Beaver Creek to Denver

After a busy and active few days of skiing we drove into Denver to spend a few special days with Granny and Papa, Keith's paternal grandparents. And we were lucky enough that GP was already in town on business and was able to extend his trip into the weekend. That makes eight Melkers under one roof!

Granny and Papa's swing has sure been a part of a lot of memories! This time Madison and Daddy bonded about Madison's super-girl powers and how she is going to have astronaut babies in outer space - two girls and a boy at the same time, of course. (Geez - always trying to one-up me!)

Payson had lots of questions when he came upon this motorcycle in the church parking lot and it's owner let him sit on it. He was thrilled!

Papa and Payson being boys.

Oh how blessed we are! Four generations of Melker men. Neither Rick, Keith nor Payson have brothers so there's something extra special about how the Melker name is passed down through them.

The kids sure did love their reading time with Granny. Here is Madison showing Granny how her Tag Reader works. 

And Papa and Payson spent some time reading books that are nearly 60-years-old! How neat to be able to connect while reading the old and new!

Although Keith flew out for work on Monday morning, the kids and I stayed an extra day. We spent the first half of Monday with my friend Cathy and her kids in Colorado Springs. Logan and Payson were happy to reconnect.

And it was so special to see Hayden taking care of sweet Kaitlyn. They have all grown up so much since they moved almost a year ago.

These are the mountains that Cathy's house sits upon and overlooks. Such a beautiful view and location.

Deer sightings are common, even in Cathy's own yard, so the kids were bummed when it was time to leave and there were none to be found. But just as we were nearing the end of her neighborhood, we happened upon four beautiful deer grazing along the side of the road.

While the kids have seen deer before, they have never seen wild deer this close and calm, almost completely unfazed by our presence.

After 11 days of travel, it was time to head home. I admit that a little anxiety built up within me as I anticipated my flight home alone with three preschoolers. I armed myself with snacks and candy and prayed for strength, peace and patience! We successfully drove to their airport, returned our rental car, rode the shuttle to the terminals, checked in three carseats, went through a long line at security, and began navigating our way through the airport. We arrived early and took a break on the second landing for the kids to people-watch and spend some time playing and viewing a photo slideshow of our trip.

The girls and I sat on one row while Payson was a row ahead in an aisle seat which I could reach. What a young gentleman he was about having to sit alone. Once on the plane, it was all Apple. As soon as we were approved for electronics, we had Payson on the iPad...

Hayden on my MacBook...

and Madison on my new iPhone. Thank you, Apple! (Or maybe they should be thanking us!)

HOORAY! We made it! Not without a potty accident and one major tantrum, but we made it home nonetheless. We still had to manage getting to the car with ten bags, but it was nothing that a little Mommy muscle and some last-minute help from a friendly security guard couldn't handle!