Is it January or April?

This is our pet. As long as Derreck keeps smearing peanut butter on the tree, this little guy isn't going anywhere. 

Yesterday, we went hiking on the Mount Falcon Trail. The weather was beautiful. We stopped in Morrison at the Holiday Bar on our way home. Our goal this spring (or Winter if the weather is going stay like this) is to try out a new trail and a new bar every weekend. We've passed some pretty interesting roadside saloons/taverns. It's fun to stop in and chat with the locals. 

Saturday night we went down to Belmar and watched people ice skate. Some really intoxicated lady from Alaska entertained us for an hour. Derreck refused to go ice skating, but I'm going to try to get him to go again next weekend.

Derreck made salmon tacos this weekend. This recipe is definitely a keeper! 

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

For a good laugh, I need to tell you about my dream that I had last night. So there I was sitting at Mary Bob's with my mom, Cheryl, and Sam, I know this is hard to imagine! =) But all of a sudden, in walked Shaq with Frank Stukel. They sat at the bar and ordered a burger and a beer. Then we played pool in the back room. Crazy!! 

Weekend Visitors

Derek and Kate came to Denver for the weekend. Again, I failed at taking pictures, but here are the three that I did take.

We started out Saturday by going to the outlet malls in Castle Rock.

This is Derreck's hamburger that he ordered at Crave. Yes folks, that is a hamburger topped with bacon, cheese, and an egg sandwiched between two glazed doughnuts! And you are darn right, he ate the whole thing!

On Saturday night, we met up with our friends, Joe and Alicia, who got engaged on Saturday morning while skiing! So exciting! We went to a new bar called The Punch Bowl to celebrate, which has bowling, darts, shuffle board, ping pong, and old school games such as Pac Man, Donkey Kong, pinball. 

We went bowling and watched football at Belmar on Sunday afternoon. 

And, a trip to Denver isn't complete without visiting Red Rocks.

Baby Addyson is finally here!

Over the past few weeks, memories keep popping out of nowhere! The smallest event will spark a crazy connection to my past. And in a good way. 

So why am I telling you this?? Because I keep thinking about all the crazy things that Sam Sperl and I would do growing up. It was us against our brothers, and we made a pretty good team! I could seriously write you a book, but I will save that for another time. But from all those memories, I honestly can't remember any of them involving a doll or a baby, and now she's a mommy! However, Sam and Caleb will be great parents, and I know they will make a great team raising this adorable little girl.

Sam, one of my dearest friends, gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl. Addyson Lynn Dufrane finally decided to make her appearance in this world, well not by choice, but by c-section. Since she was due on January 3rd, I was convinced she was never going to come! I cannot wait to meet her! Congratulations Sam and Caleb! 

(Photo courtesy of Erica Sperl)

Debbie Downers

"Next weekend, we will go tailgating before the game...Next weekend, we will go to that Packer bar downtown...Next weekend, we will see if we can get tickets." Well, I think you all know that our beloved Packers and Broncos both lost yesterday, and now next weekend doesn't matter.  Ugh! We are both being Debbie Downers and pouting about the outcomes of yesterday's games. In fact, I think we are going to go to a movie today instead of watching the other playoff games. 

I wish I didn't get so upset when the Packers lose. Derreck kept saying, "It's just a game." No it is not just a game! And,I think I have my Grandma Mary and my mother to blame for my poor attitude, because we all act the same way when this happens. (Sorry Grandma and Mom!) Growing up, Sunday was my favorite day of the week. It meant that I either got to spend the afternoon in Bob Soper's basement watching football with my dad cheering against his team (The Vikings-boo!). Or decked out in green and gold watching my mom yell at the TV in our basement, which is plastered with Green Bay 'stuff'. I can't even count how many Packers snowmen I've built on Sunday mornings or the Packer pumpkins I've painted. At my house, our weekend was planned according to when the Packers were playing. I remember how excited I was when Santa brought me a Packers pull-over coat in first grade. You all know which ones I'm talking about! 

On a positive note, there's always next year!

And, the Casey Donahew concert on Friday night was awesome!

I am spending my morning with a cup a coffee and my computer in front of our fireplace. Happy Sunday!

Back to Work..

Here's what we've been up to the last couple weeks. 

I made a batch of banana bread last weekend. This is what happens when you are impatient and don't let it cool. Presentation was not the key here! It still tasted good..

This is how Derreck and I spent our New Year's Eve. Dang Influenza! First New Year's Day without a hangover in a long time. Can't say I was too disappointed!

And Thanks to Charlie Johnson, Derreck and I went to another Broncos game. We watched them beat the Chiefs. Looking forward to next weekend, Broncos play at 3 and Packers play at 7. 

We've been pretty lame the last couple weeks. And today isn't getting any better. I'm spending my last day of Christmas break cleaning and jamming to 90's music on Pandora. Add a cup of coffee to the Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20, Eagle Eye Cherry, Shania Twain, and Garth Brooks and you've got a crazy cleaning lady. 

I'm really looking forward to going back to school tomorrow. A three-week break is nice, but too long. 

Next weekend is a busy one! We are going to the Casey Donahew concert on Friday night, the Broncos and Packers play on Saturday, and I think we are going to fit in some house hunting on Sunday. 

Go Notre Dame! I don't really have a favorite college team, but for my uncle Jack's sake I'm cheering for the Fighting Irish! Sorry Brother!