Colorado Springs Trip

Wow... It's been a long time since I've updated this blog! As most of you know, Ashley and I are expecting a son soon! Her due date is August 10th. We are so excited for the new addition to our family. Ashley and I decided to take one final road trip prior to our lil' guy being born. We headed up to Fort Collins, Colorado for the day, and we had a great time. After eating lunch we went walk around the campus of Colorado State University. There was this very nice tree-covered walkway, keeping us cool during the rising summer temperatures. We drove over to Horsetooth Reservoir and enjoyed the scenery. Ashley is due in four short weeks! After leaving Fort Collins, we drove back home to watch Despicable Me 2, which was an awesome movie! On Thursday we drove down to Colorado Springs, and hit up The Garden of the Gods. It's a beautiful place with very unique rock formations. After leaving Garden of the Gods, we went to the United States Olympic Training Center, which was pretty cool. We took a quick tour and then went to check in to our hotel. Later in the evening, we went to the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox game against the Reno Aces. On Friday we went to visit a site called Seven Falls. It is one waterfall, that has seven different areas where the water goes over the edge. We weren't very impressed by the $8.95 charge per person to get in to the place, but it was still a cool site to see. Cool staircase leading up to the observation deck at the waterfall. After leaving, we drove about a mile away to another scenic area. We can't wait for August 10th (or sometime around there) for our son to be born! I will definitely be updating this blog more with photos of our lil' guy when he gets here!

Jake Visits Colorado

Ashley's little brother Jake came out to visit us a few weeks ago, making his first solo flight at the age of 10. We picked him up at DIA where they let Ashley and I go pick Jake up at the gate. He was wiped out after a long trip. We came home and just rested Thursday night. Friday morning I had to go to my classes at the police academy, so Ashley took Jake to the Denver Aquarium. Ashley then took Jake through Denver's City Park, which offers some great views of downtown. When I got home from class we loaded up the car and headed downtown to go see the Rockies play the Phillies. Jake walks towards Coors Field. View from our seats. There was a long line to meet the Rockies' mascot Dinger, so we just had him stand near him so we could grab a photo. Jake wanted to take a photo with my camera. Great shot! Rally towel! Jake crushin' some Dippin' Dots. Jake watches a member of the grounds crew rake the warning track after the game. Saturday morning we went to Waterworld, a very large water park near our house. It was packed, and it was hot, but we all had a great time. Next up was a trip to Casa Bonita, a Mexican restaurant made famous by the TV show "South Park". The various shows there were cool but the food was just mediocre. Jake stands near a large pool where performers dive into the water. Saturday night we went to Dave & Busters to play some video games. Here's Jake and I racing together. Sunday morning we went to Boulder to check out the Pearl Street Mall and drive up into the foothills. Here's Jake at a toy store that has a bunch of magnets near the cash register. It was boiling hot and Jake cooled down by sticking his head in a water fountain spout of water. Jake playing at Scott Carpenter Park in Boulder. It seemed like such a quick trip, but we had such a fun time with Jake. Jake weighs himself on the baggage scale. Riding the tram to the terminal. We get to the gate and find out that Jake's plane is delayed by two hours. Here he is talking with his mom on the phone. Riding the moving walkway to try to pass time. Saying good-bye and Jake is on his way back to Michigan. Jake's plane leads the way towards the runway. We had such a great time with Jake. He's such a mature 10-year-old and I'm so proud of him that he flew three hours by himself to come visit us. The three of us are hoping this can become an annual trip out to Colorado to see us! Thanks again, Jake! See you soon!