A trip to the Mountains & The Scottish Festival 2009

On our annual trek up to Estes Park this year for the Scottish Festival, Carson and I went up to Rocky Mountain National Park with Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Maxine. This was Carson's first time at Rainbow Curve, which is our family hotspot to feed birds and chipmunks.

He loved it! As usual, we bring a huge bag of peanuts so we can share with all of the tourists who are looking jealous and want to join in...in this picture, Dad is waiting for another bird customer. Carson is checking out the chipmunks!
Grandpa is showing Carson "the ropes" as they feed a bird:

Carson really liked feeding the chipmunks--especially the one who had 6 peanuts shoved into his cheeks. Carson thought that was pretty funny :)

It was a gorgeous day! We saw a lot of Elk and enjoyed the views before heading into Estes to get ready for the Scottish Tattoo that evening.

The festival is one of our favorite times of the year. Bryan flies in from Alabama every year, so the whole Lowe family is together for 4 days. It is so much fun! Here we are on the field by the Scottish Information Tent:

Carson was right at home--he loved the cannons that were shot off every hour, and he was mesmerized by the bagpipes. We are still listening to bagpipe music now, and Carson tells his stories about hearing them up at the festival. He was so cute in his little kilt--and he had his picture taken A LOT during the weekend!

Saturday was really cold, so we had to layer up a bit and we mostly stayed in the Scottish Information Tent (that the family runs). Carson was not daunted by the weather one little bit!

Mom and Dad brought Aunt Maxine up for the Tattoo on Friday night and they walked around the field on Saturday. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate more...

Carson and Grandma B :) I love this pic

Carson's phase at this time was "The Jungle Book" and more specifically playing with his animals; elephants, a hippo, and a tiger. He just played and played in the tent. It is pretty cute.

Even in cold weather--the animals were out in full force!

We stopped by a concert and Carson let us know that it was nap time for him. It was SO LOUD in the tent--yet Carson and Mommy Elephant are sleeping soundly :)

On Sunday night, the whole family attends the formal banquet of the festival. Here we are all dressed up in our scottish best:

Carson was so excited to go up and talk with Grandma and Grandpa Lowe at the Head Table!

I love this picture of Bill and Bryan. They are both Knights in the "Order of Saint George", and we are always so proud of them!

It was another great year hanging out with family and friends that are so dear to us. Carson STILL talks about it, so I know he will just love it more and more as he gets older. :) I love this tradition!