Denver Aquarium

Another fun adventure - The Denver Aquarium!

Santa Train in Georgetown, Colorado

A couple of days before Christmas we traveled up in the mountains to take a train ride with Santa. The entire Ridenour family came (Papa, Grandma, Uncle Eric, Uncle Mark, and Ashley) and we had a great time!

We tried desperately to get a family picture in front of this beautiful scenery, but this is about the best got. At least the background is worth looking at!


Mark and Ashley

We sat at tables instead of benches. It was pretty close, but we survived!

As we first started off, we went over this amazing bridge!

Zack looking out the window as we are going over the bridge.

Here is the view from the top! Wow, so pretty!

A few more scenes from the train window...

As we were checking out the beautiful scenery - in enters Santa and Mrs. Claus!

They were so friendly! Both Mrs. Claus and Santa came to each table and spent a good amount of time with the children. They talked with us and made it such a great experience for the boys!

He then gave everyone a bell, and Zack made the connection - "Just like Polar Express!!"

And what would a true train ride be without your ticket being punched! She really did a good job too - she was really fast, just like in Polar Express!

Zack checking out the puched ticket!

And you can't have snow without playing in it! We had a wonderful time and will definitely make the Santa Train a family tradition for years to come!

A new experience!

On Wednesday we headed up to the mountains again for a train ride with Santa. On the way to the train we noticed this frozen lake and people ice fishing on it. We could not pass up this awesome experience, so we too stopped and made our way out on the ice. These are not very good pictures, but there we are in the middle of the lake, checking out the ice fishing set-up. the whole experience was pretty incredible!

Decorating Christmas cookies

Fun in the snow @ Eldora

On Tuesday we went on a snow hunt - and ended up in the mountains at the Eldora ski resort. It was quite warm in Denver the entire time we were there, which meant no snow at Grandma and Papa's. That was ok - we didn't have to shovel it and drive in it - but we still got to play in it up in the mountains. This first picture was taken in the parking lot. Zack and Papa couldn't wait to make a snowman, so this one got made right next to the car!

Noah's first real experience in the snow. He wasn't a big fan, but tolerated it long enough for a picture!

Playing with an icicle that Grandma took off this building!


Zack just loved trying to walk through the snow. He had a great time!

All bundled up!

Noah, Grandma, Zack and Papa

Such a beautiful smile - and so authentic - he had just thrown a snowball at Grandma!

I just had to get a picture of these cute little snow pants that Noah was wearing.

We are so thankful that Grandma and Papa live in such a beautiful location of the country and that the boys can have these great experiences! In a few years they will be visiting the ski resorts, but hopefully doing a little skiing!

Trip to Denver

After opening gifts, the boys, my brother Eric and I got in the car and started off for Denver. It was a very long trip, but we had a great time (and thank goodness for the DVD player in our new car!!!) Kris still had to work, so he was flying out to Denver in a couple of days to join us.

This was the beautiful sunset that was displayed across the sky on our trip. God was really showing off the beauty of His creation. What a wonderful reminder of our awesome God!!

We arrived to Grandma and Papa's house a little after lunch the next day, and after being in the car for over 18 hours, we headed right for the park in my parent's neighborhood. Let the fun week begin!