Hi everyone

Hi everyone!!!! Just wanted to do a quick post since it has been too long since my last one. My trip home was very good. It was awesome to just relax and hang out with family. I had a great time. Unfortunately, it was much harder to come back to Denver this time than it ever has been. I have been very busy with work and everything else but I am homesick and missing Ryan and everyone else like crazy. I haven't taken any new photos and I don't have any from home either so here is a couple good ones from a little while ago. First ski trip of the season in mid November. Megan is a friend that I used to work with at St. Anthony's.

Us midwestern girls living it up in the mountains!

Megan and I after an epic first day. We skied until they shut down the lifts it was so good!

Getting in the Spirit

It is almost Christmas!! Being so far away from all of my family makes it hard sometimes to get into the holiday spirit but I am doing my best! The house is decorated, the shopping is done, the carols are playing on the stereo, and I am baking for my coworkers...and missing my family like crazy!!!!!! I will see you all in 3 days and I can not wait!!!!! Here are a few photos of my Christmas preparations. Thinking of you all!! Merry Christmas!!!!!

The reason for the season! This is set up in a great spot right inside the door in the morning sun.

Preparing to bake

All my favorite things...with nuts, thank you very much!!!!

"The stocking were hung by the chimney with care..."

And Minnie is like a little kid!! She just could not wait until Christmas morning!!!!

Merry Christmas!

More Skiing!

I know all my photos have been of skiing but today was the most awesome day of skiing I have had so far this year! The day started out as a complete disaster. Kim and I left a half an hour later than planned and the roads were bad so we spent 3 hours in the car. On the way up I realized I had left my ski coat hanging over my closet door (my ski coat also has my season pass attached to it). We took a wrong turn in Keystone adding time to our trip. I had to pay $15 for a 'forgotten pass' pass. Which is totally lame! They verified I have a season pass but I still have to pay. Then I rented a coat from them for $10. Then I left my camera in the lift office and only realized I did because I left the pass she printed for me in Kim's car which she had to park in the far lot because we were later than we wanted to be. So I went back in 10 minutes after she printed the first one for me to get a second one and she asked if I left a camera. Sure enough!

But once we got on the slopes that all went away! 9 inches from last night and about 2 feet in the last 3 days!! We found some really great powder stashes and skied (and boarded) our hearts out until last chair at 4pm. What an amazing day!!!!! It was kind of sad to put my skis in the closet! No more skiing this year.

I am really looking forward to coming home and seeing everyone though!! I can not believe how fast this month went! I am not ready for Christmas at all! Oh well! My presence will be my present to my family :) I miss you all and looking forward to spending time with you!

I promise my next post will be about something other than skiing :)

Kim

Kim and I in front of the tree in the mid-mountain lodge

This lift was awful! Its not a high speed lift and it goes all the way to the top so very cold and windy, whipping snow in our face and making the visibility at the top about zero. Our conversation went a little like this the entire ride up, "Oh my God! We are not going up this lift again! Why? Why? Why? This is not worth it! Soooo cold!!! This is the last run from this lift" We had this conversation many times because the best powder runs were off this lift and once we got down..."Ok, let's do it again" :) The things we do...I guess you just have to work for what you want.

We were pretty giddy after a perfect day of skiing!!

The drive back down. That is Keystone ski area all lit up for night skiing.

Back Online!! Finally!!

I have internet again after 2 months without!!! It's about time!! I have lots of new photos that need to be posted but I'm going to start with the most recent event. Lindsay and David just spent a week with me and we got to ski/ride for a few days!! Here are a few photos from our adventures. I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season!

Getting ready the first day at Breckenridge

Lindsay and I ready to go!

We went to Copper Mountain on Monday and had a beautiful, warm bluebird day! This is my friend from work, Kim and I

Lindsay and David

Good times!!

Moving (again)-Part 1

Good news: my house has been approved for short sale!!! Bad news: they moved closing up to tomorrow (friday)!!! I suppose that could also be good news considering it gave me a deadline to get my butt in gear but they didn't really give me much notice to assemble a team and I had to cancel my trip home which included an old friend's wedding, Tanner's and my boy :( ...and I'm working on 24+ hours of sleepless bliss. I worked last night and headed up the mountain with my friend Eric from work to get things at the house organized and ready to move. You guys finally get to meet Eric!!! Eric is from Peru and works as a monitor tech in the ICU. He is one of the best friends I have ever had! He has been instrumental in my motivation and a voice of sanity and positive encouragement. I can't even begin to tell you some of the wise things that have come out of his mouth. Having said this, you would never guess it of him by meeting him shortly because he is a giant goofy ass!!! More on my moving in the next couple of days and then I can get back to my Picture Fall!!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!

When Eric moves he does it right and insisted I do the same. We wrapped everything in plastic wrap. I'm pretty sure he was calling it surround wrap which works as well.

Like I said-Goofy ass

Us wrapping a stool. My attempt at timed photo without wasting time ;)

Me with our finished product

Eric jumping in. Finally someone who likes to be in pictures!!!!!

My Picture Fall

I decided to sign up for the Picture Fall class that Chrissy is taking. I love fall!! Plus I've really been slacking on taking photos and I needed something fun to do for myself during this chaotic time. I'm enjoying myself so far! Some of these prompts are challenging for me because of where I am in my life but that makes it more interesting!! Thanks Chrissy!

1. Get Comfy

I have no furniture in my house except for my bed right now so it has become my haven lately

2. The Beauty Challenge

3. Morning Light

Morning is different for me than for most people. Since I work nights it's more winding down than gearing up and one thing I always find peace in is watching my cats relax in the sun.

I took this photo this morning outside my realtors office. Its in the morning light as well. I love the colors and the mountains in the background!

Happy fall!

Dad's New Mower

I had a really long, exhausting night at work last night so this will not be a long post. Just thought I'd share a few photos that dad wanted to take. He got me on the lawn mower ;) At least he let me drive it! His objective is to have a then and now photo of me on his mower. I can't find that old photo so I posted the only one I have which is Jake and I on Grandpa's mower. Enjoy. Have a happy Friday everyone!!!

Me and Jake

Dad getting it ready for me

Dad even worked a few angles. He also took a pic on his phone which he later sent to Ryan. Mom was like some day Ryan is going to regret giving his phone number to your dad ;)