Grandma Wendy's Visit (day 4)

Saturday was a busy day for us. We woke up early, filled up with gas, put air in the tires and drove down to Colorado Springs.

Our first stop, the Cadet Chapel at Air Force Academy. Ellie and I have visited here before but Jake and my mom hadn't so we had a quick tour of the building. It was a sunny day but windy.


Ellie and I inside the Protestant (top) part of the Chapel.

This picture is no flash and it is all natural light coming in through the stained glass windows. You can see the 1 or 2 lights on at the bend in the ceiling. 

Holding on to Stanley for dear life.



The Chapel from outside.

It was so windy outside and for some reason, it really bothered Ellie. So after our quick stop, on to a new adventure; the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. They have a mountaineer sky ride and a large giraffe herd, so I was a little excited. Once at the zoo, we found out their special exhibit was naked mole rats. Can I say wow?

As you enter the first thing you come to is the giraffe herd.



Ellie is a little taken with the giraffe.

Ellie was super excited to see the giraffes this close. Then we noticed that you could buy food and feed the giraffes. So of course we had to do it. 



Yes, Ellie did really feed the giraffe by herself.

Jake had his own way of feeding the giraffes.

He tried a few more times and finally one was able to "lick" the cracker out of his mouth. In the video (on Jake's phone) it looks like the giraffe licks him, but he claims the giraffe tongue never touched him.

Please, sir, may I have some more.

There were around 15 giraffes that I counted in this enclosure.

We walked around and saw some other animals (wild hogs, monkeys, and a few others) and then ate lunch. After lunch, we looked at some small animals (insects and reptiles) but then decided try to ride the sky ride before it got shut down because of wind or whatever. It was basically a ski lift.  It moved really slow though.  Ellie actually seemed to like it, except when the wind howled past. We couldn't tell if it was because the wind was chilly, it shook the lift, or she didn't like the strong wind in her face.    

Look out at the top of the Sky ride, looking out towards Colorado Springs. 

There wasn't much up top as the ride could be accessed from inside the zoo or as a ride without zoo entrance. They had some Mongol huts, picnic tables, a small playground, and concessions. There was also this circle, cement room with about 12 foot walls covered in rock climbing grips.

I want to climb just like daddy.

Look at me go. Thanks for the lift, daddy.

We didn't stay up there long before riding back down. Then the real animal watching happened. We went to the primate house and saw the gorillas (there was a baby), the orangutans, and various other monkeys. This is also where they placed naked mole rats. We met another flat Stanley from Missouri and took their pictures together. Ellie was really tired at this point and acted scared of the big primates.

We then walked passed some hippopotami. The next enclosure had a moose with turkeys. When the turkeys gobbled, she giggled and mimicked them.

Brave Stanley standing so close to a porcupine sleeping in a tree.

Continuing on, we saw some river otters (one was swimming in circles, literally), cougars (who where just having a meal as we arrived), bears, leopards, tigers, and more.  The cougars, they gave one a snack to separate the 2 animals so they could feed them inside different cages. The workers said they have to feed them away from people and away from each other because they can become violent while eating.

Grandma, Ellie and mommy pretending to be bears. RRRAAWWWRR!



Look. Mommy tiger and baby tiger.

 

Help, I'm stuck.

Silly Ellie stuck her head all the way through and wouldn't let us help her pull it out, so it hurt her a little. We walked past the Wallabies just as they were being moved from their outside habitat to their indoor enclosure. The zoo helper was struggling with a stubborn wallaby who just didn't want to go inside. About that time, we started seeing peacocks. After standing next to them for about a minute, they would just open up. It was cool but a little creepy.

Let me show you how gorgeous I am.

We walked around and saw the elephants, who will be receiving a new habitat shortly, and some weird looking animals that looked like a mix between a giraffe and a zebra. It was about time to leave after that. We really had a good time. I think it was a fun zoo.


On our way to dinner, Ellie fell asleep in the car, of course. So we took an extra drive to kill time and allow her to sleep. We decided to go to the Garden of the Gods and let Stanley have his picture taken at Balanced Rock. Maybe one day, we will head to Garden of the Gods to actually walk around, hike, and maybe rock climb.

Jake helped Stanley climb up.

We stopped by Pikes Peak and Manitou Springs. Mostly it was just to show my mom what a cute little town it is and stop off at this little bath shop. While we were in the shop, Ellie woke up so we headed for dinner.  We ate at the BBQ place just outside of Manitou that we ate at last time we were down in the area.

It was a long but very fun day.

Extra pics

These are some extra pictures I forgot were on my phone when I posted about the past days' visit.

Ellie super excited about helping with trains. Silly girl, no monkeys on the table.

 

This we took for my dad. The grand kids call him Poppy.



Grandma Wendy's Visit (day 3)

After so much activity, we left Friday for a low key day that had quite a bit of driving. We took off for the Mile High Marketplace.  I hoped things would be better than last time since it was later in the year and an exceptionally nice day.  Although it wasn't part of the plan, we ended up driving more than expected because I didn't grab the address before leaving and couldn't remember if it was off the 70 or the 76. About the time we realized it wasn't on the 70 was when I remembered that we had a book of Denver activities in the car and that would have the address.




Grandma Wendy, Ellie and Stanley at the Flea Market.

Sadly it wasn't any better. There were definitely more vendors and food available in the Farmer' Market but I think there were more garage sales and less shops open. I was mostly looking for shoes for Ellie again. My mom did find and buy a cute moose salt and pepper shaker set for us. It was nice to just walk around and enjoy the sun. 
After walking around, we drove home and left Ellie with Jake for a bit while mom and I went for our new favorite activity, pedicures. I really enjoy this little place by our house and even though I don't like touching feet, I have decided that once Jake is making a lot of money I will frequent salons for pedicures.

After we took off for dinner.  No one was really sure where to go, so we headed back up in the diection that we had come from and ended up at Ling and Louie's Asian Bar and Grill in Northfield. Ever since Stef's visit and seeing the menu item of "Evil Jungle Princess Beef", I have been interested in trying the dish that would warrant such a name.  I have since learned to read the dish description a little bit because although it wasn't terrible, I don't like curry so much and it was a peanut curry sauce. Other than that the food was good and the atmosphere fun.  Ellie really enjoyed eating edamame.

The night was still young but drawing closer to Ellie's bedtime so we went to one of Jake's favorite stores, Bass Pro Shops. My mom was looking for some Christmas ornaments that she saw at one in Vegas a while back but like most stores don't carry Christmas year round.  Ellie likes these types of stores as well because she can watch the fish and look at the animals on the walls while trying to make the sounds.

NOTE: Please let me know if you can imitate a giraffe or zebra because Ellie makes them baa or moo but other than "Crack-a-lackin" we aren't sure what sounds to teach her.
 

Our laugh for the night. Maybe someone needs to pay attention to lettering while folding shirts.

After wandering around until Ellie was exhausted, we headed for home. We didn't want to stay up too late because the next day was going to be our big adventure.

Grandma Wendy's Visit (day 2)

NOTE: Flat Stanley came out for a visit also from Macy. You may see him in some of the pictures.

The next day, after completing all the morning tasks (breakfast, exercise, showers, naps, etc) we took off to the Museum of Nature and Science. We loved it so much and didn't get to go through all of it with Stef. Also, we wanted to go see their special Pirate Exhibit.

Stanley wanted to see the pirates too.

 When we got inside, they want you to pay an additional amount on top of museum admission to see the exhibit. So we didn't end up going to it, but it worked out because we started running out of time at the end.

We explored Colorado.

 We started with Explore Colorado and the Wildlife exhibits. Explore Colorado contains life size diorama's that show all the various plant and animal life in Colorado while the Wildlife exhibits are taxidermy of most of your major mammal animals on the various continents. Ellie loves seeing the animals.

 Also, we visited their North American Indians Cultures exhibit. Here, again, were dioramas and information displaying what each Tribe/Culture was like in the past. I love to see the talent they had in creating art work and every day life tools, as well as their ingenuity.

At one point, we came to this room. I can't remember it name. All I remember is that it had all these rock sculptures and the information said that they were created by a Russian man with no training in sculpting; just raw, natural talent. The listing at the bottom tells what rock or gem was used to create each part.



I wish I had a natural talent comparable to this.

 

Ellie riding a Guanaca, related to Llamas and Alpacas.

 

Out one of the back windows was this great view of Downtown.

We also explored the Kid's Discovery area, which mostly seemed for kids over the age of 2. Ellie did enjoy playing the piano with glass coverings so you could see what caused the noise. Also, we all loved playing with the giant fan; placing scarves above it to see how high or how long they would fly.

This time we also tried Expedition Health. I thought this was fun and interesting, but then again I am a nerd when it comes to learning about the body. They give you card when you enter and you register (of sorts); giving your first name, age, and picking a "buddy" to guide you through the expedition. These buddies are people of different ages, interest, body types, etc so you can pick someone you can relate with to tell you about each activity. You then learn about resting heart rate, and have yours tested, and target heart rate by riding a bicycle.  Another station compares your arm span, finger tip to finger tip, and your height. You can play and eating game to learn about healthy food choices for different activities and really how sun screen protects by adding some to your skin while looking through camera that can see the UV. There is also a spot to measure your stride; the length, energy, and how fast you walk. The hardest was having a good picture taken so a computer could age you to 70+ and so you additional skin problems based on smoking, obesity, or sun exposure. At the end, you receive a print out of some of the activities. I was having so much fun, I didn't take any pictures.

It was getting late and Jake was waiting to take me out for our Anniversary dinner, so we did a quick walk through of the Gems exhibit cause we're women and we can and headed home. My mom and Ellie were able to spend a few hours together, just the 2 of them while Jake and I ate at the Cheesecake Factory and looked for a movie to see.

Thanks mom for babysitting and allowing us to have a night together without Ellie. (We still love Ellie.)

Grandma Wendy's Visit (day 1)

A few weeks back, my mom came out for a visit. This time it was just her. She was wonderful enough to come over our anniversary so that she could babysit for us and we could have a night out without Ellie.

She flew in on Wednesday, April 6th. Ellie and I went to pick her up from the airport and then went home to drop off her stuff and see if Ellie would take another nap (she only slept on the way to the airport).  Since she wasn't having anything to do with a nap, we took off for the Children's Museum.

There are plenty of things I like about each of the different children's museums I've been to (Utah's original children's museum, Discovery Gateway, and now Denver's).  There was this great toddler section to play in.  We started there.  It's designed specifically for newborns up to 4 years old. Kids older than 4 and adults are only allowed in if they are helping or with a child under 4. 

Ellie and Grandma Wendy gardening.



Learning how gears work.



Caught my first fish.

This area had plenty of rooms for different types of role play and activities; a store, house, barn, etc. One of Ellie's favorite was the coloring activity.  She really wanted to try working with a new art medium, chalk, but I didn't think that would be very nice on her clothes.

After, we walked around the fire engine they had set-up. We learned how to be fire fighters.  Upstairs we found a room with several tables and trains. Ellie has just started to like trains, cars and such. Although she didn't understand that she couldn't climb on the tables because it knocked the tracks off.  Building connecting train tracks are harder than it looks, or I was just too lazy to stand up and find the right piece.

Here Grandma, let me help move your train.

Just outside the train area was an invention area. Ellie really wanted to do the activities there but they looked like they were meant for older children.  They had plans to build an object and supplies to build them. You picked a plan, gathered the materials, choose a station, and followed the instructions to build whatever plan you had picked. Tools were made available for the kids to work. It looked really fun.

However,we were able to distract her by entering into a world of animal living.  It was a learning area set up to teach about how some animals live; rabbits, ants, squirrels, birds, worms, etc.  In the room was designed as a tree with roots and an underground tunnel so kids could pretend they were animals living and gathering food.  They also had huge foam puzzles about life cycles of frogs, butterflies, etc and animals shapes to make rubbed pictures. Ellie loved running around with the bigger kids. Half the time, we didn't know where she was other than under the tree.

Here's Ellie escaping down the burrow. Yes that is here saying "wee, wee"

Here comes Ellie Cottontail.

  

She makes such a cute bunny. It was a little big.

She wanted to try on another one. This is a squirrel.

Next we went and played with bubbles.  You could make big bubbles and there was a machine to enclose yourself in a giant bubble, like what Stef did at the Festival of Trees.


Me making a big bubble. The camera focused on the bubble and not me.

It also showed experiments of putting gas inside bubbles. It made them cloudy inside and then the gas leaked out when popped.


This was a bubble filled with gas. It sank to the ground instead of floating.

One of the other areas we didn't play in was the art area were they had paints out. Some other day I will let Ellie paint but maybe once she is a little older.

Lastly was the dress up area where they had classic oldies music playing; the Beach Boys, the Beatles, etc.  Ellie wouldn't dress up in the princess, prince, knight, magician, etc outfits but she did wear the tutu and twirled. They had a bag full of kids tap shoes to play with also.  I thought that was a really neat idea.



After playing, we picked up Jake and headed for dinner. On recommendation from some friends, we tried the Cherry Cricket.  The Cherry Cricket is a small local burger joint in Cherry Creek. As we entered the building, there was a guy at the door who said, "If you guys are drinking any alcohol tonight, I need to see your IDs." I thought it was interesting to ask up front for the ID's and mom was excited that she had been asked to show ID. The food was pretty good. We ordered burgers and frings (an order of fries and onion rings). For burgers, you pick your size and then add your toppings. We all enjoyed what we ordered and Ellie ate a little of everything.

Note on Taxes

After all that fuss the other day, turns out that supposedly we aren't even residents of Colorado and since we have on income from Colorado sources don't need to file a Colorado return; according to the person I spoke with at the Dept of Revenue this morning. (Yes, I finally go through. I did call right at 8 when they opened.) We are still registered to vote in Utah, have Utah driver's licenses, and our cars are registered in Utah so Colorado won't claim us. Made things a little less stressful today.

Government and Taxes

Can I just say that I hate taxes? A couple of months ago, I used an online software to prepare and file our federal taxes but they wanted an additional $39.95 for each state tax prep (whether we e-filed or printed and mailed them in). This year we have 3 state taxes to file and I really didn't want to pay an additional $120 when it appeared we would be getting back about $200. So I took to the task of trying to figure out how to file a non-resident tax form for Idaho (since Jake worked there), a part-year resident for Utah, and a part-year resident for Colorado. Once I actually sat down and worked on them with help from the Internet, Idaho and Utah weren't that bad. Colorado on the other hand has become the evil enemy. Because while we were residents of Colorado Jake made money in Utah and Idaho we have to claim that income for Colorado income. But to offset being charged taxes in all 3 states, there is a form to fill out to file with Colorado taxes; the 104CR.

Here is the 104CR with it's instructions for the sections I should fill out.

I know the picture is hard to see, but the instructions say to fill out lines 20, 21, and 24. The form doesn't have a line 20. It skips from 19 to 21. So I start looking for resources to answer questions.  The IRS has what they call TAC (Tax Assistance Centers) to help with your tax questions and filings. 

The IRS website gives this information for the Denver TAC.

When I clicked on the services provided to see what services this location provided, I noticed "State Return tax prep (only for the state in which TAC is located)". To me that says they help with state tax prep. So I call the number. There is a recording that says they don't answer questions or provide help over the phone but to call a different number. That number happened to be the Federal line, which when I called they informed me (after 20 minutes of waiting) that they don't answer state taxes and gave me a number for Colorado's Dept of Revenue.
 

Here is the information for CO Dept of Revenue

When you call this number, you navigate through several menus before being allowed the option of speaking to a representative. Upon selecting that option, roughly 12 times I have received the message of, "Unfortunately we cannot take your call at this time. In order to shorten wait times, we limit the number of calls allowed to be on hold. This means when you are finally lucky enough to make it through, your wait time will only be around 15 minutes instead of 45 minutes." (I took some liberties with what the actually recording said.) I still haven't gotten through.

I decided to drive downtown and try going into the IRS TAC. After driving through construction and downtown Denver's crazy, criss-cross, one-way streets and then spend 20 minutes looking for a parking spot that wouldn't cost me $12 and walking 4 blocks with Ellie in the stroller, I finally made it to the building. Upon reaching the 17th floor, I ask the information desk about where to go for State tax help.  The lady behind the desk informed me they don't work on State taxes and I would have to go to the Dept of Revenue for help. I told her the IRS website said they offered state tax help and she simply said it was wrong.

 So I drove to the Dept of Revenue, which happens to be directly south of the Capitol Building. Lucky for me (super sarcastic), there were protests/demonstrations going on at the Capitol because of the recent budget drama. So again trying to navigate construction and one-way streets for 15 minutes, I manage to find a parking spot just down at the Denver Art Museum, south-west of the Capitol. Again, I load Ellie into the stroller and walk up hill to the building. Once inside, I see a sign that says tax help at some church up the street so I ask to make sure (because again the website and the lady at the other building told me to go here). At this point the man behind the desk says "You would any day but today." A local TV news station was holding a health fair and already had the church so instead of setting up tax help some place else they just decided that one business day before taxes are due not provide to help. He gave me a number to call but after 7 minutes on hold, they couldn't provide useful information either.

Needless to say, I am back at the computer trying to figure out how to file out this form and file my Colorado State Taxes.