UFF DA 2011 Days 1 and 2

Harrison Butcher, Henry and Jack Thomas, and Arabella Leighton

 On Thursday night, we went over to Dana and Josh's house for a family BBQ.  I stole this picture from Dana... Don't the kids look like they could all be siblings? 

 On Friday, I took Dave's Grandpa Bob and Arabella to the Garden of the Gods and to the Air Force Academy for a day of sight seeing.  I got a ton of pictures, but am only putting the best ones on here.  See below!

I love this mischievous look on her face... I had just told her not to go exploring too far by herself

Arabella at Garden of the Gods

 

Grandpa Bob and Arabella at Garden of the Gods

 

Cutest little face... Okay, I'm a little biased

"Look at the mountains, Mommy!"

I had this momentary lapse in judgement when I allowed her to climb all the way up to the top... not because I was scared she would fall, but because I couldn't help Grandpa Bob and help her and I realized what it would be like to have two kids. 

Garden of the Gods - isn't it beautiful?

 Then we left and went to my dad's alma mater... the Air Force Academy.  I'd never been there before, so I was excited to see everything.  I was a little disappointed that it wasn't just open for me to go wherever I wanted... but I guess I understand with national security and all that.  Anyway,  we saw a few airplanes on display.  Then we went to the visitor's center and bought Arabella a cute AFA hoodie (size 4T - completely huge on her, but someday it'll fit!).  We decided to hike to the chapel which didn't look that far on the map... not the best idea... it was 1/3 mile up and down hills.  Grandpa Bob was a real trooper and Arabella only needed to stop a few times for a rest.  Once we got there, it was beautiful.  Bob and I decided that there must be some sort of meaning for each of the steeple things (the pointy things).  We discussed it for a long time trying to come up with what the meaning was... I later googled it and there is absolutely no meaning.  Sheesh.  They should've had a meaning. It would've made it more interesting.  Anyway,  we also saw a group of cadets marching in a large open area.  We watched them for a while and the tour guide told us that it was their first day.  I texted my dad a picture asking if he remembered his first day... he did.  :)   Then Arabella and I hiked back to the car to head home (we decided we would just pick Bob up in the car).   It was a beautiful campus - much more beautiful than the UNI campus! :) 

B - 52 Bomber on Display at the AFA

Resting on our hike

The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel