How We (didn't) Have Fun Without the Backmans

On Thanksgiving day we found ourselves in Denver.

 

When we got to Scott's and Kelsey's house, we saw cute little children everywhere.

Sadly, the Backmans couldn't come. We really missed them.



Grandpa came prepared with the famous Jones family holiday candy.

For Christmas, Grandpa made each family a bench. Fortunately, we could hand deliver them instead of paying to ship them.

 

We are in grandparent heaven. Ava came in to make sure we were not oversleeping.

Grandpa: You are a Cutie Pie!

Ava: No, I am Ava!

 

Kelsey is amazing. She provided us with incredible meals. When I grow up, I want to be Kelsey.

Makayla donated all of her outgrown clothes to Ava and Brinlee. You may notice them wearing cute former Makayla dresses over their clothes in several pictures.

 

Chase wanted me to take a picture of him, too. Isn't he handsome?

 

Yum! Breakfast!

Scott and Kelsey's new home is beautiful. Their kitchen easily accommodated our large group.

Did I mention that Kelsey is amazing? She had all kinds of fun surprises for the kids.

The Joneses live right across from a park. We sent the kids and Dads out to run some energy off before dinner. That building in the background is the new elementary school.

A kitchen that belongs in a magazine.

 

Preparing for the "big meal".

Cute cousins.



Adorable Ava.

Magnetic... 

...Makayla.

Time to eat!!!

Hi Jordan!

Ava wanted to sit by a cousin, not a brother.

Grown up Kailyn.

 

Chase demonstrates his best Turkey Coma.

After a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, we took a walk. Look at these cute cousins, wearing their Makayla dresses.

Off into the sunset.

 We went to Bluff Lake Nature Center, a nice one mile path a few blocks from Jones's house.

 

The fabulous grandkids, sans Krew and Myla.

Kelsey and Makayla, skipping home.

Reading up on local flora and fauna.

Eagle-eye Scott, pointing out a deer.

 

See? There it is!

 

Makayla really wanted a picture of these lights. Turns out that's the local Women's prison.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

While the Dads were playing in the park in the morning, the Moms were putting together gingerbread houses for the kids to decorate. Kelsey provided these, and the kids had lots of fun decorating them.



 

Checking out the decoration possibilities.

The kids were happily busy for hours.



Getting a little help.

 

 Proof that they are eating....

....more than they are decorating.
(Thanks, Kailyn, for helping me come up with that description.)



I may have been doing my share of eating/decorating.



The finished products.

A lot of fun, a lot of family, and lot of relaxation. 

We played some games.. .

 

...and headed to bed.