Trip to Colorado

This year the Clarke Family Reunion was in Colorado. Aaron and Allison's family hosted and organized a fun eventful vacation. What was even more exciting was that all of the sibling were able to come, in fact our whole family was there, minus Mark who I missed greatly.

I and the kids decided to travel out a few days early in order to catch up with Allison's family and to be able to visit a few of our Colorado friends. We made the 15 1/2 hour trip on Thursday the first of July. With navigation help from Colin, Caitlyn and even Austin we found our way fairly easily, only getting lost once. Colin was especially helpful on the trip. He really can read a map. Who needs a GPS with him around! Cailtyn was good with working the movies and passing out treats and she helped with the navigating for quite a while. Austin was especially good at helping with the little girls. She is great at solving arguments and in coming up with peaceful solutions. It is so much easier traveling with older kids there to help you.

(One fun fact that we noticed along the way was that we arrived in Lakeway on July 1st 2008 and then left Texas for the first time on July 1st 2010.)

We arrived in Fountain, Colorado Thursday night and the kids and their cousins immediately fell into old friendships. They spent the week visiting the Fountain Nature Preserve, playing at the splash park, playing with dolls, watching movies, playing in the sand box, going to a play at the library, beating up on each other, playing at the park, going on hikes, seeing fireflies, racing in Logan's jeep (Logan is an amazing driver), playing "Sharks and Minnows", movie tag, and sleeping in a tent in the back yard. Colin really enjoyed his Uncle Aaron and enjoyed staying up late playing computer games with him.

On Friday I was lucky enough to travel to the Denver Temple and attend a session, as well as visit the distribution center and Deseret Book. Allison of course watched my kids. She was truly wonderful as was the rest of my family in helping with my children so I rarely felt over burdened.

On Saturday evening we ate dinner with our friends the Nicolaysens and enjoyed swimming in their pool. It was so fun to catch up with them. Being with Gretchen made me a little more home sick for Colorado. We decided that we would attend our old ward (now the Broadmoor Ward) for church on Sunday. I visited with old friends and enjoyed Sacrament immensely. It was wonderful to hear the testimonies of the youth in that ward. They are growing up so faithful and strong in the gospel. I felt so lucky to see and learn from them.

On Monday Colin had an all day play date with his buddy Sam and I got to visit with his mother Heather. Again I was impressed with what an amazing family they have.

Tuesday we shopped and prepared for the Family Reunion and Allison gave out some much needed hair cuts, as well as taking me to the beauty supply shop. That evening I took Caitlyn to Safeway where she sampled and tasted different ingredients for cakes. She enjoyed the power of choosing the filling and frosting, while I and the salesman waited. The salesman, thank goodness, thought she was cute and just kept bringing her more things to try.

Wednesday was the big day. Cailtyn turned 10! Allison and the kids decorated the house with streamers. I ran to the store to buy a few last minute needed items and then Allison ran to pick up our parents from the airport. While she was gone the kids helped clean up the house. Alex and Camry were so helpful. I'm sure their mom really appreciates them. Once Allison was back with Mom and Dad we headed to the park for a fun birthday picnic. While we were there Caitlyn locked the keys in the van, so we had to call USAA and have them send out a lock smith. Lucky for us the man was close and got our door opened fast. (In fact it was a little too fast. I started to worry about his abilities at breaking into my car, but he reassured me that he wasn't a car thief in spite of all his tattoos.) Once the van was open we zipped across town the the movies, where we met Gretchen, Sidney and Megan Nicolaysen and watched "How To Train Your Dragon." Logan was so entertaining, through the whole movie he and Hallie jumped around and gathered treats from all in our group who had them. That night we had a wonderful dinner cooked by Allison and then we had Caitlyn's yummy cake and ice cream for dessert. That night Justin and Sherrie Lynn arrived along with Camille and Greg. Troy and Lisa also came, but they went straight to the hotel.

Thursday July 8th was the first official day of the Reunion. We awoke early and headed up to eat an amazing breakfast at the Black Bear Cafe. Then it was on to Water World. We played until around 4:30, going down slide after slide and enjoying the lazy river. The day was a bit overcast, so the lines were short and the park wasn't crowded. I wish I had had the chance to take pictures, but I ran around the whole time. Thanks to my parents and even Aaron I was able to play with my family and kids. It was a wonderful day, though at 4:30 it did start to down pour and we were drenched, along with everything we had with us. They did give us half day passes to come back another time, so I think Allison and Aaron may get to return this summer. We ate that night at Qdoba's in Castlerock and then it was home to Allison's house.

Friday morning we traveled to a great barbecue joint, where we had a real southern style breakfast. Oh my it was good! That afternoon we split up with half our group going to the Royal Gorge and half of us going White Water Rafting. Allison was kind enough to take Austin, Reagan and Hallie to the Royal Gorge, while Colin, Caitlyn and I went rafting. I heard the Royal Gorge was beautiful, but I sure felt lucky to be on the rafting trip. We rafted with a company called "River Runners." Our guide was very talented and knew all the best places to take us. It was amazing and when the trip was finally over I think we all were ready to go again.

Pictures taken by Austin, at the Gorge.

Pictures of our Rafting Trip Down the Arkansas River.

Saturday we woke up and got the kids ready for a cousins photo shoot. With the help of Lisa, Camille and especially Kaylie we have a bunch of new photos to look forward to. I can't wait for them all to arrive. That afternoon we had a barbecue at the Maravillas and then it was time for Caitlyn to receive her last present. Her Aunt Allison pierced her ears. Like a good mother I video taped it.

Sunday morning we woke by five and were on the road back home by a quarter to 6. I am so thankful we were able to go and can't wait for next year, when my Mark can come with us. For now it's just great to be back together in Texas.