So Saturday in Denver, was Dan and Jennifer's wedding. She got married in a really old, beautiful church in downtown Denver. It had a really cool pipe organ. The wedding was very beautiful and everyone looked so beautiful or handsome. Jennifer cried while saying her vows. There was a few hours break, then the reception. There were light finger foods and a photo booth. Everyone was asked to take pics and got 2 copies, one for yourselves and one to decorate a page for the scrap book for Jen and Dan. That was fun! There were props and it was really neat to see some of the photos that were made. The reception was adults only and so it was fun to have a "Date Night". There was good food and music. We even got Mom to dance a few times! (yes there is video floating around somewhere). It was fun to get to be with family and laugh and joke.
Sunday, Mom, my sister in law and I cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast. After we all had breakfast, Darren, the kids and I went to Colorado Springs to visit an old friend of mine and her family. We haven't really been in touch with each other since we were teens. We had a great lunch and a great time in the pool, even though it was cut short by thunder. We went back to her house and had a great time catching up as well as great brownies. Greyson and Addyson had a great time playing with her youngest who is 4.
We then headed back to Denver to meet Darren's brother and his dog, Molly at one of the parks. The park was beautiful and Molly had fun running after the ball, as well as getting to know us. After a while, we said good bye to Molly and Darren's brother. We would be going home the next day. The time had gone by so fast. I was wishing that we had more time to spend with our Denver family.
Monday morning, we got up, had breakfast and then did that last minute packing then headed to the airport. Greyson and Addyson were excited to be going on a plane again. We got checked in and then had lunch and went to the gate. The kids had fun watching planes land out the windows. We boarded and the flight was full. Actually I had to check in at the gate and got the last guaranteed seat on the plane. I think Addy fell asleep as we were climbing to 10,000 feet and slept all the way until about 30 minutes before we landed in Philadelphia. Greyson was full of energy and refused to sleep or play with his leapster. He fell asleep about 5 minutes before we landed. When he woke up at the gate, he kept wanting to feel the "bump" of landing.
At Philly, we had dinner and picked up a few gifts. The kids were wired. Boarding was postponed, to try to wait for weather in Raleigh to clear. There was an opening in the storms and we took off for an hour flight back to Raleigh. There was only about 40 people on the plane and Addy was still wired and was chatty and in her Diva mode! Greyson and Daddy talked and played. Greyson fell asleep again about 5 minutes before landing again! We arrived back home at 1230 an we all fell into bed. Needless to say that we slept late the next day.
We had a wonderful time in Denver and can't wait to go back again!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Denver Day 3-4
So Thursday morning we awoke and had breakfast at the hotel. They have really good breakfast foods. Wed we had waffles, eggs, yogurt, all kinds of bread to toast. Thursday we had eggs, sausage links, fresh fruit, breads assortment, and today they had sausage gravy biscuits fruit, breads, and cinnamon waffles.
Thursday, Darren and his brother went to play golf with their brother and some of the groom's family. The Girls went shopping for wedding gifts and Greyson and his cousin stayed with Grandpa. We drove to the store that had the gift I had ordered on line for the Couple. There was a Crate and Barrel across the street, which is where Grandma and my sister -in law needed to pick up their gift. we drove all around this store and we even found the back door, but the city of Denver in it's infinite wisdom, had decided to close off all the roads right there at the store, so we could see the building, but could not get to it! Extremely frustrating! It was funny to see the looks we got, 2 forty- something women and a lovely senior citizen in a burnt orange Dodge Charger, (another story all together) driving around the block all different ways trying to reach this elusive shop! It became quite funny. I was so frustrated. I said " I want to drive up, park and walk in the door." A few minutes later, my sister in law mentioned that we could park across the road in a different store's parking lot and walk to Crate and Barrel. I asked her what part of my previous statement did she not understand.
So, off we go in our muscle car, cruising through Denver to the Park Meadows Mall to the store there. Once we got there, we had trouble finding the actual store. We stopped and asked at the Panera store (because my sister-in-law figured that the 2 stores have the same type of customers), and got directions. We found the store and parked in front of the store and went in.
My nephew only had Grandpa call once to find out what was taking so long. We picked up lunch at the Arby's on the corner and headed home. Darren and his brother got back from golfing and both had to admit that they were beat by their brother! Apparently while we were gone the boys Greyson and his cousin) had locked themselves in the adjoining room and Grandpa had to call the desk to come and unlock the doors!
Off to the pool we went. The kids had a great time again. Then we went downtown to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner with the Bride and Groom and some of both families. There was about 35 people total. Greyson and Addy made friends with the ring bearer who is Greyson's age. We sat upstairs and there are floor to ceiling windows which we could look out over the pedestrian mall. That was really cool. There were horse and carriages for rides, and they waited right outside the restaurant. After the meal, we went up to meet one of the horses. His name was Jackson (same as one of Greyson's best friends) and he had his hoofs painted with purple glitter. Addy thought that was really cool!
Again the kids went to sleep with out much of an issue and they woke about 7 Denver time. Today we had breakfast and went to a local Party City. We needed to get some wrapping paper, and Darren had to check out the store. ( it's a thing with him since he is a manager for them) While we were there, I caught Greyson with a piece of candy he was opening. (Not a real expensive one, one of the 15 for a dollar ones.) I told Darren and he took Greyson to the store manager and made him tell the manager what he had done. Greyson was almost in tears, and he did cry when he came back to me. We explained that doing that is stealing and is a sin, and God doesn't want us to do that. I think he has learned his lesson. He was embarrassed enough and scared enough having to tell the manager. Darren then actually got a tour of the store's stockroom and talked to the manager for a while.
I later met the bride to be and some of her party at a nail salon. I needed a touch up on my toes and eyebrows. Grandma and Grandpa are now at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The rest of us are going to go eat dinner and maybe catch a movie!
Tomorrow is the big day!!
Thursday, Darren and his brother went to play golf with their brother and some of the groom's family. The Girls went shopping for wedding gifts and Greyson and his cousin stayed with Grandpa. We drove to the store that had the gift I had ordered on line for the Couple. There was a Crate and Barrel across the street, which is where Grandma and my sister -in law needed to pick up their gift. we drove all around this store and we even found the back door, but the city of Denver in it's infinite wisdom, had decided to close off all the roads right there at the store, so we could see the building, but could not get to it! Extremely frustrating! It was funny to see the looks we got, 2 forty- something women and a lovely senior citizen in a burnt orange Dodge Charger, (another story all together) driving around the block all different ways trying to reach this elusive shop! It became quite funny. I was so frustrated. I said " I want to drive up, park and walk in the door." A few minutes later, my sister in law mentioned that we could park across the road in a different store's parking lot and walk to Crate and Barrel. I asked her what part of my previous statement did she not understand.
So, off we go in our muscle car, cruising through Denver to the Park Meadows Mall to the store there. Once we got there, we had trouble finding the actual store. We stopped and asked at the Panera store (because my sister-in-law figured that the 2 stores have the same type of customers), and got directions. We found the store and parked in front of the store and went in.
My nephew only had Grandpa call once to find out what was taking so long. We picked up lunch at the Arby's on the corner and headed home. Darren and his brother got back from golfing and both had to admit that they were beat by their brother! Apparently while we were gone the boys Greyson and his cousin) had locked themselves in the adjoining room and Grandpa had to call the desk to come and unlock the doors!
Off to the pool we went. The kids had a great time again. Then we went downtown to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner with the Bride and Groom and some of both families. There was about 35 people total. Greyson and Addy made friends with the ring bearer who is Greyson's age. We sat upstairs and there are floor to ceiling windows which we could look out over the pedestrian mall. That was really cool. There were horse and carriages for rides, and they waited right outside the restaurant. After the meal, we went up to meet one of the horses. His name was Jackson (same as one of Greyson's best friends) and he had his hoofs painted with purple glitter. Addy thought that was really cool!
Again the kids went to sleep with out much of an issue and they woke about 7 Denver time. Today we had breakfast and went to a local Party City. We needed to get some wrapping paper, and Darren had to check out the store. ( it's a thing with him since he is a manager for them) While we were there, I caught Greyson with a piece of candy he was opening. (Not a real expensive one, one of the 15 for a dollar ones.) I told Darren and he took Greyson to the store manager and made him tell the manager what he had done. Greyson was almost in tears, and he did cry when he came back to me. We explained that doing that is stealing and is a sin, and God doesn't want us to do that. I think he has learned his lesson. He was embarrassed enough and scared enough having to tell the manager. Darren then actually got a tour of the store's stockroom and talked to the manager for a while.
I later met the bride to be and some of her party at a nail salon. I needed a touch up on my toes and eyebrows. Grandma and Grandpa are now at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The rest of us are going to go eat dinner and maybe catch a movie!
Tomorrow is the big day!!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Denver Day 2
After way too little sleep last night, Darren and I awoke to two bright eyed kids. They were itching to do something. Luckily at breakfast Grandma and Grandpa as well as Uncle Kurt, Aunt Robin, and Cousin David came to eat as well. They had gotten in late last night. Shortly after that, Uncle Randy came to take the kids to the parade in Centennial Park. Afterward, we went to have ice cream and then met up with the rest of the family and went to a train and car museum. The kids had fun running around and looking at all the neat things, even "driving" a model T.
Then we went to Boulder to see a friend I used to work with. We went to the Pearl Street Mall, and had lunch at a really cool Italian restaurant with really great food. We all walked and chatted, and let the kids play in one of those water fountains that are made for kids to play in and shoot water out from different holes at different times. They had a ball. Then back to the hotel to play in the pool.
Greyson has had a bad experience once when he fell off a step in a pool without a vest. He was a little hesitant, but soon began to jump in the pool for Darren and I to catch and after a while, he had learned to paddle around in the pool. Of course Darren and I were close by, but he did great!
Addyson apparently is fearless, and began to try to paddle as soon as she got in. She had to get the hang of the life vest and finally got to where she could paddle without falling over on her back or face. Even before she got the hang of it she kept shouting " Don't hold me Mommie!" She asked to get out and then promptly turned around and jumped into the water! Needless to say I was not expecting that and almost didn't catch her. She thought it was great and kept at it, and soon she tried to jump into the water backwards to Uncle Kurt. That was met with lots of "NO!'s" from all the adults. Later she thought she would dive in head first- again met with lots of emphatic No's.
We all met back in our room and had sandwiches and snacks for dinner. The kids were tired, and we put them to bed and talked about not getting up tonight, and going to sleep. I heard one laugh out of them and then silence. I went to check on them and they were sleeping soundly!
Amazing Day!!
Then we went to Boulder to see a friend I used to work with. We went to the Pearl Street Mall, and had lunch at a really cool Italian restaurant with really great food. We all walked and chatted, and let the kids play in one of those water fountains that are made for kids to play in and shoot water out from different holes at different times. They had a ball. Then back to the hotel to play in the pool.
Greyson has had a bad experience once when he fell off a step in a pool without a vest. He was a little hesitant, but soon began to jump in the pool for Darren and I to catch and after a while, he had learned to paddle around in the pool. Of course Darren and I were close by, but he did great!
Addyson apparently is fearless, and began to try to paddle as soon as she got in. She had to get the hang of the life vest and finally got to where she could paddle without falling over on her back or face. Even before she got the hang of it she kept shouting " Don't hold me Mommie!" She asked to get out and then promptly turned around and jumped into the water! Needless to say I was not expecting that and almost didn't catch her. She thought it was great and kept at it, and soon she tried to jump into the water backwards to Uncle Kurt. That was met with lots of "NO!'s" from all the adults. Later she thought she would dive in head first- again met with lots of emphatic No's.
We all met back in our room and had sandwiches and snacks for dinner. The kids were tired, and we put them to bed and talked about not getting up tonight, and going to sleep. I heard one laugh out of them and then silence. I went to check on them and they were sleeping soundly!
Amazing Day!!
First in Flight
So, we have undertaken an amazing feat. We flew with out 2 children under 6 from Raleigh, NC to Denver, Co. We were prepared for the worse. Lots of whining, crying and many talks in the bathroom with Daddy if necessary. I had bought each one of the kids "carry on" bag of their own, a small fabric tote about 18 inches by 12 inches and a few inches deep, in which we packed the all important Leapesters ( learning video game toy) and papers that were sent home for "summer fun" from their preschool teachers and colored pencils or crayons, and a few other things to keep them busy. Greyson insisted on bringing his bible, so then did Addy. Each got to bring a small stuffed toy with them in the bag too. I was praying that this would keep them entertained while we waited for the flight at least!
We got to RDU airport. They were a little antsy while we waited for Daddy to go park the car and I began to worry. Waiting for the plane, Leapesters were all consuming. Thank goodness I found one on sale for Addy on the Leap Frog web site. I'm not exactly sure if sharing 1 would have worked. I knew that boarding would keep their attention. Greyson sat in the row ahead with Daddy and Addyson sat with me. The adults had the widow seat even though we offered them to the kids and they declined. It worked out well because it gave Darren and I more room. (We are fluffy don't you know!) Addy made friends with the college girl next to us and Greyson chatted some with a man who we found out was a marine on his way home.
Taking off was a thrill for the kids, and when we reached 10.000 feet and could break out the leapesters, they came out again. After about an hour or so, we let the kids see out the windows. That was pretty cool. They both thought getting a snack on the plane was pretty cool too. Then it was time for the landing. We explained that there would be a lot of different noises and then a bump when we touched down. Luckily we had pretty good "bumps", but did do some fishtailing on that first flight. We had landed in Chicago!
Our layover was rather short and we had to switch concourses which wasn't in the original plan, but we managed to get some lunch and arrive about 15 min before boarding began. Thank God for the Family boarding! That's great. We got to board after the first section of travelers boarded, and we owe it all to Addy, since she's 3 we qualify. This time around Greyson sat with me and Addy with Darren. Greyson was full of questions and we happened to sit next to a stewardess jumping flights, so she helped answer them. She was wonderful! She even pulled out her Ipad and let Greyson see the flight tracker of our flight. Greyson kept asking where were we in our flight. She also got coloring books and wings for both the kids. Addy took a nap from shortly after takeoff to about 30 minutes before landing. Again the snacks were pretty cool.
We landed in Denver, again with a pretty soft bump and the flight attendant telling Greyson what the flaps on the wings were doing as we approached and landed. Greyson almost shouted when he heard the Captain say we were in Denver. He was ready for another flight, me, not so much. I was really glad we had made it! Both the kids listened very well in the airports and made us glad that we had not brought the stroller, since we already had enough stuff! We got to take a train to the baggage claim, and that was a new experience for the kids. They had never been on a train, must less a subway type train. Both sat wide eyed, holding Darren's hand as the train took off then slowed at it's stops. Addy really looked confused. We made it to baggage claim and as Darren got our bags, the kids helped him spot them. Addy got her suitcase, pulled up the handle and walked to the bus for the rental car. She thought she was something. It was so cute to see this little girl in a green gingham skirt pulling a ladybug suitcase just walking along beside her daddy pushing a cart of suitcases.
At the car rental place, while Darren rented the car, we had a court side seat to see planes take off. Greyson thought it was pretty cool. Greyson passed out in the car on the ride to the hotel. We made it, unpacked, had dinner, picked up a few groceries and came back and put the kids to bed. Of course they thought it was play time because they have a room together. Darren and I were dead tired and the kids kept laughing and playing. It finally took one of those talks from Daddy to get them to quiet down and finally go to sleep about midnight, Denver time, 2am our time. Hopefully they won't be too grumpy tomorrow!
Greyson kept asking us tonight if he had been good today, which he does from time to time. I told him he had been Amazing today. We had been blessed with a great trip out. God really answered prayer for us. It could have been much worse! I know there were others praying for us and I could tell in the behaviors of my children. Not that they are bad kids, all in all, they are pretty good.
Today my kids made me proud. Not that overwhelming beaming pride I get when they do something great, or a new first, but that quiet, steadily spreading pride that makes you feel like your kids are maturing, getting all grown up. I know it is in a way a reflection on how they are raised, but sometimes I wonder if Darren and I are doing a good job with the kids. It was one of those affirmations that I actually might have a clue with this parenting thing. Maybe our "excess" age has an advantage.
Today my kids defiantly lived up to our state's licence plate motto- First in Flight!
We got to RDU airport. They were a little antsy while we waited for Daddy to go park the car and I began to worry. Waiting for the plane, Leapesters were all consuming. Thank goodness I found one on sale for Addy on the Leap Frog web site. I'm not exactly sure if sharing 1 would have worked. I knew that boarding would keep their attention. Greyson sat in the row ahead with Daddy and Addyson sat with me. The adults had the widow seat even though we offered them to the kids and they declined. It worked out well because it gave Darren and I more room. (We are fluffy don't you know!) Addy made friends with the college girl next to us and Greyson chatted some with a man who we found out was a marine on his way home.
Taking off was a thrill for the kids, and when we reached 10.000 feet and could break out the leapesters, they came out again. After about an hour or so, we let the kids see out the windows. That was pretty cool. They both thought getting a snack on the plane was pretty cool too. Then it was time for the landing. We explained that there would be a lot of different noises and then a bump when we touched down. Luckily we had pretty good "bumps", but did do some fishtailing on that first flight. We had landed in Chicago!
Our layover was rather short and we had to switch concourses which wasn't in the original plan, but we managed to get some lunch and arrive about 15 min before boarding began. Thank God for the Family boarding! That's great. We got to board after the first section of travelers boarded, and we owe it all to Addy, since she's 3 we qualify. This time around Greyson sat with me and Addy with Darren. Greyson was full of questions and we happened to sit next to a stewardess jumping flights, so she helped answer them. She was wonderful! She even pulled out her Ipad and let Greyson see the flight tracker of our flight. Greyson kept asking where were we in our flight. She also got coloring books and wings for both the kids. Addy took a nap from shortly after takeoff to about 30 minutes before landing. Again the snacks were pretty cool.
We landed in Denver, again with a pretty soft bump and the flight attendant telling Greyson what the flaps on the wings were doing as we approached and landed. Greyson almost shouted when he heard the Captain say we were in Denver. He was ready for another flight, me, not so much. I was really glad we had made it! Both the kids listened very well in the airports and made us glad that we had not brought the stroller, since we already had enough stuff! We got to take a train to the baggage claim, and that was a new experience for the kids. They had never been on a train, must less a subway type train. Both sat wide eyed, holding Darren's hand as the train took off then slowed at it's stops. Addy really looked confused. We made it to baggage claim and as Darren got our bags, the kids helped him spot them. Addy got her suitcase, pulled up the handle and walked to the bus for the rental car. She thought she was something. It was so cute to see this little girl in a green gingham skirt pulling a ladybug suitcase just walking along beside her daddy pushing a cart of suitcases.
At the car rental place, while Darren rented the car, we had a court side seat to see planes take off. Greyson thought it was pretty cool. Greyson passed out in the car on the ride to the hotel. We made it, unpacked, had dinner, picked up a few groceries and came back and put the kids to bed. Of course they thought it was play time because they have a room together. Darren and I were dead tired and the kids kept laughing and playing. It finally took one of those talks from Daddy to get them to quiet down and finally go to sleep about midnight, Denver time, 2am our time. Hopefully they won't be too grumpy tomorrow!
Greyson kept asking us tonight if he had been good today, which he does from time to time. I told him he had been Amazing today. We had been blessed with a great trip out. God really answered prayer for us. It could have been much worse! I know there were others praying for us and I could tell in the behaviors of my children. Not that they are bad kids, all in all, they are pretty good.
Today my kids made me proud. Not that overwhelming beaming pride I get when they do something great, or a new first, but that quiet, steadily spreading pride that makes you feel like your kids are maturing, getting all grown up. I know it is in a way a reflection on how they are raised, but sometimes I wonder if Darren and I are doing a good job with the kids. It was one of those affirmations that I actually might have a clue with this parenting thing. Maybe our "excess" age has an advantage.
Today my kids defiantly lived up to our state's licence plate motto- First in Flight!
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