A Trip to Denver

This summer, we got a new nephew, Ole.  We planned to take a trip in August to Denver area for his baby blessing, and for a visit with Dustin's family, but we ended up needing to move up our dates by a few weeks.  Our sister-in-law, Holly, passed away unexpectedly.  This is Dustin's brother, Ryan's wife.  Ryan passed away from cancer the year before I met Dustin, and we haven't seen her very much for the last few years.  Even though this was sad, in some ways it feels like a sweet release for her.  Now she and Ryan are reunited!

On the way to Denver we decided to stop at something that we pass by every time we go: Fort Bridger, Wyoming.  This was a key fort for the Oregon Trail travelers, and the Mormon Pioneers.  We had fun wandering around and practicing for our upcoming handcart Trek.

 We got to Denver late at night, and the kids were up bright and early and ready to play in the creek behind Dustin's dad's house. This is one of their favorite things to do at Grandpa and Grandma's!

 Dustin's dad is almost done with the restoration of this 1956 Chevy.  It is so pretty!  He tried to get me to take it for a spin, but I couldn't handle the pressure.  Instead, he took Dustin and I for a ride, and I just sat behind the wheel and tried to look like a Beach Boy.

 The funeral was nice, and we felt so grateful for the knowledge of eternal families!  We got to meet this little cutie.  The kids could not get enough of holding this tiny little cousin.

 We went with cousins and Grandma Lana to the hands-on aquarium in Littleton.  The kids loved touching and petting everything!  We even got to pet a wallaby!

 

 Cute Mason.  He is a loving little guy!

We went from a celebration of life, to a celebration of life of a different sort.  Ole's baby blessing was nice, and it is always fun to be a part of these special days.

 The next morning we got the kids up nice and early, in an attempt to get tickets for the Denver Mint, but we failed.  So instead, we walked around Downtown Denver for a couple of hours, and then took a tour of the State Capital.

 Mile high 

(or, is it that marker above it, or the one above that??  Apparently there has been some debate over the years...)

 Holly's graveside service was later that day.

 We ate lunch at Casa Bonita, a Wiberg family tradition.  The food is actually kind of gross, and way over priced, but we spent hours just sitting and talking, watching the diving shows, and exploring the huge, ornate restaurant.  So, it was worth it.

 On the drive back to Dustin's dad's house, Dustin showed us his old elementary school.

 We enjoyed a huge rainstorm that night.  So much water!

The next morning we said goodbye and decided to stop at the Laramie State Penitentiary on our way home.  This was such a fun museum!  This is the only prison that actually held Butch Cassidy.  That is him, next to his fellow outlaw with green sunglasses.

 Those are some rotten prisoners.

 Naughty outlaw prisoners!

It was nice to see family and support Holly and the Braithwaites.  It was also fun to see some different things than we'd seen before.  We always love spending time at Grandma and Grandpa Wiberg's house, and this time we also got to see Briana and Jeremy Wiberg, who are both living in Denver.  We are thankful for family!