Chinese Lunch and Cowboys & Aliens

I picked up my dad for lunch this afternoon.  We were supposed to have lunch with one of his coworkers who was interested in our experiences in Italy.  His coworker was unable to make it, so we headed to lunch on our own.

Dad took me to one of his favorite Chinese restaurants and it was pretty good.  From past experience with American Chinese food, I expected it to be heavy and filling.  Not at this place.  The sauces were light and very tasty, without being overfilling.

This evening I made bruscheta to go along with a salad Brooke provided.  After dinner all of us headed to the theater to see Cowboys & Aliens.

So, I must say I was really looking forward to this movie.  We've all seen alien movies that take place in 'modern' times or the future, but the concept of aliens visiting during the wild west period sounded new and interesting.  Why not?  If we could have aliens now, why not back then?!

The movie let me down.  It let all of us down.  The plot lacked...well, a plot.  There was so much potential and we all left feeling like we wasted our money.

Sibling NIght

This evening my sisters, Brooke and Heather, and I went out for dinner and drinks.  It was their idea for some bonding time.

We ended up at a brew pub my dad recommended.  The beer was ok, but the appetizers were pretty good.  We ordered several different appetizers to share and caught up on life, old times, growing up and much more.  It was a great evening.  My sister Heather, the lightweight drinker, was supposed to be the designated driver, but after two beers she had Brooke drive...too funny.

We decided it was a fun and great idea and plan to do it again next time we are together.

Chicago Style Hot Dogs

Today we met up with Mom, Dad, Brooke, Gavin and Tanner at Margo's Vienna Station in Manitou Springs.  We love Chicago Style Hot Dogs, and Margo's is the place to go for the best.

Before meeting for lunch, Brandon, Katrina and I stopped in Old Colorado City to wander the shops and take pictures.  We had a great time and Katrina was able to get some great shots.

After lunch, all of us stopped by to visit my Great Aunt Jane.  She is 92 years old and living in a care home after breaking her hip twice.   It was great to visit with her.

This evening we enjoyed some of Dad's spaghetti and sauce at their new apartment.  Mom and Dad have lived in a new place each time we have visited.  This new place is by far the nicest.

Colorado Springs

This morning we headed south to Colorado Springs, about a 1 hour drive.  We arrived at my sister Heather's house around lunch time.  Heather and Rob were at work, so my parents met us at the house.  Our nephew Dylan was hanging out at home, enjoying his last day of freedom before school starts tomorrow.

We spent the afternoon hanging out with family.  By late afternoon my sister Brooke and our two nephews Gavin and Tanner arrived.  Rob and Heather also arrived home from work, as did my brother in law Jason.

We had an easy to fix meal of sandwiches, chips and potato salad for dinner.  My cousin Sheila, her husband Chris and their daughter joined us as well.