Colorado - visiting Johnson Family

Our family was lucky to get in a family vacation before the boys went back to school. This was the first in a year. I've been on several trips with the boys while Nathaniel worked. Nathaniel went on this one. YAH!!

We decided to visit a childhood friend of Nathaniel's and his family, Lynn and Cameo Johnson. We had a full week. And I'm hooked on Colorado.

We arrived Monday night and were able to visit with Cameo's little sister and her husband as they were passing through from Kansas.

Tuesday we went to the Asian Market. It was more like an Asian Wal-Mart. The boys had fun looking at all of the frozen fish, chicken heads, pigs feet... you name it, it was there. Lynn made a simple Korean lunch for the boys with seasoned squid slices. Leo loved the squid, but he wouldn't try the anchovy. Lynn made us Korean soup for lunch (that I'm craving now) and then Korean lettuce wraps for dinner.

Wednesday we went to Elitch's. It's a really great amusement park. We were there most the day. I took Leo on some ride's that he was too small for. He seemed scared, but as long as I held him close, he was good. Ethan was tall enough to go on all the rides. He had a blast with Cora. Isaac loved the rides he and Granger rode on together.



Thursday we hung out at the Johnson home. Later that afternoon we went up north to visit my Aunt Laura and her family. We had a nice visit. She had kept some toys from when her kids were younger - which made it perfect for Leo to have something to occupy him. Is it weird that I was once a kid, playing with her kids and now that I'm married and have a family... I have conversations with the adults? Look Mom and Dad! I'm at the big person table! But really, we had a nice visit. Love those people.

Lynn had purchased a BIG raft awhile back and wanted to try it out. Friday we went to REI that was built inside a Power Plant from 1901. We also took a trolley to see a couple sites and learn a little more history about downtown Denver. In the middle of the city is a river (that flows north - crazy!). About 100 feet of it was built for families to come and "go down the river rapids". There were kids going down with regular pool floaties. And then there was this idiot that decided he would be cool and walk on the outside of the bridge and jumped into the river. And he didn't die. Idiot!



Saturday we went to Arapahoe. There is a man-made lake. It does not allow anything motorized. It also doesn't allow water from the river the day before. The guys had to wipe the raft down first. It kind of reminded me of something out of "The Truman Show". The kids had fun playing in the water and also building a sand castle. Lynn and Nathaniel went out several times with passengers on the raft. Everyone wore a life vest.... even 5 month old Ezra. Ask Lynn...



Later Saturday night, we went out with the adults. Cameo and Lynn have a great setup of a babysitting co-op with several families in their ward. It was the adults and 2 babies. We went out to the Cheesecake Factory. The city in Denver is really nice. For those that know Arizona, it's not dirty like Phoenix. It's more on the side of Mill Avenue, but not even as trashy as that. It's got more class and adults going out having a great time and dressed up. There were girls with a Bridal shower. Everyone out there was having a good time. It was fun just being in the city... I live in the country, so I was easily pleased.



We stayed up every night watching a movie on their Clear Play (it blocks out the "rated R" stuff). Or just talking. I had a great time. I felt very at home their. Their home was the first friends home I stayed at. It was comfortable and now I miss them!

But this does not end our travels....

We left Sunday morning to start our travel back home. Into Wyoming (only 2 and a half hours on the road) our car stops. It won't start. Nothing. My boys had to use the bathroom and since there aren't any bushes on the highway for them to use, there was a small gas station in Arlington. It was a mile away and we had to walk on the highway. After talking to our insurance and getting it all set up to be towed... 5 (FIVE! CINCO! V.) hours later, the tow truck arrived. There aren't enough seats in a tow truck to fit the family, so the boys and I rode in the car hooked up to the tow truck... 38 miles back the opposite direction we were heading and we found ourselves in Laramie. It's a college town of the Pokes. It also has many bars and western shops. Nathaniel made it as comfortable as he could without having a car. It was a good thing the repair shop was 3 blocks down the road and the motel had a refrigerator. We took the boys to the park and walked down a couple of streets lined with many old stores. Finally, Tuesday the part we needed was shipped and we were on our way home.