Spring Break/Colorado Trip that Almost didn't happen'

March 31st - April 3rd

The kids had a whole week off for Spring break this year so we decided about a month before that we would head to Colorado to hang with the family there.  Around the same time we decided on going I received a notice in the mail for jury duty, not a big deal, right?  

So I show up on Friday, March 23rd.  I was there for about a hour, long enough to fill out a questionnaire and to be put under oath by the judge to come back the following Tuesday to be interviewed and the jury to be decided.  

So I get my kids all worked out (thanks mom & Megan) and head down bright and early to the courthouse again, hoping for the whole ordeal to be done by at least lunch time.  WRONG!!!!  Each interview was taking a good 15 mins. to a half hour and there were over 40 people to be interviewed.  GAH!  Finally my turn came to be brought in the court room and be interviewed by the judge and lawyers.  My interview honestly lasted less then 5 mins.  Let me back up, I totally went into this day just so sure that I wouldn't be picked and I would be off the hook for awhile again on doing my civic duty.  So after the interview was so short I was sure I was off the hook.  

They dismissed us for lunch and asked us to be back 90 mins. later.  I arrived back and shortly after being there they came in the room and dismissed about half of the room.  Me they kept!  DANG IT!  I kinda started to stress but still in the back of my mind just KNEW that I wouldn't be picked.  

Next they took us remaining potential jurors back to the court room, where we were interviewed, and had us sit in a particular assigned order.  The lawyers then went on with passing notes back and forth and making their final decisions.  They asked the individuals to stand up as their names were called.  So from a room of about 20 potential jurors now they were going to eliminate it to 9.  So just who's name do they call but MINE!!!!.....okay now I wanted to die.  Everything they said from there on out was a blur.  This trial was suppose to go on for 8 days.  8 DAYS!  Glen wasn't even in town and my kids had a full week of days off of school.  Pretty sure I was looking pale and sweaty by now.

They started to assign our seats on the jury stand and show us where we would sit each day until the trial was over, as I walked past the very nice judge, I just told him this really was not possible for me to do. I told him about being a mom to little kids and my husband was out of town, just not sure how I could do it.  He told me just to go sit on the stand and they would discuss it in a bit.

They continued on with swearing us in and showing us our secret passage way to get to and from the court room each day, introduced us to the police man that would be our escort all those 8 days.......meanwhile I am still freaking out. 

All the other jurors were mostly worried about bringing their lunch from  home each day or getting a note for work, while I was completely stressing over what I was going to do with my kids for 8 whole days!

The judge finally came in and talked to me and was totally understanding of what I had going on.  He went back into the court room and talked to the lawyers and they dismissed me.  Oh what a stress!  

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......on with our exciting spring break!

Our drive to Colorado was pretty eventful with 3 very busy kids.  We left quite early but for some odd reason it was early enough for the kids to actually sleep longer like we had planned.  I stressed about Maggie be the hardest but that was quite the contrary, her older brother was the hard one!  

We were all very relieved to finally see the Colorado State sign.  Soon after arriving on a that beautiful warm day we got to watch Papa giving Molly a bath.  Pretty exciting stuff, not something you see everyday!

We enjoyed that evening by sitting by the campfire and having some s'mores.  It was a beautiful evening and the company was great!

It was wonderful to listen to conference.  The kids actually did quite well!

The next day the weather decided to totally flip on us.  It went from about 85 to about 55 and rainy.  Perfect day to visit the Aquarium.  The Denver Aquarium is really neat.  Maggie decided this was a perfect place to just take a seat and take it all in.  These sea otters were very entertaining.

She loved all the extra hands that were there to hold her!

These next two pictures are actually quite funny.  She was standing there all by herself when this big sting ray came right by in front of her.

Hence this next picture!

The huge tiger came right up to the glass.

We love Uncle Eric and it was great to see him.  He's a great example and my kids really admire him!

Our sad attempt at a family picture.........

 

The main reason we went to Denver for the day was to see Joel and Erin.  After spending almost 3 hours at the aquarium we headed to see their cute house.  Glen has been there a couple times now but this was my first time.  Very cute! & Erin got a new car while we were there.  She was just a little excited!
After crashing their house we headed out for a drink down at the local pub.  I don't remember much after this picture was taken but I do hear a good time was had by all!
Dinner was awesome and we had some good laughs.  We love spending time with Joel and Erin.  They caught us up on their very exciting lives!  They know how to live.

We spent one more day hanging out and swimming in Longmont before heading home on the long road trip. We got some snow on the last day so we spent a good portion of the day in and enjoying some more quality time.


The drive home was a little less eventful, except for Glen's speeding ticket!


Thanks Papa and Nana Sue, we'll be back soon.......you made us far too comfortable, Sorry!


We ended our spring break week with getting to see Ellie. Oh and Uncle Paul and Aunt Joni.  They came in town some family things Joni had and we got to steal a few moments with them.  They let us come over and swim in their hotel pool one evening.  What a perfect way to end our break!