Denver Trip Day 1--Saturday

We haven't had a family vacation for 2 years! The kids and I got to go visit the Cutlers last summer, but Randy didn't get to go, so this trip was long-awaited and desperately wanted by all.

I was very impressed with our packing and the fact that we could still see out the back window. Randy said, "We take more than this when we go camping for the night." So true.

One of the best parts of a road trip is the snacks!

Family self-portrait before departure. The kids made little tents in the back seat but eventually had to abandon them because they couldn't feel the air conditioning under the blankets.

We drove for about an hour before we started listening to our audio book.

In general I really like to drive, but I am useless on a road trip because I can't seem to stay awake. I knew I would be even worse this time because I'd only gotten about 4 hours of sleep the night before. It's a good thing Randy knows (and loves?) this about me because he was kind enough to drive all 9 hours.

The kids had all kinds of cozy gear and activities, but not a lot of leg room in the back.

We stopped for lunch in Grand Junction, Colorado and ended up going for a walk to stretch out a bit. We walked over to Barnes and Noble and I got this big book of Sudoku puzzles. I am surprised by how much I like doing these and the fact that I can do them at all (of course, I only do the "easy" ones).

We drove through so many different kinds of terrain.

We went from red rocks and dry, dry, dry to beautiful forested mountains with curvy canyons and high rivers.

We saw a rainbow.

We were glad the rainy parts of the trip were near the end and not for very long because the rain drops were ginormous and abundant while they lasted.

But then peace and sunlight returned. (Doesn't it seem like this picture should be accompanied by a choir of angels?)

We were so happy to arrive in their neighborhood and see their street again!

Kristi was unloading groceries from her 3rd trip to the store that day.

It took almost no time at all for the kids to get busy playing together.

Kristi made a totally deluxe dinner of grilled chicken pasta and spinach salad.

We got to hang out and talk for awhile.

Whitney wasn't shy and embarrassed me by asking if we could make s'mores...oh that girl.

I could not get a good picture in the dark, but we all loved hanging out around the fire pit eating s'mores and talking. The kids went off to play and then Jeff returned home from a business trip and the 4 adults sat around the fire talking for a long time.

Apparently Jeff and Kristi are having some major issues with the cute, little bunnies that have been feasting on their flowers and garden, so Jeff bought a pellet gun with a scope! Randy knows all about guns and was more than happy to check it out.

We had been here for 5 hours before I'd even gone downstairs to our guest suite! Randy and the kids had taken all our stuff down earlier, but I was hanging out in the kitchen with Kristi all night so I hadn't come down and seen the beautiful set up and amazing generosity yet.

There was candy, lip balm, their guest book, and gift cards to a sandwich place, yogurt shop and the movie theater!! I was moved to tears but had to wait until morning to thank Kristi because she'd gone to bed. It's humbling to have friends like this!

She also had this amazing stash of treats and Instant Breakfast (which I'd forgotten to pack) waiting for us.

Along with the fridge of goodness!

She also had these huge beach towels and sunscreen waiting for our use, and even had a couple of Zsu Zsu Pets for the kids.

We all went to sleep in our very comfy beds with huge smiles on our faces. We know we are lucky to be here and feel grateful to have such fun, generous friends who we love to spend time with.

**Can you stay awake on road trips?

Have you ever driven to Denver?

What are your favorite road trip snacks?**

Comment Window Tidbit: Ahh, I'm blogging from the guest suite at the Cutler Hotel and am oh so happy to be doing that.