Epic Wedding

Meegan Addy- one of my best and oldest friends from college at the University of Montana....got married on Valentine's Day at the TOP of Loveland ski resort...with 99 other couples (25 newly married and 75 renewing their vows)!  It was exciting, hilarious, awesome, and insane.

Meegan, Adam, and Team DuRoss

Let me add that not only did all these people head to the top of the mt for the ceremony, but we joined them...all four of us, on skis, despite a 15 minute chair ride in 40 mph gusts, snow, and freezing temps.  Getting to the top was not my proudest parenting moment, however, once at the top, things went from a worst case scenario (missing the event because we were running late and/or freezing and traumatizing our two year olds) to a best case.  Thanks to some help and support from one of my other dear friends and old roommates (all four of us roommates were eventually together- you'll see), we made it in time, crammed into a jam packed lodge at the top to warm up, got to see Meegan and Adam before for some pictures, after to say congratulations, and at the end of their first run as a married couple!  The timing could not have been better.

Of course, also, like a story book, the wind stopped and the sun came out ONLY for our ski down.  Ruby skied all two miles by herself (mom behind her with the harness) with only a few falls, after which she laughed. Owen skied most of the run himself as well.  He likes to "hit jumps"...but then he falls and sometimes struggles to keep restarting. Chip picked him up and flew down a really choppy part, after which he also wanted to get down and ski it himself. It was fresh powder and somewhat bumpy conditions for two year old legs.  I couldn't believe how well they did and how much fun we all had being part of this epic wedding.

The Girls

And this was par for the course with this road trip.  We stopped in Steamboat to break up the trip and see Aunt Mindy on the way to, and back from, Denver.  Ruby and Owen got to run the halls of Mindy's gorgeous school and see where she is a teacher (which Owen says he wants to be...like his aunt Mindy).  We caught up with Mikey Amato for dinner and Mindy's roommate and friend from MT whom we also adore, Colleen.  Ruby and Owen loved playing on the playground and goofing around at home with Mindy.

Notice the open mouth

Hmmm...wonder where that open mouth mannerism comes from. :)

Owen, checking out the best lines at the resort.

In Denver we stayed with Jayne, Steven, and their son, Julian, who is only about 6 months younger than Ruby and Owen.  OT and Ru LOVED "Julian's House".  When we were out they asked to go back and they were sad when we had to leave for home.  They often pick up a play phone these days and call their new buddy.  His toys, his house, his mom and dad and Grammy and Papa...they loved all of it.  And, we did too!  We made and ate pizzas, had some hang out time, a lunch with just the Eddy Girls, and an evening kid free to celebrate with Meegan thanks to Jayne's AMAZING parents who watched all the kids (first time for us with a babysitter other than Oma or Nana and Papa)!  It was awesome.  The only rough part of the whole trip was getting the kids to bed.  It was nearly impossible and will limit our travel for a little while, but that being our biggest problem, we thought we were in a pretty good spot.

Amy joined the crew on Friday!

Steven did a little photo shoot with Ruby and Owen- got some really cute ones- thanks!  And, I love this shot because it just shows my little Shlavena (rascal in German) of a boy. :)

And here we are- The Eddy St Girls- together again!  We have done about 5 reunions since our college graduation, have attended three of our weddings in perfect attendance, and have added four children to the family.  I love these three people and everything we have all become.  It is my honor to still be connected to them.

The Eddy St Girls have a little game we like to play with the wedding couple as part of our toast...and then we couldn't resist doing a shot on the ski since skiing was the theme of this wedding!

Ruby and Julian enjoying a book on the couch.  Awww

Yeah, you!  Don't even think about taking some of our snack!

Amy left her own baby (Abraham- 4 months old) and brought our babies gifts!  She really is a special one.  Anyway, the boys got superman shirts and Ruby got a very stylish shirt as well.  These new duds were so fun and photogenic.  However, getting three toddlers to all look at the camera at the same time is a feat we did not accomplish.  

Just two superguys about to head out on their next mission.

Thanks everyone for welcoming our circus into your homes!  We are no small presence these days.  We love you all!