Partyaaaay!

Last week my mom turned the big FIVE-O. Sooooo... we had a little surprise party. My mom hates surprises and isn't huge on big parties anyway, so my Dad and I just invited a few of the couples they bowl with, etc... and called it good.

Here's a quick look at some of the details. I used a lot of jars, red, and turquoise. I ordered this awesome cake topper from Etsy but it didn't get here in time. In fact, it still hasn't got here. =( It would have just been the bees knees.

We had lots of food, snacks, and drinks.


I made all the sides. We got the meat from WB Meats (it was great!). And I had my Grandma make my mom's favorite cake (angel food cake with strawberry icing).

Pasta salad and beanie weenies.

Sliced brisket and pork loin.

Cheesy taters, fruit salad, chips.

This seemed to be a big it.

Loved the jars and striped straws.





What can I say? We love Taffy!
I think mom ended up having fun even though it was a surprise. =)

Pug Camp

Hope you enjoyed our trip pictures. I'm a little disappointed I didn't take one of our 5d's - in the end the convenience won out and I honestly just didn't want to lug that thing around. Next time though... next time. =) We had such a good time and we are both grateful for such awesome friends. Hopefully next time the rest of the gang will be able to join us too.

When we got back from Colorado, we picked up our "nephew" Tater because Val was headed out of town. I think Peety liked having a buddy for a while but let me tell you... he's been practically passed out all night since Tater left. =)

YAY PUGS! That's Tater on the left and Peety on the right... begging for treats.

Tater liked Peety's rope toy.

My sweet boy and I today. =)I sure do love these pug dogs.

Colorado: Day 4/5

Day 4 was the 4th of July. This was our excuse to visit (we certainly don't need a reason to visit but we're more likely to make it happen if we have an excuse). The guys all used to do some pretty big firework shows back in the day... most of them in the Topeka area. Since moving to Colorado, Matt became a licensed pyrotechnician. This year he needed a crew to do the show for the city of Lafayette, CO. It was shot at Waneka Lake and was AWESOME!

Anyway, that morning Kelly and I went to breakfast at The Egg and I. I had a humongous whole wheat pancake that was delicious. After breakfast we cleaned up the house, rested, then went to World Market, Target, Old Navy, and Wal-Mart... that last one did us in... so we went home and took naps. haha.

Meanwhile, the guys were out in over 100 degree weather slaving away. BUT - we brought them food and more drinks.
These guys all worked so hard... doing a firework show isn't exactly like lighting a black cat... it's WORK people.


After the guys were fed, Kelly and I moseyed on over to the other side of the lake to stake out a spot with a great view. As luck would have it, we took the long way. It was hot, we were carrying tons of stuff, and I'm sadly out of shape. So sad. BUT - we made it. We chilled for a while and drank up some water, Gatorade, and Diet Dr. Peppers while we waited for Kelly's family to get there.
After a few hours of hanging out, tanning, and people watching, it was time for the show!! The guys did such a great job. I wish I'd brought a different camera.





Awesome. After the finale we saw a big fire (like a tall-skinny person-shaped fire). Thankfully, it was just some reeds down by the water but Kelly and I were a bit nervous none-the-less. Yikes. That was our guys over there!

It was a great night and a 4th of July for the record books.

The next day, we woke up early and went back to the site to clean up debris. After that those of us that had to come back to Kansas started the oh-so-long drive back.

Colorado: Day 3

Day 3 was probably the prettiest day. We headed up to Mt. Evans on North America's highest paved road. It was interesting. A few years ago we went up to Rocky Mountain National Park... but like I said, it had been a few years and I sort of forgot how skinny, curvy, and ready to plunge you to death the mountain roads are. Ay yi yi.

ELEVATION: 14,260
Part way up, we stopped at Summit Lake where we all posed for some shots. Beautiful ain't it!? =)



Us!


Matt and Kelly

John, Dac, Alex, and Matt

A nice man offered to take a group shot!

Mountain Goats! YES!




Up at the very top...

Alex



After a long day in the car we went down to the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. We ate at this little psychedelic spot - The Mellow Mushroom. It's a pizza place! It was good and we ate like we hadn't ate in a year.
After dinner and a quick stroll along 16th Street it was time for... you guessed it... Settlers of Catan!! It's pretty much a staple at this point and it can get pretty intense. See? Also, to our surprise, we learned Alex had played before! So, we picked it right up...

I tend to get this look from them a lot. What do you think it means?
I like to think it means I'm really cool and not that they are uber annoyed by me. =)



Kelly won.
Great day and fun times! Next up is our 4th of July!