Catching Up on Travel Updates: Family Time in Colorado

Thursday 7/28-Sunday 7/31: Mr. E's Family Wedding + Lunch in Littleton

Thanks to Mr. E's status on United, we got upgraded to First Class for our afternoon flight from SMF to DEN on Thursday and enjoyed the extra perks. The rental car pick-up was relatively quick, so we arrived at our Residence Inn near Golden at a reasonable hour. We stopped along the way to pick up some provisions for the weekend and then settled into our suite.

Friday was a remote work day for both of us, and we had plenty of space to set up our respective work stations after grabbing breakfast at the hotel and Starbucks at the nearby Target. Mr. E was able to meet up with L & M for lunch at a local restaurant. In the evening, we picked up L & M at their hotel and made our way together to The Golden Hotel for the rehearsal dinner. The gathering was originally planned for an outside area overlooking the river, but the threatening weather in the mid afternoon caused a change of plans and a quick set-up of an indoor room instead. As we enjoyed the meal and visiting with family, I realized that it was the same room that had hosted one of my PCA Peer Network face-to-face meetings years ago when I was still working for CPCA! No wonder it felt so familiar...

On Saturday morning, we repeated our breakfast and coffee arrangements and then headed to Littleton just before noon to meet up with A, R, F, and C at their house for lunch. We got to see their backyard renovations and new solar panels and meet the new canine member of the family, Zelda. I'm so glad we were able to spend a couple of hours with them during the weekend! We also heard all about R's new job and upcoming big transition. 

We returned to the hotel in the mid afternoon to get ready for the early evening wedding at The Pines at Genesee, a lovely outdoor venue where the ceremony for D & J (D is the eldest son of Mr. E's cousin D) was held in a shaded pine grove. I think their ceremony was even shorter than ours!!! We carpooled again with L & M and had plenty of time to chat with other family during the cocktail reception and dinner. Once the toasts and remarks were completed, we decided to take our leave and wrap up the evening at the hotel.

Our return flight on Sunday was in the late morning, so there was time for my workout and for breakfast before we had to head back to the airport. No upgrade this time around, but the quick direct flight got us back home to Sac by early afternoon, giving us plenty of time to unpack, do some chores, and get ready for the work week.