Uncle Mark and Aunt Heather were nice enough to invite us on a mini vaca with them and some other family members last month to Breckenridge, Colorado. The guest list included our family, Mark and Heather and Ranger, Grandpa Austin, (adopted) Grandma and Grandpa Dolly and Sterling and Samantha and Wanda. We had quite the party! Grandpa Austin boarded with us and so we were able to go over to Mark and Heather's almost every night after the kids were asleep to play games and hang out, it was lots of fun!!
It seems I had heard of Breckenridge, CO before but not really knowing exactly when or why. I had a feeling I knew at least the kind of place it was ... quiet little skiing town nestled amidst the mountains in Colorado. My family used to go to Steamboat Springs, CO in the summers. There's a whole different atmosphere in the summertime for a skiing community. Shops are offering bargains (if not completely closed) and streets are pretty much empty. But I love these little towns in the summer! You have to look a little harder to find things to entertain the kids, but once you do, the memories become magical. The picture below is the view from our living room balcony! Breathtaking to say the least.
We did a little exploring of the town. The main street was quite similar to something you see in Park City ... quaint little tourist shops and Tshirt stores.
The first few days were a little bewildering. It seemed as though we had just left the beginnings of summer in Utah to head back to wintertime in Colorado (10,600 feet elevation after all). It mostly rained (and even snowed a bit) so we were homebound and had to find ways to keep the kids entertained. The animal life surrounding the condo did the trick! A little red fox was seen the first couple of days roaming around the condos and we finally enticed it to come and take a picture for us! It smelled Scott BBQing and couldn't resist! We put some dog treats out the door and got it to come amazingly close!
We spent quite a few nights in the hot tub! Can you believe the view from the windows? The mountains were absolutely gorgeous! And at night you could see the stars while having a soak ... it was beautiful.
When the rain finally stopped we talked everyone into going on a train ride. 
Left to right ... Marley, Samantha, Heather, Ethan, Grandpa Austin, Wanda, Mark and Scott.
First we went under the bridge and then over ... quite the view.
Marley made friends with Mark's niece, Samantha, within the first ten minutes we were there. She had to sit next to her the whole way! 
What's a historical site without the penny flattening machine?
The kids talked Grandpa Sterling into giving them the coins they needed for the machine ... thank you again Grandpa Sterling!
Marley really loved hanging out with the girls ... Heather and Wanda.
Visitor Center
Marley dressing up like a old-time pioneer ... mommy had to try it out too.
Another highlight from the trip was horseback riding. Marley and I went up the mountain on a guided trail. It was really great for Marley considering her latest fascination with everything horses! She loves My Little Pony and her favorite tv show is "Horseland". So can you imagine what a good time she had? The only other times she has been on a horse was the little pony ride at Thanksgiving Point where the ponies go around and around in a circle. She was in heaven! 
She got to ride "Star", a much bigger horse than she was used too ... though tethered tightly to a rope by our guide of course!
Though we did lots of fun things during the week, I have to say that Marley and Ethan's favorite part was ... Ranger. Mark and Heather's furry friend became Marley and Ethan's new best friend. The excitement of seeing Ranger caused quite a few extra early mornings but it was well worth it. I am sure they completely wore the poor dog out by the end of the week but they had a really great time doing it! The both have missed him since we left ... Marley especially shed many tears. When it was time to go she cried and cried and said she sure was going to miss Ranger! Don't worry Mark and Heather ... she misses you too (in her own 4 year old way). We really had such an amazing time ... THANKS AGAIN!
We did a little exploring of the town. The main street was quite similar to something you see in Park City ... quaint little tourist shops and Tshirt stores.The first few days were a little bewildering. It seemed as though we had just left the beginnings of summer in Utah to head back to wintertime in Colorado (10,600 feet elevation after all). It mostly rained (and even snowed a bit) so we were homebound and had to find ways to keep the kids entertained. The animal life surrounding the condo did the trick! A little red fox was seen the first couple of days roaming around the condos and we finally enticed it to come and take a picture for us! It smelled Scott BBQing and couldn't resist! We put some dog treats out the door and got it to come amazingly close!We spent quite a few nights in the hot tub! Can you believe the view from the windows? The mountains were absolutely gorgeous! And at night you could see the stars while having a soak ... it was beautiful.When the rain finally stopped we talked everyone into going on a train ride. Left to right ... Marley, Samantha, Heather, Ethan, Grandpa Austin, Wanda, Mark and Scott.First we went under the bridge and then over ... quite the view.Marley made friends with Mark's niece, Samantha, within the first ten minutes we were there. She had to sit next to her the whole way! What's a historical site without the penny flattening machine?The kids talked Grandpa Sterling into giving them the coins they needed for the machine ... thank you again Grandpa Sterling!Marley really loved hanging out with the girls ... Heather and Wanda.Visitor CenterMarley dressing up like a old-time pioneer ... mommy had to try it out too.Another highlight from the trip was horseback riding. Marley and I went up the mountain on a guided trail. It was really great for Marley considering her latest fascination with everything horses! She loves My Little Pony and her favorite tv show is "Horseland". So can you imagine what a good time she had? The only other times she has been on a horse was the little pony ride at Thanksgiving Point where the ponies go around and around in a circle. She was in heaven! She got to ride "Star", a much bigger horse than she was used too ... though tethered tightly to a rope by our guide of course! Though we did lots of fun things during the week, I have to say that Marley and Ethan's favorite part was ... Ranger. Mark and Heather's furry friend became Marley and Ethan's new best friend. The excitement of seeing Ranger caused quite a few extra early mornings but it was well worth it. I am sure they completely wore the poor dog out by the end of the week but they had a really great time doing it! The both have missed him since we left ... Marley especially shed many tears. When it was time to go she cried and cried and said she sure was going to miss Ranger! Don't worry Mark and Heather ... she misses you too (in her own 4 year old way). We really had such an amazing time ... THANKS AGAIN!
6 comments:
Wow, what a trip! :)
It looks like you had a great trip.
Looks like a great trip despite the weather! We missed you though. I have to say...I really don't like when you go away. Is that ridiculous? You can NEVER move. And might I add...you and a bonnett...:) Looking GOOD.
Looks like oodles of fun. I'm getting outdoorsy in my old age and that sounds perfect.
What a nice vacation...beautiful views, family time and hot tubbin'...that sounds SO nice to me right now. Marley's gymnastics pics are ADORABLE, by the way. She's got such a personality.
What a fantastic vacation!!! I just love Colorado. That train looks really cool--you look great in the old fashioned clothes--and I just think you are beautiful in that profile picture of you and Ethan. This seriously looks like a blast. Glad you got to go together.
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