Bent Oaks St. mini reunion.

 Tuesday, Nov 22

We had a mini cul-de-sac reunion at Macey Weed's reception.

I love these people. I feel so blessed that my family lived in such an idyllic neighborhood/cul-de-sac for many years with amazing people like the Billats and the Weeds.

Unfortunately I did not get a picture with the BRIDE in it. By the time I thought of it, she was busy doing all those reception things like cutting the cake and dancing with her dad. Sheesh. (I also didn't get a pic with Shi in it... I'm not sure if she wasn't there yet, or if she had to leave earlier than we did...)

A fun occasion to get together and reminisce for a bit. ♥

A quick trip to CO followed by a quick trip to CO.

 Thursday, Aug 18

Bill and I took a quick trip to CO for a funeral. 

A good friend of ours from Parker - and a work colleague of Bill's - had been killed in an airplane accident (on Mar's wedding day). Bill had talked to him the day before he died. It is so sad.

It gave us an extra opportunity to see these cute granny daughters and their parents, though. That makes me happy.

We made a stop by Hurt's Donut to pick out some tasty treats.

Then we went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

We had to take both of their cars to get us all there... V came along with Gigi and Little Billy in their not-so-little blue truck ;-)

We spent the next day (Friday) at the funeral, then flew home that evening.

Thursday, Sept 1

Bill and I made the drive to Denver to go to a Jack Johnson concert with Zoeanne and Kendall.

It was at Fiddler's Green, which is where Taylor and Britt graduated high school, so it was fun to reminisce about those days {long gone by}. I had also worked a concert here for a marching band fundraiser when Tay was a freshman... I spent the night dispensing on-tap beer. To earn money for my son's band fees. Good times.

I have heard some of Jack Johnson's music. Mar performed Better Together with a friend at a coffee shop for her guitar class. But I realized that I really didn't know Jack Johnson songs haha. 

Only ONE was familiar to me.

There was a lot of pot smoke. And our spot, which seemed pretty perfect when we first secured it, wasn't so great once people started standing on the walkway directly in front of us.

It was a nice evening. The weather was perfect. Jack performed in UT the following night, and I'm pretty sure his dialogue was edited to exclude all the pot talk haha. After the concert we dropped Zoeanne and Kendall off at their hotel (the Hilton Garden Inn - the same one I had a devil of a time finding the first time I drove to Denver solo with the kids to sign on our house). Bill and I stayed the night at Tay and Nae's.

Friday, Sept. 2

Our presence at their house the next morning may have contributed to V running late for school. I went with Nae to drop her off. 

We had to check in at the office, and I was delighted to know that I am still in the DCSD system. They could just print out that visitor tag with my not-so-attractive CO Driver's License photo on it, lickity split.

V had missed a few days of school prior to this day, so it was kind of a big deal to show up... and late. I was so impressed with her bravery. She showed me where her cubby is, then headed into class.

It made me so happy to hear the kids excitedly welcome her back. I know it made Nae feel good, too. Sending your child to school is always hard, and as a mom you just hope that kids are kind.

After dropping V off, Bill and I headed to Castle Rock to meet up with Zoeanne and Kendall. They had invited us to go to their cabin in southern CO for a couple of days. Kendall needed to make a work stop in Co Springs, then we caravanned down south.

We stopped for dinner on the way, and arrived right at dusk.

Saturday, Sept 3

We had divided up meal duty. I can't remember what Bill and I had, but I remember that there were a few mouse nests around the kitchen. Bill set a trap and we caught a mouse fairly quickly. Ick.

The scenery was beautiful. Colorado does not disappoint in that area.

Zoeanne wasn't feeling well that afternoon, so she slept, and Kendall went to town for a few hours to grab some medicine and soda. Bill and I took a walk, played a game or two, and just chilled for bit.

The hummingbird feeder kept me entertained.

Sunday, Sept 4

Bill and I packed up our things and headed out. Zoe and Kendall were staying for a few more days. I think they were hopeful we would be interested in going in as a timeshare buyer (I think Kendall told us there are currently 10 co-owners), but I literally have no interest in timesharing a cabin in a remote area of CO. Especially one with a sketchy outhouse and lots of mice haha. If it was a condo on a beautiful white sand beach, and I might consider it.

I was worried that the drive home would be 12 hours (thinking we had to head back up north before going west), but it only took 8 hours. I love traveling {scenic} roads I've never been on before, so it was a lovely drive home.

Back to CO.

 **I don't think I mentioned that Bill and I moved out of our basement apartment on July 15. Initially we were told that we could stay until our house was finished, but our landlords, the Leflers, had a job opportunity in China, and they had rented out their house to another family. They told us we could stay until the end of July, but we decided that since we had to put everything into storage anyway, we might as well move out and head to UT. We spent 3 weeks with my parents, then 3 weeks with Bill's parents. It was a crazy time.**

We headed back to CO for Mar's homecoming talk in the Meadows Ward.

Our dear friends, the Leaks, had offered to have us stay at their home while we were there.

Saturday, August 14

We went to Boondocks with Tay, Nae, and the girls. V and NJ had fun checking out the arcade games while we waited for our bowling lane.

V loved bowling, but NJ (not bowling) was a little tired and cranky, so I walked around the arcade with her for a bit while the others bowled.

NJ finally fell asleep (with Nae), then we carefully transferred her to me and I got to enjoy holding and cuddling a sleepy girl. I love that.

It was fun to spend some time with this family we love and will miss having nearby.

That evening the Leaks had made us a yummy dinner of Traeger pizza. Mar had spent the day with her friend Cassidey, who had come from Fort Collins for Mar's talk.

Sunday, August 15

We had planned to have refreshments at the church pavilion after the meeting(s). We headed to the church a little early to set up, and found this friend hanging around the pavilion:

Oh, Colorado, I'm going to miss you.

Mar gave a fantastic talk, which our UT family was able to join via zoom (pandemic procedures have made virtually attending church meetings so easy, so I'm grateful for that). Afterwards a few people joined us to visit in the pavilion.

This is the Stewart family (minus their oldest, who attended class ;-)

Lindsey is the sister of one of my dearest friends from Parker, Marci. Her family moved into our ward from Albuquerque NM, and I will be forever grateful to know them. They are the best.

It was great to see a couple of Mar's friends from the Legend Ward - Isabel Otteson and Caitlin Weed.

NJ with Graham McLaws

We love the Leaks. They have been such great friends for so many years.

We also love the McLaws. I am so grateful for my friendship with Alisa and her darling family.

We love the Syddalls! It was so great to spend some time with them ♥

One of Bill's coworkers, Dawn, and her son came to listen to Mar's talk. I'm not sure if they have ever attended a Sunday service for our church before, so it was great to have them there.

We had a large crowd after the second hour of meetings, so things got busy and I didn't get many pics. 

We love the Meadows Ward ♥

Laura Nielson. What can I say? She was Mar's YW leader, and she is amazing. She lived down the street from us in Castle Rock, and we love her and her family so much.

I forgot to snap a picture of our set-up, so this is when things were wrapping up. I am so thankful for dear friends who helped by bringing so. many. cookies. 

Marci, Lindsey, Jeanne, Alisa, and Vernet (who made a TON). 

I am truly blessed to know the best!

Mar and Haley Cauble - we love the Caubles ♥

After the gathering, we headed back to the Leak's home for a delicious dinner that Kevin and Jeanne had prepared. They were such lovely hosts. Tay and Nae came over, and we ate and visited for a few hours.

It was so good to see our CO family and friends. We love you all!

Monday, August 16

We hit the road and headed back to our new home state of UT.

We had to stop by Graff's Dairy in Grand Junction - one of Mar's fave treat places on her mission.

So yummy.