Denver: Quick Family Visit

Friday, December 6-Sunday, December 8

Mr. E and I headed to Denver for a quick weekend visit to A and family. I'm so glad we could make the trip, given all that had been going on with her mom's health. We had planned to meet up with her at the airport upon arrival and give her a ride home, but our flight was delayed so she got a ride from a friend and we just headed to our hotel, Residence Inn Highlands Ranch, after we picked up the rental car. Luckily, there was a nearby spot with sufficient food choices for both of us at the Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, so we had an easy spot for takeout dinner given the relatively late hour.

On Saturday, we had breakfast at our hotel before meeting up with A, R, F, and C at a nearby holiday craft market. Mr. E joined the boys for some chatting and browsing to give A and me some time alone to catch up. We had some beverages and snacks from the food trucks and then headed to local favorite spot to pick out their Christmas tree. Mr. E and I took a pause to grab lunch and then joined the family at their house to watch the tree trimming festivities. Since I needed some time for NYU final projects homework, we headed back to the hotel for a few hours in the afternoon before rejoining everyone at F's basketball game in the early evening. He did great! Several baskets and some awesome defense, too. Then we placed a takeout order at the Japanese restaurant near their house so that Mr. E and I could pick up dinner for everyone on our way back. We gathered in their cozy basement to eat and watch sports before Mr. E and I returned to our hotel for the evening.

We had enough time on Sunday morning for the family to come to the hotel for breakfast before we needed to go back to the airport for our return flight to Sac. No delays this time, so we were home with the kitties by mid-afternoon. A quick visit but so very important to be there with A and have time with her in person to support and grieve.