Back to CO!

Last weekend we headed back to Denver/Boulder for Ryan and Kelly's wedding.  Austin stayed behind with MiMi.  This was the first time for me to be away from him for more than one night in a row.  I felt empty-handed the whole weekend.  Mimi took really good care of both Austin and Savannah.  Ricki even got to babysit for a few hours on Saturday too.  When DiDi got back from Austin (for the Texas vs WVU game) she took over.  A cold front settled in Denver/Boulder for the weekend and it was about 35-40 degrees on both Friday and Saturday.  Kelly and Ryan had wanted an outdoor ceremony but ended up having it inside at the last minute since it was sleeting a little bit.  It was warm and cozy in the building and had such a mountain feel.  On Friday evening, the rehearsal dinner was at Chautauqua Community Center.  The food was delicious - brisket, smoked salmon, spinach salad, potatoes and carrot casserole (which tasted like sugary sweet potatoes).  Most of the guys (Tim, Doug, David, Matt) gave a toast.  Ryan's sister, Laura, gave a very sweet, yet witty, toast.  After the dinner we headed back to the hotel for a drink in the bar there.  On Saturday we went to the Buff (for Colorado Buffalos) for breakfast with Tim/Melissa, Bobby and Ryan.  Kelly had her hair appts, etc all day.  After breakfast, the guys headed to BJ's Brewery to watch football until it was time to go to the wedding location for pictures.  It was raining off and on and about 35 degrees.  The hotel was right on the Boulder Creek Trail (bike and run) so I couldn't pass up going for a run.  It was chilly but felt SO good.  I ended up running 7 miles because my legs just don't feel tired in cold temperatures like they do here in Houston.  It was beautiful too - changing leaves, the creek, and the mountains in the background.  After running, I went to Starbucks for some hot coffee and just to sit.  I miss going to coffee shops and just sitting with either a book or the computer - just to chill.  Babies are not apt to this. :)  It was a such change of pace.  I headed back to shower and get ready.  They had 2 buses to take us to the wedding site (Shupe Homestead), which was about 30 minutes away.  David and the other guys had already left for pictures and just to hang out with Ryan beforehand.  The ceremony started at 4pm.  The attendants were siblings - her sister Megan and his sister Laura.  David and the other guys were ushers.  They got married with a nice big fireplace in the background (it's not the mountains but it was very pretty).  The dinner was a seated dinner after very yummy appetizers.  They served beverages in mason jars - so cute!  The wedding was during the Texas vs West Virginia game so of course the guys were following on their phones - Unfortunate ending to that one.  We managed to get a couple of pictures...

On Sunday there was a farewell brunch at the hotel that the Pucketts hosted.  We headed to the airport after that for a 1:40 flight.  We didn't get a chance to see any of our Denver friends but we hope to visit in March and see everyone then.  I miss that place!  Over the weekend I sure missed this 14 month-old. I plan to do a 15 month post with more updates but Austin is growing too fast.  He has developed quite the belly.  His 18 month sized shirts are a little small.  He is so close to walking.  Yesterday he took about 5 steps.  I bought him a new sippy cup that has a straw and he learned how to do that in about 10 seconds.  He is liking his school and no longer cries when my mom or David drops him off.  I have been working 7:30-4:30 so I have to leave the house before Austin even wakes up.  DiDi has been a huge help.  Not sure if this is going to work for the long term...we will see.  But I do know that Austin being such an easy baby sure helps.  He just cut 2 new molar-type teeth this week and we didn't even really know they were coming.  The only clue was the yucky diapers and a diaper rash that came along with that.  Then...ta-da, the sharp molars appeared.  A couple of naked, smiley baby pictures...