Hanson's Thanksgiving Dinner

Andy and I were lucky enough to have my entire immediate family out in Denver for Thanksgiving! Mom, Dad, Meg, Ryan, and Shanda have taken trips out here before to visit, but never all at one. It was such a treat to have everyone together for Thanksgiving, and in Denver!

Shanda started the festive Thanksgiving day off with hot buttered rum, to which we all responded in unison with our first sip "Oh so that's what hot buttered rum is!" and it is delicious. She also etched our first initial on the glasses so we had our own keepsake!

We spent Friday enjoying some of Meg's favorite activities such has eating cheeseburgers, bowling, going out for ice cream, and seeing Christmas lights. There aren't any pictures of bowling cuz, well, it got pretty serious.

A Saturday whiskey tour at Stranahan's...

Seriously, she has a sixth sense for when she just might be in a picture and always manages to flash a smile!

Sunday was their last day before hitting the road for their road trip back to Minnesota, and it came so fast! We were able to get a gloomy hike in, cuz, when people visit you in Colorado, they have to see the mountains, right?

 

But first, whipped cream with a touch of hot chocolate.

And no trip would be complete without a dinner at our favorite local place, Oblio's! Meg even wore her Oblio's shirt to celebrate the day!

What a fun and special weekend! Andy and I are heading back to Minnesota (and then Wisconsin) on Monday, and I'm feeling fortunate to have more full family time :o)

-Breanna

Denver Festivus: A Beer Miracle

Saturday afternoon Andy and I went to the Denver Festivus beer festival with our friends Ashley and Cassidee. This was our second year going with them, and was again a wonderfully fun evening with good friends and beers.

What's that you ask? Was it also an Christmas sweater party? No, no it was not.

Blurry Monsters all around us.

We met some new friends at the festival, and ran into some old friends.

I discovered some new breweries that I am excited to check-out, including one just three blocks from the campus I work for in Denver! Plus rediscovered some breweries in Denver I haven't visited in a while. And I think we were all feelin pretty festive!

-Breanna

Friday Photos [12.12.14]

Here are some photos from Andy & my week:

We went to the Denver Flea Market with our lovely friends Cassidee and Ashley on Sunday.

Oh yea, and the Denver Flea serves booze.

My new fav drink: Boylan's Soda Black Cherry! We can only find it in one store here.

Our neighboring community, Stapleton, has a beautiful tree in the center.

Nederland, CO on Tuesday morning. 

Andy and I put up our tree, and I'm proudly displaying my newest ornament from Meg!

Hey, it never hurts to ask, right? Seen downtown Boulder, CO.

 

We're dog-sitting Rhett. He prefers Ella's dog bed to his own, bigger one!

I went to a wonderful art show at the Loveland Art Museum in between appointments on Thursday. 

November and December have just whizzed past me so fast! The whole fall has, actually, and now the winter is as well. Andy and I have been trying to fill our non-working time with some meaningful moments especially as my work has slowed a bit these past weeks. I hope you're able to enjoy these last few weeks of 2014 as well and create some memories worth remembering, too.

-Breanna

Friday Photos [12.5.14]

Here are some photos from Andy & my week:

Andy & I on a dreary Boulder hike (with my bro and sis-in-law) Sunday.

Fancy drinks Sunday night with my family.  

 
My lovely sis lovin our local pizza place, Oblio's.

Rhett chillin in Ella's bed. Perfect fit.

My Brightest Diamond show in Denver Tuesday night.

Ella didn't want to pose for the photo because she was keeping an eye on her kingdom outside the window.

Seriously, individually wrapped Jelly Bellies? Fancy conference for me.

This high mascot made me think of this and makes me think the class of 2002 picked the school mascot, maybe.

Ella hates it when Shelly and Kevin go home.

-Breanna

Friday Photos [11.28.14]

Here are some photos from Andy & my week:

At a high school in northern Colorado. Yea, that's legit tumbleweeds next to my car. Also, "get a car wash" is on my to do list.

My sweet little spoon for my miso soup Wednesday night.

Hot buttered rum dranks with my dad and bro on Thanksgiving.

Ma, Shanda, and me (not pictured) playing some Bananagrams on Thanksgiving.

Meg <3 Ella and Ella <3 Meg.

Andy and Meg enjoying some ice cream at Littleman in Denver Friday afternoon.

Smoked salmon at the holiday markets in Denver.

Lovely holiday markets display.

They lit up Union Station in Denver Friday evening :o) 

-Breanna