Last Vacation Post

I feel like there have been a ton of pictures from our vacation, and I guess that there are.  But I really wanted to make sure that I talked about everything.  This is a special time for us each summer and I want to make sure I document it all.  This is going to be the last one.  Then on to the rest of our lives. I feel like I just keep getting further and further behind.
So after all the fun we had with family and friends we got a special treat for the last week of our vacation.  We headed to Vail, CO with just my parents for a week of fun.  We stayed in their time share trade condo.  While it wasn't super fancy like they are sometimes, it was great to spend some time with just them.
We went to Leadville, Co (the highest incorporated city in North America) and rode an old train.  We also got a little altitude sickness at 14,000 feet.

The kids playing around waiting for to board the train.

We walked around Leadville for a while, and had lunch before we rode the train. 

The conductor was playing with Myles.  

Enjoying the ride.

When we got to the end of the line all the kids got a chance to sit in the engineers seat and pretend to drive the train.  They got a smashed penny from him.

Learning about how the train travels. 

The girls on the train.

Hanging out with Grandpa.

We also made the drive into Denver to watch a Rookies game.  

It was a pretty hot afternoon, but we had a blast.  The Rookies won and we made some great memories. 

One of the last days there, we rode the tram to the top of the ski lift.  That was an adventurous day.  

We thought this sign was funny.

After we explored the top of the mountain for a while we decided to have lunch.  While we were eating a small storm rolled in and they closed the gondola back down due to weather.  So we decided to hang out in the restaurant since we were already there.  We ordered one of each of the desserts not the menu and they shared them.  It was so fun and so good.  I think our waitress thought we were a little crazy.  This was the aftermath.  I wish I would have taken a picture of them when they first brought them to the table.

The dessert menu.

When the gondola reopened we went down the mountain and when we got to the bottom we make a split second decision to stay on and go back to the top thinking we would just come right back down. Well when we got to the top there was a line so we couldn't stay in and come back down and then they closed the gondola again and we were stuck at the top in a rather big storm.  We watched a movie and played Uno for about 45 minutes before we could come back down.  

On the gondola 

We survived the storm, we were just a little wet.  It was a really fun day.

The next day we got up early and headed back to Minnesota.  We decided to try and make it in one day.  We knew it would be long but it really didn't make sense to split it into two short days.  We made it home and rolled in about 2 am.  

We had a great vacation and loved all the time we got to spend with family.  

Vacation Day 16-20

We had a quiet weekend after our trip to Vernal, and then the next Monday we headed to Jake's sister's house in Logan.  They just moved back from North Carolina so it was good to spend some time with them while we were in Utah.  I love them so much.
Maren gave Myles is very first hair cut while we were there and cut Ashton's too.  She gave Lexie some amazing highlight and low lights.  She is an amazing hairdresser.  We also had a BBQ with as many of Jake's siblings that could come.

Myles before 

Maren doing her thing.

I just thought this picture was cute.  

This is what we saved of Myles' hair.  

After.  He looks so grown up.  It is amazing how a hair cut can do that. 

Ashton's new do

Lexie being silly.

Playing with Maren's horse, I mean dog.  

Koda is huge but so gently the kids love him. 

Ashton and Brinli

Jake and his brother Erick had on the same shirt.  It wasn't planned but it was funny.  

After dinner the kids got to play with a rocket thing that Erick had built.

They had a blast....literally!

Cousins on the porch.  

I love my family so much.  I miss them more than I can say. 

A few days later we got to visit with Jake's other brother, BJ and his wife Holly.  They couldn't make it to the group get togethers because they were either in Hawaii or in the process of moving back to Utah.  We hadn't seen them for a long time and they have the most precious little girl we got to meet for the first time.  Ciele is adorable.  

Vacation Day 15

We were blessed to be able to take a vary long vacation this year.  The next thing we did was make a trip to Vernal to see my sister and Grandparents.  It was a super fun day.

At my Grandma and Grandpa Madsen's.  Affectionately known as Grandma Jean and Grandpa Harvey.  Love them so much.

Ashton and Braelee.  You would never know that these two are the same age.  They were both 9 in this picture.  They were born 4 months apart.  

Myles had a ball riding the 4 wheeler with Dad.

Abbie exploring the farm.  

Up in the hay loft. 

Climbing the same tree I did as a child.  

And no trip to Vernal is complete without a few horse rides.

Abbie and Natalee riding

Me and Myles with my horse Beau.  

Too cute.

Ashton also loves the 4 wheeler.

This boy.  

Myles getting a ride. 

My horse has been know to be a little stubborn in his old age.... who am I kidding, he has always been stubborn, just like his owner.  Myles couldn't get him to move an inch.  

Apples for a treat.  

He is getting up there in age.  I'm not 100% sure but I think he is 26.  He's at least that old, he might be 28.  I can't remember.  That is old for a horse.  I never dreamed all my kids would be able to ride him.  

I honestly don't know if he will make it another year.  He is really showing his age.  

I also got a great visit with my best friend from high school.  I love how we can just pick up right where we left off.  

She had her youngest with her.  She enjoyed the horses too.

Some of the cousins with Grandma and Grandpa, with one extra.

My family with my Grandma and Grandpa.  Love them.

Cousins.  Wish we lived closer.

It was a fantastic day and it seems like I keep saying this, but man I wish it would have lasted longer and we could visit more often.  

I love my family.