This years Christmas felt a little flat and rushed to me after spending much of early December nursing then losing Humphry. We were also very sick with RSV that turned into multiple infections. My biggest hope is that I was able to keep the magic going for the kids.

My kept the traditions alive with lots of Elf on the Shelf antics, baking, going to holiday festivals and visiting Santa.

While we didn’t get to do as much as I had planned but our time was well spent with Humphry while we could.

Having to say goodbye to Humphry was one of the hardest things we have had to do. It’s been painful and while the grief comes in waves but we are getting through it together.

I love them so much.

And then we found that this little precious girl needed a home for Christmas.

We adopted a rescue Boxer Mix puppy, just 8 weeks old. We love her so much already, a little sunshine, our little Luna.

We had a sweet little Christmas together and hope that yours was lovely.

I love sharing “gift guides” because I think they are so fun to see and get great ideas. I have done some themed adventure kid and travel kids lists of things we love but this list is the “toys” we have that are used and loved the most. Some of these we have had since the kids were just toddlers so I would say this list works for “little kids” ages 1-8 years old.

We have used and loved these digital cameras forever. They can make a hike more fun for a reluctant kiddo or a fun thing to do with their hands while traveling and you don’t want them touching everything.

We have had our little trampoline for over three years and it’s still in great shape! We keep ours in the basement and it’s been great for days we can’t get outside and have tons of energy to burn.

The kids love their Razor Scooters! The box says for 8+ but Emmy started using hers at 4 and Cannon at 6 and they have been doing great!

These digital watches have been loved for the last few years and they are still working great.

We started our collection of Magnetic Tiles when Cannon was two and they are by far our kids’ most played with toy. We have added to our collection over the years and they are great quality!

Cannon has loved having his own Kayak for the last couple years and Emmy is up for getting her own this summer. Its been so fun out paddling as a family.

Woom bikes are my absolute favorite kids bike. It’s a little pricey compared to others but they also have great resale value (buying used is always a great idea!)

The iconic IKEA play kitchen gets used everyday when we are home. We have added on this “refrigerator” that matches well after we painted it white. I love decorating it for the holidays for the kids!

We bought a Kids Roller Coaster for Cannon’s second Christmas (he was 18 months) and our kids have loved it since then. When other littles come over they always want to play with it. I am sad that my kids will likely outgrown it very soon but it’s been a favorite here for years!

And lastly our trusty Fire Tablets. We are now on our second set of these for the kids, they have worked for us during the little years. They have been great to use with learning apps, long car rides and for when the airplane doesn’t have screens built in.

Please share any kids’ favorites, especially for those middles ages that we are entering soon!

**I wanted to let you know that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links! By purchasing through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We were so excited to get to visit Colorado’s newest Troll creation from Thomas Dambo. Rita the Rock Planter is in the small mining town of Victor Colorado and is a fun, easy hike.

Rita is very easy to find, you can take the Little Grouse Mountain Trail and follow the bird houses. Park in the lower lot to get a 2 mile hike in. If you would like easier access you can drive up the hill, park at the top for a short, flat-ish walk to see Rita. Also the hike is dog friendly, Humphry hated his jacket but liked seeing Rita.

There is a lot of historical information and artifacts about Victor and it’s mining roots.

The kids loved exploring the the mining equipment.

Walking out to see Rita was amazing.

She is stunning.

A bonus of visiting Rita this winter is that she is only 10 minutes from Cripple Creek, where Colorado’s Ice Castles are this year!

Have you gotten to visit any of Thomas’ trolls? We love Isak Heartstone in Breckenridge and we can’t wait to visit Mama Mimi in Jackson Hole.

Are you still looking to buy gifts for the adventurous Mom on your list? Or still needing to give ideas for your own adventurous self to loved ones? Here is a list of things I have and love or are on my list for this year!

1. REI DAY PACK

I love this pack for hiking! It is so comfortable and I can carry everything I need for a hike with my littles.

2. BOOTS

I have had these boot for 15 years and they are still amazing. They are waterproof, warm and have great tread. I love these for winter hiking, snowshoeing and just around town in the snow.

3. BIRKENSTOCK BOSTON

These are my favorite post adventure shoes to throw on when my hiking shoes are too dirty for the car.

4. PEEPERS SUNGLASSES

These glasses are so lightweight and comfortable. They can be ordered with a prescription if that is something you would like.

5. STANLEY FLIP TOP

I know this water bottle seems over hyped but I think it lives up to it. I have the 30 oz and the kids have the 20 oz size. The best part is they don’t leak!

6. PUFFER JACKET

I love a good puffer that keeps me warm on cold Colorado days but is also light and packs down small. The colors on this one are so cute.

7. THE NORTH FACE BEANIE

This is my favorite beanie, the one I almost always reach for. It’s warm cute and comfy!

8. ICE SPIKES

Getting out and still being able to hike saves me in the winter. These spikes are great for packed or icy trails. I use these may more than my snow shoes.

9. HOKA TRAIL SHOES

I love these trail shoes for hiking and trail running. I have put many miles on these and always love them!

I wanted to let you know that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links! By purchasing through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

It’s been a long time since I updated this little blog as a daily journal. It’s been a bit all over the place. I LOVE having my daily (boring) blogs for myself to look back on for previous years, but I also would like to have this be a resource for families looking for travel inspiration, Colorado adventure ideas and a resource for getting out with kids. So really I just need to organize this little site better. Hoping I can get it set up sometime in 2024!

So life lately has been quiet, and a little sad. When I look back on November we did a lot of fun things but it’s all clouded by our sweet pup Humphry getting sick.

Here is some fun that we got up to in November:

Lot’s of 5k training for the kids and I, we loved working up to our Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.

Getting our ski gear for the season and eating empanadas has become a tradition!

Ending our soccer season with practices at sunset.

Amusement parks with friends.

Enjoying the magic of watching these kids learn is the greatest joy of my life!

Basketball camp for Cannon, Emmy was jealous and wants to join in next time we find a camp!

Taking the kids to the North Pole to visit Santa.

Camping at one of our favorite “winter” spots.

Hiking to see Colorado’s newest Troll, Rita was a very cool experience.

Making Thanksgiving pies and decorating little bedrooms for Christmas.

Finishing our first family 5k (where no one was pushed in a stroller).

A little sledding and a lot of puppy cuddling.

We aren’t sure what the future looks like for our little family, and we are taking these the best we can day by day now. It’s good to look back on all the happy moments there were in November.

How was your November?