Grand Lake Year 2!

Last year, to celebrate the end of volleyball season, we headed up to Grand Lake with Dana, Jen, Chris, Nate, and Trish.  We were so excited when Dana invited us to go again this year!  This time, we were able to use the "other" VanEps cabin which is just a little bit smaller, so it was just Dana, Nate, Trish, Wes, and myself.

We took off Saturday morning before Thanksgiving as early as we could after dropping off all of the children.  A BIG thanks to Gwen & Tim, Brad & Jayne, Crystal & Oscar, Karena & Bill, and Grandma Inge who each took one of our children and/or the dog!  (It really does take a village!)

We arrived up at the cabin around noon, and this was our beautiful view....We were anticipating a snow storm that evening, so we decided to immediately leave for an outing while the sunshine stuck around.

Wes and Nate wanted to shoot their guns which is legal in the National Forest (or something like that), so after asking around in town, we finally found a road that took us far enough into the middle of nowhere that we could fire a few rounds.

The ladies...Dana, myself, and Trish.

Honestly, what we did the most of while we were there was laugh.  We all had tears running down our faces and side aches for most of the trip.  So, here is the same picture, different filter, and titled with our new names...Blanche, Stacy, and Donna.  

We walked far enough off the road and away from any cars/houses/etc. to safely shoot.

We each fired one or two rounds that were incredibly loud and decided enough was enough.  Doesn't Blanche look super awesome in this shot?!

After shooting, we headed back to the cabin for some card games and relaxation.  Dana, I mean Blanche, made a really good soup that stuff our bellies full.  I didn't take too many pics of this time, but this one might give you some idea of how silly we were being:

Love you Donna!

After dinner, we got all dolled up and headed into town for an evening at our favorite local bar, the Lariat.

Trying to take a couple shot.  Nate added to our cuteness factor with his photo bomb.

Wes giving Nate's "famous" thumbs up.

See what I mean?

We hung out at the Lariat for a bit, then headed back to the cabin for a few rounds of Heads Up and a lot more laughter.

In the morning, we ate some awesome juevos rancheros courtesy of the VanDusseldorps and then packed up to head home.  (24 hours was plenty long enough for everyone who was watching our kiddos!)

We had an awesome little mini-vacation and are so thankful for Dana's family for letting us use their cabin.  We are also so thankful for great friends who we be ourselves with and laugh, laugh, laugh.  Looking forward to year three!