{Return of} The Godmother!

Throwing it back all the way to Memorial Day weekend...when our favorite person (aka best bud/Godmother) came to hang out!

It was Godmommy Chelsea's second Memorial Day weekend chillin with us in the 'Ranch, (the last one being three years ago, also ironically right after we moved). It was also her birthday week, and thinking back I suppose celebrating together has become somewhat of a semi-tradition, since the first time we spent the holiday/birthday together was back in our sophomore year of college:

Ahh, memories.

As always it was fabulous to be together and celebrate, especially after three years apart (save a quick visit in March when she was passing through). After all sorts of life changes and adventures like mission trips and leaving the Army and grad school and kids growing up way too fast in between, it was awesome to fully catch up in person.

We reunited on Saturday, relaxing outside and enjoying game time with the kids before a nice dinner out.

And after dinner, we made the required stop at the grocery store to pick up ice cream run before heading to Daniel's Park for a little Rocky Mountain sunset and thunderstorm show. We also caught a double rainbow all the way across the sky, which was exceedingly appropriate considering that Chelsea was the first person to usher us into the fold of the Double Rainbow Culture during her visit three years ago.

Peter also saw this shirt in the grocery store and just had to get it for me, because he's got jokes:

Sunday was dedicated to church, relaxing, and the birthday bash! Our birthday girl's treat of choice was Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, which she pretty much made by herself  helped make, because if the birthday girl grew up learning how to bake homemade pies for her Grandma's Bed and Breakfast and a certain host is baking illiterate, it's best for the birthday girl to take charge. Erik also helped, because he probably knows more than I do by now from his weekly baking dates with Gran.

Fun with the Ookie Monster

We used the first rhubarb from the garden (still a little early for a real harvest so we mixed in some more robust rhubarb from the grocery store), and with the adaptable-to-allergies recipe I found, Chelsea taught me how easy it is [for her!] to make a lovely pie with a lattice top crust.

Then Peter and I decorated it with deer and trees, of course. Because you can take the girl out of Minnesota...

Somewhere in there was also a lively game of "Snort" -- a game that Peter made up for the kids (it's exactly what it sounds like, a whole bunch of snorting and giggling, but I'll refrain from posting the video for your sake, Chels) -- and at bedtime the kids introduced Godmommy Chealsea to the ultimate childhood classic, West Point A to Z. 

Monday dawed bright and beautiful, and because we went on a nice run during her last visit that somehow didn't scar her for life, Ms. Marathoner/Running Coach took on the project of going on a long run* with me. She ensured that I didn't die while also helping me achieve a personal best. [Personal best since Ethan was born/I got out of the Army, that is, which is an embarassingly low number.] Either she's the running whisperer, or there's hope for me after all. Potentially both.

The remainder of our Memorial Day together was devoted to the rememberance of our fallen friends and comrades in arms, with a trip to the Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument. It has a statue to honor all military service members, and a lovely walkway to the park lined with bricks containing the names of local veterans, both living and deceased. In the middle of the walkway is a stone dedicated to the memory of three local Soldiers who were killed in action: SSG Christopher Falkel, SGT John Stiles, and CPL Max Donahue. All three have streets named after them in Highlands Ranch.

We sat together there for a few minutes with the kids and shared memories of our friends with each other. It was so special to hear another account from another friend who knew them too, and hear all the "new" memories that Chelsea had to share.

We also went to the park so the kids could run off some energy, although which "kids" we're referring to is up for debate:

I can't take these two anywhere.

A short while later, the weekend ended with our Fairy Godmother flying off into the sunset (aka California), but we can't wait to spend more time together very soon--hooray for Denver-based internships, and hip hip hooray for Godmommy Chelsea!



*long run = anything over two miles for me. Weak sauce...but getting stronger!