Headed Home to Flatland...

We were sad.  And exhausted.  And a little happy to get home to oxygen.

What a wonderful trip.  What a wonderful birthday.  What a wonderful life.

Until 2019, and our next travels - be well, be safe, be happy, and be adventurous!! 

XOXO

Early Birthmas

So we did early Christmas and my birthday on Sunday. 

We are so lucky and blessed to have generous and fun and amazing friends.   And their kids. 

Em bought Chris and I Christmas presents just from her.  Every time I think about it I almost start crying.  Here is a gorgeous and fierce young woman, who is so so thoughtful that she cared enough to buy us gifts!  She got us Corksicles - one for wine and one for beer.  You can't say she doesn't know us.

In fact, they all know us so well it is scary.  You might see Chris in his new Vikings jersey (he was so excited), or you might be invited over for a drink in my new barware.   In fact, almost everything surrounded drinking.

See?  They know us.

For my birthday celebration, Nan bought me this BEAUTIFUL cake.  I almost didn't want to eat it, but I did. 

We then went outside to recreate a picture we took 6 years ago (see pic 1 below).  As you can see, I am now the shortest person in the group (see pic 2 below).  We did a "Modern Family" kind of picture - holding the old one.  (Notice Emma even has the same sweatshirt on!!  Hysterical.)

I am so lucky to be in the lives of these 4 amazing people - and they even more wonderful parents.

My mom used to say "You only need one friend.  That one person that knows you and loves you for life."   I'm actually lucky to have a few of those.  But Nancy is that person, and I'm so, so, privileged to have her - and her beautiful family.  XO

Godson lunch! Spa Day!

So I kind of never finished the blog. 

Saturday was WONDERFUL.  Not only did we get to have lunch with the godson, and hear all about college applications, and his amazing robotics stuff he is doing in school, but we just got to spend time with him.  He really is the greatest kid, and it's been amazing watching him grow up into a pretty cool human.

Nan then took me to a spa for a massage for my birthday.  HEAVENLY.   We hung out in the hot tub, then went to the "tepidarium," this little room that was room temp, but had these tile lounge chairs that were heated.  Sign.  Me.  Up.   It was so great for just the two of us to hang out and catch up.  Sometimes life gets too much in the way, but you know someone is your best friend when you can just pick up like you talked yesterday.  I ♡ her.

Then back home to a sushi dinner and sake.  Which I am going to admit I didn't love.   The sushi came in a big wooden boat, and it was enough for all 8 of us, but Nan, Emma, Chris and I did our best.

Sleigh Ride!

So we took a sleigh ride up to the restaurant on the top of the mountain - Beano's Cabin.

"Sleigh Ride" implied to me that there would be horses.  My god I'm dumb.  Our "sleigh" was this arctic cat thing that reminded me and Ethan of "The Shining" but it got the job done.

It's the only way to get up to the restaurant.  You get in, and they give you these big heavy coat/cape/blanket things. 

The good:  an absolutely gorgeous view, 10,000 feet up looking at the stars and the trees, and experiencing it with your friends.

The bad:  it was - let's just say - breezy.  And with lots of powder flying back at your face.  But Nan had a roady on the way up, so that was good.  Chris did his usual "take pictures randomly" thing, so you get those beauties of me.  And that big lump next to me is Ethan, who I was trying to keep warm.

Let me tell you - it's my favorite thing I've done here in all the times we've been.  I recommend it!

Then we had dinner - which was amazing.  Excellent service, food, drinks, and a little Happy Birthday for me!  (That is bacon on the right.)

Friday! And Animals.

So Friday was much like Thursday...got up, went to brunch (at Northside Kitchen - I love this place in Avon).   Got to have breakfast with Em too!  She stayed in town for the weekend!   ❤️❤️❤️

After brunch we just hung out at the house.  And I have to tell you, all of the animals love Chris.  They just gravitate to him although he is so allergic he can hardly breathe.

Let's run it down.  Top to bottom.  The animals and the nicknames I have for them.

• Ruby (no nickname, she is really so sweet I can hardly stand it) - she is about 10 maybe?  So sweet, an old dog who just hangs out and has bad breath.
• Coco (Nutball) - the puppy.  And she is definitely a puppy.
• Maxi (Maxipad) - Maxi is the quintessential old lady.  She only has about 4 teeth left, is old and crabby with knots in her hair, but still full of piss and vinegar and poise.  I imagine if she were a person, she would be that eccentric old lady who still puts her makeup on even though she ends up looking like Baby Jane, and throws on her fur coat and handbag and heads out to go shopping.
• Luna (Lunatic) - S's new cat.  She has crazy eyes and I think she might have been trying to kill me yesterday.  

Now, they all are cute, and all love Chris.  They just walk up to him, veer away from me and go to him, and check to see where he is.  It's sweet and hysterical.

Thursdays in the Mountains

On Thursday, we got up, and headed to lunch in Vail.  It's also funny that half of the places aren't yet open, even thought it is December.  I guess that what you call ski time. 

The views here are spectacular.  Just spectacular.  And we have had really great weather.  The altitude isn't great.  Like literally - there is no air here.  But we persevered and found drinks everywhere we went. 

Had an amazing lunch at Sweet Basil's, then drinks at Root and Flower, then a wonderful dinner at Juniper with N&J and all the kids. 

Really, such a fun and wonderful day.  We have amazing friends.

I have been remiss in posting!

That is a sign of a good and relaxing vacation.

Where to begin...Wednesday night.

We arrived on Thursday and hopped in the car service.  It's always kind of funny to me that it takes about 90 minutes to fly to Denver and then another two hours to Vail.  Chris talked to our driver for 2 hours (I mean, he hasn't said that many words in his whole life - WTF?), while I took a nap.  There was some snow and not so great driving through the pass, and I was thankful someone else was driving.

Arrived and N&J were already at the hotel, and they had stopped to get beer, cheese, and booze.  I mean, that is the mark of a true friend.  AND.  Pliny the Elder.  Which I haven't had in probably 3 years.  And you know what?  It is still good.

We then headed to bed for a Thursday of nothing important and everything relaxing.

And...we're (almost) off!!

Packing for a trip to Vail in winter is a little different.  Boots, coats, hats.  I mean, I have enough trouble packing in summer, but we had to add a third suitcase for winter gear and Christmas gifts.

Can't wait to see the Tellor's.  It's been a year and a half!

I hope my liver is up to the task...

Pre beers at airport now...if the Blogger app wasn't a complete piece of shit. I could show you the beer.