Castlewood Canyon State Park

During the spring and summer Dan golfs on Saturday mornings. I take Mia on fun little adventures, just the two of us. She doesn't always see it that way.

This past Saturday we went to Castlewood Canyon State Park. This is one of my favorite springtime places. It's a bit too hot to go here in the summer. There is a great canyon where you can hike along the top or down in it, the ruins of a damn that flooded all the way to Denver in the 1930's, and the ruins of an old homestead. This week we visited the old homestead.

"I'm tired. I want to rest on this rock." We had probably hiked about 20 feet.

"I'm smiling now so please carry me."

"Finally we can see the house." We are about 40 feet along the path. The car is still visible from the parking lot.

"Look at me in this old house. I'm going to climb through the window on the other side."

"Oh no you're not. Mommy just saw the tail of a snake slither around the corner of the house."

At least we got in 1/1000 of a mile!

The One

We found it!! For almost a year, 5 months seriously, we have been looking for a new place to live. When we moved to Colorado we were empty nesters and so we bought in an empty nester area. There are strict regulations and no other children living around us. We cannot put a play place on our property. There is a driveway that goes by our front yard and then right by our backyard. The driveway is used by two different houses other than ours. We are not allowed to put up a fence. We also have a five foot drop into our downstairs patio which was dug out to make a walkout basement. All of things were just fine when we were without children. Now, they are very dangerous!

So here is our new place!

What? Can't see anything? That's because it won't be ready until November! But it has all our major requirements. One was that open space was behind it. After having it the last five years we really didn't want to give it up. We also wanted some view of the mountains. We can see quite a bit of the Rockies from the backyard.

Our other requirement was a big enough yard for the girls to run around in and to put up a play space. This house is not as fancy as the house we are in, but it has a couple more bedrooms and we are thrilled that we found it!

Here is the park nearby.

The only thing I don't like about new parks in Douglas County is the outhouse. Water is scarce around here!

Yesterday we took a hike in the open space behind our future home. We saw a lot of deer but I didn't think to take a picture.

Our house goes right in between. We are thrilled!

Party for Two

On Tuesday we went to a last minute birthday party for Lorelei. Mia was the only guest. They had so much fun. Lorelei let Mia help her open all her presents. She even let Mia ride her new tricycle first.

They are just so sweet to each other. Every time they meet they hug each other. They have tried this with other friends and it doesn't go over so well! Sometimes they will just stop what they are playing to tell each other that they love each other.

They really didn't need anybody else at the party.

Littleton Historical Museum

On Wednesday we met one of our playgroups at the Littleton Historical Museum. I wasn't expecting much, but I was quite surprised! It was great! The museum wasn't much of a hit, but the 38 acres of an old homestead was perfect for preschoolers to explore. Mia actually understood some of the history.

We first visited all the animals. She was a little disappointed that you couldn't go right up to them after being at the petting zoo in California.

Next we went into the log home. This home was moved here from another location.

On our way to the one room schoolhouse we passed a sod home. I remember these fondly from the Little House books. It was locked so we couldn't explore the inside.

Inside the one room schoolhouse the kids got a lesson (sort-of, they are all 2-4 years old). Mia played with the slates for a long time. Ringing the bell for school to start was also a big hit!

There is also a lake and old fashioned stables as well as goats, geese and peacocks. This was a great field trip and learning experience...and best of all, free!

A First for Everything

Monday night we went to the Rockies game. Okay, some of us (3 out of 4) went to see a Dodgers game. I'm not one of the three. Stel and Michelle came over to our house with Lorelei and we got a babysitter for the two of them. It was a disaster. The two have a lot of fun together, I mean A LOT of fun. I believe the babysitter's words were, "They were very naughty". They especially gave her trouble when they were supposed to be in bed sleeping. Those two just wanna have fun!

What were us adults thinking? Lorelei has NEVER had a babysitter. NEITHER of them has ever slept in another child's room or with another child. NEITHER of them have been with another child with a babysitter. BOTH are used to the attention of two parents. That doesn't mean the girls didn't get in a lot of trouble. But the adults realized that being gone for 5 hours the first time was probably stupid not such a good idea. But we had a good time. And the Rockies won. hehe

The Older Bunch

Since we don't see their day to day activities, I don't get to post too many pictures of the older bunch. But A LOT has been happening in their lives.

Guess who is getting this cute little thing in a few weeks?

This little guy is named Alfred and he will be living with his new mommy and daddy, Beth & Greg, at the end of May.

And guess who just might be buying this condo very soon?

This was Brittany's grandmothers and Joey and Brittany are thinking seriously about buying it. Their first house!

And guess who just got their first real job in their degree field?

Well, since there was only one kiddo left, it was pretty obvious. Becky got a job in a lab! Her first 9-5 gig!

Life is just as busy for them as it is for us!

We're Gettin' Ready

Last Tuesday we got our Article 5. We could get Travel Approval as early as May 8th or as late as May 27th. Then we can get our official travel dates. It's still looking like we will leave between May 20th and June 20th. It's almost here!