Colorado Trip March 2011

So the entire Famn Damily went to Leadville for vacation.  Alex, Laura, Ruby, Mom and Dad, and Allen, Alex and myself all stayed in one cabin.  We had the Hendricks Family in the connecting cabin.  

We had lots of fun! I don't think any of us slept that well while we were there, so this was a tiring trip, but entirely worth it.  

We did a lot so there are a lot of pictures here!

This is how we made sure Alex didn't wander far in the airport. He loved it, but I don't know which was more tiring: carrying him like this, or just chasing him around on foot.

Alex's first plane ride. We thought he would love it. He was less than amused although he did do very well and stayed quiet. 

The first thing Alex did when we got there was find the largest rice crispy treat in the world. 

I just managed to catch a picture of this as we were driving through Colorado Springs.  I can NOT imagine what would happen to the store owner if this sign was in Dallas.  It must be a great place: a salon AND you can get your Coors there.  Seems a little selective about its clientele. 

Most of these scenic shots were taken from the car. Not bad for a scenic car ride huh? Country Roads....take me home.....

Alex's first time out in the snow when we got there.  He was light enough that he didn't fall through.  The rest of us however, struggled. 

This is my first fall through the snow. It was up to my thighs and made for very difficult movement through the front yard!

Ruby was not keen on the snow at all when we first arrived. She did eventually warm up to it though. 

Alex figuring it all out 

Sweet Rubicon

We did have a snowball fight! I think it was my favorite thing because we were all together for it.  The next few pictures are of the snowball fight. 

Ruby stayed for a bit, but decided swing sets were waaaay better than a ball of snow in the face.  She's a wise girl that Ruby. 

Alex figured out what it was all about very quickly. He makes a great snowball but he needs work on his throw. 

Alex and KangaRuby.  Looks like Alex might have taken a snowball to the eye. 

Alex had quite a nice fortress/wall of snow for protection during the snowball fight. 

Poor Dad became the main target. He used the trash can lid to deflect but it was hard work.  notice the snowball flying at him from his right. 

Allen winding up........

Alex taking a hit 

The Macnab family after the insanity

We love Leadville!

Love this shot of Dad

We took a little trip to Frisco for the day. So nice to be walking down the street in the crisp cool air.  You could practically wear flip flops in 40 degree weather because the air is so dry up there. Plus you walk down a regular street but you look in the background and see something like .......

THIS!

See?  Our Frisco trip

We did spend one day tubing.  Once we created our own tubing hill which was...a little scary.  We also spent one morning at Copper Mountain tubing, which was so much fun.  I think I could have done it all day. 

Allen and I before snowmobiling

Awesome bearded hats compliments of ME! I think they are so funny! 

Laura and Alex ready to go!

This picture is deceiving.  He is smiling here, but the entire car trip to the airport (3 hours folks) he was misery. 

The entire family came home worn out and glad we went. Hope to do it again soon. 

Fossil Rim

In the fall Allen and I took Alex to Fossil Rim along with Alex, Laura, and Ruby. The weather was perfect and we had such a good time. Below are some photos and video from our little adventure. As you can see, the animals, especially the ostrich, are not shy. They know you have that bag of food.

The park tells you not to feed the animals by hand but the animals come right on into the window so you sometimes don't have a choice.

Rubicon in the sunshine!

We call these guys 'Alien Heads' because of their eyes

The zebras can be surprisingly aggressive. 

Alex looked like this for the entire trip almost!

Ruby spent most of her time crawling around the floorboard of my car, but I think she had a great time regardless of what she was doing!

Told you those animals weren't shy. One problem with the deer is they come right up to the window.......with their antlers.  Some deer have been yelled at enough that they don't approach, but most could not care less about your paint job!

Laura feeding the giraffe

I laugh every time I watch either one of these videos. The video of the ostrich doesn't do it justice. They are SO big and powerful and their look at you like they hate you. You just feel vulnerable when they come close. And who knew that giraffes have such a slobber problem?!?!?

Macnab Family Christmas

We did the Macnab Family Christmas at my house last night. We did it a week early this year since Alex and Laura need to go see Laura's family too! It was good food and fun. Dinner was yummy. Baked potatoes, a salad (from Laura who makes superb salads), and a roast from my madre, which was excellent! I can't wait to get home tonight and eat the leftovers!

In March, we are taking a family trip to Leadville, CO., so I bought Alex, Allen, and The Boy matching bearded hats. They were pretty darn funny. I mean, they are funny but will also be great for things like snowmobiling and skiing to keep the wind off the face.

Allen and I are going to redo the bedroom soon, so Allen bought me the bedding I wanted with a promise of a fresh paint job! So I am thrilled with that. I also got some new sunglasses that I needed since mine broke at the Cervantes 2010 Pub Crawl! Allen got some jeans, some shoes, some hats, a jacket, and some house shoes.

Now! We have to clean up this mess because the Roberson Family Christmas will be at our house on Friday night. And we will do this all again!

Alex laughing about his new hat

Alex crying about his new hat


The first thing Alex opened was a dinosaur bath towel. We put it on and moved on to the next thing!

Alex loves "How to Train your Dragon" so he got some action figures from the movie

Laura and Alex gave Monster a Toy Story train toy. His two favorite things combined!

Alex reading Ruby her new book

Mom opening her presents

Laura being silly!

Laura got a nifty shower cap, which she promptly modeled for us

Rubicon was trying to tell her mom and dad that something (or should I say, someone?) is missing at their house.......

Just for one brief moment, these two curled up together and relaxed. It was too cute.

Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope it's merry one!

Happy Holidays!

Turkey is nice, Gaylord ICE!

We did Thanksgiving at Alex and Laura's new house this year. It was great. The food was plentiful and yummy! Although, Laura and I burned the rolls......TWICE......but that' ok. There were plenty of carbs elsewhere to make up for it. Alex cooked the bird and did a great job! My Alex and Ruby played a bit and we didn't leave until Alex just couldn't stand being sweet anymore and broke down in tears from not having a nap.

Allen and I's second Thanksgiving was in Arkansas, where Allen's family is. While I can say there is not much to do when we are there, I can also say there is never a dull moment! I love going because Allen's grandmother and Uncle live on some land out by magnolia, AR and there are always animals out there. Typically, there always cats and kittens, but this year, we had dogs! My favorite stray dog ever, I named her MagPie was there this year. She was a brindle hound dog and obviously had previously been some one's sweet girl. I could tell she had just had puppies although they were nowhere in sight. So I grew to love MagPie alot. She and Chopper played and played and I gave serious consideration to bringing her home to stay with us. But then I had visions of taking her to the vet to get her all checked out and they come back and tell me she had heart worms or something horrible. Allen like MagPie too, but in the end, we left her there. Truthfully, she is probably happier where she is! Besides MagPie, there was what I call a little herd of JRTs. Some were full bred and some were mixed, but they were all cute. So we had a good time in AR and came home on Sunday.

We also went to The Gaylord's ICE display again this year. We went last year and it was a nightmare, so this year we went early in the season on a Sunday morning and waddya know, we walked right in. No lines! Last year's theme was the Grinch, and this year was A Charlie Brown Christmas. I was not really blown away by it this year. I think Whoville just gave them more to work with the Charlie. The Grinch display had colors and things everywhere. Charlie Brown was a little...........eh...... pictures below to save you the trouble. I know that room is going to be cold when I go in there, but darnit! I even brought gloves this year and my hands were hurting by the time we got out. last year Alex was neither thrilled nor upset about it. this year, he was unhappy from the moment we stepped in until the moment he stepped out (which makes the $25/head we paid toooooootally worth it).

Charlie and Snoopy's house

Caroling

The tree. I love the ice with the lights in it.

Yep Mom, I love it. Can we go?

Alex was way more interested in the train set that was set up outside the ICE display

Alex and Charlie and Jake

Poor kid. The sun was in his face and Mom just wouldn't leave him alone!

We love tractors

Bobbie and Deb

Bobbie, Leroy, and Deb

MagPie and the other pups

The best looking one of the bunch

My Sweet MagPie

Alex always wanted out, the dogs always wanted in!

Alex and Mom, trying on boots like Woody!

Chops watching his new friends

Dad and Ruby playing

The kiddos playing with Laura

Sweet KangaRuby is getting some hair!

All new toys to play with for the day!

Mom and Alex reading storybooks

Mom's pretty Apple Crumble Pie