Vail Vacation Part 2: Date Day

My parents watched the boys for an entire day, so that Brian and I could spend it together. We decided to go on a Polaris Rzr Mountain Tour. I was excited, but a little skeptical if it was really worth all $300.
Well, folks, IT WAS! We had an absolute blast and God really blessed us. We just happened to be the only couple that day taking a tour, so we got to follow the tour guide around the mountains all by ourselves. No waiting on other people. We also got to do a whole lot more than a usual tour because it was just us.

We started out by going through ginormous muddy puddle. And when I say ginormous I mean it was more like a small muddy lake, because the muddy water covered the floor of our Rzr. I had my eyes shut and my feet up on the dash trying to keep myself as clean as possible (we didn't plan what all we were going to do in Colorado until after we got there and I had not anticipated needing clothes that I could get covered in dirt, so I did not pack any). 

The thing that makes me laugh is that Brian was totally into the whole driving through a mud pit thing, so we did about 5 times (while our tour guide videoed us). 

After we got away from the ginormous mud puddle, our tour guide took us to a trail and we then hiked a short distance to a waterfall. 

Our tour guide took our picture in front of the waterfall and life was good. Then he suggested that we climb a little further so that we could see the top of the waterfall. Once we got to the top he suggested that we slide over a huge boulder and climb over some slippery rocks and take yet another picture. So that's what we did. It was not easy. In fact I actually accidentally stuck my foot in the water. 

Oh My Toes! They were freezing. 

But, that's not even that best part of the story.

After we got our picture, the guide was showing me how I should climb back over this boulder. I was sure I was going to slip and fall to my death, so I was pretty nervous. 

Then right as this guide is assuring me it will be fine, he slips and FALLS DOWN THE WATERFALL. 

I looked at Brian and asked, "Did we just kill our tour guide?"

Brian calls down the waterfall, "Are you okay?"

The guide jumps out of the water fists in the air and yells, "That was awesome!"

I was so thankful we didn't have to go explain to the tour guide place how our tour guide fell down a waterfall and died. PHEW! 

We all made it back to the safety of our Rzr's. I consistently reminded Brian as we were driving to be careful because we had two baby boys at home that desperately needed us to live. :)

The views were absolutely stunning. 

What a day! It couldn't have been a more perfect plan. Love that I get to call this man Husband and that we get to go on crazy fun adventures. 

We ate lunch on the mountaintop. As you can see in this picture I was freezing! So was Brian and he was in short sleeves, but pretended the whole day that he wasn't even chilly.

This was me after the long ride. I was literally covered in dirt from head to toe. I had mud caked to my lips like lipstick. It was pretty hilarious. 

After getting all cleaned up and pretty again, we went to Minturn, a little town near Vail, to check out a farmer's market they had going on. It was so fun. We drank some of the best lemonade I've ever had and I got to buy a few souvenirs.

The next day everyone went out to the Vail farmer's market. It is the biggest farmer's market in Colorado. It was pretty impressive. There were people everywhere. I could have spent hours looking around, except when you have babies that have to eat and nap that isn't really possible. I wish I had a good picture of what this farmer's market was like, but I was so busy I forgot all about taking pictures. 

Family Vacation: Vail Colorado Part 1

My dear friend Courtney decided to get married on a mountaintop and I couldn't miss her wedding. What better excuse than to just turn it into a vacation?

On the way there we started our trip in the early evening, drove 9 hours, and arrived in the early morning. It was pretty tough keeping our eyes open, but we filled our bodies with lots of caffeine while our dear babies slept. (This was actually my preferred method of travel, after we experienced traveling with the boys on the way home during the day)

I bought these really cool snack cups that let your child eat snacks, but aren't supposed to spill anywhere. They were absolutely enthralled with them and were entertained for awhile. I was beginning to think that I was a mommy genius, until Eli figured out how to take the top off and spilled HUNDREDS of cheerios all over the vehicle. Way to go, son, you win the baby genius prize.

Now let's talk about Colorado. Oh my goodness, it was beautiful, and the weather was perfect, and I never ever wanted to leave. 

Yep, I'll just build my cabin right over there please!

We met my parents there and we all had a wonderful time. I'm so thankful we went with my parents because they helped with the boys and Brian and I actually got to do some activities without babies. It was like a dream.

We did a lot of hiking. The boys were thrilled to get so much time to spend outdoors. Every morning as soon as they woke up they asked to doh doh (which is the equivalent of go). They loved hiking and really enjoyed the hiking backpacks we had for them. I really surprised myself on this trip and was able to actually carry them all over the place. I was sure that after 5 mins. I would be toast. Hooray, for determination.

Love my little family!

Vail is such a cute little town with cute big buildings :)

On our first day out, we took a ride up the mountain on the gondola, ate a delicious lunch while staring at mountains, and hiked along a trail. 

Vail from the Gondola 

Gondola riding with Mimi and Papa

Um, yeah, this makes my heart melt.

The view at the top. Let's all take a moment and soak it in.

Ready to hike!

Hiking selfie with a baby on my back...talented!

So glad I married an outdoorsman.

How did I get this blessed? 3 boys, hiking, mountains!

Me and my beautiful Momma, oh and Eli too ;)

Snacking on the trail

I miss this so much!

We went hiking the next day too! Surprise, Surprise. It was just as fun minus the fact that I got a sunburn on my scalp, but it was oh, so worth it!

Hand-Painted Sign DIY

I looked through a bunch of different pins on Pinterest and kinda combined them all together to make my very own sign. I'm so excited, because it was easy as pie.

Step 1: Find or cut a piece of wood to the size you want for your sign

Step 2: Pick out a cool font and the size of letters you want and print them out.

Step 3: Place the words where you want them on your sign and trace the outline with a ballpoint pen.

I used a ruler to make sure I kept the words straight. Would hate to have them all lop-sided. When you are tracing the outline of the words make sure you are pressing hard enough. It will make little ridges in the wood that you can follow along when you paint. 

Step 4: Fill in your traced outlines with paint. 

Step 5: Lightly sand the words to give your sign a more worn feeling and then stain the sign (this is really an optional step, you get to decide). When you stain your sign don't be afraid to put the stain over your painted words just make sure you quickly wipe it off. 

Can you believe that was only a 5 step process? See, I told you it was easy as pie. 

I currently have this in my bedroom until I can find a better place to display it. But, until then it is a really great sign to wake up to. Because, Lord knows, I need grace. You need grace. We all need grace. 

Making signs is addicting and I have hundreds more that I want to make. If only I had hundreds of places on my walls to hang signs. 

So, get to crafting. You won't regret it.