Grandmama & Papa visit

Brent's parents came for a visit last week. I think this is the first time since we have owned our home that Mr. Coley didn't have to work non-stop in order to earn his keep. We had a great trip to Breckenridge, and I got to ski for the first time in almost 2 years. It was awesome.

Emory is 10 months in these pictures. I don't know that Mrs. Coley will appreciate that I put that 3rd picture up, but I think it's pretty hilarious that Emory is learning how to shoot the bird from her sweet, wholesome grandmother. :) For the record, it's a finger puppet book.

Visit from Aunt Ashley

I complain about Denver too often. It has so much to offer- including free zoo days several times a month. The first picture was Emory's first trip, and her first exposure to one of her father's favorite hobbies: the study of brown bears.

Ashley came to visit mid-January, and I got some much needed girl time. We took Emory to the winery in Evergreen. It's my favorite nearby day trip. Emory was extremely patient as we did a tasting, lunch, and a walk around the town.

New Years Eve

New Years is generally overrated, but it's nice to settle in and know you're not even going to make plans or fight the crowds. We were joined by Jared, Kristen, and Banner Nelson for the evening, and it was the first one that I stayed until midnight for in many years. We basically watched the babies be cute and crawl over each other for hours, ate Chinese, played games, and watched the countdown. It was great.

Major the Dog joined us while his parents were on a ski trip. He was a big, cuddle muffin. Emory is obsessed with dogs so it was quite a treat for her.

Christmas

When we were just dreaming of getting married and having babies I suggested that we start staying home for Christmas as soon as we have a kiddo. Best idea I've had. Although we certainly missed our families, we loved starting traditions and enjoying our own tree in our own house. Dad joined us, and Emory was spoiled by all of you. Thanks so much!

The last picture shows Emory in one of her adorable Christmas outfits. Together with the hat she looked just like one of Santa's helpers. On the way out of the restaurant on Christmas Eve Day, we had to stop by almost every table for people to say hello. At the last table a mommy said to her son (maybe 4 years old), "Look! It's a real, live elf!". He stopped and stared for at least 10 full seconds before saying very seriously, "Nooooo, it's not. It's not flying." Made perfect sense.

Austin vs. Denver

I have a friend moving to Denver from Austin. On her blog she wrote about the things that she will miss in Austin, and the things she will not miss (like girls wearing Uggs in 100 degree heat). It was cute. I responded with this list in hopes of giving her encouragement and realistic expectations:

Things to love in Denver:
1. Intimate music shows at cool venues that don’t have the crowds like Austin (check out the Blue Bird, The Ogden, and The Fox- in Boulder-)
2. Mountains, mountains, mountains….hikes, snow shoeing, skiing, rafting….and only 20 minutes away for some of that.
3. Neighborhood nooks with shops and pretty good food (not Austin good). All super cute and in walking distance of your house, if you choose to live in Denver proper
4. Brewery tours- Take the “short tour” at Coors in Golden. This is the land of beer connoisseurs. Every little mountain town has a great one.
5. Parks- Washington Park, “Wash Park” to the locals, will be your new Town Lake. Rose gardens, little lakes, the boat house, and fields of twenty somethings getting outside no matter what the weather….but watch out for the goose poop.
6. Young Life Camps just a hop, skip, and a jump away. They welcome you for lunch- just call ahead. And Wilderness Work Week is an amazing reward for a semester finished at seminary.
7. If you’re single the guy to girl ratio is like 10:6…except in the counseling department at Den Sem where it’s like 1:10.
8. Everything is 20 minutes away…at traffic maybe 40.
9. The drive back to Texas is fun. Stop at Hodies for BBQ in Hartley or Dalhart…can’t remember which.
10. Costume parties at the Arapahoe Basin mountain beach….you’ll be just in time for the spring parties.
10.5 THE COLEY FAMILY!

Things you won’t like about Denver:
1. The Mexican Food. Don’t bother. Just wait for a trip home. And if someone warns you something is spicy, try not to laugh.
2. Men rarely open doors for you….general Texas/southern warmth is not quite here. On the bright side you can get through the grocery store quickly, and without having 10 random conversations.
3. The grocery stores…..expect a big 7-11 and not the luxurious HEB’s where you can by a deli meat and custom made furniture all in the same place.
4. Denver drivers- speedy, zippy people in the scary, icy weather. But if it rains they go 5 mph.
5. It’s 75 one day and negative 10 the next.
6. Beige and brown- There was a big sale on beige and brown bricks when the city was built and it’s pretty much all you see.
7. Green goose poop. It’s everywhere.
8. The dislike of Texans…especially at the mountain towns. The up side is that Texans really bond in Colorado.
9. Uggs in May because it’s still snowing.