Typically, when the VanDusseldorp family leaves Denver together, it's for a 12 hour drive to Iowa. This weekend, we took a two hour trip to Estes Park! Bruce and Maggie rented a cabin for their 40th Wedding Anniversary and wanted all of us to join them for the weekend! The four bedroom cabin had plenty of room for eight adults, two infants, a two year-old, a three year-old, a four year-old and a six year old!
There was even a loft to spare!
In the first night, Dan and Julie made sloppy joe's. We ate dinner, watched movies, and played cards.
Bruce and Nate played an intense game of chess.
Abby loves holding baby Auggie!
Uncle Jer read a bedtime story!
The cabin was also stocked with some fun activities for the family. The guys geared up for a paintball war in the morning.
These guys were pretty serious. They all came back with welts on their backs! They had a really great time. I wanted to join them for a second round, but we ran out of time.
The kids played some games.
There was also playground equipment. The weather warmed up enough for the kids to get outside and play.
Grandpa helped the kids build a friend!
Maybe the professional photographer can get a better image of all of the kids during our family photo shoot next weekend!
A little baby Owen snow bear!
Before dinnertime, we sought out to find some elk. We tried the golf courses and as we were about to call it an evening, Bruce and Maggie spotted the elk in front of the Stanley Hotel. Our caravan pulled in and watched the elk graze their way across the property.
Once we moved for a different view, the elk were about 50 feet away from us!
I'm not typically one or nature, but it was incredible to be able to capture the elk from across the street and in front of the Stanley Hotel. And the kids LOVED the experience.
We also made a stop in town and Grandma and Grandpa let the kids each pick out an Estes Park shirt!
Yes, this is the best of nearly ten shots!
We spent the rest of the evening relaxing. Bruce and Maggie made a steak and potato dinner and the adults sat around the table to enjoy dinner and wine.
Baby Owen and Baby Auggie, only 10 days apart.
Aunt Lindsay read the kids a story and we tucked them all into bed!
After dinner and bedtime, the adults sat around the table for a game of 5 Crowns.
I think that we all enjoyed our weekend together. The cousins were all very well behaved and they had a great time playing with one another. It was nice to relax and have a weekend without work or chores! Above all, it was fun to spend time together as a family. The kids are such great friends and it was great for the grown ups to spend time together playing cards and laughing. There is talk about another mountain trip in the future. We will look forward to it!
