The Nuse Family: Our Family Vaca to Colorado

It is so hard to sum up such a wonderful week quickly...so I will take my time. So many memories, so much fun, so much craziness. Someone once said when you have kids you take a trip, when they are grown you go on vacation. Traveling is challenging with little ones, but the memories made are quickly the only thing you remember. We were so blessed by going on a family vacation with my entire family to Colorado for a glorious week. We all stayed together in a family friends amazing home and had the one of the most memorable trips!

My beautiful family - no apologies here they are all beautiful inside and out.

We just made it to Denver and had a 2 hr drive to Edwards. The kids and Adam were wired and excited for the trip!!!

Hank was in heaven - any boys dream we fly in a plane, then hoped on a train (airport shuttle), then took a bus to get rent a car and then got in a mini van - Hank loved every ride. We could have ended our trip there because he still talks about that.

It didn't take long before the lights were out in the back of the car and the kids were crashed.

The beautiful view on my run one morning

Jennie and I went running alone but ended up crossing each other on our paths - we stopped soaked in the view and decided to have sister time and ran the rest of the way together!

Lucy and Fave - bonding while coloring on the birthday present Fave & Unc gave Lucy. She carries this bag everywhere!

Lucy was so proud of her bag and wanted to pose by the bear - which she was deathly afraid of the night before. They became quick friends as Lucy tend to do - she named him, and as you can see on the stone of the bear she even wrote him a letter. Check out her awesome lipstick - love love love this girl!

The 2 birthday girls! My mom on Aug 1 and Lucy on the 21. We got to celebrate them both!!

Lucy was always up and dressed from head to toe before she came downstairs.

Lola and her favorite cousin sweet Ella. These girls are inseparable when they are together. Lola wants to be and do anything Ella is doing. Their friendship is the sweetest! Makes me wish more than ever we lived closer.

As we called it - lunch with the "Originals". It is rare that we all spend quality time together without distractions. Our hubby's stayed home with the kids so we could hang out with our parents for a nice lunch. We had a girls shopping day and my dad joined us for lunch. It was awesome!

Headed to a ranch for a night under the stars with Cowgirls and Cowboys!

Kilian and Hank got to stroll in! Kilian loved it although in this pic his face is showing something else.

Best girls - chatting about who the heck knows what...but we know it will end in lots of giggling! Check out Ella's boots!

My sweet sister and her hubs Matt! Jennie is the ultimate planner and when it comes to the Nuse family we are in fact the complete opposite. I was so thankful that Jennie was in charge of this trip because she had so many wonderful things planned. This night was one of my favorite. She found this ranch that had a rodeo, pony rides, face painting, goat petting, bull riding, hay rides, jump houses BBQ & Smore's. It was perfect for our entire family!

Sweet Harper was such a trooper. Not yet old enough for any of the fun rides she smiled, laughed waves and enjoyed all the sites! Next year Miss Harper will be right there in the mix!

Little Miss poser - Yee Haw!

Lola didn't want to get behind this so Adam helped and I was able to snap a shot!

Just the picture I need my daughter with a shot gun

Fresh Corn!

Adam is such a fun dad and the kind of dad that when his girls want something they get it :) I am not so much that way but I don't argue - so the girls got these hats! Which I must say added perfectly to our dress up collection and they wore them the entire night...oh except when my dad wore them!

Since naps pretty much didn't happen - Hank tended to find any comfortable shoulder to nap on. I think this was one of Adam's highlights because Hank is always on the go - when he does rest it feels so good on your shoulder! My sweet boys!

Nothing says Western Wear like being all decked out and wearing flip flops!

The Reilly Family! Look at that sweet Harper - she seriously smiles every minute. She finds something to be happy about. The dust was blowing, it was a little chilly and about to rain and Harper was still all smiles!

Hank was really fond of riding the horse. "again, again again" - his real concern was the horse pooping and kept asking "poop yet" - and he got his wish - it pooped right while he was riding on it.

Ella the brave Cowgirl! Ella is up for anything - my thought is this horse wasn't fast enough for Ella!

Cowgirl Caitlin - at least that is what she requested us to call her this night at the ranch.

Lola doing her famous pose with my parents. Lola is obsessed with my mom - so when she wasn't with Ella she was with Honey!

Now this could quite possibly be my most favorite picture. My sweet parents. They are the most loving, giving, fun couple I have ever been around. They pour into our family and give when there isn't any more to give. They make each and every one of us always feel loved and special. They make certain they get quality time with every one. I am blessed beyond measure for who they are in my life and it was a blessing to spend a week with them. Seriously aren't they adorable!

Lola opted out of horse back riding...but did want her face painted like a fairy!

On the hayride! As you notice now my mom is wearing one of the cowgirl hats!

Do I need to keep mentioning how cute Harper is? You can see where she gets it - her adorable parents!

Matt and the girls! They were down watching the rodeo and everyone was so into it! I was lucky enough to get them to pose! Matt was a mechanical bull rider himself and had some amazing skills - however Jennie beat both Adam and Matt on time - WAY TO GO JENNIE!

It got a little chilly and Megan and I both pulled out our sweatshirts - well guess what we both brought - representing in CO!

Look a likes - always smiling!

Rodeo Fun!!

Roasting marsh mellows!

or shall we say burning marshmallows?!?!?

Yes I would say burning

This was a true highlight! We smelled like campfire, ate too much and loved every second!

Sweet Killian with my mom and the most gorgeous view!

Hank and Uncle exploring!

My favorite person!! There is nobody like my Dad! This guy is the greatest! Encourager, Includer, Committed, Loyal, Happy, Funny, Lovable, Cheerleader - I could go on and on. He lights up a room, makes people feel wonderful and has the warmest heart! Words cannot express my love for him and my thankfulness for him being the leader of our family!!!

My kids love Uncle - Lucy and Uncle posing before the start of family pictures - not a bad view!

Look at this sweet sweet face!

The amazing Marchal Clan. I will say these next series of pictures took a huge group effort, a lot of gummy bears and even more bribing - but they turned out awesome! Gannon 5, Ella 3, Killian 1, Matt & Jennie married 8 years

My mom trying to cheer up Hank because he wanted nothing to do with pictures. He was sleep deprived but didn't want to sleep. Isn't my mom beautiful! She is so intentional with all the kids, and is a total hands on Honey (in case you are wondering her name changed and Hank called her Honey) Fits her better anyway!

Should I just call them the smile family!!

My heart and soul right here!

We had to have a little fun too! Hank still not interested in joining the fun but he still looks like a cutie!

Gondola ride up the mountain. Lola and my mom are total twins - look at that.

These 2 egg each other on like its no body's business!

Best Buddies - if Hank wasn't with me he was sure to be with my dad!

The absolute love of my life!

Mountain Dude says it best. We took an awesome hike and I will say our kids did amazing!

Getting ready to head down the mountain! Again in flip flops!

The hiking crew!

One of our guides

and the other guide

Walking sticks were needed!

Sleeping while hiking!

As usual my kids bring a whole bunch of stuff and the adults end up carrying it all!

Taking a walk into Vail Village

Lucy and Papa Newt!

Adam and Hank - yes please comment on Adam's shoes. I'm not going to lie I love them and am thankful he supports my love for Pink!!!

Sweet Lola and I spending so time shopping in the village!

Honey and Lucy goofing around. These 2 are the best of buddies! Lucy slept with my parents every night and almost everyday she tried to sneak my mom away for "special Lucy and Grammie time" - how sweet is that!

As grandparents do...they spoil! These were the biggest ice cream cones ever and there weren't many kids that wanted to share.

With it being summer Adam has limited time at home which really stinks - so I soaked up every single minute I could get with him!!

This guy wouldn't share with ANYONE

My girls!

We all split up while in Vail village to check it out - and look who we ran into

The girls love to pose

but getting Hank to pose is a totally different story

Sweet love for Harper and Fave

More Hank and Papa

Soaking in the scenery

We found a pathway and found little fairy houses built - my dad has an extremely incredible imagination and took the girls to hunt for them. It was magical to say the least.

Lucy found one!

Look a table was set! I love this idea!

Hank and Gannon loved hanging together. Hank totally looks up to Gannon, and G is so good with Hank!

One day we went to the top of the mountain and there was trampoline jumping - Hank begged and begged to do it and the guy ended up letting him although he was a little too small. Well once up there he got scared - this amazing worker just started hugging Hank until I got there - how sweet is that!

Another day for ponies!

Chris and Adam dominating the mountain. Check out the bright shoes by both

Lola loved this pony - it was just her size! Flip flops again!

Finally the last night there the kids were crashed by 6:30

Golfing buddies!

Check out this course!

Tennis in the mountains!

Adam is so active and always up for anything!

Headed back home, after the most wonderful time!

Oh wait - except Lucy and I got left behind. From ticketing to security I lost Lucy's ticket and my ID. So we had to scramble to find it - it was no where to be found. The worst thing to ever loose in the airport is your ID - needless to say we missed our flight while Adam was saving spots for us on the plane it left anyway. Our day ended up so much longer - we could not get a flight to Corpus and the closest they could get us was to San Antonio - we made it there at 11pm and had to drive home. Lucy was a trooper and we had a great time together. She was so ready to be home but was a great sport and traveler.

We did nails in the airport