Aren't we cute?! More to come...The Gribbles get here tomorrow and the Petty Christmas is Monday night!
Friday, December 26, 2008
CO Day Four
Tuesday morning, we awoke to it still snowing. It was not heavy snow, just 
pretty and peaceful. After Trent left for work, we loaded up the dogs and snowshoes and headed out 
the door. We were supposed to have gone on Monday, but ran out of time. We had enough time for about an hour hike. Of course, we stopped along the "trail" for pictures. The dog's loved being outside and were funny to watch hopping through the snow! Once again, I hated to be in CO and not take advantage of the winter outdoor fun!
pretty and peaceful. After Trent left for work, we loaded up the dogs and snowshoes and headed out 
the door. We were supposed to have gone on Monday, but ran out of time. We had enough time for about an hour hike. Of course, we stopped along the "trail" for pictures. The dog's loved being outside and were funny to watch hopping through the snow! Once again, I hated to be in CO and not take advantage of the winter outdoor fun! After showers and grabbing a quick bite at the house, we 
headed for the airport. I was to catch a 2:20 flight, which actually did not leave until 3:15. 
Luckily, flights were delayed in Cinn., so I was able to make my connecting flight. I thought for awhile there I was going to be spending the night in the airport! My sweet parents came to pick me up around 10:30 that night. I was certainly sad to have left my friends and the beautiful mountains. However, I was just lucky to have had such an amazing experience!!! Sure makes you want to move out there!
headed for the airport. I was to catch a 2:20 flight, which actually did not leave until 3:15. 
Luckily, flights were delayed in Cinn., so I was able to make my connecting flight. I thought for awhile there I was going to be spending the night in the airport! My sweet parents came to pick me up around 10:30 that night. I was certainly sad to have left my friends and the beautiful mountains. However, I was just lucky to have had such an amazing experience!!! Sure makes you want to move out there! CO Day Three
Day Three 
was crammed with too much! So, this day was extended to Tuesday morning. However, back to Monday (day 3). After Dana took Trent to work so we could have the car, we headed out for our daily adventure. We went into Georgetown (where they both work) and Dana showed me around her school. She works at a charter school nestled in the cute downtown area. Everyday, Dana has a gorgeous view of the moutains from her desk...jealous! Our next stop was the Continental Divide. The Loveland pass was closed Sunday 
because of avalanche clean up so we tried on Monday and were successful. We stopped at the top to take pictures and then headed to Breckenridge. Man, the top was cold and windy!
was crammed with too much! So, this day was extended to Tuesday morning. However, back to Monday (day 3). After Dana took Trent to work so we could have the car, we headed out for our daily adventure. We went into Georgetown (where they both work) and Dana showed me around her school. She works at a charter school nestled in the cute downtown area. Everyday, Dana has a gorgeous view of the moutains from her desk...jealous! Our next stop was the Continental Divide. The Loveland pass was closed Sunday 
because of avalanche clean up so we tried on Monday and were successful. We stopped at the top to take pictures and then headed to Breckenridge. Man, the top was cold and windy!We parked 
at the bottom lot in Breckenridge, and rode the gondala to the top. However, instead of exiting, we rode it back down. Now I can say I rode on one! (we didn't take anything to ski with this day. I felt accomplished enough from the day before!) At the bottom, we walked into the downtown area. It was much bigger than I thought and were full of people. We kept our eyes open for the famous, but had no such luck. We did cruise through some of the shops and had lunch overlooking 
the mountains. It snowed a little while we were eating which was perfect!
at the bottom lot in Breckenridge, and rode the gondala to the top. However, instead of exiting, we rode it back down. Now I can say I rode on one! (we didn't take anything to ski with this day. I felt accomplished enough from the day before!) At the bottom, we walked into the downtown area. It was much bigger than I thought and were full of people. We kept our eyes open for the famous, but had no such luck. We did cruise through some of the shops and had lunch overlooking 
the mountains. It snowed a little while we were eating which was perfect! After heading back towards home, we 
went back to Georgetown and walked around the shops while waiting to pick Trent up from work. I was able to get an ornament for my tree next year to remember my trip. That night, we walked to the local brewery, Tommy Knocker, for dinner and drinks. As we were walking home, it started snowing and continued through the night! Beautiful! (the pic with Dana and I to the right was taken in downtown Breckenridge. All the others are from the top of Loveland Pass)
went back to Georgetown and walked around the shops while waiting to pick Trent up from work. I was able to get an ornament for my tree next year to remember my trip. That night, we walked to the local brewery, Tommy Knocker, for dinner and drinks. As we were walking home, it started snowing and continued through the night! Beautiful! (the pic with Dana and I to the right was taken in downtown Breckenridge. All the others are from the top of Loveland Pass)Day Two...Skiing
If you look back to February 07, you will see that was my first 
time ever skiing. I was certainly no pro at this skiing thing, but I hated to be in CO and NOT go skiing. They said they would leave it up to me what we did. So, Sunday afternoon we headed to the slopes! Since Dana and Trent are professionals at this skiing business (they used to be ski 
instructors and where they fell in love!), I was well equipped with gear and my very own instructors! So, I at least looked like I knew what I was doing...or at least I was dressed that way! (Since I just carried a pack with me on the plane, I borrowed Dana's warm stuff while I was out there.) That afternoon we headed to the "local" ski area about 45 mins. from their house; A Basin . The "kiddie" slope had a chair lift so I was going to conquer several things this day...skiing in CO and 
attempting a chair lift! The first two times I exited the chair lift, I fell (surprise!). I really didn't know that was possible to fall from the lift once your feet are on ground. Trust me, it happens though! The other times, I was successful 
working my way to "bunny slope pro" status! I fell a few times at the beginning, but quickly got the hang of it. I was even trying out some turns! After a few hours of skiing, we headed to a local place for a late lunch then home to watch the Carolina Panthers. After staying up late the night before, I headed to bed early; or at least CO time early!
time ever skiing. I was certainly no pro at this skiing thing, but I hated to be in CO and NOT go skiing. They said they would leave it up to me what we did. So, Sunday afternoon we headed to the slopes! Since Dana and Trent are professionals at this skiing business (they used to be ski 
instructors and where they fell in love!), I was well equipped with gear and my very own instructors! So, I at least looked like I knew what I was doing...or at least I was dressed that way! (Since I just carried a pack with me on the plane, I borrowed Dana's warm stuff while I was out there.) That afternoon we headed to the "local" ski area about 45 mins. from their house; A Basin . The "kiddie" slope had a chair lift so I was going to conquer several things this day...skiing in CO and 
attempting a chair lift! The first two times I exited the chair lift, I fell (surprise!). I really didn't know that was possible to fall from the lift once your feet are on ground. Trust me, it happens though! The other times, I was successful 
working my way to "bunny slope pro" status! I fell a few times at the beginning, but quickly got the hang of it. I was even trying out some turns! After a few hours of skiing, we headed to a local place for a late lunch then home to watch the Carolina Panthers. After staying up late the night before, I headed to bed early; or at least CO time early! Colorado...Day One
After hopping a plane at 6:30 in the mornin', I was on my way to Denver, 
CO! I arrived in the Cinn. airport with just enough time to quickly walk to the next gate. I sat down on the much larger plane and stared at the DVD players in front of me, wishing for a second I had money to spend to watch the movie. However, I decided that my money would be better spent in CO, so I settled down with my book and the window for napping. I arrived in Denver around 10:00 their time and was greeted by Dana and
Trent! I hadn't seen them since a brief encounter last Christmas and a quick lunch with Dana this summer. So, we had lots to catch up on! We headed into Denver for lunch and a little bit of walking around before heading to Idaho Springs. 
CO! I arrived in the Cinn. airport with just enough time to quickly walk to the next gate. I sat down on the much larger plane and stared at the DVD players in front of me, wishing for a second I had money to spend to watch the movie. However, I decided that my money would be better spent in CO, so I settled down with my book and the window for napping. I arrived in Denver around 10:00 their time and was greeted by Dana and
Trent! I hadn't seen them since a brief encounter last Christmas and a quick lunch with Dana this summer. So, we had lots to catch up on! We headed into Denver for lunch and a little bit of walking around before heading to Idaho Springs. 
When we got to their house that afternoon, it was snowing! I got a tour of their house, enjoyed a tasty CO beer while catching up, then helped make food for the Tacky Christmas Party they were hosting that evening. "Eggnog with a twist", fine tasting CO beers, mighty tasty food, and good fellowship ended my first day out there. I knew this was going to be a trip to remember!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
The Race
My stomach began turning flips Friday afternoon. So, you can imagine how I was feeling before we started out! I was in amazement at all the people; and all the fast people! The 1st mile, I had a side stitch in my right side. I never get them in my right side; I've only had them in my left side! Around mile 2 1/2, I thought I was going to throw up from the drainage in my throat from the cold I tried to catch the previous week. I put 8,000 mg of vitamin C in my body within 2-3 days! Once I was over that, it wasn't too bad.I tried "running" through the 1st water station. Yeah, I'm not that coordinated I guess! The water stations were every 2 miles, so at all the rest of them I walked through them. This proved to be a much easier and smarter way to drink! I did hit a wall around 4 miles, 8 miles, and 10 miles.
Despite it all, I FINISHED! Which was my goal for the race. It took me 2 hours 35 m
inutes and 12 seconds to finish. Once I emotionally crossed the finish line, I thought that was it. I never wanted to run that long a race again and certainly not a marathon. However, now that my legs work properly and my lower 
back doesn't feel like I was punched; I'm thinking I can do better. I think I can beat my time...I just might be hooked on this running thing?!
The Hotel Room
Never in my life I have stayed in such a swanky place and probably will never again! Friday and Saturday nights, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island was lucky enough to have me as their guest! Mom and Dad arrived around dinner Friday night after sitting in traffic to get on the island. Once they were settled in the house, mom went to the pasta dinner with me. After the dinner was done, I showed her my high class room! She couldn't believe her daughter was staying
in such a place. So, just to prove it, I had to take pictures! Mom took a picture standing in front of the flat screen TV while I sat in the garden tub. Then, she was standing in the large bathroom while I was on the four post King sized bed! Man, those were the best baths (I'm not usually a bath taker, but I was Friday and Saturday nights!) and the best sleep I have had!
After relaxing in the bath, I was actually able to sleep a little that night. I did wake up around 4:00 and tossed and turned. We were to meet in the lobby of the hotel at 7 a.m. for a group picture. These were all the members in the Western division; all 67 of us. (The Eastern division was on the other staircase taking their picture.) The Western division raised over $165,000 for the Luekemia and Lymphoma Society!!! After our picture, we walked over to the starting line! And, so it began...
Monday, December 01, 2008
Thanksgiving Fun
We met up at Kathryn's house Thursday afternoon for a wonderful lunch together. After playing outside and relaxing some, we all met back up for a campfire and late night card games. We repeated this same scenario on Friday as well. The menu for Thursday's campfire (like we needed more food!) was shrimp and veggie kabobs and smores. The menu for Friday's campfire (once again like we needed more food!) was brats or hotdogs (or both!) and smores. We sat around drinking beer, telling stories, and we listened to Uncle Dave-o play the guitar while we all tried to sing along! Kate went out Friday morning and bought a ukulele; a Caroline blue one at that! So, Friday night's entertainment included David and Kate playing while we all tried to sing along! The pictures aren't great...but the time we had was fabulous!
Pre-Thanksgiving
I arrived home Tuesday night late/almost Wednesday. Wednesday was spent hanging out, walking, and raking leaves/letting Sawyer jump in them. While Dad was at the office, the rest of us enjoyed the cool but crisp weather . Sawyer had a blast being outside
running around, and Caroline enjoyed her time too with G.G.Thursday morning, my wonderful big brother agreed to run a 5K with me. We headed out that morning to strut our stuff at the 1st ever Turkey Strut race in W-S. We didn't get any pictures while we were running, but we did get one picture of us in our "cool" shirts after the race!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)