Roadfessionals Recap - Part One - Days 1-3

We're home and are coming down off of our "vacation high".  It's always so surreal to me when I walk back into the house and it kind of feels like we never left :)  

I took way too many pictures of our trip and so I'm going to divide the trip into several posts.  Today I'm going to share our travel day(s) and first full day in Colorado!

We loaded up last Tuesday afternoon when Dave got done at work (around 4:00) and I was cracking up at my babies filing out the front door carrying their blankets and pillows.  They're my kind of travelers.

Loaded up and ready to go!

This girl got fidgety and the only cure... mommy's hands. ;)

We drove from McKinney to Amarillo (the panhandle of Texas) and arrived at our hotel around 11:00 p.m.

The kids had all been asleep in the car, but when we got to the hotel they were ready to jump and play.  Awesome.  They finally settled into bed a little after midnight.  Oi.

This boy loves the blardigan as much as his mama.  #travelstaple

We were up and at 'em early on Wednesday morning and we stopped by Cadillac Ranch on our way out of Amarillo.

If you have no clue what Cadillac Ranch is, it's is a public art installation and sculpture that was created in 1974 by Chip Lord,Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, who were a part of the art group Ant Farm. It consists of what were (when originally installed during 1974) either older running used or junk Cadillac automobiles, representing a number of evolutions of the car line (most notably the birth and death of the defining feature of mid twentieth century Cadillacs: the tailfins) from 1949 to 1963, half-buried nose-first in the ground, at an angle corresponding to that of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. (Thanks, Wikipedia) :)

I attempted to set up the self timer on my phone to grab a quick family picture and snapped this pic of Griffin running around with a used firecracker.  #awesome

We didn't bring any spray paint, but next time we'll be more prepared to leave our mark.

The boys had fun putting Chloe (if you don't know who Chloe is, click HERE to read about her) on the cars and snapping pictures.

Can you spy Chloe??? :)

We didn't paint this, but it was super convenient :)

We hit the road again through West Texas and into New Mexico...

The boys colored, watched movies and played on their Kindles and this girl jabbered and sang :)

We made it to Colorado around lunch time and stopped to take the obligatory welcome sign picture :)

A sheriff was actually taking a picture as well and offered to take a family one for us.  :)

And Chloe needed a picture as well...

We stopped for lunch and a leg stretch...

.... and then naps for everyone! (well, except for Dave. hahaha)

Through Colorado Springs we hit a thunderstorm and that's my awesome hubby walking back to the car with Starbucks for me.  #hesthebest

Then we hit a rough patch.  Lots of traffic and lots of tears and restlessness from sweet girl.

We found a little community park and let the littles loose :)

A short walk did all of our spirits good!

After a jumping jack session we were back on the road.

We made it to Golden, Colorado and stopped for groceries.  We got out of the car and it was about 50 degrees outside.  We got our second wind and were ready for the final leg!

We started to see mountains and everyone was getting excited!

We FINALLY pulled into our townhouse in Vail and grabbed a quick dinner and then had lots of exploring time.  There were 5 half flights of stairs and the kids had the best time!

We ate, changed into PJs and then sat outside and enjoyed the porch.  And exhale.

Thursday morning we went to Vail Village and headed to the pirate ship playground.

We were LOVING the brisk morning!

We'd been at Vail Village about 4 minutes when I decided I wanted to move in :)

The excitement was palpable!!!

All three of my kids LOVE dogs and NEVER pass up an opportunity to ask if they can pet :)

 

Griffin will swing for HOURS!!!

There was this great area in the creek with a grassy spot on the other side and Luke watched some kids cross the frigid creek and I could tell he was contemplating...

... and then he was off!

Mason wanted to cross sooooooo badly, but couldn't make himself do it.  So I did it with him :)

And of course, sister bear wanted to get her toes wet too.

Chloe played as well...

I'm telling you... we met every dog in Vail :)

We stopped for pizza (a common theme on this trip)...

... and then we took the trail along the creek up to the amphitheater and park.

Typical... Griffin finishing my tea, Mason taking a picture of Luke's hiney :) hahahaha

Luke took the camera and...

We made a pit stop on the way back down the trail to cool off and stick our toes in the water.

We threw rocks, watched birds and Mason drank from the creek... because he's Mason.

Like any good hike we ended it with ice cream.

After a short rest back at the townhouse we decided to explore the property right outside our back door...

We scootered over to the recreation center at the racquet club.

And kissed another puppy along the way :)

The house we were staying in was connected to the main racquet club area with this great bridge.

We checked out the pool area and decided we couldn't pass up the chance to swim so we walked back home, got changed and then walked back again :)

The water was WAY too cold for our Texas bodies so we hung out in the hot tub for a bit and then headed back home for baths and then dinner on the porch.

We were exhausted and all headed to bed early.  With the windows open :)  

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