Virginia Pines: September 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012

INSPIRATION

Found here

Isn't is so powerful. A few little words. And they inspired my weekend.

And just so it's clear, sleeping on the peaks isn't on my to-do list but this book looks awesome.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Courtney and Drew come to visit!!

Well folks, my best friends came to visit for a little. Wednesday through Sunday to be exact and it was awesome!! We had so much fun and it's so great to have your closest friends in your new town! So much exciting stuff happened but let me start with their visit.

Day 1

Picked those kids up from the airport on the wettest, most cloudiest day Colorado has ever seen. They couldn't even see the mountains but they didn't care, we drove straight up to New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins. My second time on this tour and it did not disappoint. After that, we raced up to Estes Park cause Kev was bar-tending that night. We stayed home, watched a movie and enjoyed some delicious grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Day 2

Courtney, Drew and I went to the farmers market and decided to take a little hike up around Kevins work. One of the best views of the mountains and we couldn't stop taking pictures. It was just the perfect day. That night we went out to the Stanley and got all excited for the husband to lead trivia but due to the craziness of the Packers vs. Bears game, the bar was way too full. Trivia was cancelled but no worries, we found our selves at the Wheel Bar playing darts. So fun and even enjoyed a little dance party at our house!

Day 3

Friday we went into the park and drove trail ridge road! Courtney and Drew had never been to the park so it was so exciting. The road was awesome as always (showing its fall colors already), I never get tired of it. That night we went into the park again with some Dominos pizzas and a plethora of picnic delights. We acted like crazy, Elk obsessed tourists and enjoyed our pizza while watching the elk. We did it for at least an hour and saw some pretty cool things.

Day 4

We got up at a decent hour and went into town for the craft show/fair at Bond Park in Estes. There were a lot of cool things and it was just nice to roam around. Saturday was the day we were to meet with a landlord regarding a new place to rent(more on that later) so that took up some time too. We went on a little hike around Gem Lake and Lumpy Ridge. We tried to teach them a thing or two about climbing rocks but it probably just sounded like jiberish to them. We also went to happy hour at the Rock Inn where we ate baked brie and corn dip among other treats. Then we got this crazy idea to play some mini-golf. It's free at the Y where Kev works and what a view, we couldn't resist and it was a blast! Dance parties at home followed... a good night had by all.

Day 5

We finally went on a real hike, Bear Lake before 9am (they have crazy construction on the road and no cars are allowed in between 9am and 5pm). It was just gorgeous. If you ever get the chance to visit RMNP, go see all the lovely lakes up at Bear Lake. We had brats for lunch and made our way down to Boulder for the evening. Courtney and Drew few out on Sunday at 11pm. So much fun. The pictures don't even do it justice! We miss you guys already!!

In other news, WE FOUND A NEW PLACE TO LIVE!! YAY! It's hard to believe but it's a 2 bedroom, 3 bath W/D D/W with a deck and beautiful views of the continental divide mountains! And it is less than our current one bed, one bath place. Photos to come eventually. We will be in there by October 15 so between juggling a new puppy and a new house, things should be pretty eventful this fall. Cheers to friends and puppies.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Face Time

Despite the fact that I've been battling an illness (cough, sneeze, yuck), last week was one of the best weeks in a long time. You know when you move far away and you make wonderful friends but you always have this longing for the old ones. The friends you grew up with and who helped to shape you and vice versa. They know your flaws and quirks, have seen you naked a million times and were always there for you. I miss those friends and last week I got to Face Time with two of them! It was so great and spur of the moment but just what I needed. I miss seeing their faces and just hearing their voices or playing with their kiddo.

Those Face Times got me through to this week where one of them will actually be visiting!! Yup, thats right, I get to see them in real life! Wahoo. The only bummer is that the weather is already starting to change and Thursday is a high of 50. We will likely wake up to some snow but that's okay, cause we have a fireplace and hot chocolate and mountains. Luckily, that is only one day of the forecast. The rest are in the 70's. It shall be a blast.

I also narrowed down a date for going home for my moms side of Christmas this year. Living so far away, we can only ever make it home for a short amount of time and this year, it's our turn to throw Christmas which means my momma can pick the date!! And I requested off work. I really want to see all my cousins (hopefully Balkemas too) and Aunts and Uncles too. Let's pray it all works out.

What else... Our new Subaru Outback has been a blessing. Kevin and I both have been picking up weekends at my old job here in Estes. Server and Bartender... and we've been making great partners and raking in some pretty good tips. Can you say pay off this car early, yes please!!

My best girlfriends minus Courtney P. The night before our wedding!

There's Courtney

I forgot to mention. We got this around my birthday. Not just for me but it happened to be a nice birthday gift.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Tecumseh

A lot of things are changing in my world right now. Well, not in my vicinity but things that affect my life and have shaped our lives are changing. Camp Tecumseh is changing and that's a big deal. For those of you who never went to camp, you probably don't understand. Our camp was like a family, a bubble of people you loved and experiences you treasured. The director and his wife, who have molded our lives in more ways than they know, are moving and leaving their positions at camp. My heart breaks. We have grown to know and love their wonderful family. We have been friends with them for years.

I know that just because they are moving doesn't mean that our memories disappear or the purpose of camp changes. We are lucky to have another dear friend and staff member who knows camp just as well taking over the Director roll and really, so much more than that. But I get nostalgic. I just always wanted my children to go to camp, just as I remember it. With the same wonderful staff and I know things change but change is sometimes hard.

Whenever we went home and were able to visit camp, we always looked forward to stopping by Dave and Beth Wrights house for a friendly hug and conversation. I will miss that. I am incredibly happy for them to be moving close to their grandson in the beautiful land of Michigan and have their own house and yard. I will just miss seeing them every summer.

In a BIG BIG way, I know that Camp has made me who I am today and all the wonderful things that happen there. God first, Others second and Yourself third is the motto I strive to live by. In the early years as day camp staff (when I was still in high school), being at camp gave me so much independence and taught me responsibility. It taught me about being a friend and being truly happy. For that I will always be grateful. I feel every kid should go to camp and become a counselor. If I wouldn't have been a counselor, it would have taken me a lot longer to know myself and discover the meaning of joy.

Dave and Beth- You have done so much for me and Kevin, you will never know. Thanks so being so wonderful. The best camp parents a girl could ask for.

[Below- old camp pictures I discovered]

As a camper in 2002 with all my friends. I met them at camp and five of us went to camp for the same 2 weeks every summer.

Second year of Day Camp, 2005. I just discovered that I was on the left and Kevin was standing next to me. I thought he was a pretty cool friend back then. Crushing.