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Denver 2017/Day 1

We were invited to David’s godson Chase’s wedding! In Denver!!  It was the first time for all of us and were so glad we went!

Denver in winter is c-c-c-cold! We were woefully unprepared for it. Still, we made the best of things and has so much family fun.

The reception was to be held at the Four Seasons. I have to say, I think this is one of the nicest properties I have been to, both in terms of decor and service. They had is decorated for Christmas beautifully. Everyone working there was courteous and friendly.

When the boys were little, we had a tradition where they were allowed to jump from one bed to the other. Well, those days are gone, but Ryan asked to do it once. We obliged.

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Walked to Larimer Square for lunch. A super cute block of shops and restaurants. Ended up at Tag for lunch. They make their own delicious ginger ale!
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All bundled up!
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A few photos of our hotel room bathroom. Lovely! And, it even had a TV in the mirror!!

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We attended the rehearsal dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy. They has a private room for us and it was decorated beautifully for Christmas. My photos did not turn out well enough to post. The dinner was delicious and we all walked away stuffed. These photos are of Chase and Ashlee. The second photo is them playing a game their brothers facilitated. They each had to hold a shoe in both hands, one shoe his, one hers. A brother would say something like “who is better with managing finances” and they had to raise the shoe to answer. Some of the questions were pretty entertaining and there were a lot of laughs.

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Enjoying the holiday lights on the walk home…

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We got back to our room and discovered two surprises!

  1. Someone had ordered for both boys a s’mores kit. That was the best chocolate!! They were each personalized even. It was such a special touch.
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  2. Our bathroom sinks were illuminated!
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    End of a terrific day one.

Christmas 2017

…was at our house this year! Family joined from all Idaho, New York, and Oakland. We ate a bunch, walked a bunch, laughed a bunch.

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Everyone received decorative socks, LED light up beanies, and slippers. We had Margaret and Randy bring their dog Luke with them. The puppies played with him a few years ago and had a blast. This time, they were not so sure. Poor Luke. He just wanted to play. But Austin was territorial.
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Margaret’s famous Christmas Tree bread… I had asked the boys earlier in the season what their favorite Christmas traditions were that they wanted to carry on into their homes as adults. Both replied simultaneously, ‘Grandma’s Christmas bread!”

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BEST PRESENT! We all had cards on our plates. Upon opening the card, we learned that Paul and Shannon are having a baby! I’m going to be an Auntie again!!IMG_0473

Sara’s husband Charlie is from London. They do Christmas “crackers” and inside the crackers are a paper crown, and a little toy. I placed my crown on my beanie…IMG_0475

Paul and Shannon Skyping with other family members to make the announcement!IMG_0482

Sara, modeling the virtual reality set Charlie received for Christmas…IMG_0517

The poppy love going for wagon rides! And a moment of peace with the three dogs…
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Margaret and Randy sted a couple days longer and we took advantage of the lovely weather and went for a little hike.
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Alex turns 15!

Every year, I say “where did the time go?” This year is no exception. My son is 15! He has peach fuzz on his upper lip and is excited about driving this summer!!!

I love, love, love how he is shaping up to be an incredible man. Outgoing. Charming. Creative. Smart. Entertaining. Always looking a few steps ahead. Always looking at the bigger picture. Totally a first born big brother.

Our traditional “eat whatever you want” breakfast. This year: BBQ and teriyaki chicken wings with ranch, pizza rolls, Concord grape juice, and pop tarts…
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Another tradition is little brother creating a scavenger hunt for him. This year, there was a $5 bill from Ryan’s personal account at the end. A nice surprise for Alex! These are the photo hints for the hunt. It’s full of hidden jokes the two of them have.

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His birthday fell on a Wednesday this year. The activity he wanted to do was Zion VR. Since they are closed Wednesdays, we took him the day before instead.

He and Ryan spent the day playing video games at home.

We had an early dinner at his favorite restaurant, Mikuni’s. His favorite roll is the Benjamin Roll. They have a large wheel you get to spin for birthdays and win a prize. Alex won a bag of rice. I wish I could post the video of it. He jumped in the air all excited. He named it ‘Carlos’ and had me carry it as my “grandson” back to the car.

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After dinner, we surprised him by taking him to Gamestop to pick up the one main thing he’s been wanting. All his birthday money added up gave him enough to purchase it! The Nintendo Switch.

That’s what he did the rest of the evening. Setting up and playing with the Nintendo Switch.

Christmas Lights Walk

Some of the Clover Valley Loop Ladies (the women I run with multiple times a week), made Peppermint Patties (hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps) and walked throughout the Pebble Creek neighborhood. This neighborhood has a covenant where if you choose to live here you mush decorate your house and yard for Christmas! Gloria bought us matching light up Christmas beanies!
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Celebrating 23 married years with this wonderful man I get to call ‘husband’. We went to a delicious thai dinner.

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I love running trails. The beauty is incredible. The workout intense. The fresh air, fellowship with other runners,  sense of accomplishment, and yummy breakfast after, makes for a wonderful day.

Starts at the Magnolia Ranch trailhead, located between the towns of Cool and Coloma. This is a 9.5 mile route that goes out to the movie lot where they filmed the movie “Love Comes Softly”. (The photos with the two structures is the movie lot.)

Breakfast after at the Coloma Club!
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My Cuddle Partner

This guy turns 15 this Spring. He is the best cuddle kitty ever.
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Cookie Exchange Party

My running friend, Monda, hosted a cookie exchange party. I really wish I took pictures of her whole house. She decorates every room in her house for Christmas. And not just a little. All out. Multiple trees. Multiple Christmas villages. All beautifully done. It could have been in a magazine. Takes her two weeks to decorate.

It was a wonderful night with good friends.
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Girls Day Trip

Once a year, at Christmastime, the four of us get away to spend a whole day together! This year, we went to Placerville, a cute gold country town near Apple Hill. I had planned for us to do a little shopping in town, then hit Apple Hill, but there were so many cute shops in town, we ended up spending the whole day there.

Placerville’s nickname is “Hangtown”. It’s called this because this is where they would hang people as a form of law and justice. The stump of the hanging tree is located under one of the local businesses.
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Picked up coffee at Centro Coffee House.

Shopped.

Lunch at Cozmic Cafe. Healthy menu. Cool location in one of the original buildings.
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Shopped.

Coffee break for Shanti and I at Cuppa Coffee and More!

Shopped.

I loved the bouquet this boutique had and had to get a few photos with it…
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Shopped.

Dinner at the Hey Day Cafe. Incredible service and delicious food. This is a “must” to visit when in Placerville.

Finished off our evening by going to see the movie ‘Wonder‘.

It was a day to treasure always. I love these ladies.

Goofing Around

This is a prop in front of the cafe at our church.
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