June 2012 updates...

From May 30th-June 4th, Sarah and Jeff were in town. We had a blast going to a baseball game, hanging out around CU, using coupons (for ice cream, cookies, and bowling!), visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, checking out a few brewery tours in Ft. Collins, going to Hammond's Candies, and touring the Denver Mint. It was a jam-packed several days, but super duper fun!

Colorado Rockies game

Rainbow slushy!

For some reason, I think this might be the only picture of Sarah and I!

Yay, buffalo!

Coupons and groupons!

Super tasty ice cream- and the kid cones were HUGE!

Hanging out at the RV!

We got a Groupon for a bakery in Ft. Collins- bought lots of cookies!

New Belgium Brewery, writing our postcards

On the tour- Sarah and Jeff were really worried that our tour guide would be super cheesy but he was awesome! It was a great tour- super informative and interesting

Sampling

Lots of interesting details, including these beer bottle light fixtures

More sampling!

They have a charging station for any employees who drive electric vehicles- pretty neat. 

Bottling line

More cool decor using their beer cans

I like that motto- super positive!

After New Belgium Brewery, we headed around the corner to Odell- definitely no comparison in terms of the tour (I can't speak for beer since I don't drink). New Belgium does a great job with making people feel welcome, but Odell hasn't quite figure it out yet.

The sampler

Lots of barrels!

After the tours, we headed to the bowling alley- Jeff wasn't super excited about it but Sarah and I were jazzed (plus, again we had a Groupon!)

"No bowling!"

We give bowling a thumbs up!

But thumbs down for Jeff being crotchety, haha!

Picnicking at Rocky Mountain (i.e. we stopped at the grocery store outside the park and grabbed chicken tenders from the deli!)

Loving the fresh air!

Such awesome friends!

So many elk everywhere!

Just before Sarah started to get altitude sickness- they made it up to almost 12,000 feet!

No photos allowed in the Denver Mint, but I did get one just outside. I also exchanged a dollar bill for newly minted quarters...only to probably spend them on laundry! I'll have to go back!

Random roster restaurant we ate at while waiting for our time slot at Hammond's Candies

Local candy producer- Adam and I actually came across their chocolates in Carlsbad, CA in December!

Jeff's goodies!

The rest of the month of June was "Orientation" time- two sets of orientation groups each week, so work was keeping me busy. We did have a few casual visitors come through, including one of my old Orientation Leader friends who I hadn't seen in 8 years!

Picked up some buffalo, elk, and beef jerky

Pat wanted to check out some breweries, so we took him to Upslope, Oskar Blues, and Avery (we took him to one or two others, but I can't remember)

At Avery- Pat had a beer and I had a root beer (or what Juan calls "menthol soda")

All my Orientation students for June- and yes, I am positive it was super awkward for them because they didn't know each other or me yet, but I'm hoping that I get a chance to share these with the students at the end of the year...we'll see how committed I am to sending out 250 emails! I've met and recognize most of these students, but there are a few that I don't recognize and probably haven't seen since Orientation.

Some of our May 2012 visitors!!

Wow, over half a year has gone by since my last post. I guess I better give a quick synopsis!

So prior to the trip to Utah and Idaho, we actually had a series of visitors come through, as well as celebrated the arrival of our other nephew Elias on May 3rd.

From May 5th-May 14th, Jennifer cruised into Colorado for a conference and to hang with us, which was such a blast! Here are a few photos from that trip!

Amy and I at the Kitchen Next Door

Sharing a beer- shocking considering I never see Jennifer drink beer, but she was in Boulder after all!

Me and the Gamble Girls!

Dropping Amy off to catch the SkyRide

Jennifer and I on a hike up Mt. Sanitas

And then it started snowing- get excited!

Very unexpected snow! :) Adam was worried we wouldn't make it back down!

Just so Jennifer could experience more snowy May weather, we headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park for some hiking, seeing animals, and picnicking!

Jennifer and I at Bear Lake in RMNP

Picnic time!

Lots of elk at RMNP

And lots of chipmunks!

One of the mornings, we made vegan crepes! Yuuuum!

Adam's parents also came into town from May 13th-17th, so for the days that overlapped with when Jennifer was in town, we headed to Celestial Seasonings for a tea tour, and strolled around Pearl St. (including a stop at the Boulder Bookstore).  Amy, Kevin, and the girls came through as well for an overnighter on their trip to the east coast for a family reunion.

Tea time!

Hairnets!

Looking good, right?

Had to get a photo with the bear!

I agree!

=D Such fun magnets!

It was Mother's Day Weekend, so we also got to enjoy ice cream cake

Made breakfast for the girls- fruit salad and egg & sausage casserole. They slumber partied it up in the living room and we also played out at the playground for a bit.

Serenna making me "pizza and french fries"

I love how I couldn't get certain options because they weren't available =D

Can you tell that the sun is right in our eyes?

The whole family, plus Rosie

One of my friends told me about a cooking demo at the culinary school, so we checked it out

This is from the mirror above to cooking demo (pork sliders with slaw)

A couple of my co-workers, Heather (left) and Liz (right)

Super tasty dessert treats!

Cuba also came along the trip and she made Adam super happy- we had several days out at Chatauqua so she could run around and play fetch!

Margaret reassuring Cuba that even though she might restrict us from going to certain places, we love her anyway!

Hugs and cuddles!

On one of the days, Margaret and I picked up cupcakes at Tee & Cakes (probably after we checked out the kitchen and spice stores on Pearl St.)

After this set of visitors, we then went to Idaho (see the previous trip post) but after coming back from Idaho, we had more visitors! Sarah and Jeff were on their RV roadtrip and made a stop to see us! Super fun! I'll post those photos in the next posting!!