2023 Family Vacation

At the end of May we took a little family vacation and had an absolute blast! It was so much fun, laid back, so fun to connect as a family, and the kids did amazing (most of the time).  We really could not have asked for a better time.  

We headed to Durango for 2 nights and then on the way back we met Andrew and Anna's family and Nate and Sara's at the Sand Dunes and spent 2 days and one night there.  

We decided to take our time driving to Durango and took the longer route to stop and see the sights.  If you know us you know that is not like us but I am so glad we did.

First stop...The Royal Gorge Bridge

The bridge was lined with all the state flags so we took this for our California family.  

Driving through Gunnison.  So pretty!

Next stop...Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  This park was AMAZING!  Pictures don't do it justice.  There are flatlands of prairies and then it literally drops off into canyons.  Levi said, "That's why you should always look down when you're hiking."  

Finally....Durango!  

Eating some delicious BBQ by the river and watching the rafters go by. 

Everyone waiting on this tired girl to wake up so we can eat breakfast. 

The next day we headed to The Mesa Verde National Park.  We studied Early American History this year so naturally I was super excited to visit the Cliff Dwellings.  

After The Mesa Verde we headed up to The Four Corners.  Honestly, Daniel and I were just doing this to check it off the list.  Mesa Verde is about 40 minutes from Durango and then The Four Corners is another 40 minutes and then 1.5 hours back after we had already spent the previous day in the car just didn't sound that fun and we didn't think the kids would be too happy about being in the car either.  However, I am so glad we went because all the kids said that The Four Corners was their favorite part!  Something about being in 4 different states at once was so fascinating to them.  

After a day spent at The Mesa Verde, The Four Corners, dinner and swimming we all scrunched together on the couch to watch an episode of our family show, Lost in Space and eat ice cream...at 9pm at night.  

He said, "Do I look comfortable or what?!"

Finally, our last stop....the Sand Dunes.

Day 1 was spent hiking Zapata Falls. 

The boys were so encouraging and amazing helping their younger cousins cross the stream.  We have been doing this together for the last 3 years and it has been fun seeing the younger kiddos get braver and braver in their adventures each year.  

On the way to dinner we stopped in a random toy/tool shop and they had an RC race track where you could rent RC cars to race around.  Of course we had to do that.

He took a little family vacation last week and had SO MUCH FUN!  It was so fun and relzing  It couldnt have been better.

We headed to SDurango and stayed 2 nights there and thn on the way back we met Andrew and Anna's family at the Sand Dunes and spent 2 days and one night there.  

We decided to take our time driving to Durango and took the longer route to stop and see the sights.  If you know us you know that is not like us but I am so glad. 

Watching the Nuggets while the kids swim. 

Kids these days, LOL!  Evie called the phones the phone station and when Kayla wanted to call the boys she just pushed the numbers on the phone and waited...didn't even pick up the receiver.  

Day 2 was spent at the Sand Dunes.  

Love that the kids are all old enough to help carry ALL our stuff. 

We got cuaght in some pretty good rain.  SO thankful we had to large sport umbrellas to huddle under while we waited for the rain to pass.  

The rain pretty much cleared the whole place out.  

4 straight days of playing hard had her wiped out! 

So many fun family memories made.  What a perfect way to kick off summer!