Out With a Bang...

Today was our last full day here...

very sad.

So, we decided to pack in as much fun as possible.

We visited and hiked around 2 of our favorite lakes here and had a blast.

It's late, and we're leaving for Denver in the morning to lunch with some family, so I'll just throw out a few of our favorite moments of the day!

(no his mommy did not hit him in the head with a snowball...that would be mean)

We're a little Ace heavy today, but he really hammed it up for the camera today.

On any other day, if you want him to go bashful in a second, either pull out a camera or make a comment about his red hair in public.

And lastly, Hubs made the mistake of mentioning that he ran across a yarn store in town...

unfortunately, for him, I've been pulled out of my recent knitting hiatus :)

How cute is that bag??

So, I've broken my pact with Bec about buying new yarn before all the rest is knit, 

but have a fun project for the ride home!

Don't Feed The Animals...

Yesterday afternoon we hung out at Lilly Lake.

We'd never been there before, but will we ever go back!

It was gorgeous.

Hubs was able to do some fishing with his redheaded shadow.

Bug and I set off to hike around the trail, but were interrupted by rain...

So we hung out in the car for a little while while the storm ran through.

We're just hard core like that!

Now, the next part happened quite innocently.

See, when you travel with Hubs, you must always have a bag of sunflower seeds with you.

We have a huge bag right in front of the console, and he just grabs a handful whenever he wants.

The kids and I munch on them occasionally, and when we got out of the car Ace grabbed the bag to take on our walk...Cuz I might be hungry and need a snack...

Well, lesson learned...

because it seems that these little guys hearing is fine tuned to crinkling plastic bags...

In an instant, we were surrounded by 4 eager chipmunks.

Well, these guys were coming right up to our feet...

for those of you who have met Bug and her quirks, 

you can just imagine the screaming and scrambling that occurred the first time a chipmunk ran up to her.

I'm still recovering the hearing I lost.

Hubs came on over after he was done fishing and had to show us how brave he is.

At one point they were actually holding on to his pinkie to get the seed!

And of course, Bug the Brave was assuming her normal position...

And now...for the mystery animal of the trip.

I'm hoping one of you avid readers can solve the mystery...

There were 2 of them.

Initially we were thinking beaver...

looks like a beaver from here...

but after closer examination

They don't have a flat tail.

They swam great, were eating trees and weeds in the water,

but their tails looked like a thick, dark, rat tail...

our mystery swimming, beaver, rat thingy.

All input appreciated!

Snow Day!!

Number One on the kids list of things to do this week has been to play in the snow...

well, today we found it!

Here's a full family photo on the way to the "top of the mountain".

and this is where they have plowed the road out...

it was at least 10 ft of snow...

even the visitor center had to be dug out!

This has nothing to do with snow...but Ace had to have a vest just like daddy and Grandpa...

I love this kid!

Of course, we had to pull over for some snowball fighting!

yes, Hubs sank almost to his knees!

And, finally, one more family shot...

The View...

A lot of today was spent in the car.

We went up Trail Ridge Road.

I had forgotten how absolutely breathtaking the scenery is here.

So, for now, I'll just awe you with the view...

Wow, this place has a way of making you feel pretty insignificant!

To imagine that the same God that made these mountains even bothers with you and me is very humbling!

Tuesday...

It's been another fun and busy day!

In lieu of trying to come up with clever banter, today will mostly be pics.

I'm tired.

Night Shifters don't sleep well at night...

apparently even in the mountains with the fan blowing, the river flowing, and rain pitter pattering the deck.

Even when you don't think you could be any more exhausted.

It's a hard life...sigh.

So, today was mostly just shopping and hanging out down town.

Delicious Candy Apples!!

and how does Ace eat his carmel, chocolate, coconut apple???

My idea of heaven in a box...

Seriously folks...

this little shop in downtown makes the BEST cinnamon taffy a girl could ever dream of!

Since we'll be looking for snow tomorrow, Bug and Hubs are sporting some new hiking boots!

The brave among us headed out for some bumper boat fun...

and were absolutely soaked in the process...

and yes, that is my amazing, valiant, fearless Hubs 

hiding behind my 3 y.o. using clever tactical maneuvers in attempt to come out dry...

didn't work out too well...everybody involved was soaked through!

Lucky for them, there were go karts right next door.

By the end of the fun we were pooped!

and needed a boost...

and after dinner...

we could barely keep our eyes open :)

Never fear, he rallied after this shot and had to be wrestled to sleep later.

Wildlife for Grammy...

It's no secret that we love our Gram...well, Grandpa too for that matter.

Bug and Ace were very sad when they couldn't make the trip with us.

Now, Gram, I bet your wishing you were here with us...

you see, Gram, for the last 12+ years we've ventured to RMNP, has been on the lookout for the elusive 

Big Horned Sheep

No matter how hard she tries...she's either too early or too late.

The only time she's seen them, she was so frustrated that Nana insisted (over and over) that she saw those "ram horns" first that she wasn't able to full appreciate the experience :)

So, what did we come across tonight  on our first venture into the park??

You got it!

Look Gram...the Ram Horns :)

In other interesting news, we are excited that a lot of elk are still down in the lower areas...

We saw this big group in a meadow right inside the entrance

then went on to see some really big bucks later...when my camera batteries died :(

Then, something we've never seen here before literally ran right in front of the car...

a badger

Sorry for the behind view...that thing was fast!

Here he is after I blew him up in iphoto.

Whew...I have forgotten how beautiful it is here!

Hope you enjoy your picture Gram...missin ya big time!