Rockwell Family: Vacation 2012

Our goal is to go on a vacation every year as a family. Even if it is somewhere close, we want to get out an experience things as a family. This year we decided to go to Denver, Colorado. As you all know, Ted is a HUGE Real Salt Lake fan. We decided it would be fun to go to my first away game and spend time in Denver. My sister in law and her daughter were able to come with us. We left on Monday afternoon, and arrived at 9:45 PM. Our hotel situation was a NIGHTMARE! I booked our hotel about 6 months ago. When we show up that night, they told me that they moved us to a sister hotel. I am thinking okay, it won't be bad. I'm sure it will be similar- WRONG! The hotel we went to was disgusting! The breakfast the next morning was gross, no pool, just not what I wanted. So that morning we checked out- I booked another hotel through Expedia. We checked in and it was even worse than the previous one! By this time I am almost in tears due to frustration. I called Expedia and told them my concerns. They were great and set us up in a nice hotel. So we changed hotels 4 times within 24 hours- but once we were settled in it was great!

Day 1 - We started off by going to the Denver Zoo. It was so much fun! We have a zoo membership here in Utah, but the Denver Zoo had lots of other fun animals! We got to feed some birds which was way fun! The zoo was great, but right at the end it began to DOWNPOUR! I am not just talking a little rain here- I mean puddles instantly. So we quickly ran to our car and headed to lunch. After lunch we went to the Aquarium. The Aquarium in Denver was so awesome! They had HUGE sharks- and I love sharks! I could sit in that room forever and watch them! The animals at this aquarium were much bigger than here in Salt Lake. We all loved seeing the different animals!

Day 2- We decided to go to the Butterfly Pavilion. This was such a fun place! I had never seen so many butterflies before! They were seriously everywhere! We also got to hold a tarantula named Rosie- Dylan was too chicken to hold her though. They also had a ton of bugs and insects to look at. The butterflies were definitely my favorite though! That night we went to the Children's Museum and the only way to describe it is FUN! This was one of my favorite places! The first thing we see is a firetruck and gear to go with it. Dylan in fire man gear = adorable! They also had a bubble room, train room, grocery store, rocket launch station, tap dancing, vet clinic, and kids room. It was so much fun to watch the kids experience all these new things!

Day 3- Eltich Gardens Six Flags. Seeing Dylan at the theme park was so much fun! He loved going on the kiddie rides. We made him go on some grown up rides- and he didn't like that so much lol! We went on a river rapids ride and got DRENCHED! I thought we would get a little wet, but nope- we got soaked from head to toe! After all the rides Dylan was able to build a bear. He choose to build a cat and named it Sporty. We decked him out in Utes football gear. This was a way fun activity to do as a family!

Day 4- We woke up and went on a tour of the Hammond's Candy factory. It was a lot of fun and we got some delicious candy out of it! That afternoon we decided it would be fun to go to a water park with the kids. Pirates Cove was fun, but it was PACKED! I am not someone that loves being around a ton of people, especially when I am trying to make sure that my son is okay and not drowning. But Dylan really liked being able to splash around. One thing that was a bit ridiculous was waiting in line for the lazy river. They only allow a certain amount of tubes in at a time. We waited in line for 45 minutes! Yes- 45 minutes to ride a lazy river! It took way too long for such a simple ride. But once we got in it was quite enjoyable. That night we went to an amusement park called Lakeside Amusement Park. It only opens at night and had that old school carnival feeling to it. The kids loved the kiddie rides. Ted and I were able to go on the Ferris Wheel together. We had Dylan try some rides that he didn't want to. I asked him if it was scary and he said, "Yes, but I am still smiling." I seriously busted up laughing- ohh that boy is funny! Bevany and I went on the go-karts racing. This 12 year old, fat (not to be rude) kid took this event WAY too seriously. He literally smashed into me to pass by. I just let him go and did not let my competitive side get the best of me lol. I loved this amusement park! I would have stayed there all night if I could have!

Day 5- We went to Manitua Springs to visit my father in law. This town was seriously adorable! Cute little shops lined the streets. They also had an arcade (which I love to do). It was cool- they had different streams flowing throughout the city that you could drink out of. As we were walking this guy told us that it was the best tasting stream. So, I decided to try it. Bad bad bad bad bad mistake! It was disgusting!! Needless to say I didn't try any other streams in town. That night we went to the Real Salt Lake game. Ohh boy was I not ready for what occurred there. I cannot believe how serious some people take the rivalry. I am all up for a good rivalry- I play into the BYU vs Utah. But people took this to a whole new level! A Colorado fan even took out a knife on a Real fan. I mean seriously? The best part was seeing the disgusting, old, fat (once again), guys sitting there talking crap to us. I mean really, your belly is hanging out of your shirt dude. Yuck! I can honestly say that I would be okay with never going to another game in Denver.

We woke up the next morning and drove home. We only had to stop 2 times and made it home by 7 PM. I was so glad to get home and sleep in my own bed! All and all it was a great trip! We were able to go on our first vacation as a family. There is no doubt that I am blessed! I look forward to the many trips to come! Here are some pics- enjoy! (Sorry the bottom pics are out of order- they are from Instagram)