Colorado, Wheat Ridge Dec 17-27

Christmas in Colorado with Family.  We got to our site at Happy Trails in Surprise AZ on the 15th of Dec and left for Denver on the 17th.  It was a good drive, the roads were clear and dry.  We stopped at the Double Eagle Casino for gas and a bit of a rest.  We then drove on to Raton, NM to spend the night.  The motel we stayed at took dogs for an extra $20 a night.  The next morning we drove the rest of the way to Denver.  Actually we went to Trevor and Tina's home in Arvada which is in the northwest part of metro Denver.

Denver, Colorado

 We left Surprise, AZ on the 17th of Dec.  This was a good sight to see as we left the Phoenix area.

 Some day I am going to get to ride in one of these.

 As we got close to Flagstaff, there was a lot of snow on the side of the road and in the trees.
It was very beautiful.

 The road was dry and clear as we got to the 7000 foot marker.

 Grandma Kay and our oldest grandson Steven Derr

 This is our 7 year old granddaughter Gabby Dow

 Riley Dow messing around with Grandpa's camera

 Grandma Kay and Riley

We met  Deana and Paul at Three Margaritas restaurant for dinner

 Riley Dow,  this is a very intense look from such a little girl.

 Jessica took this picture of one of the ornaments on her Christmas Tree

Kile playing games with Grandma's Kindle

Zoe and Sweetpea, they were very good buddies the whole time we there staying at Trevor and Tina's

Our sister-in-law' Laury and Kathy at Kay's brother, Mike and Laury's home in Parker getting ready to make the guacamole.

Dan, Kay's brother, cooking fajitas for dinner.

On the 23rd of Dec, Kay and I drove up to Greeley CO to my sister Noreen and her husband Bob's home.for their annual Christmas brunch.  This is my older sister Marilyn doing dishes again.

April my niece and Pete, Kim's other half. 

Tannyce, Pete and Kim's daughter,  and Mary, Marilyn's daughter.

My sister Noreen and Mac, Mary's other half.

Evie, Brion and Saneta's little girl.

April and Russ son Alec and his wife, Sarah.   Pete looking on.

Bob in the chair and Brion looking at the new calendar Noreen made him.

Frosting wars with Jaxon Brenckle, Evie Gavette and Kim

Evie got Aunt Kim good.

Annie, Russ and April's daughter sitting by her Uncle Pete

We spent Christmas Eve at the Dow's  Paul - Deana - Gabby - Riley.

Gabby Dow

Riley Dow

Riley - Gabby - Jessica playing volleyball with a balloon.

Tina Derr, doing what she likes best. drinking a good cup of coffee.

Kile Derr The youngest of Trevor and Tina's kids

Steven Derr, the oldest of the Derr kids.

Jessica Derr.  She falls in the middle of the Derr kids.

Trevor Derr, He is the youngest of Kay's kids.

Here are my three Colorado Granddaughters.  Jessica - Gabby - Riley.  Aren't they beautiful?

Gabby and Riley opening the gifts Grandma gave them

Riley holding her Strawberry Shortcake doll.

Grandpa got a gift also.  Hot Chocolate

And a HO - HO - HO to you all also.

Kile and Riley clowning around.

Trevor and Kile with Gabby looking on

Grandpa playing Hungry Hippo with Gabby.  She's really good at this game and  kept beating Grandpa.

Paul cooking Christmas Eve dinner.  We had chili, potato soup, cinnamon rolls and lots of finger foods.  YUMMY!!

Outside of the Dow house.

Gabby spreading the magic sparkles and oats for the reindeer to find when they come on Christmas Eve.

It has been a standing tradition to go to Mike and Laury's for dinner on Christmas day.  Mike always fixes a big standing rib roast and he's become the master.  Here is Mike cutting the roast and I am looking to snatch a good piece of it. Sarah, Mike's daughter also looking for a piece to go her way.

Laury always makes Yorkshire pudding. They are so good smothered with the beef gravy.

Mike carving the roast and Johnny looking on.  Johnny is married to Sarah.

Kay and Mike's dad Howard

Howard and Kay looking on as Mike still carves the roast.

Grandpa Mike got this gorgeous white lab for his grandson Kerrick,  who is the son of Sarah and Johnny.

The dog's name is Tulo short for Tulowinski, she was named after Kerrick's favorite baseball player.

This lovely lady is James Edwards wife Jen.  James could not make it for dinner because he was deployed overseas.

A sunset view from Mike's home in Parker

The Derr Family.  Trevor - Tina - Steven - Jessica - Kile  As Kile put it as they came in " We are the ReinDerrs"

Jessica opening gifts at the Derr home on  Christmas Morning.

Kile opening his gifts.

Steven trying to see what is left at the bottom of his stocking.

It was a white Christmas in Colorado.

Trevor the thinker.  Sitting at his new work station in his office.

 Jessica Derr

Jessica and Grandma Kay