Later in the week, we were also joined by yet another great Austin friend, Delia, who now lives in Spokane, WA going to law school. You go girl!
Our trip was filled with beautiful scenery, wonderful weather, great company, a fun birthday celebration, family love from Al's brothers and a wonderful wedding to end the week.
Lots of pictures!
Sunday:
We made it!! Taylor is very excited to be in a big minivan! Look at all the space, woo!! Sorry Taylor, mommy and daddy aren't QUITE ready to be minivan owners. Need to take baby-steps with that one.
On our way to Estes Park, we made a pit-stop in Boulder to visit Al's brother Orion, his wife Kristin and their 2-year old daughter, Maisie. They lent us a pack n' play, a hiking backpack, booster seat, and our favorite item, a GPS!Sweet picture of the cousins, Maisie and Taylor. Maisie is almost exactly 3 months older than Tay. I think the last time they were together was Christmas 2007! Dig back in the archives to see them in their tu-tus!
The little ladies eating at their table.
Taylor playing with some of Maisie's toys, sitting on the front porch.
Monday
Finally made it to Estes! One of our first elk sightings! These guys were not shy! Just hanging out around the visitor's center:
Lunch in Estes. Thankfully this is one of the few weeks that Taylor was really into smiling at the camera. Yay Tay!
First trip out with the hiking backpack. I think the hike was supposed to be about 3 miles.This is about 1.3 miles into it, hehe. Poor Al, it was a steep climb and we hadn't gotten adjusted to the altitude yet. First full day in Estes and first hike. Taylor was doing ok though so don't worry. ;)
Beautiful views during the hike:
Jon taking a turn with Taylor. Why is SHE so tired??
A fun rock shaped like a foot that Al wanted to climb.
Unfortunately he didn't think through the exit strategy. In the end, Jon had to help him get down...and I was offering support by videotaping it. Hehe. Unfortunately it didn't turn out so great otherwise I would post it. ;)
Taylor taking a little break too while daddy is goofing around. One of my favorite pictures of her.
Gorgeous sunset view from our rental house:
Breakfast on one of the balconies.
Little Diva at lunch in Boulder:
Later that day having dinner with Maisie before daddy plays soccer with uncle Ross. Al's other brothers (Lucas and Ross) met us in Boulder on Tuesday.
Beautiful views during the hike:
Jon taking a turn with Taylor. Why is SHE so tired??
A fun rock shaped like a foot that Al wanted to climb.
Unfortunately he didn't think through the exit strategy. In the end, Jon had to help him get down...and I was offering support by videotaping it. Hehe. Unfortunately it didn't turn out so great otherwise I would post it. ;)
Taylor taking a little break too while daddy is goofing around. One of my favorite pictures of her.
Gorgeous sunset view from our rental house:
Breakfast on one of the balconies.
Little Diva at lunch in Boulder:
Later that day having dinner with Maisie before daddy plays soccer with uncle Ross. Al's other brothers (Lucas and Ross) met us in Boulder on Tuesday.How about some chicken??
Don't mind if I do!
Al and his brothers, Lucas, Ross and Orion.
Al (the goalie) playing soccer with Ross (in background) just like old times. The other guys on the team asked if Al could play again the following week. Wish we could!!
Taylor having fun and going a little bonkers watching the game.
The next day we decided to make our way up to Trail Ridge Drive in Rocky Mountain National Park. Look, another elk!
Beautiful mountain views:
One of my favorite family photos. Such pretty scenery!
Sweet Taylor Jean:
Back at the house, Taylor giving some 'tude after a bath.
Out for mommy's birthday dinner! Taylor trying some of daddy's spaghetti. Yum!
Taylor and Mommy...I think we took 10 shots like this and in every one, I look the same and Taylor is either a blur or making faces like this. Such a nut.
Taylor with her buddy Michelle!
Another hiking trip! This time just Al, Taylor and Jon.
One day we checked out the arial tram on the other side of the mountain we were staying on (Prospect Mountain).
The top of the hill was over-run by Chipmunks because you could buy peanuts to feed them! Even Taylor got in on the action. How cute is this??
Michelle got super brave after a couple of bags of peanuts!!
On the tram:
View from the top, beautiful even in drizzly weather:
The next day (Thursday) we had Delia in town and took another hike. The ladies (minus Taylor) me, Delia and Michelle:
The ladies all dolled-up:
Me and my honey, before he had to take the nugget home to bed and let mommy stay out late. :)
Great friends, Michelle, Jane and Delia
Our home for the week, what a fabulous place!
Quick video of Taylor dancing the night away at the wedding, dress undone and all:
Don't mind if I do!
Al and his brothers, Lucas, Ross and Orion.
Al (the goalie) playing soccer with Ross (in background) just like old times. The other guys on the team asked if Al could play again the following week. Wish we could!!
Taylor having fun and going a little bonkers watching the game.
The next day we decided to make our way up to Trail Ridge Drive in Rocky Mountain National Park. Look, another elk!
Beautiful mountain views:
One of my favorite family photos. Such pretty scenery!
Sweet Taylor Jean:
Back at the house, Taylor giving some 'tude after a bath.
Out for mommy's birthday dinner! Taylor trying some of daddy's spaghetti. Yum!
Taylor and Mommy...I think we took 10 shots like this and in every one, I look the same and Taylor is either a blur or making faces like this. Such a nut.
Taylor with her buddy Michelle!
Another hiking trip! This time just Al, Taylor and Jon.
One day we checked out the arial tram on the other side of the mountain we were staying on (Prospect Mountain). 
The top of the hill was over-run by Chipmunks because you could buy peanuts to feed them! Even Taylor got in on the action. How cute is this??
Michelle got super brave after a couple of bags of peanuts!! 
On the tram:
View from the top, beautiful even in drizzly weather:
The next day (Thursday) we had Delia in town and took another hike. The ladies (minus Taylor) me, Delia and Michelle:
Friday evening was the wedding. Michelle was a bridesmaid and Jane had asked me months ago to be her day-of coordinator. I don't know how many people know this about me, but I actually considered (albeit briefly) looking into becoming a wedding planner. I had so much fun planning my own and loved all of the coordination and organizing. I decided quickly though that I didn't want to work weekends or deal with crazy brides. ;) Anyway, I had SO much fun living out my dream for one evening. It was an ideal wedding to be coordinating, a laid-back bride and groom, a fun group of friends, and a low-maintenance wedding. The hardest thing I had to do was keep track of the time for toasts and the Ipod playlists! It was a blast!
They had the wedding at the historic Stanley Hotel (and no, the Shining was NOT filmed there, Stephen King just got the idea of the book while staying there).
Beautiful scenery and weather for the back-drop:
The ladies all dolled-up:
Me and my honey, before he had to take the nugget home to bed and let mommy stay out late. :)
Great friends, Michelle, Jane and Delia
Our home for the week, what a fabulous place!
Quick video of Taylor dancing the night away at the wedding, dress undone and all:
1 comment:
What great pics! Looks like you guys had a wonderful time! I especially loved the pic of Taylor giving attitude :) And as for the minivan, I know how you feel. I said I'd never have one- but we got one for Shane's company car. I still HATE the idea of it, but it's actually so nice.....
Post a Comment