This past week, my college kids returned to school, leaving my nest half-empty. My three oldest children are all attending Cedarville University (a Christian college in Ohio). That leaves me with two at home (a tenth and eighth grader).
Leaving for college with the van packed to the rim!
While the summer was busy (and at times chaotic), I loved having everyone home and being together as a family. We made some wonderful memories over the past few months.
First we had the opportunity to fly out to Colorado for a family vacation (minus my oldest son who had a summer internship that he couldn’t miss). We stayed in a rental home in Breckenridge and the views were stunning!
An easy hike on one of our first days there but nonetheless stunning!
Picture perfect lakes!
Riding the Georgetown Loop Railroad was one of my highlights.
I loved the “rich” history from our hike deep into an old silver mine.
Later in the week, we attempted to climb a Fourteener–Mt. Quandry. We didn’t make it to the top, but we sure had fun trying.
We weren’t prepared for the cold and snow at the top of Pike’s Peak!
We saw moose all over the place. This guy was grazing right outside our house!
Later in the summer, we also had the chance to spend time with extended family in Frankemuth, Michigan (which is a very fun place to visit if you ever have the chance!).
Me with my two brothers and my mother at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth.
My kiddos with their cousins and my mom at Bronner’s Christmas Store (the largest Christmas store EVER!).
Here are four out of five of my kids (the other one is riding the slides!). They loved hanging out at Zender’s Splash Village Waterpark in Frankenmuth.
In addition to the vacations, summer mission trips, celebrating four birthdays, driver’s ed training for my 10th grader, ballet camp for my 8th grader, and lots of running around, I also managed to write a book! Yes, believe it or not, I squeezed in time to write the second book in my new historical romance series (the first book releases next June!).
So, that’s a glimpse of my summer! Tell me about yours! Did you take any trips or do anything memorable?
Jody Hedlund
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We visited Colorado too – Durango, Silverton and Ouray. On our way home back to Texas we stopped in New Mexico and hiked up an inactive volcano. I had no idea the volcano existed until my husband found it on the map near Raton, New Mexico.
Thank you for sharing your summer with us, I am so jealous you got to go to Bronners!! I have ordered stuff off the website but have not ventured a visit to the store YET! I would most likely go broke but would be in heaven doing it! I have just had a quiet summer after losing a close friend at the end of June to cancer. Doing a lot of reading and such. The summer has been to hot and humid here in Ontario, Canada to do too much anyways.
Love your moose visitors, Jody! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one up close before. I’m a mountain lover, so I’m experiencing a little mountain envy. Looks like you had a wonderful summer, and I’m amazed that you still had time to write. You are the queen of efficiency. 🙂
My oldest just moved out of our house and into a condo apartment with 5 other girls. Her first true roommate test. All the girls seem really nice and helpful. They all assisted with move-in which meant few trips up to the second floor. Hooray! My second kiddo will be moving into the dorm at ACU on Tuesday. Sniff. My nest is 2/3 empty. Thankfully, they are all still super close. I’m not quite prepared to have all the chicks gone just yet.
Great pictures! I love seeing you and your family. You certainly had a busy summer and kudos for completing your book!
We just returned to Virginia from a two week visit to California to see our daughter, grandson, and son-in-law. We enjoyed a day trip to Catalina, a gondola ride along the Naples Canals in Long Beach, a trip down to the former gold mining town of Julian in San Diego County (our grandson’s name is Julian), and wonderful family time.
We have friends who live in Colorado and visited them last summer when we drove across country – beautiful views. We also enjoyed a wonderful ski trip to Durango in the early 90’s, which my husband won through his work. Amazing sights of the Rockies.
We took a trip that was on our bucket list – a trip to Yellowstone National Park. We also saw the Grand Tetons. The whole trip was amazing and one that I highly recommend to anyone that loves nature and getting to see wild animals in their environment and not a zoo. The views were breath taking and really photos can’t do them justice.
I thoroughly enjoyed the recap of your summer, Jody! What fun!
What a beautiful family you have! And wow, do you ever look like your mom! Loved getting this glimpse of your summer! Ours was good with several chances to see family and friends. We went to Houston, Waco, and Estes Park all in May so we’ve been keeping close to home since then!
Thanks for the great pictures of your beautiful family! The Colorado adventure looks great. I took my annual 2-week vacation to my friend in Mesa, Arizona, in time to celebrate her birthday with her. I’m looking forward to your next series. Too bad Fall is about to fall (darker, colder days) but the Lord decided that was best for His children, so we are thankful … right??? May God bless you and your writing talent!
Year around Christmas stores are fun to visit any time of the year! 🙂
Loved this post and the photos!
I live in Colorado and of course love Breckinridge, but we went to the Midwest for one of our vacations. There is God’s country everywhere!😍 The second vacation was to northern Arizona which is also a piece of God’s country we discovered.
You are way ahead of me, I did NOT write a book but read a few. ❤️
We had planned to take a trip to visit our relatives.
Then the water pump quit so there went our vacation $$$.
Two weeks later, I was involved in an auto accident, not my fault.
Now, I am busy visiting the doctor 3 days a week.
That pretty much sums up how I spent my summer.
I had a total knee replacement on July 19th. Three weeks later I had my opposite ankle give out on me when I was on the stairs. I controlled my fall so I only actually sat down on the steps but I did sprain both ankles in the process.
Nothing fun for me. Just a lot of laying around and pain. I loved seeing all your pictures.
Thank you, Everyone! I’ve enjoyed hearing about all of your summers too! Thank you for sharing!