Up the big hill

There was a little snow on the way up to Vail on Monday. It was nice and warm in Denver - but you know those pointy hills. They make their own weather! Once we got to the Eisenhower Tunnel there was evidence of morning snow, and we saw some spectacular clouds in the distance.

The photo through the car window doesn't do it justice

We got to Cindy's in Edwards - west of Vail, about 3 p.m. It's always so nice to hug my seester. I'm close to all my sisters, but I've spent the most time with Cindy and we are simpatico. She works so damn hard. She always has - in high school, through college and then when she hit this resort town when it was in its infancy, really when she moved here in 1976. Cindy often worked a couple jobs so she didn't need to move back to Iowa to live with Mom and Dad. (Just like our children - she was deathly afraid of that prospect). I've been visiting her in Vail since she got there. That's a long time!

Jordan shopped at the Silverthorne Outlet Mall on her way up the mountain - in preparation for her NEW JOB at an energy PAC. Congrats Jordie! That night we went to a pizza joint near our Riverwalk Motel. Appleboy, Colby Lefebvre joined us. Why do I call him that? Because just like both of his parents (Bolder was also an extremely hard worker - to the end of his life, when he took orders for his bar supply job as he was signing up for hospice), Colby works long hours managing Moe's Original BBQ in Lionshead. That apple didn't fall far from the tree! That night I was asleep by 10 p.m. Rare air exhausts me!

Paul and Amy skied early the next day at Beaver Creek. It was chilly on the mountain, they said. It was Amy's first day to work at Beano's Cabin - an exclusive restaurant she worked at just after she graduated from college and a couple winters after that on holiday weekends. More about my kiddos job situation later (hint - it's exciting and good news).

Cindo took Jordie and me to breakfast at the Turntable - a place in the little old mining town of Minturn. There is an electric train track that runs around the whole place. Adorable!

That night - it was the big party. We took some pics before the crowd arrived. The cherubs (Colby, Liv (his gf), Jordie and Amy) went to E-town for pre-party drinks - on the house. They sat in front of Bolder's portrait on the stool he frequented. We got some pics with them when they got back. Amo was a bit tired after her day on her feet - waiting tables is like riding a bike, I guess. It came back to her!

During the party, Paul and I were on wienie duty - watching over little wrapped sausages (not our dog, who was in her kennel) in the oven. I won't describe the party, as it was much like last year. Colby and the "next generation" do a fine job carrying on in Bolder's place. Though nobody yells "Shut Up" in the special way Bolder did to get everyone to pay attention and sing.

It wasn't a late night for us - of course we could retire to our motel with our doggy. And we did. Cindy said she was up until 11:30 p.m. or so - shooing guests out and cleaning up. It was grand to see all of our Vail friends once again. We've been going to Vail for Christmas since 2008 - my first year at DNR. The party is a wonderful tradition we're so happy to be a part of.

Of course my favorite moment during the night is Mele Kalikimaka. Everyone knows the actions. There is a soundtrack in the background so we sound great!

And the Stars at Night

Kitchenettes Rock!