Colorado Mini-trip Day 2 3/4 and 3

So after a wonderful. long day at the zoo we hopped in our rental car to check out Garden of the Gods.  What a beautiful place!  Zachary was bummed he couldn't climb on them but we enjoyed the scenery.

 On our first night in town we found a Whole Foods!  Boy, do I wish we had one in our neck of the woods.  We stocked up on breakfast items, fresh fruit, and snacks for our hotel room.  While we were there on our first night, Zachary found what he called "MONSTER MILK". Neither Kevin or I saw them but Zachary talked about them from that first visit until we returned to the grocery store for trip #2.  We were out of fruit and healthy snacks so after Garden of the Gods we went back to Whole Foods. The 20 minute ride Z chattered in the back seat about "MONSTER MILK". Again we had no idea what he was talking about.  So when he lead us to the "orange yogart in a neat container" we HAD to get "MONSTER MILK".  Funny thing about it was when I opened up the yogart it "spit" a ton of yogurt in my face, eye, neck, etc. I was covered in the yucky smelling substance.  Z thought it was hilarious.  When Z finally got to eat it he didn't like it.  So the hype was all about the packaging.  Which I might add was pretty cool because all you had to do was twist of the lid (remember do not aim at your face) and eat. No spoon required.  So without further ado here is Z with his must have purchase from Whole Foods.

 We also hit a Dicks.Sporting.Goods. We were just browsing and enjoying not being in a rush about anything. Z spotted the punching bag so we let him burn off a little bit of extra energy.

 After Dick's, we went to a local brewery that was playing college football all over the place.  I was impressed with their kids meal selection.  Isn't it terrible but that is what I look for when selecting a place to eat?  We wanted to eat at places that we did not have in our area.  We chose Rock Bottom.  Good choice on our part. I had a steak, salad, and veggies. Zachary chose the Make-Your-Own Pizza. It was awesome!  The waiter brought out sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and dough. Z made the pizza his way and then the waiter returned to pick up his creation.  Within 15 minutes Z's pizza came back and HE LOVED IT!  Snaps to this place for keeping Zachary busy so that Kevin and I could have a "normal" conversation.

 Here is Z with his pizza before it was baked. He was so proud.

 So I am finally on to day 3....Kevin had class until 11:30 so Z and I just enjoyed the luxury of our hotel bedroom until Kevin returned.  Then we went on a Cog Railway Tour to Pikes Peak.  I don't think I have mentioned that the conference that we were at was 99% adults. Its funny because you never know if people are going to bring their kids or not.  This time everyone left their kids at home.  So Zachary was the ONLY kid at the conference "family" activities.  You might think this was a bad thing but it wasn't. Everyone (resort staff, concierge, other conference attendees, etc) LOVED Zachary, knew Zachary, and treated Zachary like he was a king.  He was SO well behaved that people were stopping us commenting how awesome Zachary is. I think he was so good because Kevin told him if he wasn't good he would be sent home like all the other kids.  Terrible I know!  But it worked.  Z was amazing because he didn't want to get sent home.

Here is Z & Kevin on the Cog Railway headed up 14, 000 feet to Pikes Peak

 At the top....I love this pic because I was so NERVOUS that Z was going to fall off the mountain. As soon as he got off the train he ran to pick up the snow.

 Zachary & Me throwing snowballs at Kevin

 The tourist photo opportunity at the top

 This was what we rode in the entire way up and back

 I had to include this photo too. Zachary was playing in the snow and his hands got super cold. He started crying because he needed gloves because his hands were freezing. 

 Another family pic at the top of the mountian

 Coming back down. Z got a bear that was drinking his chocolate milk.  Again look there are no other children on the train. 

 After Pike's Peak we met up with our dear friends Jennifer & Neil at the resort.  Zachary just hopped on Neil's back and was ready to play. I felt bad because Neil & Jennifer left their three kiddos at home and were enjoying the joys of an adult vacation.  However Neil did not mind one bit because he was missing his kids and he loved picking on Zachary.

While Zachary & Neil played in the lobby...Jennifer and I were deciding on where we should go for dinner. It really did not matter where we went because we just wanted to hang out with each other and catch up.   Kevin & Neil were in residency together. We love spending time with eachother's families and one another.  Jennifer & I picked the eating establishment because Neil & Kevin love German food.  So we went to a German restaurant.  It was yummy! After we were seated a German "band" came over to sing to us.  Little did I know they would hang out at our table forever. HA!

Please remember I am using a TERRIBLE camera.  The German place was poorly lit and the camera (with a flash) was a terrible so this is what I got. Mind you this was after editing the exposures.  O'well.  I guess this is what you get when you leave your battery at home. :)

Here's an adult only picture taken by Zachary.

Hil, Kevin, Neil, & Jennifer

 It was 2 days before Z's birthday and the waiters suprised him with dessert.  Z was thrilled so thrilled that he wanted to take a picture of his cake with Ms. Jennifer's phone.
 Our final group picture. Again it is terrible but at least we have something, right?