Colorado Fall

We got to go up to Estes Park a couple times in September to see the leaves and enjoy the fall.  The leaves weren't as changed as I was hoping but it was a beautiful day and we were able to take some fun pictures, go on a short hike/stroll and meet up with Nana and Grandpa for lunch at the Baldpate Inn (yum!).

 I was missing the mountains and felt like I didn’t get a good enough dose of ‘fall’ so the kids and I headed up to Estes Park for a day trip.  We packed a picnic, the camera and some coats (just in case) and when we got up there we found that it was FREEZING. Instead of a hike, the kids played at a park for a little while (until their fingers and noses were frozen) and then we had a picnic in the back of the car- which they thought was just as cool.  We did see some elk but because of the cold we didn't go looking for more.

It was a new home owner experience ‘winterizing’ our yard; things that we would have done anyway, now felt more important and necessary.  One big thing, that the kids enjoyed helping with, was raking the leaves.  This is the first year that I can say that Elizabeth LOVED jumping in the leaves. In the past, she has done it, smiled and then been done (like James was this year) but this year it was a hit.  She jumped, buried, threw and wrestled in the leaves.  I love the simple joys of childhood.