Colorado

Man we had so much fun. It was really great to just get away and spend time as a family. It wasn't long after we got there we realized just how much we needed this. Once we finally got to Colorado Springs we checked into our hotel first. While the boys and I were waiting for Heath to confirm everything and get our room, Noah asked, "Is this my new Dr?" I had no idea that was what he was thinking. He had brought teddy with him and for those of you that we don't get to see everyday, Teddy is Noah's Teddy Bear he got from church at the very beginning of all of his medical problems. And everytime we had an appointment or checkup, surgery, etc, Teddy comes along. He gets a gown just like Noah and usually a bracelet too. So when he asked if our hotel was his new Dr, it broke my heart. That was when we realized we really needed this time away. Once we got inside and to our room he said he was happy it wasn't the Dr and this place was way cooler (it had a pool!).

Heath's best friends Jeremy and his wife Danae live there and we haven't seen them in a few years. They have one of the cutest little girls Maranatha and a new little girl Maize. It was so great to spend time with them and see the girls. We were able to worship with them at church on Sunday. Everyday we spent some time with them but tried to give them time alone too. Maize was only 5 days old when we got there.

We did a lot of stuff for free, which was good. We toured the US Olympic Training Center and even saw some atheletes, the women's basketball team was practicing and the synchronized swim team as well. I LOVE the Olympics so this was a definite highlight for me. The one thing we did pay for was to drive up Pike's Peak. We had a coupon so that helped a little and Noah and Caleb were free. Jonathan kept asking if we were going to see Jesus at the top because it was so high. He just knew we were going to get to heaven from the top of the mountain!! It was a little scary on some of the turns and looking straight down. A storm came while we were going up so we didn't get very clear pictures but it was still amazing. Going down was a lot easier. I'll have to keep in mind to take a light coat anytime we do go to Colorado. At the peak it was 40* but it felt like 38*. And all we had were shorts and t-shirts! We walked around Garden of the Gods, ate one night in an airplane restaurant...the boys got to sit in the cock pit! And for a few hours we made it Focus on the Family and saw the welcome center and gallery and the kids played in the kids korner. They didn't get to go down the big slide due to lightening but maybe next time. We went to a few parks so all the kids could play and on our last night we cooked super for Jeremy and Danae. There was so much more we could've done but the things we did see and go to were awesome and seeing Jeremy and Danae as much as we got too was great too.

Heath and the boys about 1/2 way up the peak at a reservoir. It was so beautiful and gorgreous views.


A pic of me with the boys. There were a lot of people fishing at this lake.

This is a better view of what was behind us. Just breathtaking!

All of us just before entering the Garden of Gods. Another amazing area. God is so creative.


A view of Pike's Peak from the Garden of Gods.