Penn State Chics Dig Nerds

We also took Jesse's parents to see Peaceful Valley Ranch, were Jesse and I worked and met each other. I actually took this picture a few days before.  The kids wanted to drive up to the upper pasture to see all of the horses.  Brady would hardly leave the side of the car.  I could not convince either of the kids to touch the horses.  We had three horses that came over wanting attention. Funny.  This is only a few miles from PVR.  We all, the kids included, walked up the mountain to the Peaceful Valley Chapel. Our family at the Peaceful Valley Chapel. The view from the chapel.  It kind of made me wish again that I had gotten married here! Looking down at the Ranch. The PV Stagecoach.  At one time there really was a stagecoach stop here. Brady really liked the stagecoach.  He did not want to get out! On the way down the road to Boulder, we stopped at Boulder Falls.  Here, Natalee is wearing her bonnet that...

We went with the Jesse's parents to Rocky Mountain National Park.  The park received more than double their normal amount of snowfall last winter.  Since there was a lot of snow remaining in the park and on the trails, we drove on the Trail Ridge Road.  This is the highest continuous road in the United States. It's still warm and sunny down this low. The kids enjoyed playing in the snow.  Here, Brady discovered rolling snowballs down the hill. Beautiful. Now it was quite chilly.  We had to break out our sweatshirts. All of us. You can see how stormy it became.  While we were at the Alpine Ridge Visitors Center, it rained.  A little later in the day, it rained a lot and even hailed on us.

Our drive to Colorado from Iowa was not nearly as eventful as the first leg of our trip.  Thank goodness!  We had to make a diversion in Nebraska.  While on I-80, I saw a sign for this town: Brady had no idea what this was all about.  I think he thought his mom was being weird. Since our diversion took us to US 30 (the Lincoln Highway), we stayed on it for a while.  It was a nice change.  They interstate was starting to get really boring.  We made it to Colorado!  As soon as  we entered Colorado, we stopped at the visitors center in Julesburg.  Brady was really fascinated with the elk and buffalo that were hung on the wall of the visitors center. To get a little exercise, we walked up this path. ....I mean we ran on this path!  When we reached Greeley, we found a nice park to run off some energy.  They found some slides that were the old-fashioned metal kind.  They were tall and the kids went zipping down...

This story is not funny to me yet.  I am writing it down because it might be funny in 5 years. It was quite a trip-- about 6 hours of driving time more than it should have been.  When we (the kids and I) reached Youngstown, Ohio, we went into a truck stop to use the restrooms because the rest area that we had just passed was closed.  At this point, it was only 7:15am.  While I was in the restroom I decided I should buy a coffee product to try and rejuvenate myself.  As soon as I thought about money I knew.  I did not even have to look.  My wallet was in Jesse's Blazer way back at the Mead plant.  I had taken my wallet and the Blazer to my softball game the night before so that I could stop and pick up the kids fluoride pills and Jesse could start packing up the car for me.  I had put the wallet in the glove compartment so that it would not be visible while I was playing.  As I searched through my purse I could only find $18 -- not enou...

I had to post these pictures on here because I think they are funny and I like them.  We spent a fun afternoon with Kelly and Will at Degrosso's Amusement Park.  Since we have season passes, we invited them to use our buddy passes.  We've already gone enough times this year and invited enough people with us that we have our passes "paid for"! Here, we are all riding on the train.  All the girls are looking at the camera, but the boys are distracted :)  My two kids are convinced that the train here is actually Thomas.  It is blue, but it is definitely not Thomas!   While the temperatures were excellent for riding the amusement rides, it was quite chilly for the water park.  The kids were really excited about the water, so we took them over there to give it a try.  There were hardly any people in the water area, and I understand why!  The water was so cold!  My legs were cramping in the 1 ft deep water.  After a few minutes,...

It is suddenly VERY hot today.  We took the dog for a walk even before we ate breakfast this morning.  Then, we felt the need to bring out the sprinkler.  And, it was not even lunch time yet! First we had out the worm sprinkler that Brady got for his birthday.  However, I don't think we have enough water pressure to make it work properly. The water felt nice and cold. Then, we got out the lawn sprinkler to run through... ...and to drink! (Of course, Reagyn joined us for a few minutes until she had to leave-- she has no fear of water going over her head, so it was good for my two kids to see.) I'm trying to get them ready for the water park at Delgrosso's Amusement Park .  It is impossible to go on any of the fun slides there without getting your head wet!  Last year, I took Natalee for a ride on a small waterslide.  When we were waiting in line, the HUGE bucket poured water all over us.  She would not do that again!  Hopefull...

The kids and I had the privilege of going to watch Kaylene play softball this evening.  Between watching me play last night and watching Kaylene tonight, the kids have watched a lot of softball this week!  It has gotten their interest, though.  They want to play, too! Kaylene at second base.  That's the best position on the field :)  Plus, number 8 is a pretty nice number.  That was my number in high school softball. Waiting at second base... Run! Safe at third.  Later, she scored a run.  Kaylene's team won 15-0.  Good game Kaylene!