Flashback to September 2011

Simcox Family Reunion

at Winter Park in the

Beautiful Rocky's of Colorado.

Over the Labor day weekend

 the Simcox clan

gathered together for a

super action packed 

mountain experience.

This is in place of our usual

Lake Powell trips.

Lake Powell has been a part of 

my life for as long as I can remember.

I have to admit I was a little bummed

 that we are taking a Lake Powell break

 but after this awesome trip I was sold.

So let's begin....

At the time of this trip we only had one car.

So my Mom graciously offered to drive

me and the boys to Colorado.

We made it to Winter Park just after dark.

My Mom dropped us off then headed down to

Denver to stay with her friend Jan.

But before she was off we had to get in

 a few snapshots with all the grand kids.

...........................

The next morning the kids were up bright and early.

I tried to sleep in as long as I could . 

Actually, that should say- as long as my kids would let me. 

 It was nice to have cousins to entertain each other.

Annsley getting goofy.

Crew fell in love with the bouncy horse right away.

Later that day we played outside, rode the 4 wheeler,
 took naps and I took the boys on a fun little nature walk.
We went to feed the horses, throw rocks in the pond,
then made our way over to my Uncle John's cabin
 to visit and play with cousins.

Tye brought this hammock back from Brazil.

 The boys found some re-bar to play with at the
 entrance of our property.
My Dad is building an entrance sign.

Throwing rocks in the pond.

 My Uncle John's horses.

 Crew getting a better look.

This horse's tongue is so funny!

 The boys loved finding this tree every time we walked
down to Uncle Johns for meals.

Hey! This looks like the giving tree!

Crew tells me this tree has a donut for a mouth
and he breaks out laughing every time he sees it.
Crew also calls the pine trees- pineapple trees
and wants to know where all the pineapples are.
Crew was hilarious the entire trip with all his cute
thoughts and and funny sayings.

That evening we piled up in the old ford pickup
{my first car by the way}
and headed to Uncle John's for dinner.
It started to rain right when it was time to go.
All our meals are taking place outside.
But it did not stop us from having a great time and
it didn't hang around for too long either.

The beautiful rainbow after the storm.

 Once dinner was over the kids went 4 wheeling and the
younger ones took rides in the trailer.

 Landen ready to ride!

Soon it was dark and we were all frozen.
It was time to get back to our cabin
because  Grandpa & Grandma finally arrived!!!

Grandpa and Cody

Grandpa and  Annsley

Next time I need to get Grandma Simcox out from behind the
camera so she can get in all these cute pics with the kids.

I love this shot of Crew and Annsley before bedtime.

...................

The big adventure for us today is boating
on the beautiful, but o' so freezing Grand Lake.

My Dad brought his boat with him so we
could take the boys out on the lake.
Trevor, Shari and their kids also came with.

My kids have not had much experience on boats
and I was very excited to get them out there.

On the drive out to Grand Lake Crew fell asleep.
We all know how much fun Crew is after that happens!

Life is rough when you are almost 3. 

At least everyone else is all smiles!

 Cody and Tiffany

Grandma Simcox, Landen, Thaxton

 Annsley and Grandma

Landen, what a babe!

After cruisin' for a bit we stopped so some of
the more adventurous ones could jump in the water.

Thaxton was all kinds of excited to get in.
He obviously does not know that this beautiful,
very deceiving lake is absolutely freezing!
Even in the middle of summer.

All us meanies; knowing full well what was about
to happen, cheered this little guy on.
We could not wait to see his breathtaking
reaction to the cold, cold water.

How freakin' mean is that???

Don't worry, we didn't just toss him in
like my Dad would do to us.

We let Thaxton ease his way in and
sweet Aunt Tiffany was right there with him.

All smiles!

 Cody and Landen were not as brave but still having fun.

Tiffany busted out the wake board.
She is one tough chick!

Trevor was up next.

Cody and Thaxton watching Trevor wake board.

 Look who is still grumpy! Oh, Crewbie.

I love how Landen's head is barely poking
 out the top of his life jacket.

Everyone was getting really hungry
so we found a nice spot on the lake to
chill and break out some lunch!

Tammy and Tiffany

 Tiffany, Landen and Thaxton

 Cody, Tiffany and Crew

Before we knew it, it was time to go.

Landen took a nice long nap on the boat ride back to shore.

So did sweet little Annsley.

On the way home from the lake we stopped
off at the grocery store. That is where G-ma Simcox
got these adorable pictures of Tiff and Crew.

How stinkin' cute!!!

...................

After dinner Grandma always  has a yummy
 dessert she makes with all the grandsons.

Tonight...... cute little personal pies!!!

So much fun!
Thanks Grandma.

After Grandma's pies, Grandpa had all the boys

line up for another surprise.

Everyone got a little metal soccer ball filled

with candies.

..................

Everyday we would all meet at my Uncle John's

place for meals. We all took turns with meals.

This day I was scheduled to help out with lunch.

Before we got started we took a few pics.

This is a group shot with my step-mom Tammy,

step-sisters Tiffany and Amanda, and

my aunt Toma. (one of my Dad's older sisters)

I love this sweet little pic of Crew, Landen and Thaxton.

 Amanda and I bringing the food down.

 Tiffany showing off her food carrying skills.

 Vanessa, Amanda, Me, Uncle John, and Tiff.
We make such a great lunch crew!

Keeping the little boys happy while they wait for lunch.

Before the big lunch rush I took some pictures of 

the little things going on around me. 

 My uncle John was always keeping the fire going
along with the help of Cody.
 Cody loved that my Uncle John asked
 him to help take care of the fire.
He took his little job very seriously and worked at it.

The little boys loved hitting the ball.

 Cody monitoring the fire.

All this dog did was sleep; right in the middle of

all the action. 

Boys being boys!

................

Between lunch and dinner a group of us

drove on over to widow maker.

We brought the guns with us for some target shooting.

Shooting the guns is always fun to me.

Reminds me of being a kid and shooting with my Dad.

I was excited for the boys to get some shooting

lessons with Grandpa Simcox.

Grandma and Landen

 Gma and Gpa with Landen

Cody and Grandpa

Landen and Grandpa

Trevor

My Uncle Brad

Landen getting tired.

Watch out! It's Roberta...and she's got a gun!

Grandpa & Landen

Grandma, Cody and Uncle Brad

Cody, my little collector,
saved all the shot gun shells.
Bagged them up and brought
them home. Ugh!

Me and Tye

Dad and Tiffany

Landen....he's so hot right now!

One of my favorite's views.

Dad and me.

Grandpa and  Landen

My awesome Dad!

This was my favorite gun to shoot.

Crew fell asleep on the drive to the hill.
We moved him inside my Dad's truck.
Not thinking he would stay asleep after
the transition and all the loud gun shots.
I was amazed that he slept for over 2
hours! Guess he was worn out???

..............................

Once again...time to eat!

Landen loves the ladies!

After our last supper,
(we leave tomorrow)
Tammy and Tiffany whipped up
a devilish batch of muddy buddies.

And we sat around the
campfire telling funny stories.

Tiffany, Dad, and Thaxton

 Dad and Tye

 Trevor and Shari

Tiffany, Thaxton, and Tammy

Tye and Roberta

Thaxton and Trevan

The Simcox Fam!!!

When I went back inside to get ready for bed
I saw that the boys had already fallen asleep!

Sleeping children....priceless!!!!

......................

Our last and final day at the cavin.
Crew says cavin instead of cabin.
So cute it has stuck!

I got us all packed up and ready to go.


We played, we wrestled,
we had breakfast for the last time.
We took turns riding the horses.
We laughed, had fun and
we said all our goodbye's.

After all was said and done.
This trip was awesome!

I had so much fun with my boys
and the time I spent with all my family.
I love you with all my heart.