Kitchen Reunion 2022 (Part 1)

 Yes, this is a 2 part because we did so darn much. This is the Colorado section (AKA the nutso butso leg of our trip). It turns out, if you let Uncle Dave and Aunt Kristina plan a reunion they will squeeze 100 hours of fun into a 72 hour reunion. So let's begin:

We left Dad working and drove out to Colorado just the three of us. Free as the wind. Angry as some bees. Crazy as something crazy. Just imagine a lot of mindless driving and tons of games and that was our trip. Charlotte's face at McD's basically sums up the day. 

Wednesday was the official start of the reunion and we kicked it off with a breakfast at the Kitchens, beach day, a bike fiasco, and family photos. Too much in one day? Perhaps. Fun? For sure!

(Please note Isaac's invisible bike. Still better than Evan's actual flat tire bike or Dave's not meant to be a fixy bike with no gears:))

We almost didn't get Fred in for the family photos but fortune favors the crazy Kitchens and the slowly setting sun. 

               

                                        

Sarah's family is missing due to being behind the camera and already taking photos earlier in the year:)

The Cousin Crew

The Whole LotofUs

Thursday Dad joined us for Elitch Gardens - Denver's very odd water/amusement park. There were some big emotions during this hot looooong day but we squeezed in some rides for the kiddos and put most of the grownups to sleep. Dana went on one big water ride with Clark and said when the tube dropped down into the "toilet bowl" his eyes were as big a saucers:) Glad to know we can still surprise this kid sometimes.  

This was the only ride Charlotte really liked so we did it a couple of times. 

Grandpa was the only one who could coax a smile out of my kids...or at least one kid. 

They both agreed to try the motorcycles...just not at the same time. Kind of the theme of our day. 

Friday half the big guys got up early to tackle the Manitou Incline (2000 feet of vertical elevation in under a mile, per Dana) and the other half went to Garden of the Gods to hike. 

Unfortunately, no cell reception and some injuries on the hike coupled with every Colorodan on the planet going to the Garden, there was no parking. So this frazzled momma with four kids in tote decided to play it cool at the visitors center. 

Afterwards we hit up a park and broke out the volleyball. Miracle of the trip was Grandpa Pat NOT blowing out his shoulder or knee:) Blessings all around. 

Then it was on to a Penny Arcade which actually mostly took quarters but whatever, false advertising, let's move on. Clark just wanted to the do the racing games and Charlotte was determined to sit on every.single.animal. She just about did it too. 

On the way to the baseball game (yes, we are STILL on Friday folks) poor Miss Char gave in. Hand in the pretzels, head on the book. Just the nap she needed to wake up weird for the baseball game. Clark was very entertained and into the action, even showing off his sweet dance moves for the cousins. 

Charlotte was happy with her headphones and Natalie. 

We were pretty amused by their S'mores mascot and thought the idea of a s'mores roasting pit was cute...until we got our larger than life harder than a rock marshmallows. Only Isaac had the patience to get his soft enough for consumption. 

Saturday was the last day of the Kitchen reunion. We met at Dave's house, sent Clark off with Aunt Sarah for his own adventure, and hung out all day soaking in the last of cousin time. The adults even managed to squeeze in some delicious Brazilian food for dinner (even though Fred's cheek was super itchy it seems). 

That night it was packing, repacking, and general madness as the Wyoming group got ready for their hike. At 3AM they snuck out of the house and I woke up at 8 to take these lovely ladies to Utah...