So much to update!

Disclaimer: the pictures of the Colorado trip contained in this post reflect what happens to pregnant ladies when they fly. Can we say swelling?!

Whew! I don't know where to begin! The past 10 days have been amazing to say the least.

Friday, November 20th began with helping my friend Sonya at her wedding rehearsal. I had the privilege of telling the wedding party when to walk down the aisle. That night our friends the House's and Lamb's spent the night and we stayed up way too late talking and catching up.

Saturday I woke up early to do Sonya's make-up (she looked beautiful!) and later on we enjoyed the wedding! Sonya and Isaiah both looked so happy, and it was a beautiful ceremony. The weather was crisp and chilly, but I thought it fit well with the fall theme (plus who am I to complain about cold weddings ;-).

Another late night with our visiting friends, 2 hours of sleep, and on the road we were to LAX! We arrived with plenty of time for our flight and had fun spotting others in Denver or Charger gear who were flying with us. We arrived to the FREEZING weather in Denver, and had a great breakfast at Sams. Walking around downtown Denver we saw equal amounts of Charger and Denver fans. We had fun high fiving and cheering with other Charger fans. We got to the game and just happened to have a few other Charger fans sitting next to us in the sea of Orange. I had been a little nervous wearing our Charger colors in the South end Zone, but it turned out even the harassing Denver fans were nice to us. The first Charger touchdown, Jose and I instinctively jumped out of our chairs, and were soon yelled at to sit down. After the Chargers started dominating the Broncos, no one said anything when we got more and more obnoxious in our cheering! The wimpy Broncos fans started clearing out of the stadium when the 4th quarter started, and we were able to move to the front row of the end zone. By the end of the game, the only remaining people in the stands were Charger fans!

After FREEZING our tails off at the game, we headed to Colorado Springs to see Amy Jo! I am so sad that we didn't get a single picture together! How did I do that?!? Pictures or no pictures, the time I got to spend with her was great. It amazes me that every time I see or talk to a Focus Institute friend, it feels like no time has passed and we can pick up where we left off.

Monday Morning I looked out the window at about 6 am and was sad to see the weather forecast was wrong and there was no snow. When I looked out again at 8 it was snowing! By the time we got ready the snow had stopped falling but there was a blanket of white everywhere. Perfect for us Californians! We had expected weather in the 50's and 60's, (not FREEZING!) so our first stop was Target to buy long sleeves and sweaters.



We had a great time walking around Garden of the Gods (or what I prefer to call God's Garden), driving through Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, downtown, and Helen Hunt waterfall. Up at the waterfall, the temperature dropped (below freezing) and it started snowing! Our final stop was The Broadmoor Hotel. I LOVE the Broadmoor and always dreamed of staying there. For fun, Jose and I asked if there was availability. While the front desk lady looked up rates, I glance at a flier that stated off season lowest rates was more than $300, and thought my dreams were over. However, she surprised (more like shocked) us with a deal I couldn't pass up, and added, " I hope you don't mind I've given you a view of the lake and mountains." I literally had to pull my jaw closed, and said, "I'd prefer a view of the street." When I assured her that I was joking, she handed us the keys to our room! What a perfect place to stay on our anniversary eve!


That night after dinner with Amy Jo and Esther (again no pictures!!!), we headed back to the hotel. We were walking around when a staff member told us to check out the Golden Bee Pub. We were shuttled to an off site Broadmoor restaurant complete with a piano man and a fun dinner crowd. Through rounds of singing show tunes, fight songs and classics we got to know the bar tender who suggested we drive through the Rockies on our way back to Denver the following day.

On Tuesday, our anniversary, we talked to the concierge about ideas of things to do. Our first plan was the Coors Brewery tour, but we learned that it was closed on Tuesdays! The concierge mapped out a three hour trip through the Rockies to get to Denver (instead of 1 hour straight through not so pretty). We are so glad we chose this option! It was beautiful. We pulled over at least 5 times to take pictures of the scenery. We stopped in Breckenridge and walked through the charming town. I love this town, even though we were freezing! They had the coziest Starbucks I've seen, great cookies, and beautiful views.

We made it in to Denver right before dinner and checked into our hotel. We stayed at the Curtis right down town. We walked 1/2 a block to our dinner at La Fondue, and another 2 blocks to Comedy Works. We finished the night with a stroll down 16th St. Mall! A PERFECT 2nd anniversary.

Wednesday we woke up, had another great meal at The Delectable Egg, peopled watched at the 16th St. Mall, and went model home hunting. Can I just say that I am VERY disappointed that California homes do not offer basements! For what we can sell our home for, we could by a 5000 square foot home with upgrades. Not fair!


Our flight and drive home went well, but by the time we arrived home we were starving! Thanks to a surprise from Silvia and Savannah we had food, sparkling juice, flowers and dessert waiting for us! Again a perfect ending to a perfect week!