Our Trip to Buena Vista!

As you may have guessed...we had a fantastic trip to Buena Vista with Devin, and The Loomis Family. We got all packed in like sardines on Wednesday morning, and left around lunchtime for our 2.5 hour trip to Buena Vista! Per Devin's request, we made a quick stop at Taco Bell before leaving town for lunch...THEN, we were on our way. Mom had to manage about 300+ pictures that came in between HER camera, Devin's camera, and Ms. Larissa's camera. So, she picked out 70 of her favorites, and we will share them with you below.
Here we go!

Don't even think we managed to leave Colorado Springs before we lost this one:

All THREE...OUT.

Arrived! Such a pleasant and quick trip to get to our cabin. Alex and I napped a huge chunk of the drive. We spent the first night unpacking, Ms. Larissa and Mom did some grocery shopping, and we grilled up some burgers and got acquainted with our surroundings.

We decided on our first day, we would take 45-minute drive past Salida to Monarch. When ski season isn't in full-swing, they have a Gondola ride that will take you up a 14k foot mountain. They had a really cool little gift shop in the parking lot that gave us free popcorn after our trip, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the ride up and down (except for Devin...who put on a happy face but is NOT a fan of heights).
Alex was also not too sure at first, but it didn't take her long to relax.

Double Trouble waiting for the Gondola Ride:

Mommy and ME Selfie on the ride up. OF COURSE I loved it!

Devin not too sure of the height...not wanting to lean too far in either direction. Thank goodness she had her phone nearby in case she needed to send an emergency text message. LOL

On our way up!

The top of the mountain was...SO COLD. Yet, beautiful! Glad we brought our jackets. Burrr.

Alex was doing some of the funniest poses on that platform!

Family photo opp!

We took our time wondering around at the top, and decided to head down after we all froze. Our plan was to stop in Salida on our way back at Moonlight Pizza and Brewery. What a great decision that was! Mom and Dad enjoyed their awesome beer, they had fantastic pizza, and all of us kids enjoyed games out on their patio while we waited for our food. Beautiful weather to top it all off.
Bean-Bag Toss outside on the patio:

Waiting for food!


After lunch, we headed back to the cabin. One REALLY awesome event took place EVERY afternoon while we were on our trip. THE ENTIRE FAMILY TOOK A NICE, LONG NAP. It was amazing. After naps, we fired back up the grills and made dinner and smores...smores were always included in our evening ritual.
Alex discovered corn-on-the-cob. She LOVES it!

Posing for a picture on a beautiful evening.

The next day (Friday) we scratched our plans to visit the Mt Princeton Hot Springs, and decided to visit the little ghost town St. Elmo again. All of us kids REALLY wanted to feed the chipmunks like we did last year, so we packed up a picnic lunch and sailed out.
Checking out the area by the creed at St. Elmo:

Gwyn and Mr. Shawn:

Silly girl!

Best buds:

Feeding the chipmunks was Alex's FAVROITE thing by far. She had a blast! Mom wasn't too sure how she would react, but she was NOT scared at all and kept calling them over. "Here chipmooonk!"

Devin also enjoyed feeding them. The chipmunks were quite aggressive! A couple times they would just hop themselves right in your lap and help themselves to the bag of seeds. Pretty funny.

Two at once!

Another set of buddies!


Great shot Ms. Larissa caught with her camera. Mom was too busy taking pictures of Alex having all the fun:

Alex and Mom:


Ms. Larissa having fun:

They aren't afraid to BEG! Hahahaha.



A beautiful picture Devin captured:

We had a picnic lunch after we were finished touring the area, and Mom actually saw a 2nd cousin of hers walk by! What a small world!

After naps, we decided to go down and explore near our little creek behind the cabin:

Beautiful!

Us kids LOVED throwing rocks in the creek. One of our favorite things to do. Oh, and the Dad's really enjoyed it also. LOL



Alex covering her ears (Mom used to do the same thing all the time when she was little).

Devin and Daddy. Devin had a great time also. She got "The Treehouse" all to herself and enjoyed hanging out with all of us and escaping the chaos of everyday life.

The neighbor's dog would come by every night and say hello. Dad would often give him little pieces of whatever he was nibbling on, so the dog would make a line straight to Daddy. Now we know his secret!


Smores!!!

Mmmmmmmm....



Daddy taking Alex to bed:

Mr. Shawn enjoying himself.

The next day, we decided to take it sort of easy in the area. So, we packed up and got some delicious greasy burgers in town, and played at the park. Then, after naps...we came back and did some fishing around the Buena Vista pond. It was a great day!

Nobody caught any fish, but we sure were determined.














Burgers in the park:

The whole group (minus Ms. Larissa who was taking the picture):

More smores back at the cabin later that night.

Sunday morning, we packed it all up and were out by 10 am sharp! Alex and Gwyn were caught looking cute together amongst the chaos of trying to get packed up:


We all had a great time, and can't wait to plan something for next year. We were all very pleased that everyone was healthy, stayed healthy, and there was no major incidents (or bears).

Back to work and grind this week. Devin is making a quick trip back to Dallas TODAY, and then returning to us Saturday night. We have family picture bright and early on Sunday morning, and then Devin heads back next Wednesday. Mom and Dad are doing a baseball date night tomorrow, and the whole family is going next Tuesday for another game (Sky Sox). Hope everyone has a great week!