We just wrapped up one of the best weeks on record. We bid farewell this morning to my family after a long exhilarating week jam packed full of lots of food and fun! I don't know who is more disappointed that they left, me or the kids. Here are some of the highlights...warning, lots of pictures!
Our week started off on the right foot with General Conference. Maybe it's just because of the stage of life I am in right now, but it seems like conference always focuses on families and being a good parent. It was perfect, just for me. We set Clara up on the couch to watch a movie during the Sunday afternoon session, and this is what we found 10 minutes later. This girl refuses to take a nap anymore and I constantly hear her saying "I not tired." Obviously, this day she was tired.
Then I went to check on her 20-30 minutes later and she had migrated to the floor. I guess she was REALLY tired!
And this little munchkin couldn't resist a photo op.
The family arrived Monday evening. We enjoyed a yummy dinner, cookies, games, and watching the March Madness championship game. Then Tuesday we toured Hammond's Candy factory and ate Dim Sum. Of course I forgot to take pictures of the day's excursions. But Grace had several admirers on the candy factory tour. On Tuesday evening the boys all went to the Nickelcade and came home with these lovely staches.
Sorry ladies, he's taken!
Wednesday we were off the the Denver Aquarium. Clara loved chasing the bubbles around outside.
Grace was just happy to be out and about and was an angel baby. The only time she was sad was when the thunder (and subsequent screaming) in the flash flood room scared her.
Clara was excited to see all the different fish and animals.
But I think the highlight for everyone was the mermaids!
They were pretty magical. We got to see them twice, once during their regular show and again during lunch.
We had lunch in the awesome Aquarium restaurant and were mesmerized by the mermaids once again.
I think it is safe to say that Clara had warmed up to the relatives by then. We followed up the aquarium with a stroll down 16th street where we discovered Gigi's cupcakes...mmm!
Thursday we went downtown again to tour the Denver mint. Then we went down to Park Meadows Mall for a little food court lunch and shopping. (no pictures of that day)
Friday Nate took off of work and we were out the door early for breakfast at Snooze. We waited 45 minutes for a table, but it was worth it! The best pancakes and eggs Benedict, hands down!
After breakfast it was off to the Museum of Nature and Science. The Discovery Center was perfect for kids Clara's age and was void of field trippers, so we spent a lot of time there. Nate and Clara loved digging for dinosaur bones.
Clara loved this mirror and kept saying "Look at me, I giant!"
The top of the museum had a spectacular view of downtown. We also enjoyed the space area, the Egypt area, lots of animals, the special lizards and snakes exhibit, and the human body exhibit. Friday night Nick arrived and all the boys went to the Nuggets game where they pulled off a nail biter against the Phoenix Suns. The girls enjoyed dinner at Sweet Tomatoes and a quiet night at home.
Saturday morning we all found our Easter baskets (the Easter bunny left me a new pair of slippers, he knows me well!) Then we went down to Colorado Springs for lunch at Crave Burgers. We love Crave for all the awesome burger combinations. Nate got the Luther: burger, cheese, bacon, fried egg, onions, between two glazed donuts!
I got the Texas burger: brisket, bbq sauce, crispy onions, cole slaw, all on top of the burger with sweet potato fries. Mmmm! We will be going back soon to try out the rest of the menu!
From Colorado Springs it was onto the Cog Railway in Manitou. We rode up Pikes Peak and enjoyed the spectacular views!
The train was a little crowded. Good thing we like each other!
Clara loved riding on the train and didn't even mind riding on our laps the whole way.
Due to wind, we weren't able to ride all the way to the top, but we did go almost to the top and then back down to the halfway point for a pit stop.
This is the only picture I got of Nick the whole time he was here, but we are sure glad he came!
Sunday we enjoyed mom's homemade eggs Benedict, church, an Easter egg hunt for Clara and devotional for the rest of us, and a yummy ham and potato dinner. It was a great Easter reflecting on new life and the gift of the resurrection and atonement from our Savior Jesus Christ. I would have taken a picture of the girls in their new Easter dresses that Grandma bought them, but Clara refused to wear hers!
This morning our perfect guests cleaned the whole house! I couldn't resist a shot of Clara and Grandpa working side by side.
Grace was a little unsure of everybody at the beginning of the week, but she had more than warmed up by the end.
We miss them already, come back soon!
