went to the park for a bit, then went to their indoor pool/aquatic center after nap. AJ and Addie loved the hot tub and the twins enjoyed jumping in the pool from the side.
Day #2: Both Jason and Deaner had to work so we decided to keep all the kids at home with us (instead of having Addie and Kelsey go to daycare). We packed some snacks and loaded both mini vans to head out on our little adventure. A year ago, we went to a really nice outdoor park/splash pad in Fort Collins and thought it would be fun to head back. It was perfect weather and luckily not very busy, so we were able to keep a good eye on 5 kids running around. Addie and Alena did their own thing and I'll be honest and say I didn't really know what they were doing the majority of the time. Justin and I each were in charge of watching a twin (of course they couldn't be doing the same thing), and poor Kelsey just did her own thing-sometimes playing with the twins and big kids and sometimes playing with some random kids at the playground. I think one adult even asked her where here mom/dad was! Hey lady, we're doing our best to watch these kids! While pushing CW on the swing, the mom next to me asked how many kids I had. (Apparently she realized I was having a little trouble keeping track of everyone). Regardless, everyone had a grand ole time, no one got hurt, and no one got lost. I call that a success.
Day #3: We all decided to head to Denver and go to the Children's Museum. We got there a little before lunchtime and had a picnic outside before heading inside. There was an amusement park nearby and the kids enjoyed watching the roller coaster and other dare devil rides. The museum was really busy for the first hour (think end of school field trips!), so it was a little chaotic at the beginning. Again, AJ and Addie did their own thing with Kelsey usually in tow behind them with an adult. There was a fire truck with child-size jackets/hats. Caleb was in heaven and looked absolutely adorable in the get up. There was also a big bubble area where you could stand on a platform and raise a square rope that would form a bubble all around you. The twins got inside with Justin and of course when Caleb was getting off the platform, he stepped into the pool of bubbles. Every step he took caused bubbles to form from his right foot! Although cute, I'm sure it annoyed the crap out of him so I took his shoe and tried to wash if off as best as I could in the bathroom. Let's just say, bubbles are made of lots and lots and lots of soap! Then I attempted to dry his shoe with the hand dryer. Poor guy. Luckily we found an area that was only for kids under 3, and get this-you had to take your shoes off! So we spent a lot of time in this area, which was perfect for the twins. I'd be a liar if I didn't say Caleb probably enjoyed watching the tractors and construction workers outside the window more than the actual exhibits. Lauren loved the little house, kitchen and general store that was just her size. (Have I mentioned how girlie girl she is and how macho boy he is before!!!). The older girls made rockets, painted, built a house, and lots of other fun things I probably missed out on since I was following around the munchkins. It was a fun day and we were all tired on the ride home.
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| Who's missing? |
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| My Little Firefighter |
Day #4: Since this was our last full day here, we decided to just play outside and at the park. Jason lives in a cul de sac with a great group of neighbors. The kids are always outside which is fun and everyone just helps watch all the kids. AJ and Addie dressed up as Anna and Elsa most of the day, acting out different parts of the movie. Kelsey and Lauren played with dolls together and Caleb just wanted to be on something that moved, asking you to "push" him whenever he had the chance. That night we decided to get a little ice cream so we headed to Baskin Robbins right as a huge thunderstorm was coming, complete with hail. This is pretty atypical for CO and that night Loveland received 4 inches of rain!
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| First Manicure For L |
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| Elsa and Anna |
Day #5: It was time to head home. We decided to start the trip after lunch, praying to God everyone would take a nice long nap. It was the best decision ever! All three kids fell asleep for a little over 3 hours and we were able to drive another 2 hours before stopping. We stopped at Valentino's (somewhere in NE) and enjoyed a yummy buffet. Everyone filled their tummies. Then like ghetto travelers, we changed the kids into their jammies in the restaurant bathroom, brushed teeth and headed back into the van. We made it home without another stop! It was amazing and such an easy trip home!
It was definitely a bitter sweet trip as it may have been our last trip to Colorado (to visit my brother). If all the stars align, they are likely moving to Madison, WI. We are looking forward to them being 5 hours closer and many more get togethers. We will miss our trips to Colorado though. Traveling there, any time of year is always fun and there is a plethora of things to do there. I have a long list of things we never had the chance to do. I'm sure we will still make family trips out there in the future, but it's so nice having family there to enjoy it with. I'm just not sure skiing in WI is going to compare to CO. I know AJ will love having Addie closer. They are the best of buds and play so well together. What a great trip!
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