Quite the Gala

Last week I got the opportunity to go to a really fancy fundraising gala for work. A couple of us in the office got tickets last minute to the $500 a plate dinner for our hospital. I work at a non profit hospital, Craig Hospital, that specializes in working with people with spinal cord and brain injuries. It was so crazy to be at the fancy party/gala with people in their evening gowns and fancy suits. During the cocktail hour they were serving tons of drinks and appetizers and there was even an ice sculpture that said Craig on it that they would pour martinis through. Let's just say I was a little dissapointed that they couldn't pour diet pepsi through it. Bummer! Here are the lovely OT's and the chaplain at our table...it was in the very back of course. I liked it that way though because during the auction I didn't have to be nervous that they might think I was bidding on the 25,000 pin ball machine! That's right, the affluent people of Denver were bidding at ridiculous prices for items and all the proceeds went to the hospital.

There was a program to honor those who had come to our hospital from being hurt in the war...2 men with spinal cord injuries and 1 with a brain injury. There was a special program for them and they were all honored with the Christopher Reeves award. It was truly a touching moment that made me so grateful to work at such an amazing hospital (and I'm not gonna lie, it made me cry a little bit). I work specifically with patients who have had brain injuries and are often just coming out of comas. Everyday is truly amazing to see how these people are able to recovery from such incredible injuries. It definitely makes you realize how precious life really is. It's great though to see people living again.

How many Powells?!

So, a couple weekends ago Brent's family (Aaron's brother) came down and we met them at the Denver Art Museum. It was such a unique building in the heart of downtown. Of course with art there were some really cool paintings and sculptures and then there were some things that I thought a kindergarten class could have put together. I'm sure this is bad for me to say, but it's the truth.

Well, afterwards 2 of Aaron's other brothers were planning to come down with their kids and we were all going to watch a movie at our apartment clubhouse. There is a really sweet movie room with a bunch of couches and love sacs. His brother Dave had rented it out for the night (he also lives at the same apt. complex with his wife). Anyway, about a half hour before everyone showed up Dave got a call that they wouldn't be able to rent out the clubhouse to us due to some rule changes.

So, Dave and Caroline have a one bedroom smaller apt. and we have a 2 bedroom apt that is a bit bigger, so what do we do....head to Little Caesars and buy them out of their hot and ready pizzas and have the whole clan in our apt. It was a pretty great experience with 6 kids and 8 adults hanging out in our little apt. It took about 3 minutes for one of the kids to spill something and it just continued thereafter. It was definitely an eye opening experience to the world of kids! We had a great time though with everyone and somehow made room for us all to watch the movie. Here's a pic of the whole clan hanging in our front room. Gotta love family!