Hollen Family Getaway | Estes Park

Be prepared for lots of pictures.....

We’ve been back for over a week now but I’m still holding on to our time in Estes Park. I can’t believe how much I needed just a few days away to breathe, spend time with family, and relax. The past few months have felt like a whirlwind of events: job changes, growing kiddos, trying to take better care of myself. If there was ever a time that we needed a vacation, this was one of those times.

We took this trip last year around this time. Last year, I was pretty pregnant and Marin spent her first night in a hotel with us. This time, things looked pretty different. Now we have Sullivan with us, no longer in my belly but on the outside living life to the very fullest. Grandmadoo and Grandpadoo also went with us this time.

We ended up staying somewhere different this year because last year’s location was already booked. But, I loved the place we stayed. It’s called the Appenzell Inn. We booked the suite with 2 bedrooms, a living space, and small kitchen. It fit all of us perfectly. The main reason we booked there was because of the indoor swimming pool. Last year, all that Marin could talk about was the swimming pool so I knew I needed to find a good alternative for her this year. The Inn met our expectations and so much more. We will definitely be staying there again sometime in the future.

Before we drove up to Estes, we went to church at a different church than usual. Now that I am no longer on staff at church, I felt that we could switch things up a bit and visit our old stomping grounds. We spent a few years at Timberline Old Town and I even met Ryan within those walls. It was a nice change of pace and it was nice to see people we haven’t seen in far too long.

After church we stopped for coffee and then headed up into the mountians. We truly couldn’t have asked for better weather while we were up there. It was in the high 50’s most of the time we were there and only started to snow on the drive home. We made it to Estes and had lunch before checking in. We ate at “You Need Pie,” which is a little diner style place that serves diner favorites and amazing pie. We discovered it last year when we went and knew we needed to go back. We ate our pie out in the sunshine surrounded by mountains. 

We drove into Rocky Mountain National Park to a spot that the Hollen’s frequent. Marin was so daring and wanted to climb every single rock. She was fearless on this trip and I am so proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone. Sully loves to be outside any chance he can get. That night we went back to the hotel and Marin, Ryan, and Grandpadoo went and took a little swim in the pool. After that, we brought in New York style pizza that consisted of pizza slices the size of our heads. Thin crust, just enough cheese and pepperoni, goodness. Even Sullivan enjoyed little pizza bites.

Once the kids were in bed we ended up staying up much later than I usual do and talked and talked. It was nice to just have a conversation with adults, drink some wine, and  then wind down reading a book, all by the fire place. Both bedrooms had big king size beds with tons of amazing pillows. I slept so well there. Sullivan was in his pack n' play in our room and Marin slept in Grandmadoo and Grandpadoo's room. 

The next morning we woke up and headed downstairs for breakfast in the hotel. The rest of the morning was spent walking around town with the double stroller. The weather truly couldn't have been more perfect. Gorgeous sunshine, about 60 degrees. We walked through the little shops, played on the playground, climbed some more rocks, bought some delicious candy, and ended up on Poppy's for lunch. After lunch, we headed back to the inn, had some quite time and naps, and just took it easy. 

After nap time, we all got in our swimsuits and headed down to the pool. This was Sullivan's first time in a pool and he was having so much fun. I bought him a little floaty for the pool and he just kicked his chubby little legs to his heart's content. I bought Marin a little life vest as well and she would stay in the water forever if we let her. After the pool, we all hopped in the outdoor hot tub and relaxed. 

That evening, the grandparents offered to watch the kiddos so Ryan and I could have a little date night. It was so welcomed and so wonderful. We began the evening with eating bbq-- pulled pork, ribs, hush puppies, baked beans, corn bread, a beer. Hello, full. After that we went and saw a movie at the little theatre in Estes Park. We saw "A Quiet Place" and I was on the edge of my seat the entire film. I highly recommend it. 

The next morning, we went to breakfast back at the pie place. After our meal was finished, we picked out some more pie for the road. By this point, it was starting to snow. We packed our bags, checked out, and took the nice drive back down to home and back to reality. 

My heart is still full from this trip. We needed this trip so much for our little family and I am very thankful that we live close enough to a place like Estes Park. It was exactly what we needed and I look forward to another trip much like this one in the future. 

Our Little Vacation | Estes Park

Our family! Soon to be four!

A few weeks ago, we had ourselves a little vacation or getaway to Estes Park. We knew that I was only going to get more pregnant, so it was now or never. This is probably our last trip as a family of three, which is really surreal to think about. Very soon we will be a family of four and our lives will never be the same. 

This was the first time our little one has gotten to go on a little trip like this. In the past, she has stayed with grandparents. We talked up the trip for weeks and I think she had a very good time. We ended up taking a little drive up to Estes Park, CO for a few days. Nothing crazy. Still pretty close to where we actually live. Long gone are the days of relaxing on a beach somewhere with a margarita, but I'm alright with that. This is the season we find ourselves in. 

We stayed at Murphy's River Lodge and were very pleased with it. The breakfast was great. Marin would have swam in the swimming pool all day if we would have let her. Our little room was right on a river. We were able to check out a bunch of movies and just hang out with each other for a few days. We ate a lot of wonderful food. It snowed quite a bit while we were there but it was still very enjoyable. 

New reading material from the book store on Main Street. 

Out on the back porch of our room, on the river. 

Traveling with a toddler is always an adventure. She did so great for the most part. The hardest part was getting her to wind down for the night and sleep in the same room as us. She wanted to just stay up with us and not miss out on anything. We missed nap time completely the second day which actually worked to our advantage that night because she fell asleep almost immediately. 

It was a refreshing way to unwind for a few days. Work has been crazy. We've been prepping for the arrival of our son. We are gearing up for maternity leave and for our lives to change. I wish the little trip could have been longer and maybe a bit warmer, but it was just what we needed. 

We brought lots of things to keep her entertained. 

We stayed at the Murphy's River Lodge.  We would most definitely stay there again. It was nice and relaxing. 

Some places we ate: 

Dinner the first night was here. I had an amazing burger with jack cheese and guacamole with sweet potato fries. 

Lunch on the second day was at a little diner with amazing pie, called You Need Pie. Perfection. I had a reuben sandwich for lunch. Dessert was a slice of s'mores pie and blackberry, split between all of us. Seriously amazing pie. 

Dinner the second night was at our normal place when we go to Estes, Poppy's!  You can never go wrong with pizza. 

Right before it snowed a bunch.

Marin would have swam forever. We need to get her swimming lessons.

Someday we will get our tropical beach getaway as a family but for now escaping to the mountains for a few days was wonderful. Until next time, Estes Park. 

The Great Road Trip | Days 7 & 8

The last two days of our trip were pretty predictable. We were driving and driving......and driving. Overall, from our little home to Portland, it takes about 20 hours to get there or back. I've only driven it straight through a few times in my life and I'm fine with not trying to accomplish that feat yet again. I'm getting to old for stuff like that. All nighters and driving in the dark? No thanks. My eyes just can't handle that like they used to. (I sound old...)

Saturday morning we packed up our bags and hit the road. Our half way goal is always Twin Falls, ID. Saturday was like most days on the road except for one little thing.....It was our 6 year wedding anniversary. 6 years. I found it pretty fitting to be out on the open road the day we celebrate 6 years of marriage together. There's just something about being in a car together, just driving. You can read about our past anniversaries here, here, here. Looks like I failed to blog about it for a few of years.

These past 6 years have been incredible. I am very blessed to have a wonderful marriage. We own our home. We get to do life as parents and raise Marin. We are able to provide for each other and support one another. I cannot imagine waking up every morning and not living life with Ryan.

On our trip, we spoke of what we want the next year to look like. I am very goal-oriented, so conversations like that always get my brain going. We talked about when we would want to start trying to have another child. We talked about jobs. We talked about playing music again and how much we miss it. We talked about health. I want to be able to do life with this amazing man for a very long time.

Over the past few years, we have celebrated our anniversary with pie. It seemed only fitting to find the local Shari's and partake in a tradition while we were on the road. I had the Sour Cream Lemon pie and Ryan has the Smores pie. Add a cup of coffee and I'm set.

The rest of the trip consisted of driving, driving, and driving. We stopped at many questionable gas stations. We ate too much junk. I totally nerded out and started reading the Outlander series. I know...I know....It was very good to pull into our driveway and finally arrive home. Picking up Marin from the Grandparent's house was something we had been looking forward to all week. Marin is making sure that we don't go anywhere for a while. Next time, she's coming with us.

It is good to be back and to slowly get back into the swing of things. I need vacations like this. It helps me focus on all of the other areas of my life. Next vacation though...I want a lot less driving and a lot more beach.

The Great Road Trip | Day 1 & 2

Travel always does something within me. I feel like the second we pack up the car and hit the road, all of the cobwebs of my mind, body, and soul suddenly shake loose and I can see again. I can easily get caught up in the everyday, the routine. Don't get me wrong, our everyday is pretty darn awesome. I get to wake up everyday next to a man I love, care for a child that has changed me in ways I never knew were possible, work in a job that I can actually say that I adore. Life is good. But, sometimes, I need a change of scenery. 

I've been anticipating this trip for a while now. The northwest will always hold a piece of my heart from college. In so many ways, I was made in the PNW. I found love, lost it. I found creativity. I found friendship. I found a love for the landscape. the weather, and the people. I love this city with everything within me. It makes me feel alive. It wakes me up. 

We started our trip on Sunday. I worked until 10:30, rushed home, picked up the house (because I like coming home to a clean home...), said goodbye to the kid, and we hit the road. The thing that has pulled at my heartstrings so much in the past few days is the fact that we didn't bring Marin with us. We know that she isn't the best car companion and 20 hours in a car with a 16 month old wasn't the best plan. She is with Grandma and Grandpa Hollen and I know she is having a blast. I feel like I have a missing limb. Next time, kid. Next time, you will come with us. For now, FaceTime will have to suffice. 

We have driven a lot in the past two days. The last time we made this drive, it had either been fall or winter. So driving over passes in the summer has been a nice change of pace. We had some pretty decent gas station coffee along the way. We stayed in Twin Falls the first night and the sunset coming into town was breathtakingly orange and seemed to carry on forever. 

We have eaten breakfast at hole in the wall diners. We have listened to good music and podcasts. I have been reading an excellent book. We have replaced a burnt out blinker bulb in the car. We can't believe how hot it is out in the PNW right now. 90 degrees or more. Seriously???

Yesterday, we made it to our hotel, sweaty and road weary. We freshened up and headed downtown. One beer, one shot, and a burger with peanut butter on it, and I was content. We both agree that that was probably one of the top 3 burgers we've ever eaten in our lives. I love this place. 

 But alas, we have arrived in the city that I love. We have all of today to spend exploring and then this evening we are meeting a bunch of friends for dinner at one of my very favorite places. 

I love vacation. I needed this vacation. 

I miss our kid. 

Weekly Lovelies: Currently Clicking #14

Each and every week, I gather links of all of the places I have been perusing in the great, grand internet. There are plenty of people out there doing big things and small things. Some of these are practical, some are inspiring. This week, we are journeying into the mind of a mom, defeating the battle between what types of parenting are best, talking about being a writer, a garage remodel, gifts for your dad, and a torturing post of vacation photos that just make me want to hop on a plane and go somewhere tropical for a week. 

1. I'm a new mom. Inside my head is probably pretty crazy pst days. Here's a post about 5 Minutes in a Mom's Head. I can relate to many, many things.
2. A refreshing photo series about motherhood. We beat ourselves up way too much with every little parenting decision that comes our way. We need to do what is best for our families, whatever that may be. A Fantastic Photo Series To Help Us Think About Judgment. (Spoiler Alert: We Have To Stop!)
3. Advice for Aspiring Writers: Hole Up & Create. I journal a lot. I don't really see myself always a writer but this post has some good advice. 
4. This garage remodel is top notch. I would like to stay there. 
5. Father's Day is Sunday. Here are some gift ideas from the kids for the dads. 
6. This group makes me want to take a vacation. With a group of awesome friends. I can't wait to read more about the house they rented. Here are some snapshots of the trip. Someday, vacation. Someday. 

Camping Trip 2011

On Thursday, we left for a camping trip to Lake Mcconaughy in Nebraska. It was an adventure, with relaxing moments here and there, and I didn't manage to sun burn myself. Overall: successful trip.

Thursday: We took forever to find a camping spot. Once we did, the weather decided to kick up and we spent a very windy and wet evening putting up camp, eating delicious (but sandy) kabobs and pasta salad in our tent, and hoping that the morning would fair better weather wise.

Friday: We ventured into town and found a diner that's been open since 1949. Breakfast consisted of hot cakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns. Delicious. My diet and I didn't speak to each other for a few days. Once the weather cleared up we finally were able to go swimming and our friends met us there to continue camping with us for the night.

Saturday: The weather was finally beautiful. We had a wonderful breakfast and lounged on the beach until we needed to pack up and head home. 

It was a grand trip overall, aside from the weather on Friday. I am relaxed. I currently am doing loads of laundry since everything we own smells like a camp fire.