Horseshoes & Hanging Out

The other things that I would like to share about our vacation are a little random. I think one of the things that stands out to me most is how thankful I was for Carter to get to spend such a concentrated amount of time with people who mean so much to me. I sometimes hate that we live so far away and she doesn't really get to spend quality time with our friends and family. This vacation was a perfect opportunity for that to happen. Documenting things from Carter's point of view has become sort of fun for me. Here are some pictures she took of everyone when she got a hold of my camera one night!

Roxi:
Mom:
Leslie and Lyndsay:

Big Laynce and Pops:

Kim enjoyed employing the help of Carter and Leslie to spell out her hubby's name:The next day we were all excited about getting to seeing Jayson play baseball! The girls decided to head to Colorado Springs a little early to eat and shop. We had a great lunch at The Cliff House (A historical restaurant and hotel in Manitou Springs).

Carter, Me, My mom and Kim:

Carter in the garden:

Lyndsay and Michelle:
The Nix Girls and Family (Taylor, Patty, Michelle, and Heather):
We then headed to the baseball stadium to watch the Sky Sox, which is the minor league team for the Colorado Rockies. We were really just excited to see Jayson:

Carter and I enjoying the game :
Something about being at a baseball game makes you want to eat a hot dog!
We had a great time eating, laughing, and cheering for Jayson. It was fun to get to see him:
After a late night out we were all ready to relax the next day at the cabin:Some of us were more relaxed than others!


We weren't lazy for long and all decided to head off on a "short easy hike". The destination was supposed to be a waterfall that was about a mile away. We apparently went the wrong way and took a hike to nowhere. Mine was also not real "easy" considering the 25 pound munchkin' on my back!
This is the point where we realized, "Hey, I think we're going the wrong way!" Carter also chose this hike as one of her very few times to "tell" me when she needs to pee! So, she had her first experience with peeing outdoors...she got stage fright, but it was good for a laugh!
After our little adventure we decided to drive on up the mountain to this little abandoned gold mining town called St. Elmo's. It was pretty interesting, but the most entertaining part by far was a little village of chipmunks. They were so friendly and tame and would eat right out of your hand...really fun and really creepy!
It came as no surprise that my brother got really into it, because that is exactly how I would describe him (really fun and really creepy, JUST KIDDING CLINT!)Carter was not too sure about the whole chipmunk thing!
Another highlight was as we headed home we found a waterfall after all. It wasn't the one we had set out for...but we were happy to see it none the less!
We headed back to the cabin to do more of the same!

Horseshoes:
Hanging out:And spending time with friends!It was a perfectly relaxing vacation and I loved it! Of course (this probably goes without saying) but, it wasn't the same without Nate there. Just like life isn't the same without him here. But, it's also healthy for us to go on, have fun, and make the most of things even if we are apart. I don't know very many happy people that sit around and dwell on what makes their life tough. I'm so glad we got to have one last "hoorah" with Kim and John in their element, they are moving on to their next chapter in life. John has a new job with Edward Jones and they'll be living in Austin! Yippee! I just love that town!

Here we are before we all headed our separate way's...

We proceeded to hop in my parents car and head for TX! Like I said before, Carter was amazing! I was so proud of her. I actually enjoyed the ride. There are things you just don't see in Washington. One of them is massive thunderheads...this one just happens to look like the profile of a man:Here's my little lady being a trooper as she watches Charlotte's Web:
I'll post about our happenings here soon! Haven't you heard? It's like a whole 'nother Country!

Surprise Surprise!

This is genuine face recognition technology people! I would have bet my next child that Carter would have looked more like Nate, I guess surprises happen everyday!

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family history - Trace family tree

I Need Air

It's just one of those nights. I'm missing Nate. The really ugly, snotty, I can't stop crying kind of missing him. It's like I'm underwater and I need air but I just can't make it to the surface. It's the kind where I just want to let myself really "feel" what it is to be without him, because it really "feels" just plain awful. I usually keep these thoughts tucked in the farthest corner of my mind. They may try to come out, but I keep them under control. Tonight they wouldn't take no for an answer. There just isn't any substitute for human touch, and all I want right now is to hold my best friends hand. I guess for now sleep will have to suffice. I love you Nate.

Under the Big Top

One of my favorite nights on our vacation was centered around an activity I planned with Carter in mind. The first day we were there I found out the circus was coming to town! A lot of people wound up having other plans the night we went, but my mom, my Mimi, Carter and I all had a delightful time! I've never actually been to an old fashioned circus, but as we arrived it felt like we took a step back in time. The Big Top Tent was set up in a field and surrounded by brightly painted trailers, pony rides and the smell of popcorn. Carter just couldn't wait for a pony ride (I was pretty excited for her myself)!

We took a minute to marvel at the elephants, which just happened to be hanging out right outside the tent!

We then headed into the tent to find our seats for the show.
Roxi, Mimi and Carter:Me and my girl:The show began with what was supposed to be a bang! The "Big" cats came out to perform...it was a little lackluster in my opinion. This is my "I'm not too sure about this circus" face:Lucky for us things quickly improved. The daring young girl on the flying trapeze was an amazingly talented, and beautiful, red head. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets picked up by Cirque de Soleil in the near future! Carter was a quick sell for the vendors who were peddling all sorts of treats. She jumped at the chance for a sno-cone. She was pretty enamored with everything. That really beautiful girl on the flying trapeze turned out to be part of a family of circus performers. And, not only did they perform, they also operated the pony rides, ticket booths and concession stands. It was truly a mom and pop operation. Here is Carter enjoying her treat and the unicycling family act:

One of the highlights for me was how tickled my Mimi got at the circus clown Chico. She has collected clowns ever since I can remember. It was so fun to hear her laugh.

By intermission we were having so much fun I did something I normally wouldn't. Remember those elephants we were looking at earlier? Well, I decided to take my little munchkin' for a ride. It was a first for both of us, I'm so glad I got to share that with her.

Ready to ride: This is what riding an elephant looks like:

Hi mom:

FYI there are 2 kids between me and the cowboy in back :)

A little elephant bootie:Fresh from the ride we're all smiles:We miss getting to do things with our family, so it was extra special that we got to spend the evening with Mimi:

By the second half we needed a bag of popcorn (which we would have bought much sooner had Nate been with us)!Sometimes it's hard to put your finger on what makes something special. In the midst of a time when things seem a little hard you find an oasis of happiness. For me this evening just felt like a little bit of magic...probably because of a very special little someone who fell in love with the circus.But, as the saying goes all good things must come to and end...

Lucky for me the magic is there to greet me every morning when I wake up...I love you Carter.