Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield

The old silo at the Chatfield Gardens

I am so tired of winter, cold, snow, and being stuck in the house. The kids are starting to get cabin fever and we're all a bit cranky since we can't play outside every day. We're starting to lose our patience with each other very easily. I am so ready for spring and nice, sunny weather so we can play outside. Drew doesn't like the really cold weather, but he doesn't like to wear gloves either, so once Daniel goes to work we don't play outside much.

I was trying to figure out what to do with the kids to get us out of the house since Daniel was working. We are members of the Denver Botanic Gardens but haven't gone yet since it's been so snowy and cold. Yesterday started out chilly, but sunny so I figured it would be a good day to get out. The Botanic Gardens have a "campus" down at Chatfield, which is down a bit southwest of the Denver Temple. The Chatfield Gardens are more of a nature preserve/old farm. It's sort of like Wheeler Farm for those of you in Utah, but bigger. It's got a small treehouse for kids, 2 miles of trails through the farm fields and woods and farm buildings and some farm animals. It was very wet, snowy and muddy but the kids had a blast! My friend, Emily, and her boys, Carson and Tristan, came with us as well. The kids played in the treehouse for close to an hour, then we walked along the trails looking at the farm buildings, barn and animals. They were wet and muddy by the time we were finished (especially Lily) but they were happy. Lily had mud up her pants, on her coat (even the inside) and on her face! What a crazy girl! Her shoes, socks and pants were soaking wet as well. The other kids weren't nearly as wet or dirty. We then went to lunch at McDonald's and headed home, a tired but happy bunch.
It felt GREAT to get out and enjoy the sunshine. It was even nice enough that the kids were able to take off their jackets for awhile. Drew enjoys being outside more now that he can walk. He loves to follow the bigger kids around, and even climbed up the ladder into the treehouse like the other kids.

the treehouse






Exploring the old farm homestead.


One of the Henry Moore sculptures that is on display for a bit at the Gardens. The Gardens in Denver had their official opening of the exhibit today. We will definitely make it down to the Gardens before the end of this event!

As the weather gets nicer we will definitely put our Botanic Garden membership to more use. The Denver Gardens are beautiful as well. They're building an AWESOME children's garden which will be opening this summer. I can't wait for that!
Now, if only spring would get here faster!