Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Daily log of Estes Park

Well here it is. I have so many videos and pictures from this trip. So turn the music off at the right and enjoy. I've had fun watching and re-watching and re-watching and.....wow, I'm so homesick right now. ;)


We had thought about splitting up our trip and leaving Tuesday night, but we decided to do it all in one shot. We left about 8:30 Wednesday morning and made it all the way to Rawlins (a little over 4 hours). Everything was great! The girls didn't even watch a whole movie--they had too much fun playing and coloring. We were definitely ready for a break though so we stopped at the McDonald's playplace to let them run around, in fact, we decided 2 hours in Rawlins would be such a blast! Actually, no, our van just wouldn't start. Luckily Matt's brother Glade lives there and was able to do some cleaning and tweeking and bail us out. (In fact, as these winter months approach--if any of you ever need help along I-80 in Wyoming we have good connections at each town along the way) Anyway, it probably actually worked out better because the girls took a little nap as we drove another 3 1/2 hours. I was so excited once we finally made it to Glacier Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado. There were M&Ms everywhere. This is my mom's family, the Montesi's, and her Aunt and cousins the Masons. We have always been in Wyoming and they have always been on the east coast, so the last time I saw any of them was 5 years ago at my Aunt's wedding in Boston. It is amazing though how family is always family and we all felt right at home! Even more amazing was watching the kids, who don't even know how we are all related, have so much fun together and become best friends. My kids miss the cousins sooooo much!





Thursday--actually every day was swimming and hanging out! The kids had a blast in the pool! ROCK ON!!











Abby was able to practice being a mommy by putting Kierra to sleep twice that day. I promise I do take care of my own kids most of the time. My cousin Piper was also amazing with Kierra. I really do think in a couple of years she needs to come stay with us for a summer!






That was also the day that about 20 of our group went horseback riding. Matt and Kaylee went. Kaylee rode on Trooper and was the leader of the pack (behind the 1st guide). The trip was 90 minutes through the mountain. Kaylee came back with a huge smile and a sore bum. She had a blast! I also love the pictures of my Grandma and Grandpa Montesi. These two are the most active people I know and they are in their 70s. They live on a boat through most of the summer and are skiing in the winter. They are incredible and this picture of my Grandma says it all! I love them both and miss them so much!





That night was the talent show. I really wish I had more video of that. So please make sure you go to my previous post to see my girls do the tiki dance and then my brothers play Phil Collins. Here are my brothers with some Sweet Home Alabama! To steel DJ's line from our family website, "The lodge has entertainment every Thursday night, but this week the guy scheduled to sing had other plans so rescheduled for Friday. Brian and Jackson's manager...okay...their dad asked the owners if they needed someone to fill in so these guys got the gig." They were even signing autographs afterwards! It was awesome!

On Friday and Saturday we spent a lot of time in Estes Park. Right as you pull into town there was this cute little golf course. The girls had fun and as always there was much picture taking! Watch the cute videos of Emily and Taylor golfing!



HI Brooklynne!! CHEESE!!







After golfing we rode the tram up to the top of Prospect Mountain. (1100 feet in 5 minutes--no wonder you weren't feeling so well Abby) My family had a little too much fun taking pictures.










Kierra fell asleep right away on her daddy. The rest of us had fun feeding the squirrels. If you look really close you can see that Taylor is petting the squirrel.

On Friday we went to Fun City. We rode bumper cars, went down the slide and I did the bungie trampoline. DJ, David, Dale and Dylan (that's my problem--my name doesn't start with D) ...they all made it look so graceful and easy. I did some back flips, but I was anything but graceful. When that guy sprung me up into the sky I screamed so loud and made a full of myself. Matt wasn't even able to get very good video of it (thank goodness) because my baby who was on his back was screaming too. That poor baby had no idea what to think. So, I'll post what little I have. It was so fun! I was shaking for at least 30 minutes afterward. I needed that rush though! Thanks DJ for doing that with me. I miss you a ton! The 2 of us need to take a vacation together and do more psycho crazy things like that. I promise not to be as embarrassing next time!





Oh--and sorry about this video--you'll need to turn your head sideways for 6 seconds to see it.



Well, that was the big stuff, but what I loved the most was just hanging out in the lodge. The kids did face painting and played in the bunkhouse and the adults jammed and talked. We played cards and settlers, figured out riddles ate GREAT food and listened to the GREATEST music. That was the best! Morgan and Matt jammed on the guitar and the kids got out the drums and bells and whistles. This was it. I'm sorry that it took me FOREVER to blog this. Maybe someday I'll get faster at it, but one of the reasons it took so long was because I have enjoyed looking at pictures and watching the videos over and over again.







Those cute little puppies are still missing. :( Briannyn, you've been caught spot handed!





The M&M reunion at Estes Park


Where do I begin?! For 3 days I have sat at this computer ready to blog our last week and there is just too much! I have tons of pictures and tons of video that I could put on. Then I have tons more of my sisters pictures I could add, and then cousins' pictures, etc. etc.

I have drafts of the entire reunion that are almost ready to post, but for now I will start by showing off my family because right now I miss them all so much!! I really should never blog with country music playing in the background. Everything gets way too sentimental.



Here are my Mom and Dad! And of course you all know Dale. Dale is the baby of the family. He'll be a senior in high school. Mom and Dad are almost empty nesters, but their house will never be empty. Hopefully they are still up for watching my kids next week! The next 4 family pictures (and ours at the very top) belong to DJ. She is the best photographer ever, and someday we'll be able to afford to pay her what she is really worth. Thanks DJ for all of the amazing pictures!


We'll continue with youngest to oldest so that brings up my sister Abby and her hubby Cody. They are due with their first baby in January, so needless to say this poor girl wasn't feeling the greatest this week. She was such a good sport though!




Jackson and his family are next. I miss these guys sooooo much!! Morgan you are the best! I think I might have a video of you rocking out on the guitar. Dylan turned 6 while at the reunion, and cute Chloe is 2. Rock on!! (The "rock on" picture will be posted later)


DJ is my sister that is 2 years younger than me, and we definitely don't hang out enough. Our girls had so much fun with DJ and David's girls. Brooklynne is 7, Briannyn 5, Joey is almost 3 and Jamilynn is 1. (the views behind you are great, but I need more of a close up of you guys--like maybe a yoga pose ;) )


And then there is Brian who was born 2 days before my first birthday. Brennen and Courtlynn look about the same size, but he is almost 8 and she is 5. My girls are really missing these kids too! I really need to get back to Wyoming more often. I miss my whole family so much.


I have time to add some videos really quick before I go make dinner.
Here are Brian and Jackson doing what they do best! Brian didn't really throw the drum. It kept tipping over on him. Bumpy grassy areas aren't really the best for drum sets. Sorry about my camera work on this one. I had to stop watching through the lense for a minute. I have more jamming videos that I'll add later.

And my girls doing what they do best! My pictures from this talent show night were really dark. I was kinda bummed because it was such a fun night! I know others got video of everyone's talents. I can't wait to see it and have a copy of it!


Baby is screaming and dinner needs to be made. There is so much more to come!!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Be good to your daughters!

I went back to my old camera to do video for a concert Matt and I went to last night! Is it bad that my John Mayer video turned out better than my own brother's video?? (I do love you more Dale--I used the better camera for you, that's why it won't work--After the reunion we'll work on it some more and I'll post it in a new blog so everyone can see it)

So here they are Colbie Caillat and John Mayer!! (Don't forget to push pause on the music to the right!)






Here we are having so much fun! This is Matt's brother Ryan and his wife Kathryn. Happy birthday to Ryan! Thanks for letting us party with you!





And here are John and Colbie again. (I've been to a concert so we are on a first name basis now)



And now we are off to Estes Park, Colorado for my mom's family reunion!! I can't wait to take my camera to that!! Sorry that I'm not so wordy lately, but there is lots of packing and cleaning to do!