Recapping CO and CA!

I explained to Dad that since this blog is titled “Kristen in NYC” I’m off the hook for recounting my CA and CO adventures. But briefly, I had a wonderful time with the family. We got to visit with Aunt Shannon and Uncle Doug (and Murphy!) in Denver where I insisted we revisit Lola, an amazing coastal Mexican restaurant that Doug and Shannon had taken me last September. Charlie played the remote-garage game with such fervor, that the motor got off track, giving a perfect opportunity for “Vovo fix-it.” And he did! Lisa and I went on an exciting mystic tan adventure. Serious sister bonding! Thursday night Uncle Doug arrived from Nashville and we had a lovely dinner together of Aunt Shannie’s amazing pork tenderloin. Yummy!
Friday morning we packed the mini-van and headed towards Snowmass. We had one pit-stop in Vail and the drive through Glenwood Canyon was beyond stunning. We stayed at a 3 bedroom villa at the Snowmass Club. It was very sleepy there, as it is the off-season. It was a beautiful place and I enjoyed a few really nice walks. Aspen trees are my happy place. Friday night Sarahliz and Charlie hosted the rehearsal bbq at their amazing new house. It was so much fun to see all the neighborhood kids so grown up and beautiful! Charlie and I had a giggle-fest after “we almost got soaked” by a sprinkler. That phrase ended up cheering him for hours later that night and throughout the weekend. ☺
Saturday Mom and I scavenged Snowmass for breakfast and I took Charlie for a swim at the fancy pool. We had so much fun and stayed until his illegal, non-swim diaper started busting. We met Lisa at the Roaring Fork Resort in Basalt, the site for the wedding. She was all coiffed and beautiful and the two of us worked hard to get Char in his precious white shorts suit. “I don’t yant to wear it…!” There was a lot of that but thankfully, a golf cart and the bag-pipe player created enough of a diversion to get Charlie through his 4 step lesson on how to be the ringboy of the century. Filip gave him the 4 steps and he was a rock-star on the 1st three (walking towards the aisle with Mommy, taking ring box, handing ring box to Paul, the tall man and groom’s brother!) He just forgot #4: Run to Daddy! He was very cute and we were so proud of him. He nearly stole the show, until Sarahliz walked down the aisle! She was breathtakingly beautiful in her lace dress with large pink sash and the setting overlooking mountains could not have been more beautiful! Charlie continued to participate in the wedding as J.R. began his officiant duties….repeating “celebrate, celebrate” and various other phrases. He was getting a little loud so I rescued him and took him far away to the pool so he could “celebrate” his job well-done with gusto! The reception was wonderful, with a cocktail hour in the ranch clubhouse and dinner and dancing outside in a tent. I loved all the sweet and personal toasts as well as the slide-show! So fun! We left around 11:45 or so, knowing we were in for a short night of sleep. We left for Denver at 5:30 am and had an easy trip there. It was fun being on the same plane with Char. We did laps around the plane, ensuring that anyone that wanted to sleep on the flight could not. ☺ It was a great time of togetherness, even if 6 and a bike in a mini-van is a tight squeeze!
Sunday night I met a bunch of friends at Tied House in Mountain View and caught up a bit. I was so thankful to see my Highway family since I missed church!
Monday’s highlights were lunch at Crepevine in Burlingame with Pie and Bono and then a Memorial Day BBQ at Mary, Jean and Emily’s house. I stayed late and supervised Mary and Emily’s NYC flight purchases! Yay! They’re coming in July to visit.
Tuesday I got to play with Charlie most of the day and even took him to his gymnastics class where he was most interested in the water fountains and speakers. I took a break from the action and met Sheina and Becky for lunch at Beechwood. We picnicked in the garden gazebo, eating my favorite pb and banana sandwiches! Tuesday night I cooked for the family and we enjoyed our last night together until July.
Wednesday was a travel day and I arrived late in Newark and took the train and cab home. I think I got to bed around 1:30 am. Back in New York!