The Shumway Family ~ משפחת שמווא: Family Vacation to Colorado

We had the wonderful opportunity of taking a family trip to Colorado for Justin and Kaycee's wedding about a week and a half ago. Justin is my sort-of step-brother :-). He is my dad, Rafe's, wife's son. It was actually a great road trip from Star Valley, Wyoming to Alamosa, Colorado. The kids had so much fun and were super good in the car. It helped that Joseph's parents offered their van for the trip, which had a built in DVD player, he he. On the first leg of the journey we were really lucky to be able to stop in Colorado Springs to see my foster mom, Leslie. It was a short visit because we got in late, but it was such a wonderful opportunity and was great to see her, even if just for a few hours.

The next day we traveled three more hours to Alamosa and had a wonderful lunch with family at a Chinese restaurant, Hunan's, that we used to go to a lot when I lived in Alamosa. Then it was check in at the hotel and relax before the wedding. The girls were ecstatic about staying in a hotel. They had so much fun, especially when we went swimming in the hotel pool! I think that was the highlight of the entire trip for them :-).

The wedding was in San Luis, about an hour from Alamosa. Justin and Kaycee got married in a gorgeous chapel called the Stations of the Cross Shrine. The Shrine and view from up there was breathtaking.

We were in the back in case we needed to make a quick exit with Anthon, so these pictures of the happy couple were not that great. It was such a lovely ceremony and fun with live music for the ceremonial numbers.

Nora peeking out the isle to get a glimpse of Justin and Kaycee.

Handsome boys!

Yes, they are climbing the railing in their pretty dresses. My little monkeys :-).

The three kids loved going down to the hotel lobby for breakfast every morning.

Creede!!! Peerli and I decided to take some time to go to Creede, a small mining town where we used to live for a little while with our mother. We both have such fond memories of the wonderful people we knew there, finding amethyst and cool rocks up the canyon, giving tours in the underground fire-station, taking beautiful hikes in the mountains, going to Stan and Zelda's ranch on the Rio Grand river, fishing and having fish-fries, working at the Creede hotel and restaurant, 4-H, and ushering and seeing plays at the Creede Repertory Theater. Oh Creede, how I love you!!

(Peerli's camera)

So cute!!

(Peerli's camera)

I love this adorable little niece of mine!

(Peerli's camera)

Beautiful Mountains.

Justin and Kaycee hosted a night of BBQ, Beer (we didn't partake), and a double feature at the drive in movie theater in Monte Vista. It was very rainy and windy at first, but it soon passed over and this beautiful double rainbow could be seen from behind the screen.

The crib the hotel gave us for Anthon. More like a cage/prison. He did OK, though. I just thought this was funny :-).

The Great Sand Dunes! We used to go here every summer. Avriel, Jay, Brylan, and our family took this little hike together that we used to always walk every time we went to the Sand Dunes. At one point during the hike you can see what Dad says is the best view of the Dunes. He's right!! I'm so glad we did this! I love this hike!!

We forgot the baby backpack :-(. Good thing Joseph was nice enough to carry Anthon on this shoulders. Way to go Hun!!

Fanny and Nora with their Aunt Avriel.

We were so excited to see that the Dunes still had water. Most years it is dried up by August. The kids LOVED it!! Brent, Dillon (Brent's nephew), Avriel, Jay, and Joseph all went hiking up the Sand Dunes while I stayed behind to watch the kids play in the water. Peerli was "sun bathing" in the car, ha ha ha. No, she came out to catch some of the action before we left.

The girls really got along great. Nora and Brylan were little buddies the whole trip.

I love these pictures of Anthon.

A puddle!!!

No comment other than: Awesome!

Silly boy!

The reception! It was located on the Gilmore Ranch, which was a gorgeous setting for a reception. They had a live band and excellent Mexican food.

Brother and sister watching the band.

Nora and Brylan really enjoyed dancing to the live music.

Av and Jay

Peerli and Brent

(Peerli's camera)

Aww, my two sweet girls holding hands as the run off to explore together.

Me and Dad

Dad with his three girls.

Love these two dancers. I'm sure going to miss my little niece. Hate that we live so far apart.

Sisters!!!

A picture of me with Zelda and Stan. Love these two. So glad they were able to make it and that we got to spend some time together. Also, so glad I got to see my Aunt Merel and Uncle Michael, and my Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Linda. Love and miss them all so much!!