Hamiltons Hit the High Country

 As my maternity leave comes to an end and we find ourselves in the off season for the ski resorts, we decided to spend a weekend in Vail.  This was our first weekend away as a family of four and it went quite well for our first outing.  To add to our weekend, the weather was unbeatable.  T-shirt weather in Vail in November.  Fabulous!

Like many adventures, Kellan started this one with his eyes closed.

We arrived in Vail at lunch time and headed out with many layers of clothing.  Most of which we pealed off shortly after setting out. The high was in the 60's that day.  Wahoo!!

 This is one of my favorite views in Vail village.

 How could I resist taking a picture of this ski dog?

The great sunglasses swap!

Oliver didn't have his sunglasses with so he tried on Mom's. 

Then, Mom tried on Dad's. 

 Then, Oliver tried on Dad's

 Ahhh... Cold Coors Light on the Red Lion deck.  It doesn't get much better than this on a Saturday afternoon in November.

 Ahoy Matey! Oliver climbing up the pirate ship play structure.

Oliver in the Eagles Nest.

 Whoosh!  Oliver coming down the slide.

 If you wonder where Oliver gets his "no photos" mentality, you don't have to look much farther than his Father.   Look at those matching scowls.  We're on vacation!  There should be smiles all around :)

 It was such a nice day that we even stopped for ice cream.  YUM!

 Oliver hanging out with some flying farm animals.

Check out his new shades!

Shortly after lunch we went to get Oliver some sunglasses.  The sales lady was smitten with Oliver and would have taken him home if he was available.

 Kellan chillin' in the stroller.

 Oliver took us on a nature walk next to the creek that runs through Vail.

A view of the covered bridge from the creek. 

Oliver looking for pigeons.

At lunch, there were some pigeons that he shared his hot dog bun with.  Along came a dog and the pigeons disappeared.  He carried the last of his hot dog bun around with him for two days in search of those pigeons.  We never saw them again.  Maybe next time. 

 Oliver and Mom self portrait.

Oliver and Keith getting in an afternoon rest.  We never did get Oliver to take a nap. 

 Kellan, prepared to go to dinner in his PJ's.

 We attempted to go to pizza for dinner but by the time dinner arrived, Oliver had hit a wall and was done.  He was such a good boy all day, even without a nap so we decided to consider it a good day and head back to the hotel so we got a box and took the pizza to go.  Back at the room, we had a pizza picnic on the bed.  The boy that wasn't hungry at the restaurant ate like a champ in the comfort of his PJ's and a good cartoon.

 The next morning, there was snow in the forecast and Oliver was trying on Mom's boots for size.

Oliver directing the flow of travel to breakfast. 

Hey, Look!  A Moose!!

There are several statues around Vail village that Oliver loves to point out.  He even asked for a picture of this one.

All the while, Kellan napped in his hand-me-down bear suit from Oliver.  Here you see Kellan wearing Oliver's 6 month clothes.  This kid is a growing machine!  

Now he's sleeping...

...now he's awake!

Good Morning Mr Blue Eyes! 

 Mr Cool Dude in the back seat on the way home.

 A few photos of Vail pass out the car window.  It is weekends like these that we feel very fortunate to live in such an amazing place!