Colorado Visit

While we absolutely love our new living situation in Eden, we definitely feel a soft spot for our old home in Colorado.  After Sam was born, we wanted to get back there to our ward friends to show him (and his sister) off and to catch up.  We decided to make a little trip to do just that.  The day we decided the dates of our trip, Gregg's boss asked him if he'd be able to come into Edwards for a face-to-face meeting with all of the team.  When did they want him to come?  Oh, only the same days we were already planning to be there!  Talk about perfect timing!  

So, we headed out of Utah on the 9th, with our car loaded with kids and stuff.  

And the best little navigator we could ask for.

Cheesy navigator, that is.

We spent dinner time with Nate and Shelly and Evelyn in Rifle that evening before driving the last stretch into Avon where we stayed at the Christie Lodge.  Callie was in absolute heaven when we arrived at the hotel!  Maybe it was a bit of being cooped up in a car all day, or maybe it's just the simple joys of a two-and-a-half-year-old, but she was HYPER!  She ran back and forth from one end of the room to the other saying "I'm in a hotel! I'm in a hotel!  I'm in a hotel!"  She opened the mini-fridge no less than one hundred times and relayed its contents ("New baking soda! Oranges! String cheese!") to the rest of the fam.  Sam thought it was fun, too, I guess.  In his own way.  I think he was just happy to be able to stretch and kick on the bed.

Happy boy.

The next day, Thursday the 10th, was Gregg's big meeting day.  I dropped him off first thing after breakfast and then the kids and I headed back west about an hour to spend the day with Nate and Shelly and Ev.  It was such a lovely, relaxing, low-key day spent with fun family.  I loved it!

Sam and Shelly having a little conversation.

Attempting to get an Elwood Cousins photo.
(Not for the faint of heart!)

The best we could do. (And an actual real smile
from Cal? Epic!)

Now add some parents who happen to be siblings.

And try a new angle to get the pretty tree in.  Phew.  I think
we'll call that a wrap.

Back at the hotel that evening,
like father, like son.

On Friday, Gregg did some more working while Cal, Sam and I did some hotel exploring, lunching with friends Heather and Bobbi at E-Town (our old standard spot - I got my usual Zastro sandwich with tots), and napping back at the hotel.  That evening we dined in our room on frozen Chinese entrees from the grocery store and then bundled up for a little excursion to Beaver Creek Village to see the  sites.  Mostly it was an excuse to go on a bus ride!

Barbaloot Sam is ready to go!

A pretty happy bus rider, if you ask me!

She thought it was amazing there were "no
buckles!"

Sam just snoozed.

We walked around, rode the escalators, watched
the skaters, rode more escalators, warmed up by
the fires, watched the fountain, and rode the
escalators once more for good measure.

Saturday morning we bundled up again, this time with snowshoes and hiking kid carriers, and we ventured out to Tigwon Road to harvest a Christmas tree.  We figured since we were in the vicinity, we might as well keep the tradition going.

Snowy Callie

A few inches of fresh powder to hike in.

He does this a lot.

Gregg trekked off the road - up there, somewhere -
to find us the perfect tree.

We stayed behind and took selfies.

She's a beaut!

Still snoozin'

bonus video!

oh christmas tree

Brilliant thinking from the tree guy.

Pretty cloudy and snowy that day, but luckily
not much while we were hiking.

For lunch, the one and only Larkburger!

Best post-tree-harvesting lunch.  Ever.

Sam ate his fingers.

Cal loved her french fries.

Saturday evening was the Vail Ward's annual Christmas party.  Again with the perfect timing of our trip, we were able to attend, enjoying the usual ham dinner with a variety of pot-luck sides.  You think you know funeral potatoes until you taste the renditions that appear on the table in Vail.  Jalapenos really add some kick!  It was fun to see all our friends and introduce them to Baby Sam.  And Callie was especially excited to be able to dress up as a mini angel and participate in the primary nativity play.  And bonus, she got to meet Santa!

Some heavenly host of angels - Sophie, Raquel and Callie.

My little angel.

Having a little chat with Santa Johnny.

She was just thrilled to get a dum dum.

We left the party pretty late Saturday evening and hit the road to make sure we beat the weather and had enough time to make it to Springville on time for Gregg's family party Sunday evening.  We spent the night in Parachute at "another hotel!" which had a "breakfast room!", caught Sacrament Meeting at a ward in Grand Junction, ate a picnic lunch inside the car at a park near the church, and then drove, drove, drove to Springville, where we got to hang out with Laurel and Bret for a bit before the party started at Uncle Shawn's just down the road.  We hit some pretty heavy snow for the last 30ish miles of the drive, but made it home safe and sound with sleeping kids in the backseat.

Not a bad view from the breakfast room in Parachute.

Yummy fondue dinner with the Gallaghers.

Sam and Great Grandpa Gallagher get to meet.

Four generations.

Visiting with Lori.

Lounging and chatting.

Grandma cuddles for the Sambo.

Not the best pic, but imagine making the jump
into hyper drive and you'll know what it looked like
while we were passing Pineview.

Gregg's genius tree packing skills.  Our tree made it home
as perfect as can be thanks to that tarp and those ratchet straps!

Notice the snow caked on the base?  It got hairy there for a bit.

Overall, Cal and Sam were champion travelers.  We had a lovely time with people we love.  Fun trip in the books.  Maybe next year we'll make the trek again in early December to keep the tree-getting and ward partying attending tradtions alive. ;)