July pretty much consisted of getting ready for a big family vacation, then taking a big family vacation, and then recovering from a big family vacation, and finding our groove again. I was really looking forward to this trip because to me, it seemed the like the quintessential "family trip". One that my kids would remember and talk about. We have made so many moves in the last decade, that I couldn't remember the last time we had taken a long drive to go somewhere fun together, without a giant truck that contained all of our possessions. We loaded up and headed to our first stop in Colorado for a Jardine family reunion. We were able to stay a night on either end of our trip with our fabulous cousins in Highland Park. The girls loved their new friends and loved the fun we found in Colorado.
If Janae hadn't been there to reassure me, I'm pretty sure I would've been sleeping in the car. "Uncle Dirty Dog" owns lots of fun animals that he uses in shows. And by fun, I mean really scary and disgusting-I mean that in the nicest way possible Jaimie. We started by meeting all of his special friends, half of which were sleeping in the basement of the house we stayed at. Don't worry, I compulsively checked all the cage lids to make sure they were secure and had a stare down with a snake that was trying to escape. I'm pretty sure it wanted to eat me and all of my children.
It's just giving you a hug Hazel! I'm sure it's not trying to suffocate and ingest you.
We then headed to the YMCA Ranch for the reunion part. Clark got to see a whole gaggle of cousins that we love and adore and don't see very often. The views everywhere were amazing. It's not hard to impress this family from Houston that is used to flat, flat and more flat. It was gorgeous and the weather had me dreading going back to Texas already. See that? Sweatshirts, in July. It was ludicrous.
Horseback riding was definitely at the top of everyone's list...except Clark. His horsemanship skills far surpass that of a silly little trail ride. It only frustrates him so I took the girls and had a lovely time. I think that they will always remember that part of the vacation - as well as I will never forget the trail ride I did when I was 11 on Eagle, a delightful little Palomino. You never forget your first trail ride.
We were only at the reunion for a couple of days but we packed in a lot of fun. We were also able to do a big zipline - another first for me and the girls. I was really proud of them. It was up pretty high and they all did it.
We also did some canoeing. They played a rousing game of capture the flag and practiced their boating skills having fun, while trying not to fall out of the boat into the frigid mountain water.
We hiked to a waterfall and dipped our feet in (and maybe our bums too, but not on purpose.) I just love being with this family of mine and no one got carried off by a bear or mountain lion so a good time was had by all.
It was even kind of fun to evacuate the building, twice when the fire alarm went off. An older gentleman had apparently burned popcorn in his room and felt really really bad when he saw the families all over the parking lot. It was also eye opening to see how many of my children panic and freak out in an emergency. Despite what it looks like, Jameson was not half asleep, I just took a bad picture 'gasp'.
I think one of the best parts was the cafeteria eating. I only say that half sarcastically because not cooking or cleaning up food for two days was delightful, and there was cereal at every meal.
Part II still to come...
