(I didn't bring my camera, so thanks Michaela for sharing the photos.)
WEDNESDAY
We met my friend, Natalie, and her crew at the Dinosaur Museum. I had much to in preparation for our road trip-but the kids were wound up and needed to get out of the house. Consequently, we got a later start, but it was worth it to get the wiggles out and spend time with a fun friend. The roads were good and the kids slept (hallelujah). We got to Denver in the wee hours of the morning.
(It was like this only some of the way...)
I got up and made rolls-I was excited to share a recipe I'd been practicing/perfecting. I was so disappointed when they didn't turn out-in fact in all my roll making the past few months, this batch was the worst. Sorry Walsh family. (They were edible, but far from great.) Everything else was delicious and it was terrific to be with family for the holiday. The boys were especially excited to see their cousins, aunts and uncles.
Kid Table
BLACK FRIDAY
I really like Black Friday shopping. There is just something about walking out in the quiet, dark morning hours, breathing in the cool, crisp air, the snow crunching beneath my feet. Hopping into the cold minivan, turning the seat warmer to high and blasting the Christmas music. I seriously get giddy as I drive down the deserted streets. Then I turn into the parking lot of the first store on my list and think, 'Wow, it's already pretty crowded'. I walk into the store, take a look at the line wrapped up and down the aisles, to the back of the store and think, 'Holy crap, there's a lot of people here'. At this point, I generally abandon the first store or two, deciding the great deals are probably already taken, and not really worth the two hours of waiting in line. I finally settle on one place, and just shop-trying to grab the super-marked down items on my list, as well as other fun finds-until the lines are more reasonable. Then I'll try another store or two. Black Friday is like amusement parks, it's totally worth it to get there early, but if you miss the early hours, you might as well stay home-because it's just crazy busy. I'm usually home by 10am.
This year I actually had most of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving, and there wasn't anything on left on my list that was on a Black Friday sale. But, I love the experience. Tom was not too enthusiastic about me hitting the stores, as I didn't really NEED anything (and he knows I wouldn't come home empty handed). As I went to bed on Thursday, I debated whether I really wanted to wake up and brave the craziness. I thought I'd just go to bed, and decide in the morning, depending on when I woke up. Enter Whitney...she texted me at 4:30am (6:30 her time) to wish me a Happy Black Friday. I forgot to turn my phone off-so it woke me up, and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I hopped out of bed and hit the stores. And, yes, it was fun. (Thanks for the wake up call Whit.) No, I did not come home empty handed-what fun would that be, Tom?
Colin, Aunt Michaela, and Ellie
Later that day, Michaela invited the boys over to play - thank you! They had so much fun, I wish we lived closer so they could play with the cousins more often. I guess we'll take what we can get.
SATURDAY
We took the boys to Madagascar 2...Colin is still not movie ready (we try every once in a while-but he just can't make it through), unless supplied with endless candy and popcorn. Later, we did some shopping for Tom at his favorite Cherry Creek store (Filson). Then headed to my neices' first birthday party-another fun family event. Happy Birthday Mary Frances!
SUNDAY
We made an early start (well, 7:30 is early for us), the weather was bad through the mountains-which made the trip sooooo long (I am thankful for our DVD player...and Redbox).
We had a fun weekend, but I'm sure Tom's parents are glad to have their peace and quiet back. (I know my parents enjoyed having some of that this weekend. Hmmm, I wonder what peace and quiet feels like? I guess I won't know for another 20 years.) I am so glad we could visit with Tom's family this weekend.Now it's back to real life...menu planning, grocery shopping, mountains of laundry, wake up for school...
4 comments:
Sorry about the rolls not turning out. Doesn't it always turn out that way when you're baking for a crowd or a special event (or both!). Glad you had a fun Thanksgiving!
What are the chances that we would both be at Kohls at such a crazy hour. Sorry they wouldn't let you do my jewelry counter trick. It probably helped that you were there talking to me so she couldn't tell me I had to buy something besides my clearance earrings :)
I feel the same way about black Friday. We didn't go this year because there wasn't anything we needed. But...next year, just wait!
Jacqui said she saw you at Kohls and I was like, 'Christi Walsh? My friend Christi? At Kohls? Here in Colorado?' Yeah, it was kind of a repetative conversation. Anyway, sounds like a good trip and that you made it home safely.
So, I have some books to suggest that I think you'll like. I either email them or put them as a 'suggestion' on good reads. They were great, fun, easy, fluffy, yummy reads, and I want to talk to someone about them so put them on your list!
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