Early Tuesday morning, October 11, we meet Brent, April, and the boys at the Denver airport. We had breakfast together and then Brent and April continued their trip to Las Vegas. The three boys will spend the week with us until they return late Friday night. We have a fun and busy week planned for the boys!
Day 1 of Papa and Nana Camp
From the Denver airport we drove to Colorado Springs to our apartment. The boys loved the race up to the third floor. We settled in deciding where each will sleep and keep their things.
We packed a picnic lunch and headed to the
Garden of the Gods. The visitor center was our first stop and we saw a movie of how the rock formations were made and enjoyed seeing the animals of the park.
 |
| Cam does not want to be left behind. |
 |
| Balanced Rock |
 |
| Steamboat Rock with the boys under the front part. |
 |
| Yummy picnic |
 |
| It's a great place to climb. |
 |
| The boys with "Kissing Camels" |
We head back to the apartment for nap/quiet time, play time, supper, hot tub soak, showers and bedtime snack.
 |
| Playground at our apartment complex. |
 |
| Lining up all the vehicles |
 |
| Time for bed. |
Day 2 of Papa and Nana Camp
Papa had to go to work for a few hours so we made fall sugar cookies. Everyone rolled and cut out shapes to bake. Then we played out on the playground again.
Our destination today was
Cave of the Winds. It was cold (40s) and foggy/misty so cave exploring is our best option today. We enjoyed the cave tour and it was very informative. Our picnic lunch was eaten inside at the Cave lobby because of the weather.
After quiet time/nap time the big boys finished the sugar cookies! Cam enjoyed the new playdough while the big boys walked to the park to play soccer and basketball. Supper, the hot tub and stories finished this busy day.
Day 3 of Papa and Nana Camp
The North Pole was our destination today. This theme park includes lots of rides and fun things to do.
So many rides! Time to head back to Nana and Papa's home.
Day 4 of Papa and Nana Camp
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo here we come! It was a fabulous zoo in a gorgeous setting.
 |
| Feeding the giraffes |
 |
| Beautiful setting for a zoo. |
 |
| Feeding the song birds from Australia |
 |
| Lunch on the go. |
 |
| Petting the goats. |
 |
| A deer in the wild. |
Back for naps/rest time and then swimming in the pool and hot tub. It was 84 degrees today so it was a perfect day for the pool. Papa and the boys carved jack-o-lanterns in the evening.
Day 5 of Papa and Nana Camp
Brent and April landed in Denver late Friday night so they were ready to join the fun in Colorado Springs today. Seven Falls was the destination today on a beauty fall day. We parked at the Broadmoor Hotel and they shuttle us up to the entrance of Seven Falls. We walked about one mile to the actual falls. What a beautiful walk - and lots of opportunities for throwing rocks into the creek!
 |
| At the base of the seven falls. |
 |
| 224 stairs to the top of the falls! |
 |
| Here we go! |
 |
| We made it to the top. |
 |
| The view of Seven Falls from the Eagle's Nest. |
 |
Walking back to catch the shuttle.
|
We headed to Garden of the Gods so Brent and April could experience it. We enjoyed a picnic lunch there, saw Balance Rock, Steamboat Rock, the Kissing Camels, and CLIMBED!
 |
| Kissing Camels - photo taken by Cade |
 |
| Balanced Rock |
 |
| Steamboat Rock |
Day 6 of Papa and Nana Camp
The Royal Gorge near Canon City, CO was our destination today. Over an hour drive took us to the famous bridge over the gorge. We were disappointed that the gondolas were not running due to the windy conditions. We walked over the bridge, played on the playground and walked back over the bridge.
 |
| Nana with the Colorado flag. |
 |
| Indiana! |
 |
| Cam checking the river and train below the bridge. |
 |
| Great playground fun |
We had 12:30 tickets to ride the Royal Gorge train along the gorge base.
 |
| We enjoyed the open air car. |
 |
| Big horn sheep |
 |
| The Royal Gorge bridge from the train |
 |
| It was a fun ride! |
MOD pizza for supper! Individual pizzas made to order as you walk through the line. The boys did a great job telling the pizza workers what they wanted on their pizzas.
Day 7 of Papa and Nana Camp
We took the cog railway up to Pike's Peak - well almost to the top. The unusually windy conditions did not allow the cog train up further than windy point. Oh, well. Back on the way down we had a thirty minute stop to get out and wander through the forest. The boys enjoyed the stop as they threw sticks into the little brook.
We had a late lunch back in Colorado Springs near our apartment at Salsa Brava. Naps/quiet time followed before heading to the Denver airport.
Busy, Busy week! Back to the Denver airport for a 8:45 pm flight. We loved our time together - four days with the boys plus three more days with everyone.
