This year I had the opportunity to meet up with my mom and brother in Colorado, where my grandparents live. Since moving away from home, I try to take a trip back to Las Vegas each year to see my mom and brother. Usually, I get out there around my brother’s birthday in July. This year, however, I wasn’t able to go! It was quite sad for me and I was pretty homesick/familysick. I missed them! Instead of hanging out with my mom and brother in Vegas, we decided to all met up in Colorado and hang out with the entire family. Even better since I haven’t seen my grandparents since moving to Oregon in 2013.

Colorado is simply gorgeous and probably one of my favorite places to be. Especially where my grandparents live! They are at, like, 10,000 feet elevation and the clouds are like nothing I’ve ever seen. My grandparents have the most amazing view of Pikes Peak from where they live. I really just love everything about being out there.

One of my favorite moments from our trip this year was this incredibly lightning storm. I’ve never seen anything like it! Lightning off in the distance, no thunder and no rain; simply a beautiful show. I had to take some photos! I can’t wait to get these printed out. The next morning, I guess the storm finally moved closer. I woke up around 6am to the loudest thunder clap I have ever heard. It shot me right out of bed! I looked out the window almost immediately and, as I was laying back down, I saw the bright flash of lightning I’ve ever seen and another crazy loud thunder clap. I’m pretty sure the lightning was right there in the backyard. Terrifying!