Colorado Reunion

Earlier this month we escaped to the beautiful mountains of Colorado for a family reunion. Every five years my mom's side of the family (her parents, brothers and their families, etc.) all get together to celebrate my grandparents' anniversary - 60 years this year! - and reconnect with each other's growing families. At this renuion we had two new faces - Corrie, my precious sister-in-love and, of course, our new little guy Nate - and we also had another newbie that was with us in spirit - Jacob, my cousin Sarah's fiance that was back home in Iowa working - yuck!

We left bright and early Saturday the 8th and flew into Denver. Nate did so well on the plane - a little squirmish but no crying!! I think he was so excited about our trip that he just couldn't sit still. ;) My mom and dad were on our same flight, so my mom came back and sat with me and the baby so that my man (and his long legs!) could go sit up with my dad in the good seats! My mom and I enjoyed the couple of hours to catch-up and play with Nate.

While in Denver for the reunion, Mr. Wonderful, Nate and I were blessed to stay at my Aunt Amy and Uncle Paul's G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S house. It was so first-class, including gift baskets in our room with yummy treats. And we were completely spoiled with a pack-n-play in our room, a high chair, and toys for the little guy!!

We spent a lot of time sitting on Paul and Amy's back porch visiting with the family:



One day we visited the Coors Brewery in Golden, CO for a tour and free beer, of course!

Open! Open! Open!

After-tour "party"

Alex really wanted some beer, but he was too "short"!

The next day while several of our crew golfed, a bunch of us drove up to the Red Rocks for a hike. It was breath-takingly beautiful! There was even an ampetheater there where they host concerts! (The night before we were there was a Kings of Leon concert - how cool would that have been?!)

We went on a short hike - about 1.5 miles - and the pictures below show some of the easier portions of the hike, believe me! Especially since I was carting around a nearly 20 lbs kid on my chest. (I LOVE the Moby Wrap, by the way! Thanks, Jamie!!!) I wish I could show you pictures of Nate in his carrier with his cute hat...too cute for words!

Later that day my uncle and aunt treated the whole family to a Rockies baseball game at Coors Field. They were playing the Cubs, and it was an awesome game!

And probably the best part of the game -- we caught a fly ball!!! Actually, I don't know why I said "we" as I had absolutely no part in this achievement. In fact, this fly ball nearly took my life. Seriously. If it wasn't for my cousin Michael (who I dove behind) and my darling husband (who sacrificed his hand over two people to deflect the ball from hitting my body), I would have had a lot more than a ball to show for this!

Here it is!
That's Michael on the far left, Adam displaying our prize, Corrie laughing, and Mr. Wonderful's lap.
Where is Erica? Oh, she's still hiding behind Michael.

We had everyone from our family who went to the game sign the ball, and the family let us take it home as a keepsake for Nate! It was only his second baseball game, and he already "caught" a fly ball. Mr. Wonderful likes to think it's a sign!

Another day we went to Breckenridge. We rode the Alpine Slide and rented bikes in the afternoon for a ride around some of the trails in town. It was a pretty quick trip, but we had a blast!



And we wrapped up the reunion on our final night with a dinner to celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary! We spent the better part of the evening sitting around telling stories and sharing memories and words of encouragement for my grandparents.

What a wonderful trip! And so many fantastic memories that we will cherish always. I think this was the best reunion yet because as all of the cousins are getting older (I'm the oldest, so I'm allowed to say that!) the age gap between us all seems to be diminishing and we have more and more in common. So fun! I can hardly wait for Sarah and Jacob's wedding next summer in California so we can do this all over again! :)

We had a photographer come out and take some pictures of the family while we were there. Here is a picture of the two people who started it all - my grandparents - with their 9 grandchildren.

Alex, Me, Matt, Amanda, Adam, Michael, Grandpa, Grandma, Sarah, Nicole, & Stefanie

FYI - Corrie and I are currently conspiring on how we can get back to Colorado someday. Not for another vacation...to live there! I know, I know - it's cold in the winter, it snows. But, people, it is beautiful! I jogged most every morning I was there. I hiked. I biked. Me, Erica, did OUTDOOR activities! Willingly! I think living in Colorado would do wonders for my overall health. And for my hair. I had great hair days in Colorado. :)