Silly September

On the first day of September our schedule included:
- an airplane trip to Denver
- 12 days with our family and friends
- two weddings in two weekends
- five different beds
- and an airplane trip back home
…all with a five month old and a 3 1/2 year old. It’s a good thing the boys travel well, or we’d have been in a lot of trouble.

Crazy? Yes. But SO worth it. We had an awesome vacation.

The first weekend found us celebrating with the Patrick and Nelson clans, at the wedding of Cheryl and Scott. A five-mile, 45-minute, bumpy, dirt road excursion led us to the mountain paradise of Piney Creek Lodge. Cheryl was a stunning bride. Scott was a dapper groom. And, every tiny detail was perfect – right down to the strawberry and lavendar jelly given as gifts to all guests.

We all stayed at the Vail Cascade Resort. The rooms were delightfully mountain rustic. The restaurant was delicious. And, there was a big salt water pool. One afternoon was spent lounging poolside, taking in the glorious mountain sunshine. We also walked around the Vail farmers market, sat fireside at the lounge and shared many laughs with family and friends. It was a perfect mountain weekend.

On Monday, Labor Day, we headed back down the mountain. Can you say BAAAAAD traffic jam!? It took 3+ hours to make the 1-1/2 hour trip. It provided a perfect opportunity to work on our patience!

When we arrived in Denver, we moved into the home of our good friends Andrew, Laura and Marli (our third bed, in case you’re counting). We spent three days and nights hanging out, swapping kid stories and watching the kids play. The first night, my friend Kelly and her husband Sean joined us for dinner. The second night, we met up with friends Renee, and Tom and Deb. On the third night Kelly joined us again. This time with her two kids, Jaiden and Jon. Many laughs and stories were shared, after too much time apart.

Our second trip up the mountains found us at the home of the soon-to-be-wed Jamilee and Tim. Being back in the Dillon/Keystone/Frisco area was like deja vu all over again (to borrow a Yogi Berra-ism). The fresh mountain air and endless blue skies were just as we remember them.

The second wedding weekend found us first taking a horse-drawn wagon ride to a chuck wagon rehearsal dinner. Then we headed up to Copper Mountain for the gorgeous wedding, where Jamilee (finally) took the name of Mr. Tim Coen! She was stunning. He was handsome. And we had a wonderful time reminiscing with old pals.

Now, it’s nearly a month later and we’re back in the groove of “normal.” Since that trip, we’ve had a couple of birthdays. For Eric’s birthday, we took a day-trip to the ocean. It was a gorgeous sunny day and we had a wonderful dinner in a cute little restaurant by the bay.

The other birthday celebration happened in Nevada, where my brother Stacy and his wife Robin welcomed their baby girl. Madisyn was born on September 23rd, a few days ahead of schedule. She was 5lbs 8oz and 18.5 inches long. Grandma Joan has been down there in Elko since the first of September as well (her flight departed within an hour of ours).

We will meet the new little Miss in a couple of weeks, when we meet up with Stacy, Robin and Madisyn to “swap” Grandma for pickles.

Hunter got confused and told Uncle Stacy on the phone that we were going to trade Madisyn for Maddox. (He still refers to Maddox as his little sister. If we DID make that trade, he would finally have that sister he’s always talked about!) Brotherly love…it lasts a lifetime, doesn’t it!