Carters take on Colorado

Ryan's dad and step-mom, David and Mary Ann, spend their summers in Durango, Colorado and their winters in Spring Branch, Texas. Ryan's brother and his family live in Hillsborough, North Carolina and are spending a whole month on the road this summer! We all decided to meet up in Durango and had a blast. Here is our fast and furious few days in pictures.

It all began with a 12 hour drive. 12 hours! 

The boys LOVED the two mountain tunnels.

 Nate even photographed one.

 Ben's request on the first morning there - climb a mountain. So, we found a mountain and climbed it!

Unbelievable views 

 

Then, we met up with Grandpa and Nana and they took us to a fish hatchery...

...and a cool/creepy museum at the hatchery.

The boys loved the pile of big rocks by the river. The grown-ups found the shade while they climbed.

While we let Grandpa and Nana rest up, we hit downtown Durango and got a little frozen yogurt treat.

 They boys chosen souvenirs - Ben's first pez dispenser and Nate chose a jelly bean shaped container full of jelly beans.

Then, the Carolina Carters rolled in and we met up for pizza. Table for 14 everywhere we went.

Day 2 - Durango Mountain Resort. 

Amazing fun!!

Nate LOVED the gondola and the Alpine Slide.

 Cousins! The boys kept mixing up their names, so they would say things like, "the girl in the pink gave me this." haha. Six names were a lot to remember.

 Nate and Mommy on the gondola.

Nate and I rode the Alpine Slide THREE times! He would tell me, "Go faster Mommy. Catch up to that guy. Push it down to go faster Mommy." 

Here is our selfie while waiting in line for the slide. He is showing you the ring his cousin made for him.

 The view from the Alpine Slide.

 Ben was cautious, Nate was not, on their first go at the bungee trampoline. Ben kept getting braver and they both did it a few times.

 Ryan did it too. Except he kept saying in a wavering voice, "OOOOOOH my goodness! OOOOOOH my goodness!" We laughed!

From the brochure, Ben decided the water ball was HIS activity. He wanted to do it so badly. As soon as he got in, he lost his balance and couldn't get back up. He almost immediately gave up. Crazy boy.

 Ryan and I did a zipline! I am on the left, slightly in front of some random girl I went with.

 Ryan! Wheeeeee

Day 3 - The Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Lunch in Silverton - Ryan found his restaurant. We actually did eat there :)

 Fueling up on ice cream before getting on the train.

Silly cousins.

 In case you wondered if the parents were there, we were!

 Taking in the beauty.

 We barely sat because there was so much to see.

 As the train snaked around right on the edge of mountain with the Animas River below.

 Sweetness. Pure sweetness.

They shared a queen sized bed. 

They always started on their own side. 

Ben always claimed he had a hard time falling asleep. 

They were always asleep within 10 minutes. 

Nate always ended up right up next to Ben. 

One night Ben even fell off the bed. We all blame Nate.