Estes Park...Chapter 4.....Giddy-Up!

Today was a full day of vacation fun little ones!  We started our day with fishing at the little spring-fed pond outside our room.  It's so nice, you guys can just grab your poles and run down to the little pond to fish.  The fish weren't bitten' today.  I think you have personally claimed the little pond it as your own...tonight Bryce said in a grumpy tone "People keep using our little bridge!!" ...we decided you were the troll :).  

Our little cabin in the mountains...the top side entrance is ours
as well as the little balcony you see.

While the boys were out, Kate and I did a little photo shoot to celebrate her turning two-months-old today!  You were so smiley!!!  We have decided that your nick-name while we are here is going to be "Colorado Kate"...the hat to match this outfit is just adorable...I think that's why you are so happy today...you must know you look adorable.

Butch and Moccasin

Next, we decided to was time to go on a little horsey ride.  We reserved a ride after lunch at a stable called Elkhorn Stables.  I decided to go with you boys since Daddy was a little nervous about riding a horse off the side of the mountain :).  We had a tour guide all to ourselves.  Bryce and I rode good ole' Butch.  Brock rode Moccasin.  Ole' Butch was pretty funny.  He didn't like to move so fast and all he wanted to do was eat.  Twice he ran off as we started down the path and they had to direct him back...they said he was slow and stubborn, but Bryce you pretty much summed it up when you told him to "Quit being fussy!"  We found it quite appropriate that Bryce got the horse that moved to the beat of his own drum and wanted snacks all the time, and Brock's was fast!  Brock, you did an outstanding job riding your horse all by yourself!  About halfway we saw a marmot, and got our pictures taken at the top.  Bryce kinda complained the whole time that he wanted his own horse, wanted to ride with Brock, and wanted ice cream.  It was a beautiful ride and was awesome to spend some time with you boys!

After the horse ride we went back to the ranch to hang out for a bit.  This slow pace has been an awesome opportunity for us to do things there isn't always time for, like you boys playing tons of catch, and intense games of Uno Attack!  I love that we are getting this uninterrupted time together...and man can you boys catch!  Brock gets some amazing jump shots and Bryce you can even catch overhanded all ready!

In the late afternoon, to get our money's worth out of the Rocky Mountain National Park pass, we went for another drive.  This time we saw a coyote running through a meadow.  We stopped to take some pics at a beautiful overlook...breathtaking!  We stopped at the visitors center for you boys to look for souvenirs.  You both picked out a bow and arrow set just like the Ute Indians used to have right here in the mountains!

And when we arrive back at the condo, a new pet was waiting for us right outside our balcony!  A HUGE elk with a 10 point rack was eating under our balcony...I think we should take him home...he'd fit in great with Wrigley and Bella!

It's been a full day again little ones.  I'm exhausted!  More adventures tomorrow!

Hugs and Kisses, Mom

Our new pet elk