A Colorado Christmas

Ok. I am not kidding when I say this, but this might be the blog with the most pictures you have ever experienced. I took about 300 pictures on our trip, and have only included 32 in this blog but we had so much fun exploring my parent's new home that I had to share some of my favorites!

So. . .get a comfy chair, grab a snack and enjoy :)

Christmas was on a Sunday this year which I just loved! It was just the best to be able to go to Otter Creek and worship with our church family. After family worship, we ate a quick lunch at home, let Lucas take a 30 minute nap and we headed off to the airport! Lucas got this special suitcase from Finn and he was oh-so-excited to take it on the plane. It was just one more bag for us to keep track of, but it really worked out great for him to feel responsible for something.

 Our first day, we went on the Cog Railway up Pikes Peak. Because of snow and some downed trees, we were only able to go up 6 miles, but it was just beautiful and a really unique experience!

 Finn isn't quite sure what to think of this place, I think the altitude had him a bit confused :)

 Views of Colorado Springs way down below.

 Finn was altitude loopy, but it made for a great cuddler!

 My sweet Lucas watching the train up ahead pass.

 We celebrated Christmas with my family on Monday evening. This picture of Sugar and her grandsons was taken just seconds before Finn projectile spit up all over her. I mean ALL OVER. Her hair was dripping and we had to take a shower break before continuing our Christmas. Poor Finn will never live this down. It was quite hilarious actually only because Sugar took it so well. There was a moment of about 5 seconds of pure silence as we all were in shock over what happened but it was quickly followed with laughter and tears that lasted pretty much all week.

We think that somehow the high altitude and lower air pressure affected how Finn digested his food because the projectile spit up became a daily event. As soon as we flew back into Nashville he never did it again. Good thing that next time we fly to Colorado, he will be old enough to drink a sippy of water and we can acclimate him better that way.

 Super buddies.

 The Graves family at the Air Force Base and Academy in Colorado Springs.

 The chapel was just amazing. The stained glass with windows looking out over the mountains, the huge organ, the row reserved for fallen soldiers. It was all beautiful.

 This is the view off of my parent's deck. Yes, that is Pikes Peak right over my head.

 I probably took 75 pictures just of this view, the sunsets, sunrises, clouds, hot air balloon sightings were all gorgeous. New Years Eve, hikers take 2 days to hike up Pikes Peak with fireworks and set them off at midnight which was incredible to see.

 Garden of the Gods!

 Don't worry guys, I'll hold this rock up.

 Uncle Duncan and Aunt Megan helped Lucas make a gingerbread train. He had the joy of eating it :)

 Looking out over Cripple Creek, CO with the Rocky Mountains off in the distance.

 Cripple Creek

 These pictures were taken at the top of my parent's neighborhood. We were having fun with the lighting  the sunset was creating.

 Mr. Smiley.

 Precious. This was shortly before the Chinook winds hit. I have never experience wind that intense---up to 110 mph gusts of cold air filled with grit. Lucas was not a fan, he kept asking to go into stores and shop so we weren't outside. I was literally running with the stroller because the wind was pushing it so hard and after lunch we were all picking grit out of our clothes and hair.

 Grand Da's time this trip was consumed with playing trucks and shooting hoops with Lucas, he has another little buddy that will be joining in the fun soon!

 These two are inseparable. Precious love.

So, there are some highlights for you!