Mini-Vacation to see the Richards

Jim and I returned home tonight, June 6, 2011 from a short visit to Colorado Springs to see Adrianne and Mike and their little family. We had a wonderful time. We wish we could have stayed at least another week. It was so nice to become re-acquainted with the boys and to hold beautiful little Laila.

On Friday we went to the Air Force Academy and toured around and also stopped at the headquarters of the Focus on the Family. The boys had a great time in the play area of that place. On Saturday, we went to the Garden of the Gods, which is right at the base of Pikes Peak (HUGE mountain, 14,110 feet). It was a fascinating place with topography similar to southern Utah. We went on a short hike and took lots and lots of pictures.

Eli, Will and Isaac on our hike.

This is the chapel at the Air Force Academy. We were unable to go inside because they were having a wedding rehearsal but the structure is still amazing.

This is a statue of falcons that was stunning.

This is one of the statues of an airplane that was on the campus of the Academy. I was very moved by the place. It wasn't the prettiest campus I've seen. It wasn't very big where the main campus was, but it was in a beautiful setting and there was a very special feeling about the place. It truly made me feel proud of what these brave men and women do so I have the privilege of living the way I do.

I will post more photos later. The Colorado River was roaring over it's banks in many, many places as was every river and creek that we crossed. Utah still has a lot more snow than the mountains in Colorado.

I was very sad to leave. Will said to me on Sunday night, "Grandma, I don't want you to leave. Why don't you stay for a long time." I replied, "I'd love to stay for a long time but I think you would get tired of me. He said he wouldn't and then stopped and thought for a minute and then said, "Well, not Grandpa. He plays with us. You mostly work." I told him to go in and tell his grandpa that grandpa's name was Mary and mine was Martha. :) We got a good laugh over that.

We sure appreciate the graciousness of Mike and Adrianne. Despite the piles they have to dig through, they found time to play and visit. They have adorable kids --- and I even really liked their dog, Diamond.