nate's 40th

nate turned the big 4-0 last week.  we celebrated by going up to vail for a few days.

it was hard to figure out what to get for nate, he has everything and sometimes the gifts that money can't buy are the most valued.

lucy and i made a few things for him, but i think the item he enjoyed most was the jar full of little slips of paper.  each filled with a thoughtful message from our friends and family to him.  

they were difficult to read all in one sitting because it was so emotional.  they were sweet, funny, and heartfelt.  

here's one:

"Happy Birthday Nate.  I really miss you, I miss the good times we had like getting ice cream and going to the zoo.  But most of all our bike rides to the pond.  Please come back.  Love Cam"

and another:

"Why I love my friend nate...he is kind and sincere.  He makes you feel like your are important.  He is a faithful and devoted husband.  He is an insanely sweet loving father.  He works hard and plays hard and is so dear to us that it is hard to even write this without tearing up because i miss you so much.  You make those around you want to be a better person.  Happy 40th bday old friend.  Love Tina"

and my favorite:

"Uncle Nate, Happy Birthday I love you. Wow your 40 that is a lot. Love, Mason"   mason is 5

thank you everybody for making it special!

looking good at 40

do all kids love mac n cheese?? 'cuz lucy sure does

reading more at dinner

so who still gives out free birthday dinners??  atwater @vail cascade does! can you believe thats a $50 entree he got for free?!

chocolate milk 'n cookies to finish the night

still reading them

our rooms proximity to the lifts, sweet

messing around with the panorama on my phone

one of the prettiest vistas at vail, picture doesn't do it justice

lucys cute snowsuit

look at that artwork on the walls, delicious italian we had @ campo 

waiting for the shuttle

my favorite picture from the weekend.  back bowls of vail crazy riding

OH!! and i almost forgot this one, i need to talk to whoever invented that thing below.  because i'm unconvinced i'm the only one that can't figure it out!  it was quite a hilarious episode!  i'm sure the lift operator is still telling the story and laughing about it now.