The purpose of this trip was to help Michelle celebrate her 30th birthday!!!
We were picked up at the airport on Wednesday by Michelle and Ellie and after a nice lunch at Panera Bread we drove to their home and settled in.
It was pretty remarkable to see how much Ellie has changed since we last saw her in May. She is now crawling, pulling herself up, clapping and giving high-fives!! She also likes music and has some pretty cute dance "moves".
On Thursday we stayed with Ellie while Michelle and Flick went to work to contribute to our social security fund!!!
On Friday Christa, Allie & Chaz flew in to join in the birthday celebration. Took them to visit Michelle at work before heading to the house. Michelle made a lactose free chicken tetrazzini that we all enjoyed. It was great to get the family together in such a beautiful place!!!
On Saturday we packed up in the cars and took a trip to Roosevelt national Park where we took a 4 mile hike to Lake Isabelle. It was not too strenuous and the scenery along the way and at the lake was spectacular. Ellie had the best seat in the house being carried by Michelle. She even took a nap on the trip back down from the lake.
Saturday night was the birthday celebration and we all hopped on a bus right outside of Michelle and Flick's house and went to Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. No driving for this group that was ready to party!!!
Michelle chose a local restaurant called Pizzeria Locale for her birthday dinner. The food at this restaurant was excellent. We each ordered individual pizzas and had plenty of appetizers and wine. A complementary after dinner drink topped off our great experience at this restaurant!!!!
A short cab ride back to the house (a first for Chaz) and day one of the birthday celebration was over.
On Sunday morning Flick made us all a great breakfast of omelettes, bacon, hashbrowns and English muffins. What a great way to start off our morning!!
After breakfast, we took a ride up to Estes Park and a trip into the Rocky Mountain national Park where we drove the winding roads up to the summit. At approximately 13,000 feet in elevation the weather at the summit was in the 60s and rainy compared to the low 90s and sunny in Estes Park. We were able to see several Elk at the summit and on our trip back down. To say the mountains are awesome is an understatement. It is just too hard to describe the breathtaking nature of the scenery.
The birthday celebration continued that evening with Fajitas for dinner followed by a birthday cake and the first round of presents.
On Monday, Michelle's actual birthday, Christa had to leave to go back home.
Michelle, Allie, Chaz and Cliff played frisbee golf that afternoon at a local course, (there is no shortage of outdoor activities in Boulder) while Nona stayed with Ellie. That evening to continue with the celebration of Michelle's 30th we had her favorite grilled cheddar burgers topped with red onion jam.....delicious! A few more presents, some strawberry pie and the birthday celebration had ended!!!
On Tuesday it was time for Allie and Chaz to return home. After Flick and Michelle went to work we loaded up the car and headed for the airport.
After saying our goodbyes it was time for Nona, Pepere and Ellie to head to the mall for some shopping!!!!
Ellie picked out a nice outfit for herself and while Nona was paying for the outfit, Pepere and Ellie decided to do some bouncing on the mattresses!!!
We then took Ellie to visit Michelle and her coworkers at her office and went out to lunch. That night we took Michelle and Ellie out to a local Italian restaurant, Il Pastina, where we enjoyed a great home-cooked Italian meal. We brought home a meal for Flick, who is pursuing his MBA, and was in class online.
On Wednesday it was our turn to leave and after spending the day with Michelle and Ellie we said goodby and headed back to CT. A great trip as usual and a 30th birthday celebration that will hold fond memories for Michelle and the rest of the family.
It was so great to have you out and to get to spend my 30th with the whole family! I am one lucky lady and am looking forward to your next trip out in October!!!
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