Rocky Mountain High

Ready, Set, GO!!! Vincent Iseman and Addie (clapping with excitement) are buckled in and ready for the 8 hour drive to Cascade, Colorado. Why Cascade...tucked in the Mountains lies a cute little Cabin that has been in my family since 1946, and we will be vacationing there with Mark and Nikkie Iseman and there oldest son, Vince.


When we arrived to Cascade, Nikki and I dropped the husbands and kids off at the cabin and headed up to Woodland park and did a little grocery shopping. When we finished shopping we noticed it was a lot colder outside. We had one more stop to make...we picked up some chinese food from the Fortune Cookie (GREAT!!) and while there it started snowing!! We got home had a yummy dinner and put the kids to bed and then the adults enjoyed and evening of hearts.

This was taken on Friday Morning before driving to Manitou to hop on the Cog Railway.

Before we could go to the cog...addie had to take a few laps around the cabin!

There she goes!

While adding did her circles vince opted for the rope swing.

Yep, she is still walking her paths.

Picture of the Cabin. Emlen Lodge was built by my great-grandparents Emmett and Helen McGreevy. They combined a few letters in their names to come up with Emlen lodge. Pretty clever!!!

Oh yes...my little girl is still on her path, but stopping to play with the grass that is just as tall as her.

My little Addie!

She couldn't pass up the stairs.

Addison traded in her path at the cabin for her very own seat on the Cog Railway. It is time to head up the mountain to the top of Pikes Peak!!

She is thinking "mom I've got my water read, lets get this cog moving!"

Vincent, Nikki, and Mark Iseman. Vince was too busy with his sucker to smile for the camera.

Addie snuggling with mommy. She is getting ready to take a nap!

The view!!

The snow plow a head of us...trying to clear a path. We might not get to go to the top because of snow and wind :(

Another pic of the snow plow.

Group Picture!! Addie is sleeping!! The snow was too bright to get a clear picture.

My little sleeping beauty!!

The wind was too bad..so instead of going to the top, we came back down and made a stop here.

Daddy, Addie, and Mommy standing by the Cog.

Addison Loved the snow!!!

Daddy helping her.

Mommy and Addison taking a break on a rock.

We had our window down..and addison loved sticking her head out it!!! I was unaware I was in the shot..so I did not smile.

I finally get the heads up that I am in the pic...say cheese...and addie decides to eat the window. I guess that was her way of telling me it's time for lunch.

Once we were done with the Cog we ate at a yummy Bar and Grill in Manitou Springs. Then headed back for a nice relaxing evening at the cabin. We did not finish lunch until 4. We let the kids play for a while and then put them to bed. The adults enjoyed a nice meal grilled by Mark, steaks, salad, and beer!!!!

Saturday 9-25

The cute little Lubbers clan in front of the Emlen sign

Saturday Morning we went to Garden of the gods. We stopped at the trading post and bought addie a bracelet. Then, we hit the trails!!Addison decided she wanted to push the stroller instead of ride in it. With Daddy's help she pushed up a little hill.Mommy and Addie doing some rock climbing!

I think she was checking out her shadow.

Addison was leading the pack!! I love this pic.

Mommy and Addison in front of the BIG red rock.

The whole family.

We had a lot of fun at Garden of the Gods...we needed a break though. So, we went back to the cabin for lunch and then Curtis and I took Addison to the North Pole.

Addison got to ride her first ride here!! She was clapping and say yea the whole time. Unfortunately for me...it was a ride that spun!!

After the North Pole, we took addie home and put her down for a nap. We met back up with the Iseman's there. Mark's sister Molly recently moved to Colorado Springs...so they spent some time with her. We all met back up with Molly that night for dinner in Colorado Springs at a great Mexican Restaurant called Amanda's Fonda!! When our belly's were full we headed to Seven Falls!

Curtis took pictures of the falls while I followed addie around. We were on the observation deck. I was terrified up there with addison. I was afraid she would head for the stairs and go tumbling down.

Seven Falls.

We all had an amazing time at the cabin!!! Below is a picture of Addison on the way back to Kansas. She was NOT happy to be back in her carseat for another 8 hour drive.