'Twas the night before Christmas

I am writing to you from a cozy corner in Starbucks in Breckenridge, Colorado.  Happy Eve of Christmas 2010.  Philip and I flew into Denver yesterday.  Right now, Paul & Laura are getting some skiing time in while Philip and I enjoy the sites and sounds of Christmas in Breckenridge.  We had an uneventful trip yesterday though we certainly utilized a diverse array of modes of transport to get to Denver (bus to metro, metro to shuttle, shuttle to airport).  On the plane we sat in front of a young couple with two kids (maybe 18 mo. and 2 1/2 yrs.).  The little boy was really scared to fly and kept yelping "I DON'T WANT TO RIDE IT!  GET ME OUT OF HERE!"  I looked over at Philip, laughed and said, "that will be us in seven years. . . on a plane to CO for Christmas with a toddler proclaiming that he doesn't want to be on the plane".  Crazy to think about.  The thought of traveling with kids overwhelms me a bit (I've seen far too many nightmareish family travel scenes in my travels to look forward to flying with chidlren - especially if I'm traversing an airport with a stroller all by myself), so I decided to close my eyes, lay my head on my husband's shoulder and proceeded to sleep peacefully for the rest of the flight.

Our sweet friend Brittmarie picked us up at DIA and we headed into Boulder to meet up with our friend Alex. Philip's college experience was far from a happy one.  RAing for three years took a toll on morale (but paid the bills) - however we are so grateful for the friendships we have with people from his last year at CU.  You know when you have friends that you know will always be lifelong friends?  That's our Brit & Alex.  Brit is a Spanish teacher, so I always love hearing her tales of chaos in the classroom.  And Alex. . . Alex is just one of those stand-up, terrific guys.  We joke (only half joking) that he will be our childrens' "rich uncle Alex". 

After the four of us enjoyed a Chipotle feast, Brit & I did some drooling in Anthropologie last night, Philip's dad met us in Boulder and we drove into the mountains to see Paul & Laura's new house in Fairplay.  Laura and Philip's brother David work at a resort in Breckenridge (about 40 min away).  This morning we awoke to an INCREDIBLE view.  I am grateful that while the world's wealthy are surrounding us in this area for the holiday season, they have paid thousands and thousands of dollars for the same thing we will get to enjoy by coming to spend time with family.  Even better than the views, the skiing and the cozy flannel sheets and heated blanket in the cabinesque bed is getting to spend this Christmas with people I love with all of my heart.  This makes the one of the richest people in the world.  I am so blessed to be a part of the Lere family.

Tonight we are having a turkey dinner (our good friend Mindy is joining us - sooooooo excited to spend time with her the next couple of days!) and we will be coming into Breck at 7:30 for some Christmas Day skiing & snowboarding tomorrow morning. 

Wishing you yummy cookies, laughter, warmth and safe travels in the coming hours and days. . .  This truly is the most wonderful time of the year, is it not?

I'm sad I can't be with my big crazy family at my Grandpa and Grandma Pearson's tonight (it's kind of like a Scandanavian version of a My-Big-Fat-Greek-Wedding-type family dynamic), but it is so wonderful to be back home in Colorado.   I miss it here a lot.  Sending my love to my daddy, mum, brother, cousins, aunts uncles and grandparents as you celebrate together. . . I'll  be thinking of & missing you. . .