peacock

bmk: christmas cookie decorating

I hosted my first cookie decorating event at the Kitchen. It turned out great. So many sweet, sweet kids. We made so many cookies and played games and did crafts. I tell ya, this is the absolute best job I’ve ever had. The behind the scenes work involves long hours and lots and lots of work, but the hosting part is a lot of fun. I’m lucky when my friends bring in their cute, fabulous kids. Life ain’t bad. 

arch

Today was our last day in St Louis and everyone was quite sad to say goodbye. I didn’t see Gwyneth Grace much this weekend as she stayed close to Eliana and even slept in her hotel room with her. I had a fabulous Maeva filled weekend as her and Annabelle are inseparable as well. 
I adore all my nieces and I love being able to visit with them.

We had brunch/lunch all together and then went to visit the arch. Unfortunately our flight left earlier than everyone else’s so we couldn’t join them for the ride to the top of the Arch, but it was well worth the trip and to watch the movie of how the Arch was built. If I’m not mistaken this is the same video I watched every single year on field trips when I was growing up. Oh, the St. Louis memories….

The mustache crew:

Birthday presents from the cousins

The girls at the Arch:
How sweet is this baby????

Our flight left right on time and we were all set to arrive home when we hit weather trouble. Lots and lots of weather trouble. Our flight was diverted to Colorado Springs where we waited…and waited…and waited….and then waited some more. Finally they gave us an opportunity to get off the plane and look for a ride home. At this point it was late and our closest ride option was  1 1/2 hours away. So, we tried to find a shuttle….all sold out. So, we tried to find a rental car….all sold out. So, we hopped in a cab! Our friendly cabbie took us from the airport in Colorado Springs to the airport in Denver to get our cars and we finally made it home some time around midnight. Phew!!! B’s big luncheon is tomorrow and he would not have graduated if we didn’t make it home. Nothing like cutting it close…

aspen

We joined Amy, Tom, and Bella for a weekend up in Aspen. Amy’s parent’s live in Basalt and were so amazingly hospitable to us. We had originally planned to ski, but I’m struggling with a sinus infection so we opted for a nice, relaxing, low key mountain weekend. 
The girls were thrilled to find the largest selection of American Girl doll clothes I have ever seen. They played  with their dolls, put on a dance show for us, and even managed to find Grammy’s makeup in a drawer (big ooooops! I can’t take these girls anywhere). 
We took the girls ice skating and I couldn’t believe how quickly Bella and Gwyneth jumped on the ice and just took off. Annabelle was really apprehensive and then once she got over her fear she was a natural. She was literally skipping around the ice. I can’t wait to cut her hair like Dorothy Hamill’s and move to Colorado Springs so she can begin intense training….oh wait, that may be a bit overzealous.
Amy’s parents offered to watch all the girls that evening so we could go out in Aspen. We went to an Irish Pub for dinner which was absolutely not kid-friendly which is my absolute favorite thing to do when the girls are not with us. It feels like we’re getting away with something. We hit a club after dinner and within seconds realized that we are far too old for such things so we settled for a drink and some chips and salsa at a low key Mexican restaurant. That’s more like it. 
We had an absolutely fabulous weekend and we are so thankful for such wonderful friends. We couldn’t have asked for more – such kindness, hospitality and fun. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Grammy Lori and Amy
The guys
A little place I like to call Aspen
Miss Bella on ice skates

Love!

back off paparazzi

tommy knockers

Traffic….oh, how we loathe you. The Meyer’s have a bit of a chip on their shoulder when it comes to the mountains (yes, I just referred to our family in the 3rd person – what of it?).  We live in Colorado, we go to the mountains often and we believe when we want to drive up I-70 everyone should get the heck out of our way. Not everyone agrees and decided to cause a big ol’ traffic jam on our way up to Breck this weekend. Booooo! 
B was fed up with the other idiot drivers (anyone on the rode, in our way is clearly an idiot….I love the way this man thinks!), the girls had gone from watching a movie and singing to poking each other and making each other cry and I just like a happy family so we stopped in Idaho Springs for an early dinner. 
Since we’re kicking off our Strawberry weekend, it was only fitting the girls got strawberry creme sodas. They were thrilled with their strawberry “beers” as they called them. Hmmmm….just when you think you’re doing things right they straighten you out and let you know you’re a mess! 

garden of the gods

My girls always seem to surprise me. I suppose it’s a lesson in life about never being type-cast (if life was a movie!)…. I fully expected Annabelle to cling to us and Gwyneth to go off exploring at Garden of the Gods. Quite the opposite. Annabelle wanted to “climb the mountain” (those are her words!). She was amazing! Well, let’s be honest, my girlie girl struggled at first, but I told her “Annabelle, its ok to get your hands dirty” and soon she was liberated! She climbed and could have climbed all day. Gwyneth stayed close to either me or her daddy and most of the time wanted to be carried. I blame it on those stupid crocs the girls love so much. Not good climbing shoes, but GG really wanted to wear them. She always wants to wear them. Thankfully summer is almost here and sandals weather is approaching.
One of my favorite memories from high school is when my good gal pal, Diane came out to visit and we went to explore the Garden of the Gods and had lunch in Mantiou Springs. I loved it and I wanted my girls to see it. Maybe next time she can join us??? (hint, hint – if you’re reading Double D!)
Here are the highlights:
Annabelle and her mountain.  “I want to climb that!” Makes a daddy proud!
“C’mon let’s raise this rock, girls!”
Annabelle loved it! Gwyneth started to get the “too high” shakes – I hear ya, GG, I hear ya! Stick with your momma…
Our family
Me and My Girls
Gwyneth Grace exploring the rock
And Annabelle danced…
Exploring with daddy
Annabelle climbed right up on this rock and requested “Daddy, take my picture”
Um, Gwyneth – you might not want to look up!
No rock too high or too low for Annabelle. She was in heaven!
After exploring the Garden of the Gods we grabbed lunch at the Phantom Cafe, in downtown Colorado Springs. This is a favorite of our friends, The Carlsons, so we had to give it a try. Delicious! It was just as good as it was hyped up to be. Quite possibly the best kids mac-n-cheese I’ve ever tasted. Yep, I do taste their dishes on occassion. I’m a sucker for a good mac-n-cheese.

santa train

Sometimes I forget just how lucky I am to be raising my girls in Colorado. Today it was wonderfully clear! We joined the Fessler family in Colorado Springs for the Santa Train. It’s a 60 minute ride on the cogs railway up Pike’s Peak to Four Mile Siding. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves ride up on the train singing Christmas carols and visiting with the kids. The girls were a bit slow to warm up to Santa and the gang, but they were happy to sing and dance along to the songs.
Once up to Four Mile Siding, the girls were able to get off the train, visit with Santa, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and explore the beautiful scenery. My girls are hikers and B was thrilled. He’s got big plans in their future. I’m a city girl, but believe it or not, I can hardly wait!
After the train trip we all had lunch at The Loop in Manitou Springs.  It was 1:30 before we finally got to eat so we were definitely working on borrowed time. Cade, Annabelle, and Gwyneth did great though! They are really sweet kids and we all had a very fun Colorado day.
It doesn’t get much better than this…
The girls are very into trains right now and were pretty happy with the cookies too.off to explore the  mountain
B was very happy with the girls willingness to explore and can’t wait to get them back up in the mountains.
Hard to tell if Cade is making his move on Annabelle or her cookie!
Me and my sweet girls
The visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus did not rank high on the girls’ must do list. I told Annabelle if she wasn’t nice to Santa he wouldn’t bring her any gifts.  She said “Ok. I’ll take GG’s”. Oh boy! 
Gwyneth had a great time and loved the train!
Our ride to the top of the hillThe Fessler Crew – Rob, Melissa, and Cade
Thanks Melissa for organizing our adventure. We had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to the trip next year!