Our visit to Denver felt like going home. It was surprising how quickly it felt like we had never left. There were differences but it felt like we could move back tomorrow and fit right back in.
My wonderful friends and book club planned a special lunch the day we flew in. What a fabulous group of women- I am very lucky!!
We wanted to visit some of our old hangouts like Wymans. The whole McLaughlin- Jenkins- Pierson crew joined us (except for Martin). We loved meeting Amy and Adam's twin boys and I was so disappointed I didn't take a picture! A and Morgan played nicely together and we loved meeting Cal (who I also did not get a picture of). Geez, can I blame it on jet lag? Even though I have almost no pictures we enjoyed the evening so much.
When we were in Denver we stayed at our good, good friends house, the Van Abbemas. They were the most wonderful hosts. It was the perfect place to stay for A and L because at the Van Abbema's house there is always a friend to play with!
Here is a video with all the kids:
We went to the Nature and Science Museum.
We looked at the huge globe and it really hit me how far north we live! I know, I know, I should know that living in Sweden but I look at maps a lot and I hadn't actually see a globe in awhile, let alone one so huge! R is showing L how north we live. No wonder it is so cold!!!!
Jill with Meghan
City Park!
A was excited for everyone to wear pajamas with feet!
We went to a great park to play and here is A with her boys!
L playing in the snow on a different continent!
A fun picnic in the sunshine!
Here A is with some old friends- Asher, Harper, Briar, Micah, Evan, and Jasper. Thank you so much Kenda for hosting a fun play date. Just like old times!
We spent a relaxing afternoon with the Lingers. It was so great to meet Dylan and see A and Kaia playing together!
We went to the Nordlofs for dinner so A got a chance to speak and hear some Swedish. Linnea and A had a lot of fun together!
We went to visit Serine, Dexter, and Emma in their new house.
What a little cutie. I sure wish I got to cuddle her more!
And we had to do breakfast at Zorbas with the breakfast crew. I totally miss American breakfast so it was nice to enjoy some eggs, pork, and pancakes!
L eating his very first breakfast at Zorbas. I don't think it will be his last!
We went to Karen and Greg's new house for dinner and got to spend some quality time with Karen, Greg, Landon, Mallory, Cristy, Jeff, Liam and Tyler.
A's favorite part of staying at the Van Abbema's house was by far this young man. Charlie is her new best friend and the person she talked about the most when we went back to Sweden. They have a very sweet friendship that I think will last a long long time.
We went to the Denver Zoo. It was so weird to come back here as a tourist since we used to go to the zoo every week. A loves the giraffes!
It was cold so we spent some time in the Tropical Discovery.
Most of it was the same but the new cool thing we were excited to see was the new elephant exhibit.
Best buds!!
Here L and Zach are playing in the Van Abbema's super cool backyard!
Kiddos playing in the basement.
We had so much fun at the zoo we decided to go back.
A and I both remember when this baby was born right before we left Denver. We watched videos of Hesti on youtube.
Charlie, Andy and Nate came to the zoo. It was so fun to see you guys!
This was L's first real trip to the zoo (he went to the Denver zoo when he was a baby but he was so little). He had never seen most of these animals before so it was an experience for him!
Bedtime with all of these kids (6 in total) was chaotic and fun! With so may kids there was two reading groups!
A liked to bounce between them both!
Our week in Denver was so fun but also possibly the busiest week of our lives so far. We ran all around and spent time with a bunch of people. But there were people we could not see and a bunch of people we wish we could have spent more time with. After this visit it is clear that a part of Ray and I's heart is in Denver. I feel like we will live in Denver again but I don't know when or how it will happen. With so much up in the air it was so nice to just go to Denver and feel at home.
Here the kids are sharing an airplane seat on the way home. It was really sweet.
