Denver - Cold, cold, cold

Denver was cold and rainy, so we spent a lot of time in the hotel. Colin and Nathan really know how to destroy, ummm ... I mean rearrange the hotel room to best maximize they're play time. The closets are elevators. The cushions come off all of the chairs and make slides.

Here they are doing some art. Colin is a such a camera hog!


Working hard.


Colin drew beans and Nathan just colored the whole page.


When the rain let up, we took the free bus up and down the 16th Street Mall. Colin and Nathan really thought that was great fun!





Lastly, some pictures of typical Denver sites.

The convention center with the huge blue bear.


A "No Smoking" sign at a bagel place.

Denver - GABF

It's been two years since Bob and I attended the granddaddy of all American beer fests. So it was time to go back to the Great American Beer Fest in Denver (GABF). Last time we brought the kids and found a babysitter on-line. She was one of the best babysitters ever! So when we were planning this trip, I crossed my fingers when I emailed her. To my great surprise, she was still at that email address ... and was available!! It's also a bonus that both Bob and I have family in the Denver area and were able to see them.

The beer fest was amazing as usual. I found my personal favorite, New Glarus Brewery and sampled some of their Raspberry Tart and Belgian Red. They really excel doing fruit beers, yummmy! Friday night we were able to get samples from them with little effort (maybe a 15 minute wait in line). Then Saturday afternoon, the line was at least a 30 minutes to 45 minutes wait. All for a one ounce pour! I was very happy that I already sampled New Glarus and didn't have to wait in that line.

I tried a lot of pumpkin beers, and a couple gluten-free beers, but I have to say that I was extremely happy to discover Dogfish Head's Midas Touch. And more importantly, this beer is available in the Atlanta area (unlike New Glarus).

Day 1 - Enjoying the fest Friday night.


Mexican Beer Dudes - Notice the pretzel somberros and pretzel bullet holders. Many people would wear pretzel necklaces to munch during the fest. These guys took it a step further!


Day 2 - Bob and I were the Alesmith reps with our matching shirts!

Lion tamer

Nathan (tiger), Bailey (lion tamer), and Colin (lion)

Bailey in the lion costume!

Colin and Nathan have a new friend that lives in the neighborhood. Her name is Bailey and she came over with her Dad and step-Mom one night for dinner. After dinner the kids went upstairs to play. After a while, Colin came downstairs and whispered in my ear, "I want to put on my lion costume". So I sent Bob upstairs to help them.

All three came downstairs dressed in costume. Bailey found the knight outfit and looked like the cutest little lion tamer.

Peek-a-boo

At breakfast, sometimes Colin and Nathan like to wrap up in blankets while they eat. One morning recently, Nathan pulled the blanket over his head and said, "Where me go?". Then lowered the blanket and said, "Here me are!"

Colin's list

This was entirely Colin's idea. He got a piece of paper, wrote the numbers 1 through 20 on it, list form. Then he wrote a list of the things that he wanted to do the next day. Bob helped him by writing the list for him. It was dictated word for word by Colin though.

He must be noticing all the lists that Bob and I make all the time!

Love note

Nathan received a letter today in the mail addressed to "Master Nathan". Inside it said, "Dear Nathan, I like you all the time. I'm glad we are in the same class. Love, Meg".

What a stud!! Less than two weeks at school and Nathan is getting a love note, well, like note already!

Nathan's first day of school

Everyone was so excited for Nathan's first day of school! We all walked that day and went to the N. Highland entrance of the school, instead of the playground entrance that Maureen's class uses. Nathan was going up the stairs with Colin before we knew it. Bob and I followed them up to the class room and saw Nathan head into Anne's class while Colin continued through the kitchen area to Maureen's class. Then I saw Nathan show his bag to his teacher and tell her it was clothes for his cubby. What an incredibly smooth transition!

Two days later I did receive a phone call from Nathan's teacher. She said that Nathan was doing very well but wanted to let me know about that morning. Apparently, a little while after the start of the day, Nathan looked up and asked where Colin was. Then got really upset. We figure that Nathan missed his big brother so now they make sure that Colin says good-bye to Nathan and tells him that he will see him on the playground. What sweet boys I have!