Friday, July 20, 2012

Life remains busy in Colorado…

Since we have moved up to Colorado, we have remained to keep our busy lifestyle in tact. It took us about a week to get unpacked and settled and since Brandon has until July 31st off we have basically been just having fun. Here is my best attempt to catch up on this past week…

Monday:

Monday afternoon Brandon got to go play golf with his best friend Travis Morton at the Valley Country Club that he works at. Travis and Brandon have been friends since they were 8 and are still the absolute best of friends. While Brandon was off enjoying some golf with his best bud, the kids and I decided to get out and explore some new areas. I have to say, I am finding my way pretty darn good in this new city. I invited my wonderful Mother-In-Law and her BFF Pam (we adopted Pam as the kids Grandma, so we refer to her as Grandma Pam) to meet the kids and I at Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch. It was a nice short 8 minute drive and well worth it my friends. There is a so much to do at the Highlands Ranch Town Center which is where Civic Green Park is. There is a Library, an Awesome Park, Water Fountains and a Creek for the kids to play in and tons of shopping in the area. As we were parking some really dark clouds followed us so we didn’t get to play long, but what we did we very much enjoyed. The good thing is, it’s free, close, and we will definitely be going back soon.

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Here is my little park addict. She could spend all day at a park and be completely content.

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There are two different fountain areas and a creek for the kids to play in. They started at the “little” fountains and then quickly realized they needed to go over to the “big” fountains.

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Mimi’s are AWESOME!

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And so are Adopted Grandma’s. Thanks so much for joining ladies. Love you both!

That night, while Daddy was still out having fun, I took the kids to the McDonalds right by our house to eat dinner and of course to play…

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Owen is such a great big bro. Autumn is still to short to make it up some play areas so Owen always lends her a helping hand. So precious!

After dinner we headed out for a nice neighborhood walk…

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My Mom asked me the other day if I missed New Mexico and I had a really hard time saying yes. Don’t get me wrong, I miss my family and friends more than I could ever explain, but its hard to miss New Mexico when this is what my new neighborhood looks like. Its so lush and green and nothing, I mean NOTHING, beats the HUGE TREES that surround me. I am a huge sucker for huge trees and big mountains! No offense New Mexico, you will always be “Home” but I am LOVING life in Colorado!!!

Tuesday:

Tuesday, Brandon took the kids and I to a place he has always heard of but never actually been to. Its called Tiny Town and is located in the Mountains. Since we live in the Foothills, it was only a short 25 minute drive and we were there. It was so fun and the kids absolutely loved it!

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Welcome to Tiny Town!

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Since we got there right when they opened, we decided to ride the Train 1st thing since rides are every 30 minutes. Owen was beside himself with excitement to ride on a real steam engine train!!

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Kids are allowed to ride in the caboose, but the parents can not. Owen sat in there at first and then his nerves got the best of him and we ended up sitting with us. Lol

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“All Aboard!”

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Tiny Town has replica’s of Old Historical Buildings in Downtown Denver. It was so neat and the kids loved looking at the tiny buildings.

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Through the tunnel!

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After the train ride we were off to explore

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There were a few battles trying to keep Autumn off the tiny buildings,

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and then we finally found some that she could go inside. It made life mush easier and a lot less battles were fought. Lol. The joys of strong willed 2 year olds.

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Yes, even I could fit in some of the Tiny Buildings.

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After checking out the tiny buildings, it was play time!!!!

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“underdogs” are Autumn’s favorite! As soon as you do one, she wants another. Lol!

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After our morning fun at Tiny Town we decided to drive up to Red Rocks and have a picnic lunch in the mountains. For those who are not familiar with Red Rocks, there are some beautiful huge Red Rocks in the Rocky Mountains. They actually built an Amphitheater into the Rocks where they have a ton of concerts at. The venue is Absolutely Amazing with breathtaking views of the city. We drove up past the amphitheater to some picnic tables and then walked up to this overlook where you can see a panoramic view of the Denver Metro Area. It was a wonderful time!

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The drive up was BESUTIFUL! The most amazing part is we were still less than a 30 minute drive from our house!!!

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Picnic Time!

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After we ate, we headed up this hill to the overlook…

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When we got to the top, we found this…

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Gorgeous! This is exactly why the sign entering the state of Colorado says, “Welcome to Colorful Colorado”! Its beautiful and all right in my back yard.

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What a perfect day spent with my wonderful family!

Wednesday:

Wednesday evening, Brandon and I hosted our very first BBQ at our new home. We four of Brandon’s closets friends, and their girlfriends/fiancés over to grill out and play games. I took some pictures prior to everyone arriving and then completely forgot to pull out the camera once everyone was there. Guess that’s what happens when you are having fun. Trust me in saying that we had a wonderful evening and it was nice having a house full of people. I love hosting parties!!!!

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As usual, I went a bit overboard. Brandon said BBQ and I thought PARTY! Lol. Everyone enjoyed it all and I had a blast making and setting everything up. Brandon grilled some delicious hamburgers and hot dogs, we had chips, dip, watermelon, Strawberry Spinach Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Vinaigrette, and Summer Squash Pasta Salad. Yum yum yum.

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My two favorite summer salads!

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Nothing better than a summer time BBQ!

Thursday:

Thursday was more of a relaxing day. We had Mimi over to spend the day with us, ate some delicious left over BBQ food for dinner and then that evening, Mimi and I got to watch the 10th Season Premier of Project Runway together! It was a wonderful day!

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Another evening in our awesome yard!

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Autumn likes to choose her outfits these days. After I changed her into her Pj’s last night she decided to add an accessory. She is hilarious. We’ll call her ‘Rasta Baby’!

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And here is a glimpse of what ‘Teenage Owen’ will look like. Lol. These kids crack me up!

 

I think that just about catches us up on our fun filled week. I’ll be back soon with pictures from Autumn’s Bday Party on Sunday. Can not believe my baby girl is turning 2?!?!?!?!?!

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