Colorado: Day 8

This was the first day that we saw a lot of rain. We began the morning with all-you-can-eat pancakes here at the campground (yum!) and spent the rest of the morning playing games in the cabin. After we all took an afternoon nap, it finally cleared enough to venture toward Mount Rushmore.
When we arrived, the fog was just rolling out. What a sight it was! We hiked all around the monument, explored history exhibits, ate buffalo chili in the cafe, and watched the evening lighting ceremony just after dark. A full afternoon & evening.
Now we're packed up an ready to hit the road at 5am tomorrow. Ella & I will be back in Duluth by midnight. It's been a great trip, but I can't wait to see Pete! Ten days is enough for me. :)
Photos
1: the fog rolling out as we arrived at Mount Rushmore
2: with my girlie
3: a view from under their noses
4: somebody should be watxhin that kid...
5: a girl in a cave

Colorado: Day 7

This morning we said goodbye to the fair village of Keystone, Colorado and made our way to another Keystone. Interesting, isn't it? We are now staying near Keystone, South Dakota, only a few munutes from the majestic Mount Rushmore. Tomorrow we'll explore the park and see the gigantic stone carvings. Of course it will be a first for Ella, but it will be one for me, too. When we visited Mount Rushmore when I was a mere four years of age, it was too foggy to see. I'm really looking forward to the adventure.
On our way through Denver this morning, we had the opportunity to visit Mile High Vineyard. That's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I really enjoy listening to Pastor Jay Pathak's messages on iTunes, especially when I'm running. He's young & funny & a great teacher. You can find his messages on iTunes by searching for Mile High Vineyard.
We're all tucked in bed in our little cabin and it's only 9:20. Our excuse is that we're moving back to Central Time so it's 10:20. The truth, though, is that we're going through a sort of rest from our vacation. Isn't that a funny concept? We've been moving & moving, so now we need a rest. We'll take it easy tomorow in the hopes that we'll return from our vacation refreshed. Either way, it's been great!
Photos
1: a lunch stop made one little girl very happy. Isn't that why they call them
Happy Meals?
2: hiding from Papa in the back seat
3: our little cabin for Sunday & Monday nights
4 & 5: at Hill City Cafe for dinner

Colorado: Day 6

Today we spent the entire day in Breckenridge for the finish of stage 5 of the first ever USA Pro Cycle Challenge. It's pretty much the Tour de France of the US. It was amazing! We jumped on a shuttle to Breck at 9:30 am, found a city bench in the shade, and camped out for 6 hours. We were about 30 yards from the finish line and sat right behind the VIP seats. I'd never been to anything like this, so it was all very new to me. When the cyclists finally made it across the finish, they were moving so quickly it was hard to see them! We stayed to watch the awards ceremony afyer the race and saw them award each of the prestigious jerseys. It was a really fun experience!
Photos
1: Ella ready with her cow bell before the race
2: our spot in the shade
3: watching live coverage of the race on an enormous screen
4: right befire the finishers came in
5: with Ella at the finish. She had a great day, although the pic doesn't exactly depict that. :)

Colorado: Day 5

Tonight we took a ride up the mountain in a gondola. Ella thought it was great! We went up & up & up. Once we reached the top, we saw gorgeous panoramics of the mountainous skyline. We truly got to see an amazing part of God's creation!
Photos
1: the view from the gondola
2: at the top
3: Grandma & Papa
4: exploring
5: the sandbox at the bottom of the mountain

Colorado: Day 5 in Salida

Last night Ella & I arrived in Salida to visit our dear friends the Folmans. Ben & Jenny moved out to Salida last March to take over the lead pastor position at the Vineyard church. A great adventure from God, but we were sad to see them leave. I used to watch the boys, Caleb & Owen, every Friday in Duluth. We loved seeing them again, even if it was for a very short time.
We made the most of it! This morning we all played at the park & Caleb got to show off his sweet bike moves (muddy, muddy, muddy). Then Sophia took me to Fringe, an adorable fabric shop. I bought a great pattern for a tunic top, but we'll have to see if I can squeeze it in before classes start. Ella loved getting ice cream with Owen and the rest of us before we had to say goodbye. Hopefully it won't be too long before we see our friends again!
Photos
1: Ella was hooked on the mini guitar
2: She also loved this horse at the playground
3: Caleb got impressively muddy on his bike!
4: Ben & Jenny in matching shirts. How sweet. (I can attest to the fact thay it was completely unintentional.)
5: Miss Sophia, who turns 8 tomorrow, with the sorbet that matched her outfit.

Colorado: Day 4

Photos
1: Swimming at Keystone. (I still can't get over the view!)
2: A quick stop at the Continental Divide on our way down to Salida to spend the night with our good friends, the Folmans

Colorado: Day 3

Oh no! The end of my post was cut off! Here is what it said:

After getting coffee, we drove over the mountains to Breckenridge. An adorable town! We walked up & down the steeets before the shops opened and eventually visited a few once the town came alive. My only purchase was a recipe binder for all of my recipe collections, something I'd been looking for for a few months. We eventually settled in at my Mom's favorite restaurant in town - a yummy Mexican place. (I do wonder, though, how many restaurants in Breckenridge she's visited. She tends to stick to the same place once she finds something she likes. It's an endearing quality my mother has.) 

Just up the street was a little cupcake shop, so we definitely stopped. Ella & I shared a Rocky Mountain cupcake to honor our vacay locale. She got most of the frosting. 

On our way back to Keystone, we stopped at an overlook and found a whole lot of incredibly social chipmunks. Ella fed them right out of her hand! I have video too, but I dont know if I can post it from my phone at the moment. 
We ended the day by watching a mountain bike race on the mountains right behind our condo. It was exciting! I especially liked watching the 10 year-olds. 

Lots to see & do tomorrow! First...sleep. I'm exhausted!

Colorado: Day 3

We began the day with a walk down to Starbucks, which is in our little ski village here. That was right after Miss Ella's hair cut by yours truly. The back was a little wild, so I trimmed it to match the rest of her hair. I think it's very cute. :).

Colorado: Day 2

We spent nearly the entire day outside today. It was lovely! We began with a 7 mile walk along the river, followed by a dip in the pool. During Ella's nap, my mom & I did a little shopping. Then the little Miss accompanied me on a trip to Frisco to have tea with our friend Sierra. Sierra moved out here from Duluth just 6 weeks ago to work with AmeriCorps. Ella had a great tine riding down the sidewalk on her skateboard. All we had left to do in the day was read the new book Ella got at an adorable shop in Frisco where she also met a gigantic dog named Flash.

Colorado: Day 2

Colorado: Day 1

Our first full day in Colorado! The weather was beautiful. We explored and made our plan for the rest of the week so we don't miss anything. Unfortunately, Ella & I were still sick so we didn't make it down to see our friends tonight. We'll definitely make it down by the end of the week.
Photos
1: Ella coloring on the chalk board walls of a play house
2: on a walk - dancing on a picnic table
3: reading on the balcony
4: on the walk
5: a panoramic view from our balcony

Kaelyn's Wedding

Kaelyn's Wedding

My dear cousin, Kaelyn, got married last Friday in a gorgeous, traditional ceremony in Minneapolis. My dad officiated, which was very special. I'd love to write more, but it's tricky from my phone.
Photos
1: standing with the little cake I made for the couple to cut & save for their anniversary. Vanilla cake with raspberry buttercream.
5: my brother Mike with little Maira, his goddaughter