Kiss Me Dirty 5k

Just one more thing I love about Colorado {if you can stand it!} is how many fun runs, marathons, etc., there are! This was my {on the left} first "dirty" run and when I say I had a great time, that is an understatement! If you get the opportunity to participate in "Kiss Me Dirty" {portion of proceeds go to fight gynecological cancers} or ay other fun runs...DO IT! I can not wait to do another one!

butterfly pavillion

a hike at roxborough state park

waterton canyon

Another great day in Colorado! Waterton Canyon had been closed for over a year, so this was our first visit. This 6 mile dirt road runs through the canyon along the South Platte River. It is a phenomenal spot for families (of all skill levels) to walk, bike or run together. 

At about the 3-mile point was a spot for the kids to play in the river and throw rocks {the last photo shows a crying Drew after a rock thrown by his sister went amiss!}. Not to mention the herd of long horn sheep waiting for photo ops! There was a one-horned sheep that insisted on being petted. We realize that's a no-no, but he just kept following us until we paid attention to him and had his head rubbed! What could we do? Colorado, you never cease to amaze us!

a skier is born

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colorado is f-u-n!!!

IKEA HAS ARRIVED

We made the pilgrimage to the new Ikea in Centennial, Colorado this weekend. Also the second largest in America! How do I describe the crowds that were there on the 5th day of business? Hmmm...insane! There were so many people that you literally just had to follow everyone in a line throughout the entire store. I will most likely wait a while before going back, but we did pick up a couple of items (one of them being my beloved cheese grater that I lost in the move!!!). I really love Ikea's toys and wanted to share a few of our favorites, and you just can NOT beat their prices! We also bought a swing for the kiddos for $19.99 but it wasn't online (the rope ladder is from the same line).

Cirkustalt Children's Tent {$19.99}

Mula Bead Roller Coaster {7.99}

Busa Play Tunnel {$14.99}

Mammut Children's Chair {$14.99}

Ekorre Rope Ladder {$19.99}

ESTES PARK, COLORADO

We just moved to Colorado earlier this year, so we explore our new state every chance we get. There is SO much to see and do here, it blows my mind! We just got back from Estes Park, CO, where we had a fantastic 4th (and 5th) of July. My Parents were here for a long weekend; after a Rockies game, a quick jaunt to the Royal Gorge, a trip up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, and a 2-hour drive home which turned into about a 4-hour steep, mountainous (terrifying for me personally!) drive (thanks Husband), I feel like we have seen about half of gorgeous Colorado now! 

 { Downtown Estes Park }

 {The Stanley Hotel ~ Stephen King wrote "The Shining" here. 

Coolest hotel ever by the way! }

 { Dream Lake was our reward for a 2.2 mile hike in Rocky Mountain National Park }

{ Waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park }

 { Shops at Downtown Estes Park }

 { Still plenty of snow at ~12,000 feet, up near the Continental Divide }

 { Elk at Rocky Mountain National Park }

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN

Well, if I have learned anything about living in Colorado, it must be, to ALWAYS have your tennis shoes (and a jacket) on hand! Coming home from the Evergreen Rodeo, we decided to stop at Lookout Mountain, which overlooks Golden, CO (home of Coors beer...woohoo...Coors shout-out). At 7,581 feet, the views are phenomenal! 

Lookout Mountain is also home to Buffalo Bill's gravesite and the Boettcher Mansion (summer home of Denver entrepreneur, Charles Boettcher, built in 1917).

Oh yes, I have learned one other thing...I may be the biggest worrier of all time. Pretty much anywhere we stop, Drew hears a lecture similar to this (Soph is so crazy, we just hold her!): 

"Drew, no running or silliness. Are you listening to me? Drew, seriously now, you are thousands of feet up. Please don't give your Mother a heart attack. Hold my hand Drew. I mean it Drew. Okay, be careful." 

Oh, my poor, worried heart...but if it wasn't the mountains, it would be something else! ;-)

DENVER ZOO

Ranked as one of the most popular zoos in the United States, the Denver Zoo's 80 acres is home to nearly 4,000 animals. Located in Denver's historic City Park (compared to Central Park in New York), its inhabitants include endangered species such as the Western lowland gorillas, okapis and Amur leopards (thought to be extinct in the wild).

Zoos, museums, amusement parks, professional sporting events, theatres, the list goes on and on. We LOVE Colorado!!!!