COLORADO-THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS!

We're back from Colorado and what a trip it was! Here is a recap of how we spent our time on vacation.

Day 1

We arrived in Colorado right on time. The first flight easy and quick but the 2nd flight was a bit more difficult. Being that it was longer and we were messing with nap time-Riley was a bit more restless, but thank goodness we had a portable dvd player because she loved being able to watch some Baby Einsteins on the plane! We all got situated in our rooms and as we were getting ready for dinner it started to hail! It hailed 3 times that night! Below you'll see Riley with Her Daddy and Uncle EJ. We were trying to let her explore and get familiar with the different terrains. Can you tell she loved the hills?

Day 2

Today we met up with Nick's baby sister, Jessica who lives in Tennessee. She just so happen to be visiting her boyfriend in Denver the same time we were in Colorado so we planned a lunch date to meet up. First, we had lunch at a fun and very interesting place called Fargo's. I guess they're known for their pizza and now I know why! It was SO delish!! Afterwards we decided to do some shopping in the local stores but it started to storm so we ended up in The Citidel Mall-woo!

Riley was pretty beat from all of the excitment from seeing Auntie Jessica again, so on the way home she took a quick cat nap.

Once we got back to the ranch all Riley wanted to do was RUN! So her wonderful Uncle EJ ran with her and got her very interested in dandilions.

Here is Nana and Uncle Kyle

Grandpa and Nana

Day 3

On this day we traveled down to Cripple Creek to catch bugs and butterflies. Riley loved picking the flowers! Notice the harness-this was to make sure she didn't trip over a rock or catch her foot in a hole of some sort. Just being cautious! =)

We then went to Stabucks to grab some coffee and hit the ice cream store next door. Riley also cut tooth #7 today! FINALLY!!!! She got her own ice cream to celebrate!

Bath time is super fun here too because

a.) we get to have fun in the tub with cousin Elena and

b.) for some reason the bubbles last MUCH longer up here-don't know why-maybe it has something to do with the water...

Day 4

Royal Gorge is where we ventured off to today to collect more bugs, butterflies and birds. We stopped and had lunch in a beautiful park called Veteran's park where Riley enjoyed the grass, the fountain and all her family. Then we came back to play in the grass at the ranch and relaxed.

Day 5

On Wednesday, we decided to try out a different attraction that we've always driven by, but never took the time to check out. Cave of the Winds is where we ended up and it was a very cool place to tour! Before the tour took off we had some time to kill so Riley took her first solo car ride.

Once again, back to the ranch where this time we played with all of the cousins and Uncles!

Striking a pose with Uncle EJ!

Uncle Kyle and Cousin Elena

*Muah!*

Day 6
Shopping Day! We drove about 1.5 hours to go to a town called Salida and it was rows and rows of cute shops! I love shopping at the local places and we all wish we had more time to explore what the town had to offer.

My teething queen!

Day 7

Our last day to explore Colorado. Today we stayed on the ranch's property and took a very familiar hike to "Top of the World" The whole hike takes around 2.5 hours so for this one Riley stayed back in the room with Nick. I took full advantage of the exercise and baby free time! The flowers are so beautiful in Colorado.

And have you ever seen this many lady bugs at one time??

Nana & Grandpa

Uncle Kyle

Nana, Aunt Mary, Oma (Riley's Great-Grandma) and Aunt Joanie all being silly =)

The whole hiking crew!

That night we had some rain and God showed us some of his beauty by giving us a gorgeous rainbow. It got much bright after this picture was taken but at that point my battery had just about had it...oh well, at least I got some of the rainbow.

Day 8
Back on the plane to fly home to Sunny South Florida! What a great time we all had in Colorado this year!