Centennial, Colorado

Much wet driving (from about Cheyenne to Denver), frustrating outlet mall adventures and accident-related traffic (both near Windsor, CO), added to what had already been a really long day. Though Laura may try to convince you that I slept through a majority of the rainy stretch, do not believe her. It was 20 min, at the most. Either way, I was awake to for our crossing from WY to CO. The best part of any trip to LVL’s home state: seeing how excited/happy she is to be back in CO. Great stuff.

Stopped at Panera to pick up salads/sandwiches for dinner, complete with extra rolls and free desserts (just what we need). Caught up with Ron and Mary for a minute before unpacking, starting laundry, watching the Rockies play the Blue Jays in the driving rain, and then hitting the sack.

Exhausted from a long, stressful drive, I slept in a bit; Laura up early. The basement at her parents (where we are staying until we all head to Steamboat) is cool and dark and really comfortable. I probably could have slept the day away. That is, if such a big day did not await us.

My parents arrived from DC about 11 am. I’m so happy and lucky to have them join us again; their presence and involvement make the trip and all the surrounding activities and excitement so much the better.

Almost simultaneously, Laura’s nieces, Hannah (11) and Helena (6), arrived from Scottsdale, AZ. First time flying alone, first time away from mom and dad for more than a day or two. Immediately upon her arrival, Helena begins yelling, to anyone who will listen, “guess how long I can do a handstand!” Didn’t actually get the stopwatch out, but can say with confidence: pretty long. She is a little blond buzz saw, with a massive supply of energy to burn. Running, jumping, climbing, hopping from game to game, toy to toy, she never stops. Never. Ever. In more organized times, soccer is her chosen outlet. According to dad/coach/weekly reporter,* she averages approx. 5.5 goals per game and appears headed for stardom. Helena’s missing front teeth make her even more adorable/hilarious than usual.

Hannah is as cool as Helena is crazy. Tall and slim, and seemingly growing faster than I thought possible. Clever, stylish, funny, and obviously a heartbreaker in training. Chris and Catherine will no doubt have to fight back the high school hordes. She’s also the most mature, most patient, coolest big sis I’ve ever seen. Her knowledge of technology and online stuff rivals Laura’s, as does her love for The Facebook, etc. She said ‘brb’ to at least one online chatmate while trying to show me some pics. Her (saved for and self-bought) iPod Touch (along with Laura’s iPhone) gets frequent use. omg.

Everyone in town for a party at Ron and Mary’s, set to begin at four. A small sample of the last minute prep includes:

Running to the store to get beer/wine/soda/etc (Laura, Hannah, me).
Picking up ice and chairs from Mary’s preschool, where she has just stepped down as director (Ron).

Mary running around doing so much, I can’t really account for it all here.
Setting up the gazebo and table for the front of the house (Ron, me, and after an early failure, Laura).

Arranging the massive amount of food (Chris, the preschool chef and caterer for the day).

Icing drinks, etc. on the back patio (Ron, Hannah, me).

World cup (USA v. England) on the tube, kids running everywhere, set-up/clean-up going right until 4:00 pm, when the first guests were set to arrive. It was a zoo, and a lot of fun. Did I mention the rain? What about the hail and the blustery wind? Unseasonably damp, freezing, gray. Not party weather.

Ron and Mary and Laura have made and kept so many great friends from their 40 or so years in Littleton/Centennial. [Ed. note: My parents have been in the same house since I was six months old. That means they've been there 36 years as of this October. But Josh loooooves to round me up to being almost 40.] Kid-related, job-related, neighbors, friends from grade/high school, college, sports, cheerleading. Many remain in the area and stopped by to catch up with Ron and Mary, to say hi to Laura, to meet me, and to wish us happy trails. Given the diversity of ages and wide range of connections to the Lloyds, everyone made out a nametag, complete with the year each person first met Laura. Some, including the Whitehouses, dated as far back as 1977.

The party itself was a great success and seemed to fly by. Got the chance to talk with so many people from all stages of Laura’s life (not enough space/time to recount them here), all of who adore her. Several stern warnings about treating her right, etc. Lots of great stories and remember-whens.

Met for the first time baby Banks Malia, 6-week-old scion and heir to the R. and D. Malia throne. Watched the Bacon (4), Flanagan (2), Hansen (1),** C/C Lloyd (2), Rorick (2) kids sprint around the house, wondering if they understand their role in perpetuating the kinds of lasting friendships their parents and grandparents enjoy.

From sorta sappy to sorta scary. Several people – including my normally-spry parents – fell during the party. I’m glad I didn’t see my parents go down (it probably would have been much more nerve-wracking to watch it first hand), but according to one eyewitness, my mom “stepped backward, not realizing there was a step, and pulled dad down with me.” Slightly embarrassed, bumped, bruised, and band-aided, they soldiered on. No hard feelings, no lawsuits! Ha.

Personal highlight of the event: the cake. A choco sheet cake with a huge, clear silkscreened picture of LVL and me in front of our car, taken just before we shoved off on the trip. A pine tree (representing CO) and a palm tree (for HI) on either side of the picture added to the cake’s asskicking credibility. The product of total genius (Mary Lloyd/Johann Chanin), and very much appreciated.

Despite healthy appetites from the 50 or 60 guests, a prodigious amount of leftovers. Mini quiches, egg rolls, taquitos (“torpedos,” to Helena), veggie wraps, mac salad, fruit, veggies, dips, dressings, cheese and crackers, and so on. Bagged, refrigerated, frozen; what can be eaten this week, surely will be.

Can’t thank Ron and Mary enough for putting it all together. And to all that came for their generosity, warmth, and good humor. I (we) had a great, great time. The perfect way to kick off what we expect will be a wonderful week in D-Town.

* Alas, the coach has retired, taking his appropriately witty and prideful game summaries with him into the sunset. Here’s hoping they both return in some capacity.

** Can report at least one budding romance: Cole Hansen (age 6) and Helena Lloyd (age 6) were seen running together all afternoon. Helena could not deny her love and had apparently (gave and) accepted a ring from Cole. Not sure where Cole stands on the matter, but do know that there is a play date in the immediate offing. [Ed. note: Helena ran by me at some point during the party, flashed me the ring on her finger (which my mom had given her to wear, but which she handed to Cole to have handed back to her) and said, "I got married before you – and I'm six!"]