7.4.2013 - Happy Birthday to the USA!

We had a blast celebrating America's birthday on the 4th of July at ACC!  We went with the Ferinas and the Brodheads to ACC for a fireworks extravaganza on the green that backs up to Lake Austin overlooking the 360 Bridge.  It was incredible!  The fireworks were the best I've ever seen in my life!  The kids were in heaven.

Harper and Hayes preparing for the fireworks

Hayes and Chase - adorable boys!

All 4 cousins ready for the celebration!

They are trying to "catch" the fireworks

Claire loves Chase.  She has always loved Chase.  Proof in the pie...

Charlie and I looking up at the sky at the fireworks

Happy Birthday, America!

Nix Family Vacation 2013 - Estes Park, Colorado

This year, we went to Estes Park, Colorado for the Nix family trip.  We had a great time, as always.  We hiked.  We played.  We rode a tram to the top of Pike's Peak.  We white water rafted.  We enjoyed an amusement park.  We rode horses.  We relaxed and we enjoyed one another.  We endured a tantrum or two.  Overall,  it was and always is a really wonderful, nice week.  I am so grateful for this week we spend together each summer.

Daren and I waiting to board the tram to Pike's Peak

The crew at 14,000 feet

Becky and I at the edge of Pike's Peak

The family on a morning walk

Claire's restaurant (she really thinks it was hers)

Cartwheels and fun at the water wheel in town

At Lily Lake

Momma and Lilliann at Lily Lake

Becky and I at Lily Lake

The family at Lily Lake

D and sweet Lilliann

Becky and Johnny in town

LaLa and Claire driving go carts

Bumper cars

Claire enjoying a fun slide

Mimi and Claire about to ride the bumper boats

Flying in the sky on the bungee tramp

Telling Dr. Pepper sweet secrets

Claire and Lilliann on Pearl

Harper and Lakota on the trail

The girls riding horses with a real cowboy

Mimi and Harper being silly

Becky and Johnny at the top of the gondola ride

Sweet Lilliann rolled with the flow the entire trip.  She slept when she could catch a wink.  I snapped this picture of her on one of our hikes because she was so peacefully sleeping while both of mine were whining about the hike.  Ha! 

Papa, Daddy and the girls

Claire and Harper LOVE Lilliann.  This particular night, we enjoyed praise music in the park.  It was a beautiful night.

Mimi, Papa, and their grandchildren

White water rafting - we all stayed in the raft and I am proud of that.

The girls at the famous Stanley Hotel

Our vacation home... Until next summer...

The beauty of Colorado

This year, our annual Nix vacation was to Estes Park, Colorado.  I have so many pictures to post but I'd like to dedicate this post to the beauty of Colorado.  There were many, many occasions where I was very overcome and overwhelmed with just the land and the wildlife.  Of course, I will follow this blog post with pictures of our family enjoying our vacation in Colorado, but I would be remiss to pass up the chance to post pictures of the beauty we witnessed.

On the tram leading up to Pike's Peak

The magnitude of these rocks is hard to show in a picture but it was majestic. 

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

I took this picture on Pike's Peak at 14,000 feet staring out into the canyon below

Lily Lake

The mountains that sit behind the town of Estes Park

Sprague Lake

Just a couple of elk...

We rode this to the top and hiked

The view at the top of the gondola ride

On our journey to the top of the hike from the gondola, I noticed this cross.  It really moved me.

We took a 6 year old, a 3 year old, and a 10 month old up the top of a long hike for this amazing view!!!

Is it an elk or Rudolph??