WaRnInG!! Picture Overload!!
Dallas had to go to Fort Collins for a few days for work so me and the kids decided to make a little vacation out of it and go with him. We had lots of fun and took LOTS of pictures! It was so nice to get away and not have to worry about anything for a few days. No cooking, no cleaning, no laundry, no worries!! 
We stayed at the Hilton. It was really nice! This was our room.
As soon as we got there, the kids wanted to go swimming.. So, after getting some dinner at Applebees, we hit the pool! 
The kids getting ready for bed
The kids wanted to go to the swetsville zoo. Mackenzie and Gavin thought it was great.. Avery was scared of everything.
They have lots of different animals- all made out of old farm equipment, old car parts, ect.. 
Avery was terrified of the two-headed dragon!
Later that night, when Dallas got out of class, we went miniature golfing. The kids all loved it. Gavin was so upset when we had to leave.
After golfing we we went to dinner at the Outback Steakhouse, then had ice cream at Cold Stone creamery. Then it was back to the swimming pool!
The next day we went to Ihop for breakfast, did some shopping, then we went to this place where the kids can pick a ceramic and paint it. They thought that was pretty exciting! Mackenzie painted a cat, Gavin a jet, and Avery a piggy bank. I didn't take a picture of the finished product after the ceramics had been cooked in the kiln though.
After painting their ceramics, we went into old town Fort Collins where there's lots of little shops to go into. We had fun just walking around and looking at everything. The kids took forever to pick out their little souvenirs. After that, we met up with Dallas and went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse- I love that place! Then we went back to the hotel to watch a movie.
The next morning I got brave and we got up early so we could drive into Denver and spend the day with my sister Staci. She let her kids sluff school so we could spend the day together!
The kids in the lobby waiting for My friend Amber who was going to follow us. Avery loved this waterfall! Every time we walked through the lobby, we had to stop and look at it.
We couldn't decide whether to go to the zoo or the Museum of Nature and Science so we took a vote and the museum won!
Mackenzie just wanted to see the mummies. She was a little disappointed when she realized they weren't zombie-like mummies standing with their arms out like the ones on Scooby Doo but she was still excited to see them!
This one was the "Poor Woman" They say these mummies are approx 3000 years old. It was a little creepy because you could see her teeth!
Mackenzie and Dusty
Gavin and Hayden
Avery with the "Rich Woman" This one was completely covered in a hard looking shell. (No creepy teeth showing)
Kayla, Gavin, Mackenzie, Madison, Avery, and Briggs looking at the dinosaur bones
More Dinosaur bones
Avery and I in front of a big fossil
and... more dinosaur bones!
Avery and Kyrie. Kyrie wasn't feeling very well so she wasn't too happy to be there.
These lions were Gavin's favorite.
Mackenzie thought the koala bears were "so cute!"
Funny Avery!
There was a health room with so much fun stuff. There was a computer that would take your picture and age your face up to 70 years to see what you will look like when you get old. I didn't do it because it takes forever and there's always a long line. There's also different booths to monitor your heart rate while doing things like riding a bike, a special light that lets you see your blood vessels through your skin, and lots of other fun things. They did a demonstration where they dissected a liver and trachea (I don't know if that's spelled right). I thought it was gross but Gavin thought it was pretty cool. Of course they had to go to the gift shop before we left too!
My kids with their cousins outside the museum. We went back to Staci's house for a few minutes then went back to Fort Collins. We went to Red Lobster for dinner then Dallas took the kids swimming while I watched!
Avery LOVED swimming and she has no fear like my other two have had. Mackenzie especially has always been a little afraid of the water. Avery swims like a fish! Dallas would keep one hand under her tummy and she would just swim around! She would even put her face in the water. Once, when Dallas wasn't looking, she jumped in next to him and went completely under the water. She was upset for a minute, but got over it fast and was ready for more! This was our last night at the hotel so we let them swim as long as they wanted. I think they stayed in the pool till 10:30.
all ready to go..
Kyrie got a little bored so she found something to entertain herself with.
Inside Bass Pro Shops there is a little resturant.. One of the appitizers on the menu is alligtor so we had to try it!
I think everyone was brave enough to try it but Mackenzie. She refused! I have to say, it wasn't bad. I just didn't like the green stuff they put on it.
Dusty looks so grown up!
The kids slept upstairs on the air matresses. They were up SO late! Especially Dusty. Me and Staci were talking and we thought all of the kids had gone to sleep but it turns out Dusty laid there and listened to our whole conversation. I felt so bad because they had to go to school in the morning. I kept telling Dusty that he was going to fall asleep on his desk!
After Staci got her kids off to school, it was time to head home! While we were driving, Avery helped herself to the treat bag. I shouldn't have put it next to her lol! 
"Look mom! I got five!"We had a great week. I'm sort of sad that it's over. It just went by way too fast! Thank you Chris and Staci for putting up with us!
