Boulder Vacation

October 29, 2011October 29, 2011 - jodimichelle 1 Comment

We’re home! On Friday – our plan was to pack up and head to Denver, spend the day there and catch our flight home by 7 that evening.

We packed and went to Denver alright, almost got divorced and headed straight back to Boulder for the day. I’m not a fan of Denver, to put it lightly. More so I’m not a fan of being told I’ll be solo parenting the last day of our vacation with no place to rest or administer naps to our crazy kids while single handedly figuring out what to do with seven very long hours.

I was ready for a taste of whatever this myth that is Vacation is all about. A break, maybe?

And honestly, I didn’t almost divorce Aaron. More like we were both ready to emancipate our children. Also, no one touch me.

So team, Rally! Here are some tips when you travel with a working spouse and small kids:

One

Do not travel with a working spouse and small kids.

Two

If you must travel with small kids, bring a babysitter.

Three

Realize that traveling with a working spouse and/or children is not actually a vacation … it is overtime.

Four

Stay somewhere with a bath tub, draw a hot bath every night and get all pruney. It’s a technical term.

Five

Lighten up! It’s going to be stressful and tiring, but laugh it up and wrestle once in awhile. Eat cookies for breakfast, wake up before dawn and try something you would do at home in a new place. (Libraries, parks etc)

I think I learned my lesson. Before Denver though, we had one more glorious day in Boulder and we finally made it to Chautauqua for a hike after eating a Last Supper kind of meal at the house, trying to get rid of all our food before we had to leave.

Seriously, the bathroom in this place: Amazing.

Chautauqua!

I have no photos of Friday – but after returning to Boulder we walked along the creek, ate lunch on Pearl St and checked out a couple of stores. I woke up on Friday morning with a knot in my stomach from a weird dream that turned terrible all the while being kicked and punched by our son who, at some point, made my side of the King Bed his personal domain for karate chopping through his own dream.

It slowly got worse through the day and somewhere after lunch I thought I was going to freak out from the pain in my chest. Like little rocks and air bubbles. A feeling I have had before … one I do not ever want to have again.

I’m fine! It’s fine! We’re all ok – but it was an unpleasant way to spend our last day in Boulder – so completely stressed out.

We were all slap happy by the time we got to the airport. The kids having had a small nap in the car we found our gate and set up camp while we waited for our departure.

We made friends and the kids were a great magnet for the most interesting conversations. I love other travelers. The plane ride home was less of an adventure than the one out to Boulder a week earlier. We even found a couple rows of seats that we could have the kids stretch out in and fall asleep.

I fell in bed at 1:30 this morning …

It’s good to finally be home.

What happens when …

October 29, 2011 - jodimichelle 1 Comment

You’re on a hike on the last day of your vacation and it just dumped snow in the mountains? Or when this said hike takes place with signs ALL over for Bear Activity. And you see 8pt Buck’s on the trail who look amazing and not daunted by your standing 20 feet from them?

Nature is ridiculous. And being left to my own devices in nature? Also ridiculous.

Aaron and the kids were talking about bears and OH MY’s! when I kind of went off the map for a bit there – totally ignored by my family I entertained myself with my camera.

This can also be chalked up to: Jodi embarrasses herself for your enjoyment. Although, honestly, I’m not embarrassed. I’m also no actor – this is just me.

Being slightly dramatic. Which is rare, obviously.

It’s colder when you’re not moving your legs and carrying 30 pound children up a hill, by the way.

That’s my cold face.

Here I am double checking to make sure I’m still only performing to an audience of trees. And deer.

Which I was.

And that some how made me feel giddy. I’m so dangerous.

What?!?! No, I am not taking photos of my self in rapid succession. Thankyouverymuch. Look away, Aaron.

He makes a joke, I laugh. It’s what we do.

Then I cry for help. SOMEONE GET ME OUT OF HERE.

Zoolander comes for a visit.

And we end on dramatic surprise pose.

Scene.

Who wants to go hiking with me? I promise I’m not high maintenance but if you give a mouse a cookie … Jodi’s gonna want to take your picture.

These photos brought to you by “Being the photographer on vacation” and “Hiking on a mountain is effin’ awesome”.

Vacation diaries: Day 4&5

October 27, 2011 - jodimichelle 2 Comments

The days are starting to blur. Still snow on the ground but warmer temps today – most of yesterday we were without electricity and cuddled under blankets to stay warm. Made a voyage to Target for hats and mittens, the Apple store for my wonky phone and some good times shared with friends in the area.

Yesterday morning:

A tree fell down at the house next door and limbs littered the streets, yards and roof tops.

It was kind of awesome.

We had plenty of time to drink hot cocoa and eat warm cookies before the power went out (also? before 10 am).

And last night had dinner with our friends at their place. I have a new recipe to try once we get home – the food was amazing but more than that? The conversation. The company. The community.

This morning it’s warmer than yesterday, but frozen – not wet. I took the kids out for breakfast while Aaron has a meeting and gets some work done. This afternoon is free to adventure.

We’ve been home doing homework, laundry, dishes and playing with trucks! And trying to eat all the food we have left before tomorrow. We’re kind of busy.

You asked for it (day 3)

October 25, 2011 - jodimichelle 4 Comments

Today was a good one in Boulder. It began with finding a Thrift store.

They sell snowboards in Boulder like Holland sells jello tins. Only I like the snowboards better.

Aaron took our daughter on a morning coffee date so I took our son to the neighboring coffee shop on a date of his own. He wanted a “spicy bagel with cream cheese” and a chocolate croissant. And hot chocolate. Then he fed his croissant to his Duck, ate 1/4 of his bagel and made eyes at every one who walked through the door. I had more conversations with adult humans before 8:30 this morning than I have in a regular week in Michigan.

I was planning to take the kids to Chautauqua on the recommendation of Karen (Hi Karen!) who has been uber helpful in the comments here but took the kids to the Public Library first for story time and a nature hike.

The library is stunning.

And I gave my camera to my daughter … the next 3 shots she took.

The hike was fun.

But it took a good hour longer than I was expecting and we headed home for lunch not ever making it to Chautauqua.

We visited with friends this afternoon and watched the weather turn – went out for an amazing dinner to Boulder Cafe and tried Crawfish and Fondue.

My night ended like this:

In a claw-foot tub that is too big for me to stretch and touch either end, so in a word, amazing; and now we wait for the snow ….

(Up to 10 inches apparently?? ha! We also bought cookie dough and hot chocolate today, puhleeze! We must be prepared for a snow day. Who did you think you were dealing with?)

Hanging out in Boulder

October 25, 2011October 25, 2011 - jodimichelle 2 Comments

After our early morning yesterday we had early naps and then more adventures. Some of which were just in the front yard of the house we’re staying in. It was high 70’s yesterday and apparently tonight is supposed to start dumping snow.

Oh, Colorado. You’re so bipolar in the artsy, I’ll smoke weed for breakfast, my spaceship is broken kind of way.

We picnicked on a mountain.

Aaron is still working while we’re here so we have plenty of time to entertain ourselves – yesterday (as mentioned above) we just hung out at the house we’re staying. Played outside in the unusually warm October weather (for Michiganders), went for walks, watched Netflix …