Friday Photos [6.6.14]

Here are some photos from Andy & my week:

When naughty Ellas roll in poop, they have to have baths. And she looks at me like it's allll MY fault!

Morning coffee in my new mug from Erin & Dylan.

Ella enjoys running from shaded area to shaded area on hot days at the dog park. She's been know to take shelter in a big dog's shadow, too.

Tom Brosseau opening up for The Milk Carton Kids on Tuesday. It was SO quiet at the venue we could barely hear him! But what we did hear, we loved.

The Milk Carton Kids! We've seen them open for The Punch Brothers and for Josh Ritter, and it was wonderful to see them headlining this time.

Morning french press and emails.

So the rock bed in the front yard is in need of some weeding...

Ella was afraid of the thunder Thursday afternoon.

Ladies night Thursday night. Wine, cheese, and ice cream at Roxanne's :o)

A better one of the ladies, minus Christine.

I think I did right on my word to Andy to keep it low-key this week! Now this weekend, well that will be another story ;o)

Have a great weekend!

-Breanna

You Know Me...Busy, Busy!

My friend Shelly got me these post-it notes for my birthday:

It was kind of a joke since my work is so much quieter in the summer months as I'm not driving to and from high schools all day everyday. But they are true for how I structure my personal life! Take, for example, this past weekend. Despite having barely a moment to ourselves over the past week and a half, and maybe despite Andy requesting some down time, I had so many plans for us. We both agreed it was an awesome and fulfilling weekend, and in trade, Andy is taking a lot of evenings this week to play his video game :o)

Friday night Andy and I went out to dinner at a Mexican place in Stapleton that we'd never been to before. It was so delicious AND filling! Why must they serve you chips and salsa while you wait for your food? There's just no more room for food once dinner comes! Of course we were able to find room for some beers following dinner as we walked the block to a new craft beer bar, Stapleton Tap House, for some samplers and games. Maybe I was a bit exhausted after everything since I crashed immediately when we got home and didn't stir until the morning!

Playing a ridiculous would-you-rather game at the Tap House.

Saturday we went hiking with our friend Shelly (yes, the post-it gift giver) in Boulder. She'd never been on Andy and my favorite hike, which is our #1 since it's not too difficult while still giving a great workout, and beautiful Rocky Mountain views. We headed into downtown Boulder following our afternoon hike for beers and fries, my fav, at Mountain Sun Brewery. Shelly came over that evening and the three of us tried making homemade sushi with the kit Jenny had given me for my birthday, and the rice cooker Andy gave me for my birthday. It went, surprisingly to all of us, really well! We aren't too shabby at this whole homemade sushi roll thing.

Shelly's Kingdom.

Peek-a-boo Andy!

 

I'm still not sure why we did this pose. 

Our sushi making station.

Shelly reading Andy the instructions to make sure we don't mess this thing up.

Surprisingly, Andy and Shelly were really carrying their weight with the whole enthusiasm part of the night.

Still with the enthusiasm.

Sunday was the last day of the annual chalk art festival in Denver. Three blocks in downtown are blocked off and chalk artists come in and have an area of the street that they made their creations. There are some super talented artists out there, folks! I got some neat photos of some artworks that look like they're jumping out of the street at your camera! We went with our friends Heather and Noah, both of whom have degrees in art education and it was neat to see their reactions at seeing the festival for the first time. The four of us left the crowded festival after seeing as many pieces of art as we possible could and went to grab some beers and food. We ended up, as we often do, at the arcade bar, the 1-Up, in downtown Denver. We always have a great time with Heather and Noah.

Waiting for the bus.

Jam packed! It was hard to see some of the artwork up close, even when peering through shoulders.

This one was one of my favorites.

Ever since Jenny's bachelorette party I think I might have an unhealthy love for four person Pac-Man! Unfortunately, my skill level doesn't seem to be improving.

I hope you all had a relaxing and fulfilling weekend!

-Breanna

A Birthday and A Wedding

Last weekend, last weekend was a good one. I've mentioned a bit that Andy and I had a busy and exciting Memorial Day weekend, but despite the wonderful weekend, I am remiss to say I took hardly any photos! So hopefully my words can create some mental photos for you of the celebratory weekend.

I celebrated my 30th birthday on Friday 5/23 and was so lucky to have two dear friends, Erin and Dylan, in town from New York to celebrate. With the hecticness of friends coming to town and heading to the mountains for the wedding, it kinda didn't really even feel like my birthday (or maybe that's just what happens with each passing birthday?). Don't get me wrong, friends and family were so wonderful and thoughtful making me feel special and loved as I entered my 30's, and I certainly had a lovely day. 

Following a lazy day at home (ok, I was working, so not too lazy...) Erin and I headed into the city to wander some shops aimlessly and find the most ridiculous dresses we could wear to Jen's wedding ("wouldn't this flowing, white dress be just perfect?!" ;o) ). Later, we went for beers with Andy and Dylan to one of my favorite places in town, Vine Street Pub & Brewery. The GM even took us on our own personal brewery tour! As were paying the tab, the bartender asked "Do you want another beer, on the house?". Uhm, YEA! Unfortunately we were short on time, so mean birthday-ruiner Andy had to reign me back in. But, I couldn't be mad cuz he had planned a wonderful birthday dinner celebration at an upscale restaurant in town, Beatrice and Woodsley. Andy and I went there for a Christmas dinner two years ago and just loved the delicious food and drinks, and the whimsical atmosphere. We went with Erin and Dylan, and three of my closest Denver friends: Shelly, Christine, and Lindsay. Everyone we were with and the servers made my feel like the most special birthday gal, including delicious Port wine dessert drinks for us all! It was exactly the birthday celebration I wanted, including a post-dinner late night trip to the Bar Car for one more drink, despite fluttering eye lids.

"Can't I pour all the wine in my glass?", Erin asks as they hand her the rest of her wine in a carafe.

Come Saturday, it was wedding time. We had friends, Kara and Jen, flying in from Wisconsin and staying with us before heading to Estes Park the next morning. Saturday was such a fun time as us gals sat around with bottle after bottle of wine like old friends catching-up, and Andy and Dylan tried out their new tobacco pipes outside. I couldn't have asked for a more fun night with friends (except for Friday :o) )! Us gals and Dylan were all involved in Jenny's wedding in some way, so we headed up to Estes for the rehearsal and the rehearsal brunch, held at the beautiful Stanley Hotel. Jenny and Mike hosted an afternoon/evening picnic to welcome any wedding guests to Estes, so we all enjoyed the great food and company despite the deafening HAIL!

Me and the bride. Thank goodness for rain shelter.

 
We had a group of college friends sharing a couple condos in the same resort in Estes, and we had such a blast hanging around, catching-up, busting out some dance moves, and playing Cards Against Humanity. I wish I would have taken more any photos to share, but I guess we were having too much fun to remember to snap photos! The wedding itself was beautiful and so special to J&M and their relationship. Though there was hail the night before, and the weather was threatening rain much of the afternoon, the outdoor wedding ceremony was able to continue on without a single drop (phew!). Thank goodness for that, cuz look at the beautiful setting and backdrop the outdoors provided! And the reception was just so much fun with drinks, dancing, and a photo booth!

I mean, come on, look at that!

The master cupcake-maker and cake decorator, Michelle.

Seriously, why do I have so few pictures?? Once I figure out how to get the photo booth photo strips on the computer, I'll share some extra gems from the reception. 

Awesome friends, awesome weekend :o)

-Breanna