Phoenix Gold Mine

For Grandma and Grandpas visit, we tried to think of something new and interesting to do.  Since Grandpa used to work in a mine in his very early years, we decided to go on a mine tour in Idaho Springs.  We looked at the reviews and the Phoenix Mine came in on top.

As we waited for our tour, one miner let the boys know that they had chipmunks who would let you pet them.  Both boys were excited about this, but especially Oliver.

While they patiently waited, they smiled for a photo.

They never got to touch the chipmunk, but they loved feeding him out of the gold mining pan.

Granda and Grandpa, ready for the tour.

We all marked in to enter on the side of the mountain.

Ready to enter the Phoenix Gold Mine.

There was a funny prop place to take photos.  The guide set up us and then took photos with our camera.  It was great and beat having to pay for a photo at the end of the tour.

The guide was awesome with the boys.  While they got up very close to the gold veins in the mountain he would explain all of the details of gold mining.

The tour was fun and interesting but the one thing that we factored in was that there was snow in Idaho Springs.  We were excited to pan for gold but since the creek was covered in snow and mud, there was no panning that day.  The boys were disappointed, but they got over it as we made our way to Beau Joes pizza.  It wouldn't be a trip to Idaho Springs without Beau Joes pizza.

I couldn't be happier that we have two budding Canadian Bacon and Pineapple lovers in the family.

Granda enjoying his last few bites of Beau Joes.

Back at home, the boys wanted to take out their bikes and ride around a bit.  Kellan knows how to ride his bike but for some reason, he never wants to do it.  In an attempt to entice him, Mommy took his bike for a spin.

I could never be a clown on a miniature bike.  This was hard work!

Kellan was perfectly happy to toodle along behind me on his tricycle, which is his current preference.

Kellan considering taking a spin on his bike.  It's quite stressful, obviously.

Even Oliver gave Kellan's bike a spin.

We had a great day with Grandma and Grandpa.  It was fun to explore something new as well as just hang out at home.