Kate graduated - how can that be?

What's the world coming to when my youngest cousin's daughter graduates from high school? I'm officially old. Oh well - Paul's grand niece already graduated from college. Ha!

Back to me. My cousin Amy Lamm Brownlee's daughter Kate graduated from Cherry Creek HS last week. Her reception was Sunday morning - how convenient, since we were in Denver to see our Amy and attend niece Leslie's baby shower. It was nice to see my cuz Richard - his nose was a bit out of joint since he wasn't invited to the baby shower. (Gurlz Only) Marty and Bill recently moved - so we'll have to check out their new place when we come back for Christmas. This trip we all stayed at the Marriott. Brownlees and fam were busy entertaining their guests so we soon said goodbye, leaving them to celebrate with their grad.

After the party, we headed to Vail, stayed at Cindo's and had a chance to shop at the fab store in Edwards, Ptarmigan. Amy got the perfect bag for her travels in South and Central America. That night we were invited to eat a delicioso meal at Bonnie and Eric's - barbecued ribs and chicken. Bonnie's potato salad was bueno too. Eric has been re-doing their master bathroom, tiling it himself - very nice. Wine guy Frank was there too. Fun hanging with those guys in the summer. Bonnie will be coming to DSM with Cindo in a couple weeks - her first trip to Iowa so we'll need to put out the red carpet.

Two beautiful women - graduate Kate Brownlee, and my Auntie Martha

Susi's pal Debbie, Jordie's honey Westy (making a face) and the Jordo

Pablo, Amy and mamma Leslie

Uncle Bill chats with Susi

We dropped Amy off in Denver early Monday a.m. and loaded her desk up in our car. Paul made it for her out of oak when she was in college - now the top has cracked, most likely due to the dry Colorado climate. Paul will work his magic on it.

 

We listened to "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" during the trip. I bought it at a book sale, as I enjoyed it so when I was commuting. Paul liked the movie, and the book is 16+ hours, just right for this trip. The reader really brings the characters to life.

 

Tomorrow our recycled plastic deck furniture is scheduled to be delivered. Finally! Now we can finally invite guests over for drinks on and deck. I'm excited. Tonight as we walked off the deck to take Odie for a walk, Creston's Kyle McCann (former Hawkeye QB) and wife Maggie with their 2 daughters were walking by across the street. Paul called to them and we walked along for a bit as their girls rode bikes. We're Neighbors! 

Baby Shower, AWB and Waffles and Chicken

Saturday was the baby shower for Leslie Lopez and bambino. He's due July 17th - her birthday and wedding anniversary. She looks so pretty - all tummy! The party was at the Denver Tea Room.

Amy (our talented graphic designer daughter) designed the invitations and name cards at the tables - complete with little phrases about each person. Jordan (who should be an event planner) arranged the decorations and games. Lots of games. The food was delish! Tea, of course, and little sandwiches and scones - warm, just from the oven. There were fancy cupcakes for dessert too. Susi was in charge of paying for the above...

Cindy, Amy Brownlee, Aunt Marty

Susi, and her friends Debbie and Sher

 

Jordan, Amy, Kate Brownlee, and preggers Leslie

Yummy Food

Leslie received lots of nice gifts. Or should should I say, "Herman" did - as Cindo called the babe.

Herman gets a basket from Aunt Betso, who couldn't be with us
 

It was a great party. We're looking forward to meeting the little guy in a few weeks! Later, after a rest (it's hard eating and drinking) we walked walked around downtown Denver. They were having a rock event and an art event - and the weather was fabulous.

 

 

We walked by one stage - and they were singing, "Pick Up the Pieces". It was the original Average White Band. Okay - most of 'em. They sounded great. We had a band that sounded kinda like AWB for our senior prom - every song sounded like "Cut the Cake".

 

That's AWB behind Cindy and me

We ended up at a nearby bowling alley - they had a bloody mary bar and Paul could watch the baseball game with 7 women. Later Amy, Paul and I walked to a local bookstore, Tattered Cover. It was very cool - way nicer than a Barnes and Noble.

 

We ended the day at a funky restaurant that Cindo selected called Euclid Hall - named after the mathematician. Their menu is interesting - after appetizers of pickles and sausage, Amy had pig's ears - fried. Paul had chicken and waffles. The chicken was ground and covered with even more coarsely ground chicken. Cindy had a cauliflower salad. I had a mini fish sannie.

IN front of Euclid Hall

It was a busy day - I love my family. I slept like a rock!













Marty, Waveland and Jules

I hope I look that good in 25 years! Amy, Marty and Amy's gorgeous 18 year old daughter Kate (takes after her momma and gran)

My cousin Amy just posted this photo of 3 generations of the Lamm/Bullock fam women. It's from my Aunt Marty's 80th birthday party. Our daughter Amy was able to represent the Goldsmiths at the party - as Marty and her husband Bill live in Denver where Amy lives. We sent an Iowa gift bag to her - since that's where Marty grew up, good 'ol Atlantic. The bag even showed Atown on the map, and I included Oinkers Sauce from The Pines. The Bullocks ate many a good broasted chicken meal from that restaurant!

Speaking of food. Saturday Paul and I checked out a new place for breakfast. We'd been at a loss for a good, non-chain joint to go to since Baby Boomers closed last spring. The Sunday before we had tried Mimi's Cafe over by the new Kohl's. It was fine - expensive though. And it just isn't quite what I was looking for - a homey, Creston-like place. My co-worker Alex suggested we try the Waveland Cafe over on University at about 47th.

We woke up fairly early that day - because we're old...it's hard to sleep in! So we headed to the Waveland. Alex told me he eats there nearly every Saturday at 6 a.m. We didn't get there that early! He must have been dining with his father - and they were just on their way out, so we took their little booth for two. The Waveland Cafe had Paul at kitschy Packer decorations. He was sold once he saw that stuff! There were interesting murals on the walls and little drawings here and there - like proud grandparents had stuck them up.

The menu is perfect - you can get half orders of things, which is just the right amount for me! The coffee with rich, and the waitstaff friendly. I bet it gets busy as the morning goes by. I had an egg and a piece of french toast with a piece of bacon for $5.50. Paul had an egg with hashbrowns and toast. It was all good.


Paul is deep in thought...not the old juice machine - I think it's an antique! Love the mural - must be the owners...

Guess who stopped by our place in WDM on Sunday? Odie was thrilled to have her old pal Julia Hoilien come to visit! Jules was in the area visiting friends from her post college years in Iowa. It was fun to see her and to show her our new home. Nice catching up on the Mason fam - she filled me in on what Jeff, Zetta and Marcella are up to. Some of my favorite peeps!

You'd never know she was up late dancing with her girlfriends...what a cutie!