Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Odds & Ends in Colorado

Before moving on to more recent trips, I'm going to share the last of my photos from my trip to Colorado in (gulp) mid July. It's just like Mish-Mash Monday, only it's not Monday and it's Colorado, not Michigan!

First, photos from the whole reason of the trip: my niece's renewal of wedding vows on her fifth anniversary (they did not have a ceremony before as her husband was deployed to Iraq days after their marriage).

You'll recall I had my nails done for the first time at age 43. We all look silly because that's how we are, not because we were drinking! The rest of the mall had closed by the time we were done (hence the drawn shades in the background).Left to right that's me, my sister in law (niece's mom), my niece, and my niece's other aunt (well, she actually has five other aunts, but for the sake of this post, that one is Niece's Other Aunt or Noa — got it? She's also the one who dolled me up for the wedding.).

Niece's bridesmaids, Friend and Noa, did have to work hard tightening the bodice of Niece's dress, but this pose is exaggerated for effect (my idea, thankyouverymuch!).

Niece and her bridesmaids, Friend (who I think has no idea how drop-dead gorgeous she is!) and Noa. Check out their roses--they have petals of different colors!
Niece and Nephew clean up well.

They've always been cute!

And of course the couple at the ceremony. I love this photo which I stole from the photog's blog. It was lightning on the mountains (50 miles away) during the ceremony and there was a brief hail shower just as the ceremony ended, but the reception was in a covered location. I love weather!

After the ceremony, the photographer was taking a lot of candid photos. We were doing jazz hands at one point. I still don't have the official photos, but Noa was snapping photos along with the photog and even though all three of us (me, Niece, Niece's Hubby) look a little goofy, we were having fun. The photog wanted me to move in closer to Niece, only that meant she had to lift her dress and I had to step under it!

The next day we visited North Cheyenne CaƱon Park in Colorado Springs.

Like the rest of the city, the park had amazing views of mountains, up close...

...and personal.

It also had Helen Hunt's Falls — can you make us out standing at the middle of the bridge?

Then, after trips to the Denver Botanical Garden and Pueblo, I drove back to Michigan with Niece and Niece's Hubby for a reception they were having here.

Niece's dogs, Koda (left) and Xerxes, are eager for the car ride. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! (They are, incidentally, very polite and loving doggies.)

Leaving Colorado Springs, I was sorry to bid the mountains farewell.

They even out by eastern Colorado...

...and disappear altogether in Kansas.

There were some cool windmills along I-70 in Kansas... and then it was on through Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, and then on home to Michigan and my own garden!

16 comments:

  1. I don't blame you for loving the photo of niece and her husband on the mountain. It is really stunning!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gosh, Monica, it was just like being there! The shot with the lightning is out of this world, no matter who took it! No one can arrange for that kind of background. It does look like you had a fabulous time, how nice for your niece to be able to have a more proper wedding after all. Love seeing the group, NOA is adorable and the bride lovely. Aunt Monica has the beautiful NAILS! HA
    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  3. The picture on the mountain of your niece's wedding is amazing! Looks like you had such a great time, and how wonderful that Niece got to have the wedding of her dreams after all.

    We saw so many wind turbines in Iowa, but did I think to take one picture? Of course not:)

    Just what did you mean about Sophie's shenanigans?:) Actually, Hubby mentioned it on the phone, and then Beckie told me what you had seen. It was the stuffing from her bed, I guess, but thankfully, Hubby had it all cleaned up by the time I got home. He usually waits until right before I come home to clean up a week's worth of mess:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The photo of the renewal ceremony is amazing... and it looks like a good time was had by all!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It looks like you had great fun - and what a setting for a wedding! Very clever of you to arrange the lightening too - nice touch! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. That wedding shot is amazing. I keep going back to look at it. How dramatic to be married on top of a mountain.

    Your other photos are fun. Looks like all of you have a great sense of humor.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Monica....the photo of niece on the mountain and husband is absolutely stunning.....that one will never be forgotten, I am sure.....

    Love the falls....always something magical about them....could just about see you on the bridge...

    Really enjoyable post......

    ReplyDelete
  8. Colorado is a gorgeous state. I love to visit the mountains there. YOu have a beautiful family. I can see that you had a great time with them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Too bad you don't know how to have fun! :) Love the 'grateful dead rainbow roses'...really, I do. They are quite 'kicky' and your niece looks happy and gorgeous. Nice to put in the kiddie pictures. They grow up so fast. You must be glad to be home.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cool shots.

    Can't wait 'til you post the more recent pics.

    While I was looking at the pictures I kept thinking how the scenery was ruined by the power lines then I got to the picture of the windmill and I thought it was a beautiful picture.

    Weird how something that's "green" can change your perception of what is and is not acceptable in nice landscapes.

    I didn't know I held such prejudices.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Looks like you all had a good time by all those smiles & silly poses. :) I love the photo of the ceremony, how breathtaking is that background. Now that is something they will remember always...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Monica~~ It sounds like it was beyond fun and into a wonderful time! The wedding photo on the mountain is fantastic...thanks for sharing your good time with us! gail

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great photos, Monica! The wedding looks wonderful, I love the wonderful scenic photos on the mountains, and the fun ones too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Poor you Monica, having to go to Colorado. ;~)

    Looks like a wonderful trip, and a fun, festive, and beautiful occasion. Congratulations to Niece and her husband.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Everyone keep smiling, they're worth a 1000 flowers :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, you really get to see your country, how cool is that! What a wonderful time you all had.

    ReplyDelete