Vail

We just returned from a fantastic mini vacation in Vail that included lunch on the top of the mountain, pony rides for Blanden, a jazz festival for me and Ed, some much relished (overnight!) babysitting for Grammy and Papa, two swims for Blanden in the stunning outdoor resort pool (one with Papa on Saturday night and another with Mommy, Daddy, and Papa on Sunday morning), and a trip on the Georgetown Loop Railroad on the way home.

Riding to the top of the mountain on the Eagle Bahn gondola.

Holding on tight to Daddy.

Blanden's mini gourmet dessert from the children's menu -- only in Vail.

Enjoying lunch on the top of the mountain. (And no, it wasn't nearly cold enough to warrant a fleece jacket or even a hat; Mommy was just being cautious ... and seeing how cute Ellis would look in them.)

Blanden riding Checkers, a perfectly proportionally sized pony for him. I can't believe he's old enough to do these kinds of things now!

Blanden enjoyed the ride so much and was so curious to meet the other pony that the attendant gave him a ride on Coco, too, for free.

Ellis on the top of Vail mountain with Grammy and Papa...

And with Daddy. Perhaps they'll be standing here in the winter, ready to ski together, in only a few more years...

And with Mommy. (Blanden was playing in a dinosaur-dig sandbox while we were all admiring the view.)

Such a little boy now! Not much of a baby anymore...

Breathtaking views in every direction.

Riding the gondola back down the mountain.

The view from Grammy and Papa's balcony, which Blanden loved sitting out on. Grammy and Papa said that on Sunday morning he took his blanket and giraffe out to "his" chair and just quietly listened to and watched the world go by. (The view from the pool was just like this as well.)

Blanden loved swimming in the pool! His happiness and laughter, our family playing together in this amazing setting, is probably what I will remember most and think of first when I think of this trip and this summer. We played Ring Around the Rosy and tossed him back and forth between us. He would go underwater each time, only to come up and ask for "more throw back to Daddy/Mommy" and "more Ring Around the Rosy."

Splashing Papa.

The beautiful infinity pool, filled with salt water and heated. It felt like swimming in a warm ocean.

All snug and cozy, sound asleep in Grammy and Papa's room.

We had dinner in the hotel Saturday night, then Ed and I went to a jazz concert and Blanden and Ellis went to sleep in Grammy and Papa's room. We picked up Ellis after the concert, but Blanden spent the night with his grandparents. He serenaded them with the ABCs when he woke up on Sunday morning.

On the way home, we stopped off in Georgetown and took a ride on the Colorado Historical Society's Georgetown Loop Railroad.

The brothers are ready to go. Blanden was a little nervous at first, but quickly got into it. Ellis's eyes got bigger than they already are each time the train whistle blew. ... But then he figured all was well in Mommy's arms and was quickly lulled to sleep.

The steam engine. Blanden spent part of the trip in the uncovered cars with Papa and Daddy to get the best views.

Just playing around.

A quick stop at a neat children's playground before heading home. The trip was a whirlwind, but also so relaxing. The perfect Labor Day weekend.