Did you say Roadtrip?!?

Why does a roadtrip always sound like a good idea? There is always a point during the trip when I say to myself, "What was I thinking?" This time was going to be different, I knew exactly how to do it! I have driven to AZ and CA several times but I was a little nervous this time because I haven't ever really gone some place, alone with the kids, where I didn't meet friends or family when I got there.

First let me give you a little history on why I chose to go to Denver. This may sound lame but, I like to go to the Hard Rock Cafe and I have been to several but last year when I was in Hawaii, I met a couple who were also big fans. He told me that I should be buying pins when I go and that if I signed up for the "pin club" they would track what cafes I had been to. Since I got my card in July, I have been to 8. Before I got the card I had been to the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Amsterdam and 3 in Hawaii. Oh darn, I'll just have to go back!

Back to this trip...my major problems on a trip like this would be a teenager talking back and Erika's evil twin (whom we call Sybil- she doesn't get it but it fits perfectly). She's had this Jekyll and Hyde personality since we went to Boston in '03, but that's a whole different story. Anyway, we had a talk before we left and she promised that Sybil wasn't coming on this trip. I also invited Colton's friend Chad so that he wouldn't be bored, plus I planned it so we could stay at a resort and they would have a day to ski and snowboard. The perfect trip right??
Well almost, until Colton started in and Sybil started screaming in the car while we were driving home today and of course it was all at the same time. By that time I was ready to pull my hair out. I got things calmed down and put in my headphones and told them not to talk until everyone could be nice.

We drove to Breckenridge, Colorado on Friday where I had rented a 2 bedroom condo. We stayed there two nights. Colton and Chad hit the slopes early on Saturday, the condo was only 1/2 a block from one of the chair lifts (they had 22). I guess we waited too late in the season to go because the conditions were not the best. It was really icy and Colton hit his tailbone twice. They ended up only going half a day because Colton could barely even walk. The girls and I had a fun day though, I took them ice skating, we took 2 walking treks into the quaint little town for shopping. The second time we went, we found a concert in the park. They watched for about 4 songs and got bored, not their kind of music I guess. We bought some playing cards and played games for the rest of the evening.

We drove to Denver the next morning and went to the famous 16th Street Mall, where the Hard Rock Cafe is and ate lunch there as well. We did some shopping and then we went to an aquarium. It was really fun, the kids fed the stingrays and Corey and Erika climbed fake trees. We went to the hotel and the kids swam for a few hours. Today we made the long drive home, it took 9 hours from Denver. Corey sat in the front seat with me and was my navigator and photographer, she did a really great job.

I must say if you haven't driven I-70 in Colorado, you should. It was absolutely beautiful. They even have several clean rest areas! I was impressed. We drove home through Wyoming today on I-80. Most of the drive looks like Northern Arizona until you get close to Utah. Rico stayed with Susie and Jon and also went to their son's house part of the time. I hope he behaved himself, he must have had a wonderful time, he is worn out!

All in all, I think we had a great time and I am sure the kids would say the same. Hey, when is our next trip?


Downtown Breckenridge


Downtown Breckenridge


Corey giving Erika some pointers on ice skating


We drove to the top of another mountain to take this picture of the runs at Breckenridge, you can see the city off to the right


Erika is a big Bronco's fan, I'm not sure where she gets that!


We found the chocolate factory


Colton and Chad


Erika decided that was as high as she was going


Corey at the top of the tree


Chad feeding the stingray


Colton feeding the stingray


Denver's Downtown Aquarium


Hard Rock Cafe

Wedding Shower

Hillary asked if I would host a wedding shower with her for Raquel. We all used to work together at the old hospital. Hillary has since moved on to bigger and better things, so we don't get to see her too much anymore. :) We had the shower this afternoon at Hillary's townhouse. Her roommate Andrea did a lot of the work. It was fun to get together. Good luck Raquel!


Raquel


Cathy, Allie's baby Jensen, Andrea, Hillary and Allie


Annette (future mother in law) and Raquel


Allie and Raquel


Cathy and Jensen (Allie's baby)


Raquel's mom and future sister in law

Homemade Salsa

Roasting the chili
The peeled chili peppers

The salsa!!

This is kind of random but I thought the chili looked so nice while they were roasting and even better after I peeled them. So, Courtnie asked me to help her make salsa this week. Her daughter was sick on the day we had planned to make it, so I did all the roasting and peeling before she even got home from the doctor. It made her feel bad but it wasn't a big deal.

I am not a great cook at all but thanks to my great friend Judy, I can make really good salsa. I just have to tone it down for my neighbors here. If I made it as hot as I liked it, I would be the only person eating it!

Judy and Frank and their sons, lived across the street from us when we lived in Phoenix. She taught me so much about being a mom and a wife. We were so lucky to have their family there for us. We miss them, I wish they still lived across the street.

Grandma Linda and Grandpa Gordon

My Mom and Gordon came to visit this past weekend. They stayed an extra day because it snowed and I really wanted them to stay. We always have a good time, but things get wild with 4 dogs in the house. Rico LOVES it! Molly is the only one that wants to play with him though.

Grandma made Corey's skirt for the play, what a relief, one less thing I have to worry about doing. They left Tuesday morning and only got about 15 miles from our home when their brakes went out. They had to stop and have them replaced. At least they weren't in the middle of nowhere when it happened. They made it home safe and sound.

BeeBee

Molly
Minnie

Birthday Dinner

Corey loves steak so I decided to take her to Texas Road House for her birthday dinner. Erika told the waiter it was her birthday and so they made her sit on a saddle while they yelled a big "Hee Haw." We forgot the camera in the car so we missed that photo opportunity.

I told Corey she could choose one friend to take with her tonight and she chose Katie.

Their first pedicures. They loved it!

Katie in the red and Corey in the pink.

Happy Birthday Corey!

Keaton

March 29th - I can't believe that Corey is 12! Wow, time sure flies by fast. She asked for a tool box with tools and art supplies. Oh yes, and a razor. She finally gets to shave her legs (not that she really needed to though). I of course had to work again so we had a little party after I got home with the Cederholms. On Monday I am taking Corey and her friend, Katie, to dinner and to get pedicures. She has wanted to do that for a long time too.

Easter

What else? More flowers! Sorry, these are the first daffodils that just bloomed. As you can tell, I love flowers.

Erika and Corey coloring Easter eggs. Colton didn't want to do it this year, what a party pooper!
We had a great Easter, Grandma Diane was here visiting again too.

Pedicures

Courtnie took me to get a pedicure this past week for my birthday. This place we like to go is so great, it usually takes about an hour and a half. It's heaven! Anyway, we both usually get french tips but this time we both got full color. Courtnie decided to be a little festive for Easter. I just got the flowers and although mine look black in the picture they are really maroon. Thanks Courtnie!!

YEA!!! Spring is on it's way!

I'm so excited that spring is actually getting close! I have the proof right here in my own yard. I am not not kidding myself though, I know the snow will continue for the next month or two.
I love this time of year when the grass starts turning green again and the bulbs start to bloom, it is great!

These bottom flowers Grandma Diane sent for my birthday. I had to work that day but the girls had planned a surprise party. They made a cake and got balloons and invited the Taylors and Cederholms over. Not that I like my birthday very much, but they were really excited about it and we had fun. Just as they were lighting the candles on the cake we were going to take pictures and the battery was dead. Bummer, no pictures !