Pumpkin Patch and Fall Hiking

We tried to take full advantage of the warm weather that is still lingering in Colorado this weekend. First up was a trip to the pumpkin patch that is 5 min from our house. The Chatfield Farms Pumpkin Festival was way better than last year. There were carnival games, barrel rides, pony rides, face painting, a mini corn maze and lots of vendors! We didn't stay around too long as we have a toddler who will throw a tantrum at any given moment, so we took advantage of a few things the festival had to offer.

We didn't think he'd sit still but gave face painting a try anyways! He did great and walked away with bats.

Mini tractor rides

Mini corn maze perfect for Carson to explore (and free!)

The pumpkin patch! Daddy couldn't push the stroller far so on our way back to find him Carson says,
"Daddy, where are you?"

Carson's favorite the tractor ride back to our car.

Cooper slept through his first pumpkin patch, but we will be back for sure next year. Next up I wanted to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather on a trail. Reid was not enthusiastic about carrying Carson, so we went to Lair 'O the Bear so that he could walk himself. I also wanted to try and get some "mountain" pictures of Cooper since I did the same with Carson at 3 months.

The trail went right by the creek so of course we had to throw rocks in.

Leaves starting to change on the trail.

He has a great "cheese" face now, lol!

Our little hiker.

Lair O' the Bear.

Cooper isn't very fond of tummy time.

Rocks + water = :)

"Running"

"Bye bye creek," Carson said as we walked back to the car.

Cooper Thomas: Three Months

Little Cooper, three months old and I still look at you and think you are your brother! You may look like your big brother but you definitely have a different personality. Unlike your brother, you are a horrible sleeper right now! I'm pretty sure you are no where near sleeping the recommended hours for your age, but it doesn't stop you from being smiley and happy! Seriously your eyes will be so red but the moment I look at you the cutest little grin appears on your face.

You are such a fun baby because you are very talkative and interactive with us. You giggle just about every time I lay you down on the changing table because 1) I get close to you and make silly faces and 2) your ticklish. You LOVE attention and a few ladies have called you a lil flirt!! About the only time you are ever upset is when no one is playing with you, you are awake in the carseat, you're hungry or tired. You are getting very good at batting toys and I've even caught you talking to them too while you are laying on your play mat. A little more about your talking, I think you are already trying to carry on conversations with us as you are always mimicking the sounds we make with you. I love when you concentrate on things and get a cross-eyed look on your face. It's the cutest! You are tolerating the binkie much better, especially when you are tired and want to sleep (which you go down fine, but don't stay asleep very long). You are still very interested in the television but aren't liking your bouncy seat as much anymore. Every time we set you down, you are good for a couple minutes then you start pushing yourself backwards out of the chair. You are very close to falling off the back so we have to pay close attention. As well as on the changing pad too, as you almost pushed yourself off that too the other day. And I thought your brother had strong legs...you have taken it to a whole new level! We tested out the Bumbo the past couple weeks and you do really well in it. I think your favorite is going to be the jumper once we get that out! I think I can say your most favorite toys are your play mat, a colorful bug carseat toy and a mouse that we have on your carseat as well. Recently I've caught you swatting at them when we are out and about.

You and big brother are doing much better with each other. You grin every time Carson is around you Carson likes to play patty-cakes or dance with your arms. He even will ask me if he can go "lay down" which means lay by you on the play mat.

We don't have a doctor's visit this month so mommy made a guess at how big you are getting. You weigh about 12lbs and are almost 24in long. 3 month clothes fit you comfortably, except some of the pants are a little short for your long legs (the opposite problem your brother has). And we are about to move up to size 2 diapers. A growing boy for sure, which we will watch because it was after this point your brother started losing weight. The most exciting thing for you this past month was your first long car ride to visit Grand Teton National Park. For the most part you did very well and you were a trooper for being confined to the carseat and Ergo a lot during our trip.

You are such a sweetheart Cooper even though you don't like to sleep! Mommy is hoping that changes over the next couple months, or I might have to start helping you out in that department! Keep on being your smiley, happy self!!

Family Adventure: Grand Teton National Park

This past weekend (Sept 25-29) we loaded up our car with the boys and drove to Jackson, WY to experience Grand Teton National Park. Patti and Mark (Reid's mom) also joined us so she could make another check off her bucket list. It is an 8 hour drive from Denver, that turned in to 13 hours for us (thanks to littlest dude) and as we passed Jackson on our way to Teton Village where our condo was, baby screaming in the back seat, we approached a line of break lights! Not a welcoming site after being in the car for so long. We slowly proceeded forward only to discover a moose had just been hit by a car. Poor thing was panting in the middle of the road and eventually moved to the side to not make it :( Sad start, but here is how the rest of our trip went.



Day 1: Phelps Lake, Mormon Row and Snake River Brewery

We took our time waking up, eating breakfast and getting a little more settled into the condo before venturing out. It happened to be Public Lands Day so entrance in to the park was free. Not that it really mattered for us since we'd eventually need to buy a week pass anyway, but my only hope was that the park wouldn't be too crowded. Patti also had an after thought we should have used today to go up to Yellowstone since we were so close! We decided to do a hike to Phelps Lake so we made our way to the Laurance S Rockefeller Preserve where the trailhead was located. It was a little over 2 miles to the lake where we stopped for a quick snack. Carson was fascinated with a chipmunk that that tried very hard to get a bite of his "cookie bar." Cooper also decided he was hungry so Patti and I found a spot on the lakeshore to hang out while Reid and Mark decided to continue around the lake which was about 5 miles. Carson passed the time by throwing rocks in to the water, a favorite activity of his. And once Cooper was content, we decided to walk around the lake to catch up with Mark (as Reid trail-ran in the opposite direction). On our way back up to the main trail, we encountered a fox who came about 10ft in front of us! Good thing they are timid around humans!! From this point on Carson hiked almost the whole way back to the car. We were out and about at nap time, so we had a meltdown towards the end, but thankfully got him to continue on by offering some snacks. So proud of him for hiking almost 2 miles. And as for wildlife spotting, unfortunately the fox and chipmunk were the extent of that for everyone but Reid who saw a moose on his run. (full album)

After our hike we drove through the park to the historic Mormon Row for me to take some pictures of the famous barn. The scenery was beautiful!

Next we headed in to Jackson for an early dinner at Snake River Brewing Company. I had a delicious pulled pork sandwich with one of the best side salads a stout. But Reid hit the jackpot with his IPA he ordered. Our past favorite IPA was brewed by Red Hook in Woodinville, WA but this one tops it no questions asked! YUM! So good we got a growler ;)

Day 2: Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls

Day 2 started with a breakfast BUST! We planned to go in to Jackson and eat at the Bunnery since Reid had been raving about this place for weeks. Well it was busy and we didn't want to wait so we walked around Jackson to a few other places, that were also busy, and finally settled on breakfast (at 11am) at The Post which was at Snow King Mountain, the local ski resort. I LOVE going out for breakfast and let me tell you this was the worst breakfast I've had :( So sad we wasted our time running around Jackson only to settle on a crappy breakfast. But now on to hiking. We headed to Jenny Lake (recommended by many people). It was pretty, but nothing spectacular. You can either take a boat or hike back to Hidden Falls, so we opted for the hike. On our hike out we passed some people who told us there was a moose close-by but unfortunately we didn't see him. At least we got a little more glimpse of fall foliage on this hike. (full album)

Day 3: Colter Bay and Scenic Photos

On our last day for sight-seeing Reid and I woke up early to head up to Jackson Lake Lodge where I heard there were some huckleberry pancakes to try! Jackson Lodge was also at the north end of the park and I'm glad we ventured up here because the views were AMAZING and there was more fall colors to be seen. If you ever make your way to the Tetons do yourself a favor and take a trip to Jackson Lodge. The views of Mt Moran from the lobby area are breathtaking!! And while you are there you might as well go get some huckleberry pancakes at the Pioneer Grill because they were delish! After breakfast we met up with Patti and Mark at our first scenic pull out at Willow Flats. While taking in the beauty of the Teton Range, we spotted some elk making his mating calls. Oh and then that was ruined by a tired 2 year old who decided to throw a tantrum (and himself in the dirt). Sorry for ruining the peace!

Next was a drive over to Coulter Bay (full album) to hike at Jackson Lake. This was probably my favorite hike of the trip, even though it was the shortest. Guess I just need to move back to where there is water!

After Colter Bay, Reid and I headed back to the condo with the boys and stopped for a few more scenic photos on the way (and to let the boys nap). First we stopped at Oxbow Bend which had amazing fall foliage against the Snake River and Teton Range. Next was a stop at the Snake River Overlook which is the location of the famous Ansel Adams photo, and lastly we stopped for a family photo at the Grand Teton National Park sign. This might be the best photo of our trip because it sums everything up perfectly when traveling with a baby and toddler. Mom and Dad are making the best of it, the toddler is just doing his own thing, and the baby is crying because he is clearly just over the trip, ha!

Overall we had a wonderful time. Jackson is great as everything you would want to do visiting there was no more than 1hr 30m away (aside from making a trip to Yellowstone). Thankfully our trip home only took 11hrs and both boys really did travel so well. The next big trip like this will not be planned until I'm done breastfeeding and maybe Cooper is walking. I'm glad we ventured out with the boys, but it is hard work!! (full album)