Saturday, May 5, 2012
It's a BOY!
The day finally came to find out what we are having. The halfway mark in the pregnancy and what an exciting point. I feel great and don't look ginormous yet. Although I need to rein in on my sweet tooth. So we went to the doctor and did the anatomy scan ultrasound. The baby has a healthy heart rate of 150bpm and includes 10 fingers and 10 cute toes. And to our joy there was no doubt this was a little baby boy.
LegoFest 2012
We made it to the long anticipated LegoFest in Denver. I planned on buying tickets when we decided to mosey downtown over the weekend but it was a good thing I looked up some information online about the festival Friday morning. The event was almost completely sold out. I bought tickets to ensure our entry to this traveling exhibit.
We piled into the convention center with tons of other kids and parents with excitement. Up front were displays of life size characters built completely out of legos. Here is Batman standing on a gargoyle ready for some action.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Baby at 12 weeks
We visited the doctor last Tuesday for our 12 week prenatal appointment. We were happy to learn everything is going well and the baby is healthy. I am finally felling better and have gained back my appetite. It is so nice to eat food and enjoy it!!Sunday, February 26, 2012
It's a Baby!
After 10.5 years together and 5.5 years of marriage, we decided that just maybe we are ready to start a family. Maybe we are finally grown up enough to take care of someone besides ourselves. Next thing we knew we were pregnant! We decided the timing was perfect to tell our parents on Valentines Day! We handmade some cute Valentines to send the good news! It's going to be a big year!! 
Valentines Weekend
This year I left Matt for Valentines weekend and spent some time in Gilbert Arizona, near Phoenix, with my mom and Anna. It was so great to spend time in warm sunny weather. I even got some color on my cheeks. Anna took us to oldtown Scottsdale for some window shopping and lunch!
Saunday we took a trip to the Phoenix zoo! It is rated in the tope 5 in the country. The vast detail of landscaping intergrated into each exhibit was truly impressive. You really felt like you were see the animals in a giant conservation park and not caged in small areas at the zoo. It was so spread out that we didn't make it through the entire park. Some families brought bikes to ride around the park since it was so large. Below is my favorite exhibit. This rhino was so neat. He had an itch on his leg and kept scratching it on a branch by his leg.
We spent one morning at a nearby farmers market. It was a cute little local market with lots of character. It was great to get out and bask in the Arizona sun. Then we ventured over to a nearby bridal shop so Anna could try on some dresses. Mom and I picked a few out for her to try, but she truly knew what she wanted. She scouted out a dress before we came. We didn't believe that she really could have found "the" dress. But after she tried on our mediocore choice of dresses and put on her choice, it was clear that she really knew what looked best for her. It was a gorgeous classy fitted dress. I held back my tears cause I didn't want to cry, but wow it was so pretty on her.
This was a great trip to see my mom and catch up with Anna on her crazy adventures. It was also the perfect time to chare with them the great news Matt and I had. We are expecting a September baby this year! It was a nice get away with good news all around. What an exciting year for my sister and I; Anna's wedding, our first baby, and Alicia's first baby too.
Saunday we took a trip to the Phoenix zoo! It is rated in the tope 5 in the country. The vast detail of landscaping intergrated into each exhibit was truly impressive. You really felt like you were see the animals in a giant conservation park and not caged in small areas at the zoo. It was so spread out that we didn't make it through the entire park. Some families brought bikes to ride around the park since it was so large. Below is my favorite exhibit. This rhino was so neat. He had an itch on his leg and kept scratching it on a branch by his leg.
We spent one morning at a nearby farmers market. It was a cute little local market with lots of character. It was great to get out and bask in the Arizona sun. Then we ventured over to a nearby bridal shop so Anna could try on some dresses. Mom and I picked a few out for her to try, but she truly knew what she wanted. She scouted out a dress before we came. We didn't believe that she really could have found "the" dress. But after she tried on our mediocore choice of dresses and put on her choice, it was clear that she really knew what looked best for her. It was a gorgeous classy fitted dress. I held back my tears cause I didn't want to cry, but wow it was so pretty on her.
This was a great trip to see my mom and catch up with Anna on her crazy adventures. It was also the perfect time to chare with them the great news Matt and I had. We are expecting a September baby this year! It was a nice get away with good news all around. What an exciting year for my sister and I; Anna's wedding, our first baby, and Alicia's first baby too. January 2012
January was an eventful month. For Matt's birthday gift I found some great 100 level seats at the Pepsi center for the Nuggets vs. Jazz game. It was a blast to finally make it to a basketball game. 
Another big event is Denver's annual National Western Stock show. We decided this a must do if you live in Denver event so we spent one day perusing the many miles of animals, arts, food, and western memorabilia. 
Later in the afternoon we saw the Mexican rodeo at the coliseum. The event began with a firework show and dancing. It continued with fancy trick horse riding, bull fighting, bull riding, and mutton busting. It was a blast and we plan on going again next year!
Later in the afternoon we saw the Mexican rodeo at the coliseum. The event began with a firework show and dancing. It continued with fancy trick horse riding, bull fighting, bull riding, and mutton busting. It was a blast and we plan on going again next year!Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Time!
As you can see, we are all ready for the holiday! Our tree is accented with festive ornaments and lights and accompanied by the infamous lego train this year! Somehow over the years I have lost many pieces and had to improvise parts to make it work but it is up and running well.
Our stocking are hung with care with our family's favorite holiday flick placed on repeat in the background, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
To get into the holiday spirit last week, we put on our jammies, warmed some hot cocoa, and drove around Denver looking for Christmas lights. We found a few fabulous neighboorhoods all decked out. Below we feature the houses that truly went above and beyond to show their holiday spirit.
Some of these house were truely amazing. This one here had 20 or more 15+ foot trees completely covered with lights. The gate made it sad we were not able to drive through the peoples yard and enjoy them.
To start our holiday off right, Matt got a pair of Avalanche hockey tickets from me for the game on Dec.23 against Tampa Bay Lightening. The game went into overtime and our team won in the last three min by one amazing shot.
Our stocking are hung with care with our family's favorite holiday flick placed on repeat in the background, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
To get into the holiday spirit last week, we put on our jammies, warmed some hot cocoa, and drove around Denver looking for Christmas lights. We found a few fabulous neighboorhoods all decked out. Below we feature the houses that truly went above and beyond to show their holiday spirit.
Some of these house were truely amazing. This one here had 20 or more 15+ foot trees completely covered with lights. The gate made it sad we were not able to drive through the peoples yard and enjoy them.
To start our holiday off right, Matt got a pair of Avalanche hockey tickets from me for the game on Dec.23 against Tampa Bay Lightening. The game went into overtime and our team won in the last three min by one amazing shot.
Thanksgiving Weekend
This year we flew to southern Oregon for the Thanksgiving holiday. We enjoyed spending time with the family including my grandparents. Thanksgiving day we all gathered at my great aunt Leta's house for afternoon dinner and dessert. Friday, my mom and I woke up early, but not too early, to do some holiday shopping. 
The rest of Friday our friend Chelsea drove Matt and I to Ashland for the afternoon. We walked the plaza, spent some time at Paddington's and had lunch at Alex's. Some of our favorite things. After the sun went down we stayed for the Ashland Festival of Light parade and city lights ceremony. We watched all the Occupy hippies walk down the street protesting their crazy ideas mixed with some holiday music as the whole town came out to participate. All the years we lived in Ashland we never attended the annual event for one reason or another so this was a fun treat!
Saturday we hung out with my grandparents playing dominoes and catching up from the past year. Sunday we woke up early and drove back to Ashland one last time for breakfast at our favorite early joint Brother's. We had our usual, the bagel and lox with capers plate for two. We walked the SOU campus so Matt could rekindle his time spent dedicated to his undergrad. Now that he's an alumni, we decided to see the alumni house on campus. We took a few pics, said our goodbyes, and left our memories of a moment in time behind for the next chapter of adventures.
The rest of Friday our friend Chelsea drove Matt and I to Ashland for the afternoon. We walked the plaza, spent some time at Paddington's and had lunch at Alex's. Some of our favorite things. After the sun went down we stayed for the Ashland Festival of Light parade and city lights ceremony. We watched all the Occupy hippies walk down the street protesting their crazy ideas mixed with some holiday music as the whole town came out to participate. All the years we lived in Ashland we never attended the annual event for one reason or another so this was a fun treat!
Saturday we hung out with my grandparents playing dominoes and catching up from the past year. Sunday we woke up early and drove back to Ashland one last time for breakfast at our favorite early joint Brother's. We had our usual, the bagel and lox with capers plate for two. We walked the SOU campus so Matt could rekindle his time spent dedicated to his undergrad. Now that he's an alumni, we decided to see the alumni house on campus. We took a few pics, said our goodbyes, and left our memories of a moment in time behind for the next chapter of adventures.Free Night at the Museum's
This fall we participated in Denver's annual free night at the museums. This year we explored the Botanic Gardens and the Byers-Evans House Museum. We started the evening with the Botanic Gardens being it is mainly an outside museum with sculptures placed amongst pathways of trees, plants and flower. There was few blooming flowers as the season had turned with the leaves. The gardens were organized in themed sections including an herb garden and a Japanese garden beautifully accented with colored lights along pathways winding in and out of each other.
As we finished the outside garden's a sudden burst of rain flooded the grounds just in time for us to explore the atrium. Unfortunately, only part of the atrium was open for the evening.
Below is a picture of me in the garden's atrium next to a tree with one lonely fruit. It was a tough tree as we watched a dozen people come in from the rain and tug on this piece of fruit and yet it remained attached to he tree. Not sure how long it would last!
With the rain receding, we decided to head over to the Beyer-Evan's house. A historic house built in 1883 for William Byers, the editor of Denver's first newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News. In 1889, he sold the house to the son of John Evans (the second governor of the Colorado territory), William Evans, who was president of the Denver Tramway Company. The house remains in tact in the middle of the city and looks as it did over 100 years ago. It has been said the house is haunted so we were curious to see for ourselves. It was a very cool house but we determined by the end that it's not haunted, at least not for us and one visit was all we will ever need from that museum.
As we finished the outside garden's a sudden burst of rain flooded the grounds just in time for us to explore the atrium. Unfortunately, only part of the atrium was open for the evening.
Below is a picture of me in the garden's atrium next to a tree with one lonely fruit. It was a tough tree as we watched a dozen people come in from the rain and tug on this piece of fruit and yet it remained attached to he tree. Not sure how long it would last!
With the rain receding, we decided to head over to the Beyer-Evan's house. A historic house built in 1883 for William Byers, the editor of Denver's first newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News. In 1889, he sold the house to the son of John Evans (the second governor of the Colorado territory), William Evans, who was president of the Denver Tramway Company. The house remains in tact in the middle of the city and looks as it did over 100 years ago. It has been said the house is haunted so we were curious to see for ourselves. It was a very cool house but we determined by the end that it's not haunted, at least not for us and one visit was all we will ever need from that museum.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Is it already Fall
I suppose it is already fall. The Denver weather has been holding strong with sun in the mid-70's during the daytime, but the evenings tend to drop into the 30's and 40's. We have been lucky with the wet summer, which has left leaves on the trees that are now turning reds and oranges to help remind us that fall has arrived. The winter is near with snow capped peaks in the distance and a few ski slopes opening earlier than ever. For the first time in a long time we have decided to not carve pumpkins. With few trick-or-treaters in our apartment complex, we lacked the inspiration to carve. Although we made it out to a local pumpkin patch and corn maze, Mile High farms.
To get into the spirit I had a pumpkin painted on my face! There was no one in line so I couldn't say no. Once all the kiddos saw the fabulous sparkly art on my cheek they began to line up.
This was an interesting corn maze. The theme of the farm was haunted seas, but then it changed in the maze to a candy theme; odd. This is me next to a haunted lollipop. As you can see the corn didn't seem to do well this year since I could see the entire maze with no mystery left to wonder where we were in the maze. I talked too soon. Then as we continued we couldn't seem to find our way back. Every time we took a turn towards the entrance that we could see in the distance we would veer further and further away. Tricky. Eventually we made it out.
We were sure to get some cider and hot cocoa to sip on as we wandered the haunted decorations though out the farm.
At least they had a scarecrow. He looks scared!
To get into the spirit I had a pumpkin painted on my face! There was no one in line so I couldn't say no. Once all the kiddos saw the fabulous sparkly art on my cheek they began to line up.
This was an interesting corn maze. The theme of the farm was haunted seas, but then it changed in the maze to a candy theme; odd. This is me next to a haunted lollipop. As you can see the corn didn't seem to do well this year since I could see the entire maze with no mystery left to wonder where we were in the maze. I talked too soon. Then as we continued we couldn't seem to find our way back. Every time we took a turn towards the entrance that we could see in the distance we would veer further and further away. Tricky. Eventually we made it out.
We were sure to get some cider and hot cocoa to sip on as we wandered the haunted decorations though out the farm.
At least they had a scarecrow. He looks scared!
Weekend in Portland
We had a lovely time visiting Portland seeing family and friends. It was an evening of fun celebrating Lauren's UnWedding party!
I was fortunate to have a few days at the coast. Fresh baked french bread, sparkling water, and sun was just the R-and-R I needed.
I was fortunate to have a few days at the coast. Fresh baked french bread, sparkling water, and sun was just the R-and-R I needed.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday Zoo Spectacular!
Since we both have the weekend off now, we have a little more opportunity to both get out and do something. So, yesterday we both decided to get outside since the this weather is just about to leave us for a long time. Where else to go, but the ZOO! Actually, I was just going to go to City Park (which within its property, contains either one or two 18 golf courses, the science musuem, and the Zoo) and walk around. However, it wsas decided we should go to the zoo.
It was a good experience. We saw about 90% of the animals and they were all pretty active.
Well, most of them were pretty active. Here we see some porcupines. These things were HUGE!! The were about the size of JJ. Well, almost.
They did just have zoo animals. They had an extensive collection of snakes and fish.
I know those New England folks know what they are. That's right, Horseshoe Crabs. They always were running all over the tanks.
Some birds. I don't recall what kind.
JJ, needed an ice cream cone, so here she is enjoying it.
We saw lions, tigers, and bears. And a cheeta, multiple dear like animals, tons of birds, monkeys and apes, lemars, seals, hippos, rhinos, wolves, heyenas, wild horses, etc., ect! Not a bad trip at all.
It was a good experience. We saw about 90% of the animals and they were all pretty active.
Well, most of them were pretty active. Here we see some porcupines. These things were HUGE!! The were about the size of JJ. Well, almost.
They did just have zoo animals. They had an extensive collection of snakes and fish.
I know those New England folks know what they are. That's right, Horseshoe Crabs. They always were running all over the tanks.
Some birds. I don't recall what kind.
JJ, needed an ice cream cone, so here she is enjoying it.
We saw lions, tigers, and bears. And a cheeta, multiple dear like animals, tons of birds, monkeys and apes, lemars, seals, hippos, rhinos, wolves, heyenas, wild horses, etc., ect! Not a bad trip at all.Girls weekend
Last weekend I attended Lauren's UNbachelorette party in Vegas. It has been unfortunate circumstances that we were celebrating, but it was fabulous to have a weekend getaway with two wonderful friends. Lauren, Elaine and I spend the weekend at the WorldMark hotel timeshare floating their lazy river and we frequently visited the strip. SO much has changed since I was last in Vegas. It's now bigger and better! (above, me in the Palazzo hotel) 
This pic is looking down the south end of the strip as we made our way from Caesar's to the CVS near the far end. Wow was that a long walk. (above, Elaine and the Strip)Below you can see the Cosmopolitan Hotel, which was beautiful with decorations of pink sparkles and shine with the interior resembling a chandelier. (below, the cosmopolitan hotel interior)
this was are walk through the Bellagio with the conservatory decorated like a carnival in the park. (above, me and the twisted tree)
It was nice to get to know Elaine better. She is a fabulous person and I am glad to see Joel and her happy. We were both glad to support Lauren in this bump in the road of her life and we have made more great memories with a weekend that we will always remember as our Girls weekend!