Estes Park 2010

Travel Day #1 – Tulsa, OK to Colby, KS

Not much to report for this day. We were lucky enough to find a McDonald’s in a Walmart on the way to stop at for lunch and then got Village Inn for dinner that night in Colby. Besides viewing the windmills at Smoky Hills Wind Farm and our brief swim in the hotel pool (it was so cold!), those were the highlights of our first day.

Travel Day #2 – Colby, KS to Westminster, CO

This was a very short trip and allowed us to spend some time around the Denver area. We made a trip to the zoo and to REI before we checked into our hotel. The day was a little rough without regular naps so we were unable to enjoy the hotel pool and made it an early evening in.

Travel Day #3 – Westminster, CO to Estes Park, CO

This was also a very short travel day. We started with a quick swim before breakfast since we had lost privileges the day before. :) We headed to the Butterfly Pavilion after we checked out and then to lunch. We made the drive into the mountains and both kids successfully napped in the car at the same time! We checked into our room at the YMCA of the Rockies and started catching up with other friends that were arriving. When we had gotten E out of the car to check in, we noticed she was hot. So as our vacation began finally, poor Ellie had a fever of 103.

By the evening, Grandma Elaine, Grandpa Larry, Uncle Adam, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Dusty had all arrived. Everyone was excited to be together, and we met as a big group to get assigned to our “Amazing Race” teams for the week. Ben was thrilled about the thought of a week-long race and E went to bed early to try to get better.

Estes Park – Sunday

We were able to have a church service with our group in one of the chapels on the Y campus. Everyone did a nice job and enjoyed starting our time together this way. Mom taught the first bible class for the elementary age and Ben and Elizabeth had Grandma and Aunt Sarah to start off their first bible class.

That afternoon started the “Amazing Race” activities. Ben and Dad participated with their team in a series of challenges around the Y campus. Ben had a blast and his team even won that day!

Sunday night we got back together for another set of classes and singing. However, E’s fever wasn’t getting better, so Mom and Grandma ended up going to the ER to get a diagnosis and medicine since the local urgent care wasn’t open for another day. It was a good choice as she had a bulging ear drum and a sinus infection. The pharmacy in Estes Park had closed though, and Dad had to drive an hour to Loveland to get her meds.

Estes Park – Monday

The day started with our first devo and morning of “regular” classes. The kids were starting to warm up to everyone and E’s medicine was starting to kick in somewhat.

That afternoon we skipped the planned activity and took a drive up to Trail Ridge Road in the Rocky Mountain National Park. It was really pretty and we were able to see snow and a few elk. Ben also spotted a waterfall really far away all on his own and was pretty proud. The drive did not sit well with Ben’s tummy though so we had to excuse ourselves from the square dance activity that evening.

Estes Park – Tuesday

The morning activities were similar to Monday. In the afternoon, there was Frisbee golf and craft time. We decided to let the kids sleep normally for nap time and caught part of craft time before sneaking into Estes Park to do some shopping. We got the kids t-shirts and enjoyed the downtown shops.

We got back in time for dinner and the campfire time. The kids enjoyed the singing, but they loved the s’mores even more! Both had marshmallow lips and were very pleased to enjoy such a special treat.

Estes Park – Wednesday

Wednesday was our last full day. Morning classes were the same and the afternoon started with Wacky Olympics. Ben got to participate some and we took a few water balloons for the road so he could play after nap rather than waiting for that event.

He had to get his rest because that night’s activity was Talent Show. Ben had decided the day before that he was going to be in the talent show. He would do “Funny Faces by Ben McCullough”. Mom was shocked that he wanted to stand up in front of everyone, but let him sign up. Ben was very excited and luckily the audience was all friends or family so they were great encouragers. He did about 5 or so funny faces and was very pleased with himself. Dad, Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Sarah sang and did a wonderful job. It was hard to get the kids to leave that night for bed.

Estes Park – Thursday and drive to Colby, KS

Thursday was time to pack up and head on our way. It was a long day that ended with a flat tire in Colby. Not our favorite memory of the trip!

Final Day! – Colby, KS to Tulsa, OK

We got on the road and had another long day ahead. The kids persevered and so did Mom and Dad for the most part. Ha ha! We were all glad to be home and get some much needed rest!

4th of July

We had talked about the 4th of July for probably a whole month before it came. Ben was very excited about the parade, fireworks, etc. Then it got to be the day before the school parade. Ben was not so sure he was eager to hear the drum line that was coming from a local high school to lead his parade. He persevered though and was able to crack a smile as he marched proudly. By the end of the parade he even danced a little and started to loosen up. Elizabeth performed as predicted. She wasn’t upset about the parade, but looked stunned and confused. Her hair was done up in a blue ribbon though and she looked so cute! Ben had wild hair too with colored hair spray and sparkles. After the parade, we went to buy fireworks. Ben agreed to some fountains and smoke balls. He actually calls them snoke balls! After church on the 4th we had a birthday party for one of Ben’s friends to attend. Ben was glad to see his friend, but extra glad to see her dogs. He loved petting them and playing chase. The kids are definitely not exposed to animals very often. Ha ha! After the fun party we headed to Olive for a cookout with Mom’s family. The kids got to see even more animals and both seemed to enjoy them from the appropriate distance. Elizabeth loved the horses until they walked closer. :) Both kids enjoyed the fireworks that we had purchased and we even got to see some larger fireworks during our car ride home after the fun at Aunt Terry and Uncle John’s. When we arrived home, it was a different story. E was pretty easy to go to sleep, but there were lots of fireworks being shot in our neighborhood. Ben got out his ear plugs and sat in the living room to watch TV. He even requested to go take cover in the bathtub, but he was reassured that it was just as quiet and safe to enjoy the TV. He finally settled down as the fireworks slowed around 10 or so and made it clear that he only enjoyed the quiet ones and he would not like to hear any fireworks on the next 4th of July. He did request an extra bag of snoke balls for next year though.

June Happenings

The kids have packed lots in so far this summer. June was a busy month! Both kids did swim lessons twice a week all month. Elizabeth was in the pool with Dad. She liked it mostly, but wasn’t too keen on being on her back or “swimming” to the instructor. Picture day went so poorly that they didn’t even bother to print hers. Ben was in the pool solo for the first time. He loved Miss Jessica and really loved giving us thumbs up (where he often confuses his index fingers and it looks like he is claiming to be #1) through the viewing window. He worked hard on his “rowers” and “kickers”. He jumped in some and put his face in some, but those were his biggest struggles. He did not like the way his eyes felt under water!

We went to some fun events around town this month. Tulsa Tough started the month. We watched our friend, Jeremy, race Friday night in the Blue Dome Criterium - Cat I/II Race. The kids loved seeing the racers whoosh by us and we cheered loud for Mr. Jeremy (who according to Ben tied for first place). We also went to Taste of Summer at the Blue Bell ice cream factory in Broken Arrow on the last weekend of the month with Grandpa David. They had all you could eat ice cream in so many flavors, lots of crafts and activities for the kids, bounce courses and houses and live music. We also took a tour of their facility while we were there. Elizabeth was most interested in sharing ice cream with Daddy and Ben enjoyed the tour (because it felt cold in the air conditioning) and milking the pretend cow and the bouncy obstacle course.

They have spent a lot of time at splash parks, doing water play at school and playing in the pool. Our neighborhood pool has a shallow end where Ben can touch and he really likes that. There is also a much smaller wading pool that Ellie can splash in easily. Both kids are loving the water and stay in as long as we let them. Ben also heard a commercial for Big Splash on the radio recently and wondered what that must be like if he thought the other splash parks were big – it must be giant. Mom’s plan is to hold off on that venture as long as possible!

We’ve also squeezed in some fun play dates. Some of our special family friends have recently moved back from out of state and the kids have already gotten together for lunch. We also met up with some wonderful church friends for playing and pizza. The big brothers and little sisters are exactly the same ages, so they really enjoy playing together. Ben and Elizabeth also had their regular play dates with Grandma Lyn and Grandpa David. Elizabeth has started her own play date with them once a week and Ben still enjoys his special time. The kids had a special sleep over play date with Grandma Elaine and Grandpa Larry. Mom and Dad went out of town for the weekend and the kids had a great time playing, picnicking and hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

July is nearly here and we are looking forward to an equally busy and fun month. We have a few birthday parties to attend, a family vacation to Colorado, Fourth of July parades and parties and lots more.