We are happy to learn that we could take the road trip to Colorado for the Landstrom family reunion in July 2018. From our home in Texas, we mapped the drive to go through part of Oklahoma on the way to Denver, CO. The reason for this longer drive was for us to check off one more item on our bucket list. Oklahoma marked the 50th state, also the last state of the reunion that we had been to.
We stayed with Amy and Peter. Andrew and family joined us there when we're in Denver as well. It was like the Ngo family reunion for a few days before we headed out to Brekenridge. As always, lots of fun and lots of delicous food when we all got together. There even was time to celebrate Sawyer's and Amy's birthdays.
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Birthday celebration
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Michelle and Seth make Banh Xeo in Amy's kitchen.
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Amy, Peter and their family joined us in Breckenridge the first afternoon when the Landstrom family started. Michelle and Seth arrived at DEN airport from Taiwan a few nights later. Tan and Lieu picked them up and brought them to our Breckenridge condo. They were able to stay with us through the next day.
We had not visited Breckenridge since we left Colorado many years ago. It is now a famous resort town. The gondola lift was a poplular transporation to connect the downtown and the top of the ski area. There are a lot of summer activities, rides for visitors, high rise condos, trendy shops and restaurants with beautiful views. Not too far from Breckenridge, there are many hiking paths that we had fun to explore.
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With Tan & Lieu in Breckenridge
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Couisin's hike near Silverthorne
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Resting
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Thanks to Dee and Dennis who initiated a hot air balloon ride one early morning. The van picked us up from Breckenridge to take us to Hartsel where the ride took place. The weather was nice, just perfect for the early morning balloon ride. We thoroughly enjoyed the tranquility and the beauty from up in the air, and happy with an uneventful landing. Again, we are glad to check off "riding in a hot air balloon" from our bucket list. - (Exactly one week later the same balloon ride was not so lucky. It was the crash landing and two people were seriouly hurt. One of the two injured died a few days later).
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Getting ready for an early morning lift off.
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Happy landing. Packing up the balloon.
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Chanpagne toast for a successful flight.
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Big breakfast after the balloon ride.
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As always, many photo opps. The colorado mountain background was so beautiful and the reunion brought back many memorable moments.
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Paul & Tien's family.
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Andrew and Michelle's first cousins.
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The Landstrom Family.
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After Breckenbridge, we came back to Denver for a few days. Andrew and family (minus Carter) flew home to RDU at the end of the reunion. Michelle and Seth flew back to NY the same day we left Denver for Houston. We drove home with Carter since he did not have to go back to school for two weeks.
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Leaving by ferry for Bolivia Island.
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Carter at Hobby Airport heading to RDU and home.
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