Our Life in Denver: April 2012

On Thursday afternoon Christian & I headed to catch a flight to WA to visit my sister and the fam. We hadn't been out to her house in quite awhile, I think 3 years (before I had nephews) so we were extra excited.

We booked the trip using reward miles and one of the "pop ups" on the website said "Click here to book activities sure to make your trip to Kennewick, WA unforgettable." Lisa and I joked that it might have listed the following:

1. Do something fun in Denver before you get on the plane

2. Cut your trip short

3. Use Kennewick as a connecting flight only

4. Drive to Seattle

The airport was not without its drama.

Christian got called out of line at security. I assured him it was just routine.

Not.

Christian quickly confessed he may have forgotten to take out his foot-long buck knife he uses when we go camping in his book bag. (in case he has to fight off a bear?)

oops. So that was awkward.

Moving on, we get to the trailer park section of the airport when the smaller planes take off and wait at our almost empty gate. It was getting close to take off so Christian double checked with someone and apparently our gate had been changed. oops again. It was only 2 gates down and people were still boarding. Phew. We were in the first 2 seats but after the pilot made an announcement that we as a flight did not bring a lot of luggage they moved he and I to the back to the back of the plane to even out the weight (!?).

It probably was for the best because the flight attendant (who spoke in random accents only when on the loud speaker) didn't stop talking to the people up front the entire flight and warned the rest of us that the flight might "get a bit sporty" 1,000 times).

Lisa talked up a big welcoming party at the airport.

hmmm.....

I think Johnny snuck into an employees only section of the airport and had to be removed.

We stopped at the store quick on the way home

When we got home the boys had dinner

After Dominic went to bed AJ grilled up some burgers and we enjoyed our meal in the "board room" as I like to call it.

The next day Lisa & AJ went to work and we watched the boys. Dom was a little weary at first and just kept starring at us but we stuck some food in front of him and he was happy as a clam (Johnny also patted his back and told him 'Its OK Dominic")

After breakfast we headed to the backyard to play

and kill some trees

Then we came inside for snack and had a dance party

Then we had lunch and the boys napped for 100 hours.

It was fun to spend some QT with the nephews :)

Later that evening we dropped the boys off at AJ's sisters for a sleepover so we could paint the town. And boy did we.

First stop: Tagaris Winery for dinner

We had a great dinner!

AJ ordered a little dessert (waitress made no mention of the fact it would only be appropriate for 10 or more people):

We discussed over coffee where the night would take us. Lisa and I voted for dance party bowling but AJ kept insisting we head home. Nope. Girls win. Bowling it is. We hopped in a cab and John the can driver dropped us at Atomic Bowl.

Mind you... the four of us have done this dance party bowling thing before...

$13 bucks for shoe rentals and all you can bowl, not bad! I threw some of my favorite tunes on the request list and headed to our lane.

Big screen w/ music videos. Yesssss

I put on my shoes but headed to the bathroom quick. When I returned AJ was off at the bar getting us some beer and Lisa was up. She bowled a gutter ball and turned around wincing and said "I think I pulled a muscle." typical. We laughed it off. She sat down and told me to bowl for her. Ridiculous. If she can't bowl how will she dougie when the song comes on?! BUT, I obliged. Got a spare, too. Mid-way through my happy dance I turned around to see...

Lisa on the floor and Christian taking a running start and slapping her across the face. Then he strangled her (aka checked her airway). I ran over and her eyes were open, not focusing, and she was not responding. Ut-oh.

Someone had gone to get help and I ran to get AJ. I ran up to the counter where we paid and yelled "Wheres the bar!?!??!" They probably thought the last thing I needed was a drink! But they pointed me in the right direction. Luckily AJ is easy to spot. I grabbed his hand, told him Lisa passed out, and ran back to the lane.

She was sitting up at this point but don't think she recognized Christian right away. Took her a minute to get her barrings (obviously she was at a bowling dance party, duh).

I then hustled back to the bar to get her some water and as I jogged in I got clotheslined by the bouncer. UGH! He refused to let me in without ID so I came back out and found water somewhere else. When I returned I hung back and the security guard questioned me if she was really drunk and/or diabetic. Neither I replied. He was worried the Liquor Control Board would be on them. Geez.

Paramedics ensued.

For those of you wondering she did not pee her pants (a Ciabattoni specialty).

She apparently just pulled a muscle which caused her to pass out.

The people around us bowled like it was no big deal.

Our cab driver John literally hadn't even left the parking lot and took us home haha.

Good times.

The next morning Lisa & AJ went to pick up the car we left at dinner and Christian and I got ready to go to the gym. I was told I would be taking Dom to his swim lesson bc Lisa hurt her leg. Sounded like fun, and thank God we would be in water so there was a chance my arms wouldn't give out.

As we got ready I broke the towel bar

Fixed the towel bar

And made toast. In the oven?

Then we went and picked up the little ones.

I snapped a pic of Lisa's eye (red from smashing her face on the bowling alley floor).

Swimming:

It was the last class so I was in the "family photo" at the end ha.

Saturday evening we went over to Lisa & AJ's friend Scott & his wife's house for a BBQ.

We played some ~~kid-friendly~~ games.

Dominic used the doggie door

While the dog did people things

On Sunday we went for a walk in a park in Richland.

AJ's mom met us at the park then we went and had some lunch

When we got home the boys went down for a nap and we headed to the airport :(

I'm glad we got a chance to get out to WA before we leave Denver, it was a great trip (surprisingly unforgettable after all)! Thanks Lisa & AJ!!

PS- as I write this I just saw the local news run a commercial saying "Look what someone in your city tried to bring on a plane..."

(It was a WAY bigger knife but had me scared for a second!)

The kitties were happy to have us home and Stanley sat on our bags and made sure we didn't try to go anywhere again:

Sorry my blog has been lacking lately.

Here is what we've been up to over the past few weeks:

Two weekends ago we finally got to hang out with Collin & Emily. We met up with them for Sushi. Collin's sisters fam was there as well and it was his niece's 11th birthday. Look at their silly costumes (no theme or reason just spur of the moment):

Afterwards we went back to Collin's sisters to hang out and the kiddos made sure we knew we were not welcome in the basement :)

But once I heard they were doing karaoke I broke right threw that string and those poor kids had to listen to all the adults (the ladies anyway) sing & shriek.

Stanley now has 7 years bad luck and I have no mirror :/

I made the winning catch at Kickball :) I think it pissed Christian off bc I am so awful ha. He ignored me for 5 minutes after the game and then said "oh yea... nice catch"

I made this little football hat with scrap yarn. Its really bad but I have some more yarn- practice makes perfect! It is really quick to make which is nice.