Mini Vacation April 15-16

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The kids didn't have school on Friday, April 15th. I think it was a teacher work day or something. So, we took advantage of that and decided to visit with my sisters Heather and April in Colorado Springs. The morning on Friday was busy getting ready. I had a presidency meeting, the kids cleaned the house, and we packed up the car for the overnight trip. Finally we got out the door and loaded up the car. As we were driving south on I-25, we decided that we would stop at the Denver temple for our picnic lunch. We took pictures while we were there and ate at the park across the street.

After lunch we piled back into the car and headed to our next destination, the Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs. Here we ate cookies, climbed on rocks and visited the trading post.
Eating yummy oatmeal cookies.

Here the kids are perched on balancing rock.
Eventually we climbed into the car again and headed to Heather's home, where we met April's new baby Andrew, enjoyed a delicious spaghetti dinner, played games and slept in our tent in her backyard.

The next morning we took down the tent, packed up our stuff, played a game or two, and after lunch we headed to Helen Hunt Falls for a short (but steep) hike. I was impressed that Heather made it to the top, considering that she is pregnant, and due any day. (No, in spite of her hopes, that didn't send her into labor.)
We spent a little while playing on the rocks at the base of the waterfall.

The hike was only 1/3 mile from bottom to top, but it was like climbing stairs the entire way. I was grateful for the bench near the top - I needed a rest!
We returned to our car exhausted, and headed for home from there. It was great to be able to visit with our family in Colorado, and to spend that family time together.

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