We made a commitment when we started our family that we would have a family vacation, with just us, every year. We find this time important as we leave our daily commitments behind, don't check email (as often), don't feel the weight of the to-do list, pay attention to each other, re-connect and enjoy life. We also made this commitment as we decided to have two working parents. Our kids spend most of their days at school with their friends, which they do love and have numerous adventures and activities that we wouldn't think to do. However, it is so important to us to take time out to be together without outside interruptions that we made a commitment.
Then.... we bought a new house.
Our commitment changed slightly as we knew that an exotic vacation wouldn't be on the agenda for 2012 since our vacation fund went into the new house. We committed to spend quality time together on the weekends and go to the neighborhood pool, often. It was like we moved vacation into our weekends. We committed to have a week together, but it may be a staycation.
Then... as luck would have it, we were connected to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Western Colorado in September. We opted for a Colorado vacation. Some have asked us if this is a staycation since we are in state. I think it is our annual vacation, without jumping on an airplane! Thanks to Wikipedia, you can decide.
staycation (also spelled stay-cation, stacation, orstaykation[dubious ]) is a neologism for a period in which an individual or family stays and relaxes at home, possibly taking day trips to area attractions. Staycations achieved popularity in the US during the financial crisis of 2007–2010.
A vacation or holiday is a specific trip or journey, usually for the purpose of recreation or tourism. People often take a vacation during specific holiday observances, or for specific festivals or celebrations. Vacations are often spent with friends or family.
We loaded up the car, picked the kids up early from school and headed West for Palisade, CO.
We made it all of the way to Glenwood Canyon before Kellan informed us that he still gets carsick. We consider that progress since that was three hours into our trip.
That night, the boys enjoyed popcorn and a show while we unpacked and got settled in at Wine Country Inn.
Two boys in one BIG bed.
The next morning, the boys caught up on some reading in a fort between the two beds.
They tested out their new hearing protection that would be needed that afternoon for the Main Event!
After breakfast, Kellan relaxed in a porch rocking chair.
It didn't take long for Oliver to join him.
Oliver's relaxation included this statement: "Mommy, how hard can I rock before this chair tips over?"
Mommy's response, "About that high. You probably shouldn't rock much harder."
Oliver's response, harder rocking.
BOYS!
Kellan eventually decided that rocking was unpredictable and he much preferred rocking from the standing position. He's only two. I'm confident that will change but I'll appreciate his cautious side while it lasts.
After the rocking adventure, we went for an adventure walk. Palisade is surrounded by intriguing mountains which provides a great platform for discussions about geology. Keith took this opportunity to teach the boys about how mountains and landscapes are created.
(I love this photo. The boys brains are so curious and they truly are sponges. They are full of questions. Kellan is constantly heard saying "Mama, this??" In return, he expects a response on what he's pointing at. Oliver's questions have grown to be so inquisitive and mature. He processes information very seriously and logically. We have two big brains on our hands. They are very fortunate to have an inquisitive big brain in their Daddy as he explains the how's, why's, when's and where's.)
Wine Country Inn is surrounded by a vineyard, which is home to numerous ant hills.
How many ant hills can you stop and discuss?
Many!!
It is crazy to think that land that is so lush with vineyards and orchards is surrounded by high dessert mountains.
The Wine Country Inn, modeled after Inn's in Napa Valley (so the story in the guest book goes).
The back side of the Inn, with the irrigation ditch.
Yes, we took this opportunity to discuss irrigation ditch dangers and safety. Not the most romantic vacation topic, but always necessary with two curious boys.
Keith took the opportunity to teach the boys about the process of irrigating. Once an engineer, always an engineer. It is highly likely that we will have these two boys to add to that field as well.
Hurry, quick, take a self portrait before the boys get too close to the ditch or they stand in a red ant hill!
(Once a worrier, always a worrier. Add that to motherhood and it is an extreme worrier!!)
The morning had already been full of big adventures, but we knew the afternoon was going to be HUGE! We snuggled the boys up for a morning movie and relaxation before hitting the road. Kellan loved his ear muffs so much that he insisted on wearing them.
The Main Event...
The Grand Junction Air Show!
Complete with a special surprise at the end.
A hint: We had VIP parking included.
Whoop! Whoop!
Inside the gate, we had a nice man take this photo. How fun to have our two boys out and about in these adorable ear muffs in the 90 degree weather. Fun and potentially crazy.
Another hint: We had VIP seating.
Ok... the suspense is almost killing me!
Another hint: The VIP seating was for Friends and Family of the Blue Angels.
No, it didn't come complete with model airplanes. Those two airplanes cost us $12 each, but provided HOURS of entertainment and a keep sake that will last a life time (or until one of them tries to fly it off of our balcony at home).
There was a lot to see at the air show, but the one that Keith was the MOST excited to see was they Osprey. In the spirit of referencing Wikipedia:
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotoraircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of aturboprop aircraft.
After the Osprey demonstration we went in search of some lunch and shade. We were all happy to have some lunch and shade, but Kellan appeared to be the most relieved and content.
It was finally time for the main even of the air show, the Blue Angels demonstration.
As they came out for their introductions, we were quick to point out the pilot that we knew, #1 Captain McWherter. If you squint, you can see him getting into his jet on the right.
Take note, the rest of these photos were all taken with the camera in one hand and Kellan in the other.
There they go, ready for the show!
Kellan opted for a very short standing break while we waited for take off.
Then, they were off. The show was amazing. Oliver LOVED it!!! He could be heard exclaiming "Hey, they are upside down!" "That was Fast!" "Did you see that?!" "WHOA!!" "Which One is Stiffy?" (make you stop and think? just wait) Oliver was ALL smiles and laughter.
All it took was one fast and loud fly over from behind and Kellan called it quits. He buried his head in my chest to take cover and decided that it was nap time. He was sound asleep before that very same jet had time to turn around and fly by again. We stood like this for quite some time.
By the end of the show, Mom had called it quits and took a seat (good thing the show is up high).
I loved hearing Oliver's opinions after the show. Who knows what I'm saying here but it is likely "SHHH you don't have to yell. I can hear you just fine". Or... maybe I was making jet noises. The later sounds more fun.
Then... it was time for OUR Main Event!
One by one, the groups in the Friends and Families section got called up to walk across the tarmac and meet the Blue Angels. Keith had the camera at this point and took a photo of Kellan and I. It does crack me up as it looks like I'm nearly sprinting. Not quite, but I'm starting to wonder if this is my usual appearance as I walk with purpose. I like to believe that it was just the wind blowing my hair back to give me the appearance of racing stripes.
As we waited in line and the pilots debriefed, the boys played with their Blue Angels. Now that Oliver saw the show, he knew they flew high.
Since Kellan missed most of the show, his airplane still hovered close to the ground. It does have wheels, so I suppose this makes perfect sense when you're two.
We also learned the hard way that an air show with kids is very dirty. They had black soot from head to toe, which meant that we had dirt from head to toe. Light colors sounded perfect with the sun, but we learned that they were a nightmare with the dirt.
Then, it was time for the moment we had been talking up with Oliver for weeks. We were going to see the Blue Angels fly AND we got to meet them!!!
When we would tell people where we were going on vacation, he very proudly would tell them this statement with pride. He couldn't wait and he was prepped. Our shy guy was ready to talk to #1, himself. Captain McWherter, or as we know him, Stiffy. 24 hours prior to the air show we caught wind that his call sign is no longer Stiffy and instead it is something much more appropriate for the Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels. However, it was WAY too late to change the greeting that Oliver had been practicing. He walked right up to him and said in a very loud and proud voice "HEY STIFFY!". This got a chuckle from Stiffy and several of the other guys as well as a big High Five from the man himself. It made Oliver's day.
(He had a few other statements prepared like:
How was the flying?
What did you do today?
Did you have a good day?
However, the process of meeting the pilots was a well oiled machine and there wasn't much time for idle chit chat. Next time!!)
So the story goes:
Several months ago, a friend had posted a photo on Facebook from a Blue Angels air show. It looked much like the one below. I made a comment that the boys would love to see the Blue Angels, which in turn I received a response that we too could meet the Blue Angels at the Grand Junction air show. It took about 2 seconds for us to accept that offer. I met this friend while working in Fallon, NV and ironically, his Blue Angel friend just happen to be a TOPGUN instructor while I worked there as well. That instructor was Capt McWherter. He was one of the first instructors I met and at the time, his call sign was Stiffy. It's funny how life comes full circle.
You too can see Capt McWherter to my left (your right).
After a very full first day of vacation, we took our Blue Angel high back to the Wine Country Inn where the boys took a long bath and Keith and I cracked open a Wine Country Inn bottle of Merlot.
The boys... they had movie and pizza night.
It had been a LONG day.
While we had our mini-date off to the side, Keith noticed that Oliver was giving a true sign of male comfort.
He didn't even re-position his left hand to take a bite of pizza.
Ahh... full bellies after a full day of adventure.
Life is Grand!!
*HUGE Thanks to Rusty for the MAJOR Hook up!! Mama scored some SERIOUS Cool Mom Points.
**HUGE Thanks to my big brother Jerry for encouraging me to take a risk and move to small-town Fallon in the middle of the desert. Who would have guessed that those three years would have brought me so much growth and adventure that would last a life time.
*** Oliver has added a fighter pilot to his list of future career choices. We would be proud for our son to be a United States fighter pilot. Of course, we would be proud if he was one of his other career choices as well, which includes a Dr who doesn't give pokes (shots), an engineer or an astronaut.
Click Newer Post below to see Tomorrow.
**HUGE Thanks to my big brother Jerry for encouraging me to take a risk and move to small-town Fallon in the middle of the desert. Who would have guessed that those three years would have brought me so much growth and adventure that would last a life time.
*** Oliver has added a fighter pilot to his list of future career choices. We would be proud for our son to be a United States fighter pilot. Of course, we would be proud if he was one of his other career choices as well, which includes a Dr who doesn't give pokes (shots), an engineer or an astronaut.
Click Newer Post below to see Tomorrow.
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