Platte Valley Trolley

I've always wanted to take the kids and ride the Platte Valley Trolley. The day finally arrived. I'm not sure who was more excited -- me or the kids.

When we arrived at the boarding station near REI downtown, I was surprised to see that the ride would last 25 minutes. Somehow, I assumed it would be shorter.

We spent $9 on our tickets and were all aboard!

They're not sure what their mother has gotten them into but are willing to smile for a picture.

In spite of the heat, it was nice and cool on board. The trolley runs from REI near Confluence Park to just past Sports Authority Field at Mile High and back. It's a guided tour and one of the conductors shares bits of Denver history along the way. I didn't know much of the information he shared and found it really interesting.

Madelyn and Sawyer's favorite tidbit was seeing the car that had driven into the Platte River during the higher waters in June. Now, it's mostly sunk.

We took a picnic lunch and ate at the park outside of the Children's Museum. It was hot but nice in the shade. AND, the day's adventure checked two more items off our Summer BINGO chart -- Platte Valley Trolley and picnic at a park. As Sawyer would say, "BAM!"

Some petting zoo...

Madelyn had a playdate yesterday at a friend's house. So, Sawyer and I had a few hours to ourselves. Before running errands, we decided to hit up the petting zoo at Belleview Park.

Sweet Sawyer was expecting something like ZOOMARS Petting Zoo in San Juan Capistrano, California. We visited that zoo last Summer when we were in San Diego with family. Up front, I told him that where we were going wouldn't have guinea pigs to hold, animals to feed, and pony rides. Little did I know, they would have almost none of their animals when we visited yesterday!

The first time I visited Belleview Park was with Madelyn and Grammy right around five years ago. Madelyn was 19 months old and in the ecstatic phase about seeing live farm animals. Plus, they had all sorts of animals that day -- a cow, sheep, goats, pigs, and a few chickens and turkeys. Yesterday...not so much. None the less, Sawyer and I still had fun. He enjoyed petting the animals (mostly goats) that were available.

He even named this little fellow (or lass?), but for the life of me, I can't remember what.

This kid is an expert at milking cows. He learned how to do it at the National Western Stock Show last January. Most people don't milk from directly behind the cow. But, he's just that good. And...it's a statue.

The obligatory train ride was our favorite part. Fortunately, the petting zoo and train ride were not that expensive so it didn't matter that we weren't there for very long. More importantly, we had fun together. I never get tired of his sweet face.

I'm starting to see that we're outgrowing some of our favorite haunts from days when Madelyn and Sawyer were younger. It's kind of weird but also neat because their getting bigger is opening up other doors for us like skiing and amusement parks. Next Summer will be a whole new adventure!

Sawyer speak.

Post-bedtime books and after catching a hug and a kiss and a quick snuggle.

Sawyer (to me): "If you want to marry someone else, you can marry me. But Daddy will still be in our family...When I grow up, we can get married."

I love that boy. His heart is so sweet.

Balloon festival 2015.

Children looking to hitch a ride to the mountains.

Last weekend, we packed up the old family truckster and headed west to Steamboat Springs. Our 8-seater Pilot seated six comfortably. This year, Honey and Poppie came with us. It was a very last minute trip but boy did we have fun!

We drove up on Friday morning and stayed at Trappeur's Crossing near the base of the mountain. (Took a break from The Ranch this time.) Griff stayed there a few times with his family when he was a youngster and remembered it being nice. He also remembered a Baby Ruth-like incident occurring which involved one of his siblings who shall not be named but felt confident that 20+ years of chlorine had likely taken care of any lingering poo.

He was right about Trappeur's Crossing. It was nice. And, the pool was clean.

Saturday was the day we chose to attend the balloon festival. We jam-packed our day with activities.

6:30A Balloon festival. We left the condo a little after 6:00 to catch the shuttle bus out to the field where the festival was being held. The weather was PERFECT -- clear blue skies, cool temps, and no breeze. Saw some great ballooning (if that's a word) and enjoyed the event.

National anthem featuring US flag and Colorado flag balloons.

It was early and a certain someone wasn't ready to have his picture taken.

Mile High Madelyn and Griff suddenly find themselves in the shadow of another balloon inflating.

Honey and Poppie taking in their first balloon festival.

Up, up, and away!

Balloons skimming the lake.

Madelyn and Sawyer are looking the wrong way!

We even ran into the Nolte girls and AJ (Aunt Jen) at the end of the event. Unfortunately, they were headed out of town that afternoon but it was still a treat to see them.

10:30A Gondola ride. There were a few sweaty paw pads. BUT thanks to our expert kid skiers who learned all about riding the gondola when they were in ski school last March, we had nothing to worry about. It rained off and on at the top. As a result, we couldn't spend a ton of extra time but we still had a chance to walk around and take in the spectacular views.

Kids on the top of the world!

Standing on the download side at the top of Thunderhead Express lift.

Hello, down there!

Just enough time for a group picture in between rain showers.

Coming back down, we were some of the last set of passengers on the gondola before the lightning stoppage. As is the case in the mountains, ten minutes later, the weather moved on. Skies cleared and everything on the mountain went back to business. On to lunch!

12:00P Lunch at Slopeside Grill. Located slope side as the name would lead you to believe, we enjoyed a delicious lunch on their patio.

1:30P Quiet time at the condo. A movie for the kids and naps for the adults before heading out to the pool.

3:00P Swimming and ice cream social. Swimming was cut short due to lightning and bad weather. However, bad weather doesn't stop ice cream! We got our ice cream at the condo association's ice cream social and went back upstairs to wait for the weather to break.

4:15P Swimming part two. Good times at the Trappeur's Crossing pool. No Baby Ruth bars, thankfully. Just lots of jumping, splashing, smiling, and hot tubbing. Madelyn and Sawyer are getting to be such good swimmers. I love it!

6:00P Domino's Pizza for dinner in the condo. There's just something about Domino's Pizza and ski condos that just feels right.

8:00P Balloon glow at the mountain. Our condo was only 1/4 mile from the gondola so we just walked down for this event. Even with two tired kiddos, not to mention a few tired adults, it was an easy walk. As far as the balloon festival events were concerned, I think this was my favorite event. First of all, we had had such a great day that it was a nice way to wrap it up. Secondly, I was so thankful that Honey and Poppie were/are healthy and could attend this time. Thirdly, the event just seemed so much better than 2013. 2013 was fun but this just seemed better. Eight different balloon teams showed up and put on quite a show.

Our little photographer honing her skills.

Watching and waiting as the balloons get ready.

Five of the eight balloons participating in the Glow. It's such an amazing sight!

Sunday morning, we went to Winona's for the required cinnamon roll and breakfast before returning to Denver. It was a quick trip but we packed in a lot.

I love that Madelyn and Sawyer get to spend such quality time with all their grandparents. They certainly enjoy it. I know as they get older, they'll look back fondly on all the fun trips to both to visit family and with family.

Friday funny.

Big sisters with their babies. Good grief.