48 Hours in Denver!

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you had a nice weekend!

As I mentioned on Friday, we headed off to my cousin’s wedding this weekend…in Denver! I can’t tell you how many days I sweated the plane ride there – Lincoln’s first – but thank the Lord, the little man slept the entire way. Hallelujah! (I cannot say the same for the return flight…)

The 6:30am take off time on Friday was absolutely brutal but at least he thought it was still time to sleep which saved the day –  and our sanity.

My parents, older brother and sister-in-law went a few days early so we met them straight from the airport at one of our favorite Denver breakfast joints – Snooze. My little brother, who lives in Denver, sent Ben and me there a few years ago and no trip would be complete without a visit. This place is insane.

I mean, any restaurant that offers pancake flights is definitely worth a try!

That’s right, pancake flights. I stuffed myself with a Carrot Cake Pancake, Pineapple Upside Down Pancake, and a Cinnamon Roll Pancake, then jittered out the door. Totally worth it. The Pineapple Upside Down Pancake (center) is hands down one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.

Ben enjoyed Snooze’s Corned Beef Hash, his usual, along with a signature Bloody and side of baby. Multitasking at it’s finest. Ay yi yi!

Afterwards we walked off our breakfast with a cruise along downtown Denver’s 16th Street Mall, and reunited with our Larimer Square Bear. Reunited and it feels so go-ood! I can’t even begin to explain this.

It was a gorgeous, 60ish degree afternoon so we stopped by Ted’s Montana Grill for a light lunch a little while later. None of us had heard anything about the place but their outdoor patio looked fun and fresh.

And it was!

We snacked on Teds’ complimentary, bottomless “half sours”, aka cucumbers that are lightly pickled but really salty (and really good) with some cold drinks.

Soon enough our entrees arrived. My Ted’s chopped salad was just ok, but Ben’s “Canyon Creek” burger – a bison patty with cheddar, bacon, fried jalapenos, an over-easy egg, and blackberry jam was outstanding. Think I’m going to recreate it for you later this week. That good!

The wedding rehearsal followed later that evening then we were back out eating breakfast early the next morning at Sam’s No. 3! (Recycled pic.) Denver is FULL of amazing restaurants, many of which we’ve tried, but it’s hard to resist going back to our favorites, which definitely includes Sam’s.

The same Snooze crowd was in attendance plus my cousin Jason and his wife Ellen whom we love catching up with!

Lincoln did great…until our food arrived, naturally. (Who, me?!) ; )

Breakfast quesadillas were scarfed at record speed, but omg they were just as delicious as last time. Bacon, eggs, and cheese smothered in Sam’s No. 3’s famous green chili. The chili that’s so good I made a copycat recipe!

Ben also got the same thing as last time, a Colorado Burrito, but unlike last time he did not finish it all. The same cannot be said for my brother who did…and suffered.

The wedding was later that evening, so we all stopped by a local bar to watch the Iowa game after breakfast (hey, it’s always 5:00 on vacation!) then my Mom and I decided we couldn’t come to Colorado without seeing the mountains so we drove about 25 minutes outside of the city to walk around Golden for a bit!

Ben and I toured the Coors brewery in Golden several years ago, but at the time had just driven by the historic “main street”. Oh my gosh, it is so cute. Very wild, wild, west-feeling. Makes you feel like you stepped back in time for a bit. Wouldn’t that be cool? : )

I say it every time I visit Colorado – I could so move here. So, so beautiful.

Sigh!

A sign advertising gourmet pupusas (squee!) almost made us stop for a bite, but we had a wedding to attend so we put Golden in our rearview mirror and Denver in our sights.

Pausing for a little photo shoot on the balcony of my parent’s 14th floor hotel room at the Warwick Hotel. The place was really nice!!

Great views of the city, within walking distance to the 16th street mall, and close to lots of bars and restaurants. I would definitely return.

The main event, my cousin Elyse’s wedding, was held at the nearby History Colorado Center. So pretty at night.

Ben and I sat in the back during the ceremony to make a quick exit with Lincoln if need be, but we got a perfect view of my cousin and Brett on the way in as fiancees, and out as husband and wife. These two were made for each other!

Afterwards, while the couple were taking photos in the atrium, the family got to chit chat for a bit before the start of the reception which was just in an adjoining room. LOVE when wedding ceremonies and receptions are held in the same place.

Most of my cousins, with the exception of Elyse and her family who live in Colorado, live in Ohio and the chance to get together is very few and far between. Lindsay and I are the same age and despite not growing up anywhere near each other, it is shocking how alike we are. Mannerisms, the sound of our voice – everything!

Family photo opp! Can I just tell you that Lincoln was wearing a collared plaid onesie and I almost died he was so cute?!

Brett and Elyse met at Barnes & Noble so the reception decor was all book themed. So cute and clever.

Plus there were bags of candy at each table. They really didn’t need anything else beyond that, if you ask me! ; )

Dinner was catered by the center’s restaurant and everyone agreed it was one of the best wedding meals we’ve ever had.

Thick and rich mashed potatoes, a super sweet corn and squash medley, and really rare roast beef (my favorite) was all on point. My plate was piled ridiculously (rocky mountain) high. ; )

The little dude was tuckered out and we needed to leave before cake (traveling with a 3 month old was challenging, but I sort of feel like if we survived that, I can do anything now!) but we did manage to cheers to the happy couple. Although our 48 hours in Denver went insanely fast, it was full of fun and, most importantly, family time!

Speaking of family – my littler brother had to be back home to be in a friend’s wedding while we were in Denver. Horrible timing! The silver lining was that our flights matched up in such a way that we got to see each other as we arrived/departed and swapped cars for the weekend. I’ll take it! (Nice photo bomb, Ben!)

Well guys, that’s what we were up to this weekend! I hope you had a good one yourself, and have a wonderful week!