Visit with Grandma and Grandpa

We were thrilled to have a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa last weekend!  We didn't tell the kids that they were coming, so they were mighty surprised and excited when the doorbell rang!  Friday night, we had dinner and the kids showcased their improving reading skills.


We had planned to drive up into Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday, so we were a little nervous when we woke up to dense fog.  Normally you'd see a bank of houses in this photo, and it made me a little excited for how  beautiful it will be here when the snow falls!


Luckily, the weather cleared up nicely by the time we were ready to go, so we loaded up the van and started our drive into Estes Park, a beautiful mountain town just before the park.  We saw some long-horned sheep on the way!




Dropping into Estes Park is always beautiful, but even more so with the fall foliage!


Estes Park is nearly always busy, but there was a festival in town and it was the last really warm, beautiful weekend to get up and see the leaves, so traffic was CRAZY.


We had a picnic lunch, then went on a little hike to an old stone lookout, from which you can see the whole town.










I am seriously not okay with how old my baby girl is looking.


Pretty view of Lake Estes!




For this color junkie, it doesn't get much  better than October!




On Sunday, we holed up inside to escape the wind and rain, but did venture out to go snooping in the row of nearly-completed homes.  They're beautiful, but their views of solid houses don't hold a candle to the open space behind us!  Grandma baked cookies with the kids, which they loved!


We think Alaina confused the cookie dough with playdough.  Nothing flattens it out better than being pounded with an elbow!


Before hitting the road on Monday morning, Grandma and Grandpa walked the kids to the bus stop.


 Our visit was wonderful!  Thanks for spending the time, money, and energy to come, Mom and Dad!  The time for you to go home always comes too quickly!