365 Denver: 31-40

Day 31

Tuesday, September 3

Started a volleyball league!  I've been wanting to do something like this for years so I'm very excited!  It's also nice to bond with friends in a team activities, and nice to have a standing fun event every week!  The location is this warehouse that is filled with sand courts and a bar!

Day 32

Wednesday, September 4

Met up with some friends for margs happy hour and then headed over to this bar to play ping pong!  Bars with games are the best.

Day 33

Thursday, September 5

Working all night is always better with beer and the Broncos!

Day 34

Friday, September 6

Driving to Oklahoma!  I know its boring, but I also think the wide open plains are beautiful.

Day 35

Saturday, September 7

Oklahoma!!!! It was so good to see friends and go to the game!  It made me miss home even more, but it was also really nice to feel so connected.  I wasn't even in town for 24 hours, so it was a unbelievably quick trip.  Can't wait to go back!  

Day 36

Sunday, September 8

Sally is officially a Colorado pup!!!

Day 37

Monday, September 9

Dog park!  Sally is adjusting to not having a yard, but we checked out a dog park close by the apartment and Sally had a blast!

Day 38

Tuesday, September 10

Volleyball night! The team is starting to get more chummy and starting to play better.  Excitement all around.

Day 39

Wednesday, September 11

Birthday celebration!  

Much needed after a long day at work and car accident on the way home.

Most of these people are my coworkers.

I got so lucky with coworkers.

Day 40

Thursday, September 12

Relaxing night in.  Germy kids and lack of sleep makes L sick and cranky.  I was going to do work all night, but I just can't. Mind and body exhausted.  Time for some take out and a movie!

Summer Fun: America!

July 4th is my favorite holiday!

Reasons why it is the best:

1. I love America.

2. I love summer.

3. I love spending the day outside with friends/family/the community.

4. I love a good cookout/bbq/day drinking.

5. I love fireworks!

Highlights from this year's celebrations!

Barbecue Kick Off

Wednesday night the festivities began with a delicious kebob bbq.

Wish I took a picture of the food... so yummy. 

Spending the day at the pool with C & Derek.  

C taught me how to do the flip while we swam laps for a wee bit of exercise to start the day.  Now I swim fancy laps... watch out world. 

Similar to poolside edition, we played games like handstand competitions, quarter races, and Harry Potter read-a-louds.  I proudly sported my American towel... and so did Derek.

This time we added in concession stand ice cream (delicious) and fun on the diving board!

I can't remember the last time I was on a diving board... I was admittedly a little nervous at first but had so much fun.

Sidewalk chalk: an American Driveway

We drank some beers and drew American themed pictures on the driveway with sidewalk chalk.   Again... why is this just for 8 year olds?  Creativity and fun with clean-up provided by the rain? Yes. Pictures included many military themed objects by our very own military man, happy people with fireworks, beer, and of course Abe Licoln (complete with muscles and patriotic shorts) and our beautiful flag.

Every American girl needs an American pup.

Festivities in Bricktown

We met up with Misty and Brett in the city for some drinking and fireworks! 

Fantastic day with fantastic people. 

Happy Birthday, America!

Summer Fun: 1st Edition

I love summertime.

There is a carefree, happy quality that just hangs in the air.  It seems to bring out this energy and excitement - I'm not sure why, but its amazing.

C and I (and friends) have a lot of fun summer plans!  Swimming laps and reading Harry Potter poolside (British accents only), lakes and parks, BBQ's, events around town, etc... the list goes on and on!

Our mini-road trip on Route 66 was really the grand reopening (post coming soon), but this past weekend kept it going strong.

New Computer!

This has absolutely nothing to do with summer... but it is very exciting!  My old computer recently broke and after lots of research, I bought an HP Ultrabook Touch Screen!  She's fancy, she's fun, she's whippy and witty.  She's Jada.  I'm learning about all the features and new software - its quite fun.

Self Defense

Also not so much a summer activity, but new and interesting nonetheless.  My friend Sarah was recently inspired to learn some self defense techniques and Carolyn and I accompanied her to a free trial class.  The ACWA class far exceeded my expectations! And it was a lot of fun.  Our class was focused on parking lot safety... basically what to do if you're attacked while going to your car.  We learned a lot of helpful hints like how to carry your keys, how to get in your car when there is a suspicious vehicle nearby, etc.  And we also learned some easy and doable close combat skills - I now know how to avoid your hold, break your arm, smash your ribs and run away.   We all came away from the class feeling really empowered.  Learning self defense is really valuable... I want to learn more and I'd be happy to pass along the information!

Drive-in Movies

For our new thing of the week, on Saturday night, C, Janie, Derek and I went to the Chief Drive-In Movies in Chickasha, OK.  Not my favorite drive-in location, but still good fun! 

I have always loved the drive-in.  Its this wholesome activity that offers a glimpse into a simpler time.  You get to enjoy the summer nighttime, the stars in the sky, and a double feature for $7.  What beats that?  

We saw Man of Steal (sexy) and The Internship (funny). 

And as usual, the best part is the people you're with. 

Callie!!

Jess and I had lunch and sno cones with Callie!!  It was so good to see her and catch up on life.  The beautiful thing about solid friendships is that you can go months without seeing each other and have it feel like no more than a few days have passed.  I wish we could have spent so much more time together, but it was such a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. I'm so grateful for the 8 years of friendship we have had, and endless years to come.