Silverton and a visit from friends

A couple weeks ago we were completely and totally thrilled that our friends from Arkansas would be vacationing in Silverton, Colorado for a week. Silverton is about 2 hours from Cortez and we had not been there yet so we opted to go spend a day with them. The drive was just amazing. We crossed at least two mountain passes and were in awe the whole way. We finally got to the campground and hunted up Ben and Sharla and their darling little children. 

Our original plan had been to take a hike so we soon started out. As it turns out, the elevation is really high there and we were all talking and talking and talking and soon we were all huffing and puffing :). It was a nice trail that meandered up the mountain among the Aspens and once again, we were wowed with God's beautiful creation.

Picking flowers!

Jillian and Emily. Are they not the cutest things ever?

Our hike led us up to where we could overlook Silverton.

The storm rolling in.

We didn't make it too far-maybe 30 min in and we decided to head back down. Ethan was a little grouch and did NOT want to be carried. We could also see the afternoon storm rolling in so we hurried to a park to eat our lunch. We did get rained out so we dashed to our vehicles and drove up a dirt road that I don't know the name of of. There was several old mines we could see from the road, some perching precariously on the edge. It's terrifying to imagine how dangerous it must have been when they were being worked!

Eventually it quit raining so we headed back to the park so the children could play. As we pulled into the parking lot we saw that our front truck tire was rapidly losing air. Uggg. Ben and Eldon manged to find the proper tools to take it off and go get it fixed while the rest of us hung out at the park. Note:we now have everything we need to change a tire in the truck :).

Upside down monkeys

There was huge boulder for climbing that they loved!

Lots of wildflowers!

The rest of our day consisted of sitting around chatting. In other words, we talked as we dashed here and there after our children as well as getting the necessary snacks, drinks, band aids and many other things children tend to need. Together we have 7 children, ages 7,5,4,3,2,1, and 9 months. It was so fun to watch them play together again!

Makayla was delighted to dote on Grayson as much as he would allow.

I'm not one for selfies but every now and then a decent one turns out! So, so, so good to be with this lady again! 

A few evenings later we met Ben's in Durango at the Bar D Chuckwagon.

We went early enough to check out Pinkerton Hot Springs right outside of town.  

It's so neat to see how the water just bubbles out of the rock.

Bar D is a fun little place in a beautiful setting. I was glad we got there early so that we could explore and let the children play on the playground.

Engineering a train.

Love the red cliffs.

Just more beauty!

Awesome design for a swing!

Michael riding a bull.

I took the three oldest on a train that goes in a small circle :). The children got to ring the bell and absolutely loved it.

Our table was very crowded and we had very many little children but the food was delicious and the company fun so it turned out just fine! Shortly after we ate they started the show. Michael and Makayla were completely enthralled with the cowboy songs and jokes. Emily and Ethan were sick and tired of sitting still so I took them out. There was a huge area right outside the dinner area that was wide open and we could still hear and see the show. I was quickly joined by several other parents with toddlers that had energy to burn!

The four cowboys who entertained us.

Emily kept running over and talking to this cowboy like he was real :) :)

Faceful of orneriness!

My beautiful friend (inside and out) and her sweet baby

We had such a fun time and are so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with friends!