Durango Palmers: February 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

14 years

This post is a week late but I still wanted to sneak it in before I posted about the other things going on around here.

Last Wednesday, the 19th, was Mark's and my 14th anniversary. We were super excited to be able to find a sitter and have a night out together.

He came home and surprised me with these gorgeous flowers.

I can lean towards the too practical side of only get me what I need which is why I'm so very thankful for a husband who just wants to bless me. I've thoroughly enjoyed these flowers and am sad now to have thrown some away as they've wilted. Truly the most beautiful bouquet I think I've ever received.

We went to dinner at East by Southwest. We have fun sharing sushi together. Our kids aren't quite ready for that leap just yet!

After dinner we got dessert and then just drove around and dreamed together. Definitely something we don't always do enough of.

Our house is back on the market and we've had 1 showing, 1 showing cancel and 1 showing scheduled. All in 2 weeks. We are hoping that this is a good time to sell. We shall see what God says!

Tonight is my date with Kale. Fancy dinner out at Ken and Sue's. Looking forward to some time with him.

This weekend Kale and Kate are having a sleepover at church. It's a camp preparation party :) both of them are old enough for camp this year. Poor Jack...he doesn't know what to do with himself! It's hard being the youngest :(

We've been good overall. Just making it from one day to the next at times. Kate's birthday is this Monday and then we have a big marriage dinner at the church next weekend. Lots going on!

Never dull around here. Never dull.

Monday, February 17, 2014

The BIG 1-0!

He was so little once!

Kale is now joining the world of double digit age. He turns 10 today! Oh my. I really don't know how that happened.

We celebrated on Saturday with friends. He invited 3 other guys his age to go see the Lego move (of course!) and then to lunch.

It was sooo hard getting a good picture of 4 goofy 10 year old boys. Especially in a dark theater before the movie started. Kate was such a trooper hanging with 5 boys!

Here are Mark and I taking a selfie before the start of the movie. Note our excitement ;)

The movie was good (the boys of course loved it). Getting them out was like herding cats on cat nip. They were bouncing off the walls so excited about everything.

We headed to Wendy's for lunch (Kale's pick) where he opened presents.

You'll be shocked to learn that he got a LOT of Legos...which he very much wasn't disappointed with.

These four boys were hilarious. Their conversations were so fun to listen to. At one point they were discussing the cost of Legos and blaming it on Obama. Haha! I know you'll never believe me when I tell you that that wasn't from Mark and I but I promise you we've never said anything like that to Kale. That was all them!

After lunch we enjoyed these huge cupcakes from the Yellow Carrot. They make gluten free cupcakes which were wonderful! One of the boys can't have gluten so it was a fun and different treat. The kids devoured them!

Mark is working today and then has a meeting tonight so instead of doing dinner we had lunch. Kale picked Denny's. :)

He also got a package in the mail from his aunt and uncle. I think he reminds me of Maverick from Top Gun.

I'm in awe that this sweet, smart and kind young man is 10 today. He's definitely at that age where he doesn't want to be a little kid but is trying to figure out how to be around adults.

He's a joy and we adore him!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

12 Months of Christmas - Kate

Thursday was Kate and Mark's date night. They had originally intended to go out for Italian but apparently Kate was very against the idea when the time came. So they headed to Ken and Sue's where the hostess was thrilled to see a dad take his daughter to dinner. She found them the perfect table for 2 up by the front window. Mark said everyone around them thought she was adorable. We know one of the chefs here and he came out and said hello. I think Kate loved the attention. :)

After dinner they had dessert at Top That Frozen Yogurt.

Mark said it was even better than their last date. Kate seemed to be more comfortable talking and enjoying herself.

I think they had a good time.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

12 Months of Christmas - Jack

I could wait until all of the kids have had their dates like last month but I thought naw. Let's give them each their own post (and it helps me blog more!)

Last Thursday night was date night for Jack and I. We had a blast! This month's dates for all the kids is dinner out at a fancy restaurant. One we'd not normally (or ever!) take them.

I took Jack to the Red Snapper. This has, in the past, been one of Mark's and my favorite places to go for anniversaries and birthdays. They do a lot of seafood and steak, have a fabulous salad bar and delicious, huge desserts! And they have salt water fish tanks.

It's been awhile since Mark and I have been there. They changed their menu a while back and some of our favorite meals were taken off. :( but Jack and I decided to try it again. I convinced him that the fish tanks would be cool.

He and the big kids had tried on their fancy clothes more than once in preparation for their dates. I even found them "practicing" their manners the day of.

The big kids were helping Jack remember how to behave in a fancy restaurant.

We got all dressed up and took our pictures.

I had reserved a table by the fish tank so that Jack would have something to look at during the dinner. I'm so glad I did! He was fascinated all night. He named the fish and crabs.

During the meal I was trying to come up with a cute lovey name for him. Babe came out and he immediately said no but I could call him my little love. So that's what I did. I went out with my little love. :)

He decided against the salad bar but picked fish sticks for dinner.

He ate a couple. Just enough to make it to the dessert he'd heard all about. He didn't pick death by chocolate but it was close. He wanted the big piece of mint chocolate ice cream pie.

All of a sudden he was hungry. Haha! Notice how big the pie was! And his cute little crooked clip on tie. Love!

I had the salad bar and tequila shrimp. It was good. But not as good as my old favorite that's no longer there...

Don't ask me why I took pictures of the food. I figured you'd really want to know what it looked like I guess.

Overall he was great. He behaved like I would expect a well-behaved 5 year old to behave at a fancy place. We had a good time. Kate and Mark are this coming week and Kale and I are at the end of the month. We are all looking forward to our dates. Such fun!

Monday, February 3, 2014

Denver Trip...Alone!

I just returned for my weekend jaunt to Denver. My cousin, Danielle, got married this past weekend and I got to go up to Golden by myself for the wedding. The extra special bonus is I got to fly! Mark held down the fort here at home. Such a sweet husband.

I was scheduled to leave Thursday night but the airline cancelled my flight due to weather in Denver (which was actually worse the next day when I finally flew in). Friday morning Mark and the kids dropped me off at the airport for my 9:50 flight which then got delayed. I finally left around 11:30. 4 1/2 hours in Durango Airport was not the most fun I've had I years :)

When I finally arrived in Denver I was greeted by my dad, uncle and my sweet niece Lilah. I realized on this trip that my children totally hog my time with my niece. She'd rather play with them than me. Go figure. But this trip we had fun together. She wasn't distracted by my awesome kids.

I got to hug on all the babies. Take adorable pictures of them by the fire...

Admire their chubby cheeks wearing the hat I made.

Eat breakfast at the local diner.

And attend their baby dedication (but that comes later).

Saturday night was the wedding. The real reason for being in Denver. It was held in downtown Denver at a place called the University Club. It was a beautiful building! This was the back drop for the ceremony.

Kelly and Carson waiting for the ceremony to start.

My dad and mom. Aren't they cute?

Sarah and Nate

I didn't get a picture of Meghan and Micah. We all were childless for the wedding. A rare treat. All I was missing was my man. My sister Katie was in the wedding.

My uncle and my cousin. Isn't she beautiful?

Meghan and I after the ceremony. I have to admit that it's super fun to get fancy every once I a while. Especially with the help of my sisters who help dress me and fix my hair. Hardly recognize myself!

Here I am sitting in the couch during the cocktail/appetizer hour while they were setting up the tables. I hung out with my brother in law Micah and my brother and his wife. We drank our wine and enjoyed delicious hor de vors.

The happy couple.

We ate amazing salmon and danced the night away. I very much missed my dance partner but we still had a great time.

On Sunday we woke up early to attend my sweet niece Emma's baby dedication.

Emma, Sarah and Nate

This was the view from the building where the dedication was. Beautiful!

Ashlyn and aunt Katie. The hope before the Super Bowl dreams were crushed.

Meghan and I made some appetizers. She was preparing here for sausage stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapeños. De-lish!

A few pics from our pre-game entertainment. The cutest little Bronco fans!

I flew home this afternoon. I tried to volunteer my seat for a voucher but they didn't need me. :( instead I enjoyed a beautiful, clear view of the mountains! This was a picture I took of Golden from my plane. I could tell by the plateaus,Table Mountain.

It was an uneventful trip home. Made it home safe to some happy children and a handsome hubby. Glad to have a weekend away but so happy to be back!

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