Grandparent Trip--Hayden

 Mike and I drove to Denver, CO on Wednesday, March 13. We happened to both be awake at 3:30, so we got up, dressed, were fed, packed and out the door by 5:30. A few potty stops later, a picnic lunch somewhere in the Rockies, a bit of Caffeine and a few cat-naps by the NON- Drivers, and we made it to Parker, Colorado and Legend High School where Hayden participated in  his first ever track meet. He only told Katie a few weeks ago that he'd like to try out and do this. She was surprised, since he'd never had any interest in sports activities of any kind. Track is such a good one, so she hoped he'd do well and have a good experience. And he did! 

It was a Junior Varsity invitational meet, about six high schools from the area were there. Katie came and joined Mike and I in the stands. It was a perfect day, weather-wise. 60's, sunny.  We did end up wearing our jackets toward the end. It lasted about 3 hours since Hayden ran in the very last event. From 3 to 6 pm. He was so happy with the results. He ran the mile which is 4 times around the track. He told me that he'd only done it due practice in about 7 minutes. He ran it at the meet in 5 minutes 49 seconds. The other event was the 4 by 400 relay. There were only two teams and theirs almost won. It was very very close. He ran the third leg, received and passed the baton successfully, and ran his 100 meters in very close to 1 minute! 

  First full track meet for all of us. We were kind of lost and didn't know what events all were called. They alternated girls and boys teams. . . Or combined, line the 3200 meters which was 8 times around the track. One girl and about 5 boys did that. Anyway, Hayden did REALLY well!

We were so glad to have been there!

To celebrate, we had dinner at Olive Garden together. Ate too much, but took home left overs so Katie wouldn't have to cook, as long as they remembered to eat the pasta and bread sticks.

It was quite a long drive to and from the restaurant. It's NOT in Castle Rock where they live. There was a traffic jam on the I-25 freeway, so we got off, but didn't turn when we should have and drove home a longer way. With the twins, who were fading fast on a school night.  And Hayden still had to do some laundry and pack for an early departure on Thursday.

Not very much snow (NONE!)on many of the south-facing Rocky Mountains. 

This was Hayden's mile run. Four times around the track.  He's at the last of the group ( maroon shirt).

But, at the end, he moved up into about fifth place and passed some runners.

At the Olive Garden. Corbin's birthday is on Saturday. He will be 14. Got braces and his mouth was really sore.

And we always enjoy eating here. Family made it way fun.