Thursday, March 19th, Grandpa and Grandma came to visit for Spring Break. Friday, we enjoyed a pretty laid back day, while Kevin still had to work. Saturday, we went to Focus on the Family for the kids to play and there was a children's Celtic dance group that performed. It snowed Saturday afternoon, so we watched a lot of basketball (we did that Thursday and Friday, too). Sunday was the worst day of Spring Break. Kevin was sick pretty much all day and both Kansas and Wichita State lost their games. Bummer!
Monday, we went to The Pantry for breakfast . . .
and the trip there is not complete until you feed the ducks at the pond.
On the way home, we went to Bass Pro Shops and Grandpa and Grandma bought Jenna a necklace for an early birthday present.
The necklace came with a mussel shell with a pearl inside. So, Kevin helped her open the shell and dig out the pearl.
Here's the pearl. Then we put it inside a charm on the necklace. Monday night, we went to Chili's, ate Grandpa's freebie appetizers and dessert and celebrated his birthday. Tuesday morning, they went back home and we did laundry and packing to get ready for the rest of spring break.
Wednesday, mid-morning, we went with Papa and Mima to Estes Park. We saw some elk in the park Wednesday afternoon.
Then, we went on a snowy hike around the frozen Sprague Lake.
Kellen did a pretty good job hiking after he got over his issues with wearing multiple layers.
Thursday morning, we hiked a little way up the Lawn Lake trail. It was snow packed in places and really pretty.
Thursday afternoon, Mima, Jenna, and I went into town and toured the shops. On the way back, we saw this elk by the side of the road with a bird on its back.
Friday morning, was very cold and snowy. So, we opted to take a drive and sight-see around Rocky Mountain National Park. While we were driving, Jenna worked on her Junior Ranger book. Then, we went to the visitor's center, the ranger signed Jenna's book, and then she got her badge. The ranger said that Jenna's sighting of a blue bird was the first reported sighting of the season.
A happy Junior Ranger
Our view from the deck of the "mountain house."
Jenna made Kellen a Junior Ranger badge, too!
Friday afternoon, Papa and Kevin went out to hike one of my favorite trails - Gem Lake. But, they were planning on going further past the lake and I didn't want to do that, so I stayed "home." Turns out, the trail past the lake was too snow covered to follow, so they came back.
There was still enough time before dinner to go back. So, Papa took me back and we made it to Gem Lake.
Here's the view from where I was sitting.
A pretty view on the way down.
In places, the trail was snowy and icy. Here is one of the icy spots with icicles hanging down from the rocks.
A view of Estes Park from the trail.
Kellen took this picture of our pretty toothless girl!
Jenna took this funny picture of Kellen.
It's become a tradition to eat lunch at Casa Bonita on the way home from the mountains. Kellen got these "monster" teeth from a quarter machine and LOVES them! So funny!
