First Days at the Cabin

    Since we had such an amazing time last year, we decided to spend another week at the cabin.  My sister kept hearing about what fun we had, so she decided to join us with her kids.  Bryan wasn't able to stay longer than the weekend because he had to work.  We had been counting down until our trip for months.  It is so unbelievably nice to get away.  Even though we only traveled a couple hundred miles, it still felt like we we were so far away.  We did some things we don't get to do at home.  Even though it's hard to adjust to at first, it's even nice having no phone and internet service.  It always allows us to focus on spending quality time and not getting distracted by technology.  The kids often entertained themselves with the simplest things.  I never got sick of watching their delight in something as simple as catching a bubble.  What fun did we have!  We have definitely decided that this will be an annual trip.  We came back very rested and relaxed.  It's definitely one of the most laid back trips I have ever taken!  There is something so peaceful and serene by having no where you need to be and just soaking up nature.  By the end of the week, we were kind of ready to get back to civilization.  We weren't ready to leave the beauty we were surrounded by.  That will never get old.  We took a TON of pictures.  So many, that I am going to kind of break it up into several posts.  I always love blogging about trips because I get to relive the moments as I talk about them.  

     As I mentioned in the previous post, we left Saturday afternoon.  We went to the zoo for the first part of the day then headed up to the cabin.  When we got there we met up with Katy and her family.  The kids were so excited to spend an entire week together.  They had a blast immediately. 

Dawson playing with his trains.

Relaxing on the porch

Ella wasn't a happy girl in this picture. 

At the chipmunks.  This still remains to be one of the kids' favorite activities. 

Ella talks to them in the cutest little voice.

Poor Jameson still isn't quite big enough to pet them. 

Going on a walk

She loves walking Alli.

The hummingbirds.  There is always a huge group of tourists taking pictures of them outside the general store. 

They are so active at the cabin!

Throwing rocks

Joey and I took a long ride with the kids.  We saw this little critter along the way.  Joey thought it was a beaver at first, but then we saw it didn't have a flat tail.  My dad said it was a marmot.  We actually saw several more during the week. 

Taking a snack break

The amazing scenery

At the top of the trail.  It's right at the continental divide and I believe its around 12,000 feet in elevation.  Breathtaking views!

Playing with Daddy

The sign that states its part of the Continental Divide

The general store has geodes for sale.  Ashlyn just had to have one when she learned what they were.  We were hoping for a good one full of crystals, but no such luck.  It did entertain us though. 

Getting ready to smash it.

Joey taking a hit

Nothing good insdie

Lunch time!

Almost every afternoon, we would take ice cream down by the river. I can't describe how serene and peaceful it is down by the river.  This was a treat we all looked forward to every day.

Ice cream face

They love that water

Our afternoon entertainment.  Who needs t.v.?