Colorado

     We are back from Colorado!  It was a long, fun trip so this might get a little long.  We left on Friday and Adrian did really well in the car.  He got sick of it towards the end but we got to Westminster by 5:00.  So we found a Chinese restaurant and ate there.  It was pretty good, I loved their egg rolls.  We swam in the pool, but it was too cold for Matt so we didn't stay long.

     On Saturday we made our way to Gold Hill, Colorado for the wedding of our friend Ruth.  It was a beautiful ride on the way up, albeit scary because we were right on the edge for part of it, nothing between us and a long drop down the cliff.  Matt loved the drive of course, he was entertained while I was freaking out.  On the way up Adrian was babbling a lot and saying mama and dada.  So I asked "Adrian, who is prettier, mama or dada?" and he said "dada dada" so obviously the child was very confused.

     The wedding was very nice and they wrote their own vows.  I only heard his but they were lovely.  We couldn't even get through dinner before Adrian wet his clothes.  I wish I got a picture of him in his outfit, but it's the same thing he wore on fathers day.  We had to leave early because Adrian got cranky.  We stopped at a mall on the way back but it was less impressive when we walked in.  Besides Nordstrom and Macy's they had all the same stores as we have at home.  We got a onesie for Adrian with a little tie attached but that was it.

     We got Chick-fil-a and relaxed in the hotel before heading to the Irish pub for the after party.  I had planned on staying in the hotel with Adrian but decided to try going.  We didn't get to stay long but we still had fun.

     On Sunday we went to a restaurant called "Woody's Pizza" in Golden.  It's a really pretty, perfect looking town.  Matt really wanted to go because he went there in college during a Campus Crusade for Christ trip called the Denver Christmas Conference.  I didn't get the big deal.  Adrian ate black olives and mushrooms and then he repeatedly threw his toys down.

     Adrian needed a nap so we stopped at our second hotel in Colorado Springs, which was pretty crappy compared to the last one.  I got a really good deal though. We went to Garden of the Gods but it was so hot and we didn't have drinks.  I didn't last very long.  I don't think I'm a great traveler once we get out of the car.  We went to Baskin Robbins because I haven't gone since I was a kid.  I got some vanilla ice cream for Adrian and he loved it.  I got the bubblegum flavor because I'm 5 and that's what I always used to get. Of course we both ended up very sticky. We ordered pizza and Adrian passed out by 7:00.  He fought sleep for a little while and would sit up with his eyes half closed, wobbling around.  Matt kept joking "go home Adrian, you're drunk." Finally he gave in and he was out for the night.

     On Monday we visited my Grandma and had lunch at her house.  She made enchiladas and they were delicious!  She is the one who taught my mom how to make them.  Adrian ate rice and cheese.  They had a high chair for him to sit in, which was great.  The last time I saw her was 5 years ago, when we had a family reunion.  She lives with her daughter, who came for lunch too.  We got some pictures with her.  I don't think I have any other pictures with her since I was a baby, but I could be wrong.

You can see giraffes if you look hard enough

So cooperative

Not to impressed by the real-life Gary. (his toy giraffe)

     We stayed for a few hours and then went to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  It was beautiful, and we got to see Giraffes, a moose, hippos and elephants up close which doesn't happen at our zoo.  You can feed the giraffes if you want.  I also heard a hippo, have you ever heard a hippo?  It sounds like a very deep maniacal laugh; it's awesome.  It was nice to have a different scenery at a zoo, since I've gone to the same one for 14 years now.  Even if Henry Doorly is the 2nd best, it's still nice to see other places.  I tried to point out all the animals to Adrian but the only one that really caught his attention was a pot bellied pig.  Seriously.

     On our last day we went to Carter's because I miss having a Carter's near me and got some really good deals.  Adrian is going to have such adorable clothes this fall!  Finally we went home and I think we were all glad to be done with the trip.

Minneapolis Part 1

     Our trip to Minnesota will take a couple of posts.  It's a little overwhelming because I feel like there's a lot to write. On Friday night I finished Eric's wreath.  One project down, 2343223 to go! Matt got a picture of the finished project that I'll have to get later but here it is, almost finished:

     Basically the only difference is that I made the gray berries stick out, instead of following the curve of the wreath.  The colors don't look right in this picture.  The dark flowers are violet and the other ones are gray, off white and a lighter purple.  Honestly I think I would have liked it better if I did a gray yarn wreath instead of the grapevine but I thought it would be too homespun for Eric.  Oh well, I'm pleased with it for the most part.

     Also, on Friday we bought Adrian a new car seat.  We used it in Matt's car for the trip but it will normally be in my car.  I picked one out for Matt's car but I have to order it online. Here's Adrian on the way back from buying his new car seat, which took my place in the front seat.

     We left early in the morning but were a little late because I had trouble putting Adrian's car seat in.  This was after I read the instructions and thought "wow, why are 3 out of 4 car seats installed incorrectly?  How hard is it?" It was frustrating to say the least.

New seat

     We had an uneventful trip up.  Adrian slept most of the way and was pretty happy.  When we got to the hotel, we freshened up and then went to Eric's house.  We promptly wondered what drugs his roommate was on.  She asked if she could "boop" Adrian's nose.  It was weird, but at least she asked.  He lives in a house that was made into apartments.  It was nice, and it's always fun to see old houses.  

     We took a public bus from there.  While we were waiting for the bus, I was holding Adrian and he was wearing his cuffed jeans with plaid on the cuff, that white shirt with the tie and glasses printed on, and his white sweater with the ears.  This woman stopped for the light and I saw her pointing Adrian out to her passenger.  They rolled down the window and exclaimed that he was adorable and "good job mama!"  Adrian literally stops traffic.  I'm so proud.  This was Minneapolis, I'm sure those people see tons of babies right?

     So we got to the pub and Adrian needed a nap.  I was all liberal with my nursing in public and he promptly fell asleep.  I tried brown gravy for the first time in a while and didn't hate it.  I do prefer white gravy though. My dad suggested that mom and I go to Macy's by ourselves to shop while the men stayed to drink.  I didn't feel all that safe, so I said no.  It turns out Matt was nervous the whole time because he felt protective of me and Adrian.  He said he would be fine by himself, but was in protective mode with us there.  Not that I think Minneapolis is a cesspool, I'm just not used to such a big place and I did see a lot of skeezy people. I also saw a lot of homeless people, which made me sad.                                                                                          When we were finished I wanted to see the downtown Target because it's two stories and has a shopping cart escalator.  Who doesn't want to see that?  So we nonchalantly hung out around the escalator so we could watch one go up or down.  How "small town" of us.  We went to Macy's because Eric works there and we met a couple of his co workers.  They wanted to see Adrian.  Mom wanted to look at shoes but they were closing, which sucked.  We took the bus back and went swimming at the hotel.  It was Adrian's first time in a big pool so I wish I got a picture.  The water was kind of cold but he did so well and loved it!  I got him a baby float, but he was apathetic about it.  When I took him out he was kicking and smiling.  I always loved the water, maybe he'll take after me.

     Adrian always takes to Eric pretty quickly and I was glad he got to spend time with his uncle.  Stay tuned for part two!