Colorado

Blakelyn (7.5 months) went on her first plane flight over Father's Day weekend (Thursday to Monday)!  We traveled to Colorado, Monument/Colorado Springs to be exact.  

Bryan's parents came with us to help us on the flights and because we were going to celebrate the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Bryan's grandparents!

Pre-travel:

Bryan's parents drove from Birmingham to Huntsville, then we all drove (in JJ's handy dandy minivan) to Nashville, where we caught a flight to Denver.

Thursday:

Chewing on some beads

Pops had to take his glasses off since someone knows how to grab them!

"who me, grab glasses?!"

Made it to Nashville!

"What?!?! I get to ride in a vehicle and not be buckled in a carseat!"

Bags are checked, no turning back now!

Exploring the airport before boarding.

Getting out all of her "wiggles" before the flight.

We chose not to pay for her to fly and held her in our laps..

Chewbeads to the rescue!

Blakelyn LOVED take off and landing with all the bumpity bumps. However, the middle part, cruising/boring, she got a "little fussy."

So we changed her diaper.

And Bryan held her upright and paced in the back of the plane to keep her entertained.

If you ever fly with Bryan and need to escape via the escape hatch, Bryan's your man! He read over and over again about how to open the door!

The reward for "dealing" with an infant on a plane... PBR! 

True frat boy style!

We immediately put Blakelyn to bed upon arrival.  It was a long day and Blakelyn hadn't napped. 

Friday:

Meeting Great-Grammy and exploring a new book!

GreatGrandparents meet Blakelyn!

Blakelyn received balloons welcoming her to Colorado!

Hellllo Kitty! I want to eat you!

4 Generations!

Think of a reversed female monogram:

Great Grandparents on the right.

Grandparent (their daughter) on the left.

Parent (son/grandson) holding offspring (red head).

"Why is everyone watching me eat..." because you are the first!

Since the weather in Colorado is dry, the temperature was slightly cooler than we are used to in Alabama this time of year. It was fun to dress Blakelyn in some of the winterish clothing she didn't get to wear since she had so much/ wasn't big enough to fit into yet. 

Ruffle butt jeans!

Going for a walk!  

We kept Blakelyn's schedule as best as we could (just timed earlier because of the time difference). 

The time difference was convenient for us since we could put Blakelyn to bed, then eat dinner and hang out with family.

Friday Night:

Before we put Blakelyn down for the night we got a picture of all the 1st cousins once removed. (Bryan's cousins and our child relation)

Why is it called 1st cousins once removed, I don't know, it's confusing, but that's the official term.

Blakelyn, Maddie, Katie, Alex.

The next day (at 3am) Maddie and Katie were leaving for a mission trip to Peru. While, Alex was headed to Colorado State University in Fort Collins to check on his living quarters since the wildfires were raging nearby. (more in that later) 

(Great) Grandparents The Wascher's celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary!

The Wascher's had three daughters.  

One of which lives in Colorado and the other two traveled to help celebrate (and to see Blakelyn).

Diane and Mike Hummon

Bryan and I

Judy and Tom Novack

The Duvens (who live in Colorado and whose house we stayed in).

Susan, Alex, Bill, Maddie, Katie

Saturday:

Bryan's Aunt Susan kept just about everything from when she had children.  Which was very handy since we didn't have to bring much.  She had a pack and play, exersaucer, hiking backpack, and a bumbo (ok so she had to borrow the bumbo, but still she kept everything!).  

Testing out the hiking backpack!

Said hike!

"why is everyone oohing and aahing and taking pictures of me"

All that is missing is Blakelyn's right hand reaching up Bryan's neck and combing his hair.  That's what she did during the walk, that and drool down her left arm (and Bryan's left arm).

Those of us on the walk.

JJ, Bryan (Blakelyn), Paige, Diane, Tom, Mike. Susan is taking the picture.

Yes, Blakelyn is reaching for (and grabbed) my sunglasses.

Saturday Night:

Since we were about an hour south of Denver, I contacted some of my cousins who live in the Denver area to get together.  We decided to do dinner at The Homlar Family Loft.  My dad's brother bought a loft in downtown Denver (right across the street from the Pepsi Center), so that he could stay there when he and his wife come to visit their sons. 

2nd cousins! 

In case you were wondering, 2nd cousins are those who share the same great-grandparents. 

Therefore, my children and my cousin's children are 2nd cousins, make sense?

Olivia, Sophie, Blakelyn, Marlo, Sarah. 

There is another girl, Audrey, but she was at camp.

That's right, all girls!!

My cousins and I.

Paige (with Blakelyn), Joe, Scott.

Kind of funny that all our heads tilt to the right for pictures.

Cousins with spouses:

Bryan and I on the left. 

Elizabeth and Joe top right.

Rachel and Scott bottom right.

Family picture!

Sunday (Father's Day):

Four Generations (dressed more nicely).

Family

(From left to right vertically)

Hummons, Duvens, Novacks, Waschers, Novacks

All the Fathers.

As if a 60th Wedding Anniversary and Father's Day wasn't enough celebrating, Susan was celebrating her 50th Birthday that following Tuesday. So we celebrated with Chocolate Cake shots!!

Monday:

As we packed everything up, Susan got some cuddling time in.  Everything was going great...

 until Blakelyn saw me.  

The Flight Back:

We only got a few shots on the flight back because we were busy trying to calm Blakelyn down.

She was horrible. Every parents worst experience, every passengers worst nightmare. We were those parents with the screaming child, but at least we were trying to calm her down. 

Sweetness before the screams:

The Colorado Wildfires:

From Bryan's Aunt's house we could see Pike's Peak, it's the tallest mountain in the area (center left).  This is a very hazy picture compared to the usual crystal clear crisp view.  The wildfires were about 2 hours away (near Fort Collins) and the haze is the smoke from the fires. 

Off to the left in the valley is where the Air Force Academy is located. 

Less than two weeks after our trip, this is the view of Pikes Peak.  The Air Force Academy Stadium is bottom left.

We had gone to Garden of the Gods one afternoon and took some pictures of the beautiful area.

Kissing Camels.

On the way to the Gardens you pass by The Flying W Ranch, which puts on an old fashion Western show.  Again less than two weeks after our visit, the Gardens were closed, part of it on fire, and the Flying W Ranch had burned to the ground. 

*Photos from the internet

Ranch Before:

Ranch After: