Family Vacation April 2012

     Over spring break this year, Tuesday through Saturday, we headed to Denver Colorado.  It was so much fun, and very memorable. It was Jaxon's first flight, and Ellie couldn't remember hers so it felt like her first time too.
The main reason we choose Denver as a vacation spot was because that's  where Chase's Aunt Marietta, and cousin Jared live. So it worked out well that there was lots to do, but also was very nice to see family. Aunt Marietta had yet to meet Jax, and Ellie was just a baby when we had got together before.
Our flight left in the late afternoon and the kids all did very well on the flight. I had packed a lot of cute little things to do, but they were so excited that they really didn't even get into their stashes, they just sat back and enjoyed the ride. Ellie made sure she sufficiently checked out the bathroom though. Several times.
Our flight got in fairly late, so by the time we got our luggage, picked up our rental car and found our hotel it was pretty late. It took a bit for our kids to settle down, but we all got to sleep and not too awfully late.


The next morning, our first plan was go see Marietta. After Chase took us to the wrong house (it had been over a decade since he had visited) we found Marietta's place and she was happy to see us. We hung out there for awhile, and then all of us had lunch at Chili's and then hit the Denver Aquarium. It was big and very cool. The kids favorites were the stingrays and the sea turtles. Marietta seemed to enjoy following the kids around, and I think it was a good way for them to enjoy something together and get to know each other. After the day at the aquarium we dropped Marietta off and headed back to our hotel. The kids were very very excited about swimming in the hotel pool. I was disappointed because it was so cold! The kids didn't seem to care though and swam for awhile, and then were tucked into bed.

The next day we headed to the Denver Zoo. It was GIANT! The weather that day was warm for my little Washington kiddos. Probably only got to be about 75 or so, but my kids were "sooo hot" We all loved the zoo. I had rented a wagon for Jax to ride in, but he was content to walk and Austin and Ellie both spent the majority of the day being pulled by Daddy. The kids seemed to like the Seals best so we watched them for quite awhile. It was a great day that ended back at the hotel for more swimming!

Our last full day was busy! Marietta and Jared had arranged for us to tour Bronco Stadium, which was right up Austin's alley. I was pleasantly surprised at the behavior from Jax and Ellie during the two hour tour.They were super good which allowed everyone else to enjoy the tour. That night we ended back at Aunt Marietta's where she made a homemade Mexican meal for us. The evening was spent hanging at her house, watching a baseball game, chatting and eating. Ellie spent some time doing some beading with her Great Aunt. This was probably my favorite day of the trip. It was relaxing and felt nice to just hang out with family. That night we swam yet again before bed. By the end of the trip, Jaxon was very comfortable in the pool.He was swimming all over independently in his life jacket and was very proud of the freedom it gave him.

The last morning we packed up our hotel room and headed back to Marietta's. We found a place online called "Jumpoline" which happened to be only blocks from her house. It was a huge indoor jumping place full of trampolines and dodge ball courts.  The kids got super sweaty and worn out. It was perfect. Then we headed back to drop Marietta off and say Goodbye. No one likes to say Goodbye, and it hit Austin the hardest. He was acting like he didn't care while we were still there and had his noes stuck in a book. As soon as we left though, the tears flowed and he felt really really sad about it.

The flight home was good. We had less time waiting at the airport, but Jax was a whole lot crankier. After a short lived tantrum at takeoff, he fell asleep on Daddy and slept for at least half of the flight home.
It was a great and memorable trip. I hope the kids remember it, and I hope we can take another family vacation soon.


I chuckled to myself as we left Marietta that last day. She was super excited that were were coming, but I had to wonder if she was then relieved we were leaving. She is a single lady, living alone, and there are a lot of us, and we are LOUD. My kids are busy busy busy and I bet we wore her out. I am certain though that it was a good kind of tired and I am glad we all had that time together.