Surprise Kellen! We're going to LA for your birthday!

Kellen was extremely surprised when I drove him to the airport at 5am on his birthday. He had no idea what was coming!

Except that's false. He found out the day after I booked the trip to LA that we were visiting our friend's Meghan and Aaron for the weekend.  Let it just be known that I have a horrible poker face :/.

The trip was action packed- we probably covered 1-2 weeks worth of stops in three days (2 and 1/2 really). Either way, we had a blast, and are very thankful to our wonderful host and hostess!

Venice Beach: Stop #1

Malibu Beach- had a strong urge to learn how to surf here. If only we had more time...

Excited to see each other, I guess. :)

I found the cast of Harry Potter. Kinda addicted since I read all 7 books between Jan. and the end of March,  this year!

Will Smith has pretty big feet!

Do you see the Hollywood sign in the background?

Thai food in Hollywood for Kellen's Birthday. The Ruby's neighbors joined us- but I don't have any pics :(
Free dessert #1 of the weekend. We also got free chocolate covered strawberries and champagne in the hotel room!

San Diego
About to eat the world's best burrito. Now who wouldn't smile at that thought?

We took about thirty of these and this is the closest we got to all doing something neat. Although my favorite is a tie between the one where Kellen looks like he is stuck on the toilet or the one where Aaron's feet are glued to the ground. ....They have to forgive me for posting this one instead of those two :)

3rd Free Dessert of the Weekend

Full circle back to Venice! These pictures are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we did this weekend.

Kyle and Natalie are in Town!!!

One of Kellen's old roommates and groomman, Kyle, and his lovely wife, Natalie came to visit the Rocky Mountains- and us!- in March

Beautiful rock formations

Hiking buddies for the day!

Hello Bambi! The deer along the path seemed to have no fear of us.

On our way up Pike's Peak on the Cog Railway

We didnt make it to the top- too cold up here still. Too much snow in the way, stopped us from seeing the Big Horned Sheep :(

The tracks kind of disappear, the incline was very steep at a few points.

Heading back down...

Our second National Park (Rocky Mountain was first)

"Garden of the Gods"
Incase we get kicked out of our apartment, we have a new home :)

"Garden of the Gods"
Wishing I had, had my new camera here- but if you look closely you can see Pike's Peak in the background.

Amazing view...

Balanced Rock

A Little Behind... (Mike comes to visit!!)

Hello Pike's Peak!

Once upon a time in February, Michael came to visit...

We did a little snowboarding at Loveland!

Took a side trip to Red Rocks- ended up coming to the amiptheatre via a back road. Sweet new view!

Visited the U.S. Olympic training center. Michael and Kellen attended tryouts for the bobsled team. We are still waiting to see if they made the team...

Enjoyed the fine cuisine at the amazing Casa Bonita- a Colorado Original. With cliff divers, live entertainment- basically anything you could imagine, it is probably here!

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Kellen found out he had a mandatory day off- after the holidays were over....so we went hiking and made a stop at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Beautiful 45-50 degree, middle of the winter day here in Colorado. Yes, I am enjoying rubbing in how amazing the weather has been here. We have had about 5-6 inches of snow a few times, but it melts so fast (they aren't lying about that out here!). None of that yucky brown stuff lining the sides of the roads. At least not for long, anyhow. Don't worry Michigan- your winters are missed. In a weird, I wish I was still in school type of convoluted way.

Red Rocks in the distance

The day I learned to snowboard....

I've been skiing before, but I let Kellen talk me into snowboarding on Sunday 12/26. It was a gorgeous day and to roads were great. I-70 was actually very clear- most likely because people were still away for the holidays. After a short drive from Denver, a stop at a lil' ski/snowboard rental place- and we were on our way to Loveland.

And we are off...

Is that snow that I see?

Maybe. Not yet anyhow. 

This bear is probably my favorite thing downtown Denver. At least my favorite so far- I haven't explored the whole place yet. Isn't he cute?

Downtown Denver 16th Street Mall

Adventures in Denver continue on the 16th Street Mall....

Partially outdoor shopping mall in the heart of Denver
(With a two story Forever 21 :))

After seeing the two story Forever 21...
Isn't Kel just tooo excited?

Christmas Carolers!

Random Cow- sure it has some meaning besides taking pictures with...

These pianos are all over the "mall". They remind me like the ones at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI. I wonder if it is the same artist?

Not going to lie, it was really nice to walk around in a dress during the middle of December at night. We enjoyed the shops, the beautiful Christmas decorations and the Christmas tunes. A quick bite to eat at the Paramount Cafe and it was a pretty relaxing- but fun- night in downtown. 

Oh 60 Degree Weather in December!

Denver, you and I are on good terms today. Thank you!

The "pond" across the street

Enjoying the warm weather with a run around the neighborhood. Although I miss the mitten, not too envious of all the snow it has gotten lately. Although Denver's may be coming!

Hi Monkey Face.

A free adventure day at the Denver Zoo! Enjoying a crisp afternoon with my hubby.

Av's Game

This game and its free tickets caused a quiet the dilemma:

Happy Halloween!

A spooky celebration indeed! Tons of fun at the party the Ruby's ...one of our numerous sets of Ruby friends. haha. :) invited us to, can you tell what we are supposed to be? I made Kellen and my costume.

Viva Las Vegas

So there is a surprise party being planned for my Uncle Johnny in Las Vegas. Las Vegas just so happens to be a few hours from Denver via plane. At the time, I didn't have a full-time job due to just moving out here and I knew we weren't going to be able to make it home for Christmas. So Kel and I figured there was no reason for me not to join up with my family- and surprise my Meme at the MGM Grand. The visit and surprise (all of them!) were a success.

Just a Few of Us: Meme, Me, Mom and Dad. It was a very sunny day!

Rocky Mountain National Park

Although these pictures are few months old- the adventure still needs to be mentioned! Back when we first moved to the fine state of Colorado, we went on an adventure to Rocky Mountain National Park up in Estes Park. Here is a quick picture tour.

A lil' Ben and Jerry's in Boulder before heading up!

There once was a girl who fell in love...

There once was a girl who meet a very nice boy at a very young age. They knew it was destine to be from the start and began their lives together early, celebrating in high style with all of their closest friends and family. Adventures began near and far, to cities abroad and quaint little towns closer to home.