Driveway Picnics

 

 

Love that we get so much cousin time.  And, what better way to do it than a driveway picnic.

Blast from the Past

 

While Scott was in Ohio, Carter and I made a trip down to visit Grammy Lu and Fred.  Carter ran right up to them like no time had passed.  We had a great time visiting, and Carter got to try out some homemade stilts.  You can tell from his face that he hated it.  It was wonderful to see them.  Somehow we didn't end up with a picture of Carter and Grammy Lu though. :(  Guess we will just have to go back and visit again.

Next Stop...

After Creede, Scott headed out of town for work...for two weeks.  Carter asked about him every day and I realized how much of a team we are.  We can each do it by ourselves, but it definitely feels better together.

Scott left early for his flight and we decided it would be easiest for him to drive to the park n ride, ride the bus to the airport and Carter and I would get the car later.

We were going to walk to get the car, but I realized it was warmer than I thought and it would also take longer than I wanted.  I decided Carter and I should just walk to the bus stop and ride down to the park n ride.  This decision was like heaven for Carter.  He was SO excited to ride the bus.  The bus driver loved that he was so excited, and therefore thankfully didn't mind when he rang the stop request button...twice.  Good thing he is cute.  Free entertainment is always great and who knew a bus could be so fun.

 

 

See You Later Alligator

Creede came to an end on Saturday morning and Scott, Carter and I hit the road mid-morning to make the five hour drive home.  We decided to make a stop in Alamosa on the way home.

 

In this random Colorado location, the Colorado Alligator Farm exists.  It is this crazy place functions as a tilapia farm but also has hundreds of alligators, some turtles, ostriches and some other animals you wouldn't expect.  Carter got to hold a smaller alligator and feed the larger alligators.  He enjoyed seeing everything.  Scott and I found it very...interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerald Ranch

Emerald Ranch is a beautiful private horse ranch just outside Creede. 

Great Aunt Mary has a friend in town that works on the ranch and takes care of the grounds and animals.  Mary was able to line up a day for us to take Carter up to see the horses.  The goal was to try to get him to ride on the Shetland Pony, Daisy Mae, but that didn't go over very well with Carter, which we thought would be the case.

 

This was as close as he got.

All other attempts looked like this.

 

 

 He did love leading Daisy Mae around the ranch though, and back to her stable. 

The grounds are gorgeous and so are the horses.  The majority of the horses are riding horses, that the family that lives there competes.  They even had a new pony that was so cute and interested in all of us, especially Carter.

 

 

 

Thanks Great Aunt Mary for lining everything up and letting us enjoy it with Carter.

I'm a Minor

Thanks Grandpa Tom and Grandma Ann for my miner hat!

 

 

Even Great Aunt Sally tried it out!

Family Fun

Carter got to spend a lot of time with family while we were in Creede and he kept everyone entertained.

 

 

 

 

Go Fly a Kite

First time flying a kite and he loved it!  $2.00 well spent.

 

 

A Drive Up Bachelor

There is a road that goes up above and around Creede that we drive every year.  It is a beautiful drive  and we always try to make it.  Carter had a great time on the drive this year.  He loved getting out and running around, throwing rocks in the water and hanging out of the car to wave at everyone.  Lucky for him the road is pretty secluded with not too many cars on it so he was able to do all of those things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the off shoot roads leads to a random place called Last Chance Mine.  It has lots of different kinds of rocks and jewelry to buy, a gorgeous view and a structurally questionable deck.  Definitely a  place to check out.  It is also a great spot to get a generational picture.

 

 

Gone Fishin'

 

When we are in Creede, there is usually lots of fishing.  We were able to take Carter with us on the boat again this year.  Since he was a bigger and more active this year, his life jacket was a must.  He did great wearing it.  Containment in one area though is a little trickier.  When you aren't allowed to get out of the boat it is a little tough but he did well with that too.  Carter fished a little, helped Grandpa Tom drive the boat and kept an eye on the fish.

 

 

 

 

Much like last year though, fishing is exhausting for some

and joyous for others.