"Special Trip" to Denver

It's hard to give four children enough attention, so Craig or I will occasionally take one or two of the kids away for a short while for some spoiling. It was definitely Laura's turn, and she was kind enough to invite Emma along. We decided to spend a night in Denver. Because of the time of year, the Sheraton in downtown Denver has fewer business guests than usual, so we got a great deal there. We headed up yesterday (Tuesday) and spent the evening exploring part of 16th Street Mall. After dinner along the mall, we returned to the hotel, had Christmas cookies, and read Dylan Thomas's "A Child's Christmas in Wales" . I also read "Breathless" by Dean Koontz, which I picked up at the library before we left. Although he has apparently sold over 400 million (?!) books, I'd never read any of them, so I felt it was time to try. I wasn't overly impressed -- one-dimensional characters, some rather stereotyped views about science (communicated, of course, by the kindest, wisest, and most educated character,) and a predictable and formulaic plot -- but I should probably read a few more of his books before I dismiss the guy. In the morning, we started out at the Denver Art Museum (or "DAM"), which was within easy walking distance of the hotel (alas, we got lost, so the "short  walk" took a little longer than expected:-O), then had lunch at Cinzetti's, our favorite Italian restaurant (a buffet with a super-abundance of options,) and finally finished up at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum , which is a great favorite with my budding aviators. I finished up my Christmas shopping at the museum gift stores, both of which had some awesome choices! Denver was relatively warm, sunny, and dry, but it was 20 degrees cooler at home, as well as very foggy and frosty. 'Still holding out hope for a White Christmas!:-) 

Emma at the DAM admiring a sand mandala created by Buddhist monks and preserved in glue 

Laura and Emma in the cockpit of a Boeing 727 at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum

This time they're in the cockpit of a DC 10

These dudes like to wander around the Air and Space Museum in their authentic Lucas Productions costumes. Apparently they show up for the annual Halloween party at the museum (something to consider for next year.)