Sunday spent at Lakeside Amusement Park! : )

Denver is home of 2 amusement parks. Both were old and both were within a few blocks from another. However the original Elitch Garden as it was originally called, had moved towards the downtown area and was built fresh and brand new and adopted if you will, by Six Flags, so all the big rides are there. So that's the new amusement park. Then there is also the original Lakeside Amusement Park and it's honestly 100 years old. And we went there Sunday out of nostalgia reasons then for the rides. Because if I want a new amusement park, I can go to Tokyo Disneyland or Sea anytime. However the important thing for me was, I wanted my 2 boys to get to ride the rides I used to, when I was a little kid, So yeah, it was indeed for nostalgia then the rides like I said. We went here. And I looked at this motorcycle ride and geeze, I actually have pictures of me as a 3 year old on this very ride! It made me happy to have my own kids ride the same rides! If it sounds corny, sorry! : )

Funny, this ride in particular, I always wanted to ride in the one that looked like the Denver Bronco helmet, lol!

My son riding the real coal train around the lake. I've ridden this about a million times myself. It was so awesome to get to enjoy this with Branden and Noah. See the unlimited ride pass band around Noboru's wrist? Ha ha ha. : )

This peaceful little lake. However, as the Denver natives know there are those sucking fish with lips like a sucking vacuum in this lake. Don't ever go in here unless you want to end up with about 1 million hickeys! Ha ha ha. : ) And from a fish nonetheless! : ) Blech! : )

At least once a summer some shithead tries to light the weeds on fire! Probably kids thinking they are funny or showing off! Good thing nobody did that today! : )

It looks so old, but seems so familiar! I love this place! I love this amusement park! That tower is so recognizable to me!

The bumper cars! The only time in life where it's actually okay and acceptable to plow right into a total stranger, all in good fun and they not get upset! Ha ha ha! : ) I recalled when I was about 11 years old and I tried to drive around here without anyone hitting my car a single time. It was quite the challenge I came up for myself and so much fun! I must have rode this a half dozen times trying to avoid a single car! Ha ha ha. Silly kids game, I know! Yet I remember stuff like that fondly! I really do! : )

This picture of a Noah that was too little to ride! Has to be titled, "it sucks to be the youngest" Ha ha ha! : ) Poor little guy all standing on his tippy toes and all, just trying to get a look and he has so much pride, that when I offered to hold him so he could get a better look, he said no thanks, he can see on his own! : )

This crystal place. It's really tricky, it's like a maze of clear glass and mirrors. Hard as heck for many to get out of. I however came out of this within a minute. Must be because I still remembered how to get out of here, since I was little. Branden got out of here okay. And Noboru went with Noah. However, some kid older then B, maybe about 10 years old? Anyway, he was walking without holding your hands out in front to protect his face like I warned my kids to do. Anyway this kid smacks his face on one of the glass walls so hard that his nose was bleeding extremely hard. Gushing would be more like it! Some random mom and I chatted and we both looked for tissues to offer to help. The mom of the boy in question had to go in the maze and go get him, poor kid! : (

The view in here never changes and you know what, I would *never* want it to! : ) Man it felt good to be there! : )

Branden and I rode this roller coaster together. It was his first time on here. My dad also rode behind us. Noboru and Noah sat this one out. However since there was a really tiny little kid in line (like Noah sized) I asked the man working there just out of curiosity, what age is allowed on here. He said, you have to be 2 years old and be able to walk on your own. I thought that was a bit too young. Anyway, we rode. Holy crap! And good grief Charlie Brown! That ride is so wild and so hard! I felt like my brain was jiggling in my head. I told my dad, in joking that I might end up getting a cat scan after that ride! Hmm! I can ride any roller coaster at Disneyland and Disney Sea just fine. Well forget that Tower of Terror but then that's free fall and a totally different thing anyway. But the rides at Disneyland and Sea are smooth. Even the scary rides. Yet this ride was like a ride a kid could end up with shaken baby syndrome or something. It was really wild. After that, I told Noboru, Noah could techincally ride, but I won't let him. That roller coaster is not for the faint hearted! : )

But because of it's age, it is indeed a landmark! : ) But just ride at your own risk! : ) This should be called the roller coaster of terror, I think! Ha ha ha. : )

In the middle of all the riding the rides, the kids needed a cherry Slurpee! Just 99 cents! : ) I had one too! Man was it good! Oh hey, just noticed my Slurpee was right next to Noah! Yup, see I did have one! Ha ha ha! : )

Close up Slurpee drinking! : )

Noah wanted to sit right between daddy and grandpa! : ) I think because he just wanted to charm them for some twist ice cream cone! Ha ha ha. : )

Checking out his jibbitz! : )

Noah enjoying his day at Lakeside Amusement Park! : )

Century of fun indeed from 1908 to 2008! Awesome and yes I brought my green cup back to Japan with me. So when I need to take a drink with me to swim club or whatever, I can look down at my little ol' cup and think of "home" and smile. Yes, sometimes it is these $1.75 cheap things like this cup that make all the difference in the world right? : )

These disk boat type things. Branden drove my dad all over with it! They sure had a fun time!

The hearts! I know it may not look like much in the day. But at night, these hearts light up and it's like they are floating in the air. You can't see the black thing holding them up at night, is why. I rode the hearts on Sunday! All by myself. It felt so good to ride these again! : )

Around 6:30 pm we left Lakeside amusement park. Said good bye to my dad and he drove home. And we headed back to our hotel room.

We stayed at La Quinta in Wesminster! It was all off in nice safe suburbia. And the hotel is amazing. So clean and I am really picky about that stuff, but it was flawlessly clean. Big room and just a very comfortable place to stay actually! : )

Kids were dead tired. They had quick showers and into PJ's and meanwhile we ordered dinner, to be delivered because we were all exhausted and didn't wanna get all back in the car, even to a fast food place. So, it was pizza delivery for us and none of us minded a bit! : )

Branden told me, "look mama, they have door handles like we have at our house!" Ha ha ha. I said, very smart of you to notice that B. Ha ha ha! : ) I will totally be staying at this place again next time I head back to Denver! : )

Our room had games and the whole bit! Oh and, guess what..... the Sex and the City movie was available to rent in the room for just $4.99. I ended up watching it our second night there after the boys went to sleep! Yup, I finally got to see it in the comfort and privacy of my hotel room in bed while eating pizza! What an awesome way to watch the Sex and the City movie! Ha ha ha. : )

The Pizza Hut pan pizza, pepperoni and mushroom got there in 30 minutes. The boys each had a slice, think they were still stuffed from all the amusement park food they both had. And they went to sleep. Then Noboru and I ate. He ate pizza. And I ate pizza in bed and watched Sex and the City! What did I think? I loved the movie and I will be asking my dad to send me the DVD when it comes out in the end of September. Again, nothing big or major going on here during our trip back home. Just hanging with family and relaxing, going to an old favorite amusement park. But basically nothing fancy or anything. Just regular stuff, normal every day type stuff. : ) But then again eating pizza and watching Sex in the City in bed, is the type of girl, I am! Ha ha ha. A kicked back relaxin' type of gal! *winks* : )

Noah dead asleep. Yup riding all those rides tuckered him out! And get this, we honestly had no jet lag while in Denver at all. We switched times almost instantly which was weird, I know. : ) Kids woke up around 7am or 7:30 am every morning. Normal stuff.

B zonked out to the world, probably dreaming of the "Cyclone" roller coaster! Ha ha ha. : ) It was just a very quiet but amazing time back home! : )

Monday at the Colorado Mills outlet mall and Target, lol! : )

Monday morning after having breakfast at Mc Donald's we headed to the Colorado Mill's Mall. This is the closest outlet mall to Denver. And it's just a hop and skip from where we were anyway. Like I told Noboru, I shop the outlets and Target first and whatever I can't find there, I will then go to the regular mall. But I always try to find it cheaper at an outlet or Target first! Being penny wise is such a good idea always. Well, at least I think so! : )

Also right next to the outlet is an open 24 hours a day, Super Target! And an Old Navy is right across the street. So, I got 3 birds with 1 stone on this day! : )

And of course there has to be the pic of a person skiing out front of the mall because we do take skiing and other snow sports quite seriously in Colorado. Ha ha ha *winks* : )

We were there right when they opened, hence nobody in the food court yet. Also, love the big carousal in the middle of the food court! And the sky lights on top. It's a very nice mall and I always come here whenever I am back "home" in Denver.

I did go into the Children's place and I got 1 thing and it was only $1.99.

I went into the Gap. I was one of their first customers that morning. I was in there over an hour. And we bought so much from there, we ended up walking out with 2 huge bags of stuff. The deals were just too good to pass up and the stuff was at such amazing prices! I had to really take advantage of these good deals, especially with 2 growing kids.

This store had some excellent stuff! And I feel happy because I feel like I was a smart shopper buying from the outlet saving my family money and yet we got some amazing fall and winter finds. So, I thought it was a win win for us all really! : )

Taking a break in front of the Carter's store. I loved Carter's for my boys when they were little kids, but I didn't shop in there now since they are sorta too big for that store. I was looking for the Osh Kosh store but was sad to hear they left this mall. Bummer! : )

We went to Target next door and did about an hours worth of aisle surfing and shopping. And then we headed back to the outlet mall for lunch. My favorite place is the Japanese place. It's very Japanese American in flavor and I love that and miss it. : ) It is called Hibachi san. The hubby always rolls his eyes over the name, lol. But he also likes the food. I had spicy teriyaki chicken, and sesame chicken, and noodles and some steam veggie on the side. It was so good and very filling. Also it was all white meat. So glad that's the typical in America. Because I do have the preference for white meat. So, I was happy and stuffed. : )

Noboru had beef and chicken. And he asked for extra rice. : ) Noah had Japanese lunch what we had. And Branden had Burger King. Because B has the preference for western food. But we all had a nice lunch. Headed back to the hotel by 1:20 pm. And we went to my aunties house. Saw so many of my cousins. We had canoli. Sausage and pepper ones. And then we left. We did more site seeing. And then for dinner we went to one of my favorite restaurants.

Homemade ravioli, ravioli so big nearly as big as your hand! And homemade pasta! The meatballs are so flavorful and melt in your mouth! We had salad and wedding soup! Ahh, comfort food! I love this place.

Bova's restaurant probably one of the top 3 Italian American restaurants around the Denver area! I love this place! While in Denver, we ate Italian at least once a day. And American everyday and I think we had Mexican food twice! I wanted to go eat Thai food, but we just didn't have the time! Hopefully next time! : ) I will have my dad take pics for Christmas this coming year at one of my aunties house. It's an Italian pasta feast! Just wait, I'll ask him to take pics this coming Christmas! : )

On our way to the Glenwood Springs hot spring!!! Just enjoying the Rocky Mountains basically! : )

Tuesday was spent with my family and friends all day and evening. And while I did take tons of pics. I am not sharing any this time around. Sorry, the one thing I am protective of is my family. My extended family especially on my blog. And my friends I grew up from my childhood. I enjoyed the time with them and I enjoyed my kids playing with my cousins kids and my best friends kids. It was such a special and private time for all of us. They also read my blog and I told/promised them I would keep our times together private and special. I'm sure you all understand. And I am just keeping my word. : ) Anyway Wednesday morning, we woke up and we checked out of La Quinta hotel about 8am. And we loaded ourselves in our white little SUV and headed to the 3-4 hour drive to Glenwood Springs.

Passed Lookout Mountain and Passed Buffalo Bill's Grave.

High up in the mountains has always been this space age house! It's been there since I was a really little kid. For as long as I remember. Whether we went skiing or camping, I always remember seeing that house! My family and I have always called that the "Jetson's house" For obvious reasons! Ha ha ha! : ) I showed that to both boys, and said look kids, that's the "Jetson's house" And they ohhed and ahhed! Something as mundane like this, is what I wanna pass down to my kids. I want them to remember the "Jetson's house" perched up high in the Colorado Rockies! : )

The views have always blown me away! The fresh air, the nature! To be back and enjoy this with the boys was fantastic! Hubby enjoyed being back too.

Noboru used to go fishing in the mountains when we lived in Colorado. He took me once and I was bored to tears. But I went and I didn't complain. I packed a good lunch...funny the things we remember.

Trees are starting to turn colors. Falls on the way. I could see it in the trees. Some were turning red and some were turning gold!

Loveland, the first place Noboru and I ever went skiing together as a couple. And my family and I have skied here a heap of times.

The lifts! It will be a beautiful wonderland come winter!

See the elevation? It's very high. Denver itself is called the Mile High city because it's a mile above sea level. That's high! And in the Colorado Rockies it's even a higher elevation. Some people need oxygen or get light headed, but I am used to it and have never had any problems at all.

Ahh bless you Silverthorne. See, I know that is a big outlet mall area. We stopped there on the way back.

And we made it! : )

Glenwood Springs! One of the many natural hot springs towns we have in Colorado. Japanese people/friends are always surprised when they first ask me, if I have ever been to an onsen. And I say yes in Japan of course. But I always tell them, that the state I am from, (Colorado) actually has many natural onsens/hot springs. They are always happily surprised to hear that bit of information! Ha ha ha. So yeah I usually just say..."I grew up with onsen just like you! Except in America we are not naked." LOL! : ) That always breaks the ice and gives reason for a good laugh! : )

Glenwood Springs had grown so much, they now have a Target and shopping area in Glenwood Springs. It still hasn't lost it's small town charm though! : )

Yup, Hot Springs is right! : ) The reason we went here in the first place! Noboru and I have been here together quite a few times. And I have been with my family here many many times! Perfect to go soak at say 7am. Get your body warm and then go skiing all day and then at night after dinner go back in for a soak. We have been here in the past many times, in 0 degree F., with a wind chill factor of -15. My hair so wet it turned to frozen pieces of ice type hair, yet my body was hot because of my soaking in the hot springs. Watching the snow all around us. Oh yeah! Times I will *never* ever forget! So much fun! Sure, maybe not a fancy jet setting type life, but such a fantastic simple life it is! And fun way of living! Hanging out in the mountains in a hot spring! Awesome!

It is about a full city block long, so it is a long large hot spring. And look at the view! It's breath taking! Now imagine it in winter time with snow all around! It's gorgeous though any time of year! : ) We soaked in here from 1pm to 6pm. 5 long hours of soaking.

You know the towels the kids use in Japan for swimming or whatever with the elastic and buttons? Clearly they are not invented or are around in the US yet, because as the boys walked out with their towels. So many American moms commented to the boys on their towels. I even heard one mom say, look it hangs on without holding it. She thought it was cool and asked me if I made it. Ha ha ha. I told her no, I bought it in Japan. And it was cheap/affordable. She was really impressed about the towel, lol. I didn't think about the towel at all. But yeah they got about 5 very positive comments on their towels. Interesting tid bit, I had to throw in because it's true and really happened. : )

Because the summer season was over, it was actually sorta dead, just the locals soaking in the day were there. And we enjoyed soaking with it being uncrowded and stuff.

It is split into 2 pools, one is super hot and one is medium hot. Ha ha ha. : )

104 degrees F for you Americans and 40C for the rest of you friends. Yup, it is hot! And boy does it feel good especially at night! Which we did go back at night! : ) Your muscles will feel relaxed and almost like rubber by the time you leave. And after a night of soaking you'll get the best sleep ever after this! : )

Nope not very many people at all! Bliss! : )

At 6pm we left, and we headed to get something to eat! But see, they have river rafting and bicycle rentals. A great way to see and enjoy Glenwood! Maybe when the boys get older, we can ride bikes around here someday! : )

So many flags! This is important especially if you ever get konked on the head and forgot where you were, the flags would let you know! Ha ha ha. Kidding, kidding!!! : ) I do love the sense of pride though. Not only the US flag, but also the Colorado flags that hung proudly over the main bridge! : )

Small little Andy and Mayberry town. It is growing but it's still got "it" I love this place! if I ever moved back to Colorado, I'd probably move here! : ) I love the charm and the quiet and the friendliness of people in the mountains. This was the main street! : )

Still main street! : )

Glenwood Meadows mall. This was new.

Yup, I stopped in Target at the Glenwood Springs mall to get some DVD's. They had the Boots line (from the UK), and Burt's Bee's and everything else. To be found at a Target. I didn't get any beauty products this time. : ) Didn't need anything. : )

We only stayed in Target for about 15-20 minutes. And then left to go to Dairy Queen! Both the boys had a twist cone! And I had a peanut buster parfait! Yumm! Hot fudge was so warm! : ) More comfort food! Ha ha ha. : )

Noboru meanwhile enjoyed his strawberry sundae. He smelled like an onsen but we didn't care in the least! Ha ha ha. : )

We were going to go to the Italian Underground my favorite Italian restaurant in Glenwood. Then we decided not to. Then we thought about having Chinese. Then we changed our minds yet again. Next thing you know we were driving aimlessly, heading towards a Mc D's, Wendy's and Pizza Hut! I thought Mc D's. Noboru and Noah wanted Pizza Hut yet again! We all turned to B and he voted Pizza Hut! So, no worries, I said I do not mind a bit and Pizza Hut it was! We had a large pan pepperoni pizza with mushroom, (hmm am I having deja vu here?) And a large bread sticks. The other row we ate of bread sticks, whoops sorry. We were so stuffed. We got ourselves back into the car by now it was nearly 8pm but not quite and we headed to the hot springs. It closes at 10pm. We hopped right into our cold and wet swim suits it was only a 5 min drive from the Pizza Hut. And before you know it we were soaking a full 2 hours.

The one and only picture I took of us at the hot spring at night. The weather, was 45 degree F, so it was indeed a bit crisp and chilly willy in the air. But the hot springs were steaming hot! Literally! We soaked for the 2 hours, like I said. Bellies full of pizza and bread sticks and Mountain Dew. I sat and kicked back. They even have a jet chair, and it's only a quarter/25 cents. I sat in that chair, and I was was bubbling and brewing myself silly. My eyes were closed and my hair was getting chilly, but from the neck down I was melting hot. We looked at the millions of stars over our heads and looked at the shadows of the mountains or shapes of them. And just relaxed! It was bliss, heaven it was. It was so nice. Definitely worth us going there for!!! : )

Information on the hot spring. Although it is way older obviously, but this is when it was quote unquote owned so to speak. Did you catch that year? 1900!

A pic from back in the day! I really appreciate hearing about the history of stuff like that! I find it cool! : )

General information on the spring. And yup, it smells like sulfur, sorta like a match, ha ha ha. As many hot springs do. Granted not all smell like that, but you know what I mean. But man, did my skin feel so smooth after a whole day and night soaking.

The 1 lone pic I took as we left! Kids are still a bit wet, but their little bodies were so hot from the soak, that they went back to the hotel and went straight to sleep! I gave them showers in the morning, because they were just too sleepy after the good soaking. And Noboru told me that I snored very loud that night. I said, what??? I do NOT snore! He said, yes you did that night, and he also said, I fell asleep immediately! Ha ha ha. : ) I must have, because I don't remember a single thing after going back to our hotel room. : )