'Round Here

We are super excited for spring around here! My first winter in Alamosa a.k.a. THE COLDEST SPOT IN THE US! Taught me some valuable lessons one of them being

1.        I refuse to take any part of the summer months for granted & I also PROMISE to never complain about the heat this summer.

We have a very busy schedule coming up, that includes almost every weekend until June away from our little house here in the valley.

So I decided to get a head start on the “spring cleaning” only to have it covered with a new coat of dirt from the crazy wind we have been having. Secretly I think it still counts because I DID put in the effort to get it done!

April has flown by, & I will be the first to admit that I don’t actually mind!

The faster summer gets here the better!

So to play a little “catch-up”

 we spent Easter in Westcliffe with both of our families.

Jeb helped me dye hard-boiled eggs the week before and we spent the day shooting guns, eating yummy food & laughing.

It was such a great day to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection.

We also got to sneak in a little family time with my cousins. They had celebrated a special girl’s birthday Saturday morning and we got to see them before they headed back up to Greeley!

Trip has been to the Vet and decided he was not a fan. He had a body part or two removed, I was told that when Jeb went in to picked him up he ran past the vet-tech right over to Jeb peed, and then was ready to “hit the road Jack & we ain’t EVER comin back!”

I felt so bad for our little fella, but I am happy to report his is back to his normal crazy self!

                                         

Since it is warming up down here we have been leaving him in the pin next to our house while we are away at work! He seems to really like it & I think we will be investing in a plastic kiddie pool this summer for him to cool off in.

I can’t believe that this year I went home to beautify my youngest sister for her SENIOR PROM!

ANDDD

That the very same weekend, I helped my other sister celebrate her 21^st birthday!

I am so lucky and so blessed to call those two girls my best friends

I love that I am only a short drive away from them and can be around for special events.

Lately my heart has been aching, like every other American, and hoping that there is still some hope for humanity.

I know that we live in a broken world and what we all need is Jesus, so I will faithfully keep putting my trust in him.

And I will treasure what I have to be thankful for because I am truly lucky to live the life I live.

May, will bring numerous trips to Westcliffe and a few up to the northern part of Colorado for a special graduation tea, a play, 2 graduations and other fun events.

I am going to welcome all these special times with a whole new outlook and appreciation, because you honestly NEVER KNOW. But I refuse to be a hermit because of the evil that haunts this world.

I am going to live this life because God has chosen me to live it!

End of October

today is just one of those days.

I am sitting here kicking myself because after the weekend we had, I don't have one single picture to show for it.

Believe me it was one for the books. 

Jeb and I both were able to get Friday (and Saturday for Jeb) off so we could take a road trip up North to see all our family.

We left Friday morning so we could meet Lacy in Pueblo just as she got off of work and we hit the road!

We spent the afternoon at my cousin Kati's visiting with her and her family. She had a baby boy 3 weeks ago and I COULD NOT wait to meet him! 

They had a Halloween party to go to that night so we met up with one of my very best friends and her fiance and Jeb's brother to play BINGO!

We really did have such a good time even though none of us won any money, we went back for the "late night" round to try our hand again. Didn't win anything that time either, but got to spend some more time together!

After watching a few episodes of Duck Dynasty with my Aunt Chris we called it a night.

The next morning we left kati's house after 2 rounds of hugs and kisses from Jackson and headed to my Grandparents

Saturday was my papa Jason's 80th birthday. We spent the morning chatting with him and my grandma about the wedding and all the happenings in their lives. 

My parents and Karly made it to my Grandma's house just in time for lunch. 

Just as we were about to sit down to big plates of nachos my aunt Becca and cousin Jake brought my other cousin Matt's daughter over to spend a little time with us.

She is so cute, it took her a little time to warm up to all of us, but when Jeb and I left to head for Ft. Collins she was being passed from person to person.

My parents, sister and family celebrated my Papa's birthday that night with dinner and a scrapbook full of memories from many people in my papa's life.

We met up with Jeb's parents, brother and girlfriend at Farm House, the fraternity that Tyler is president of. They had just finished up an afternoon snack of cinnamon rolls and hot cider. Perfect for a pre-game snack.

The 6 of us stopped by 5 guys before heading to the game just to make sure we were full to the brim.

The game was so cold! But, THEY WON! it turned out to be a pretty fun game to watch!

Jeb's friend Ian met us for the 2nd half of the game and for drinks at Potts after.

It was such a fun day!

Sunday we met Jeb's brother for breakfast before his alumni meeting and then went over to Buffalo Wild Wings for more food (ha!) and to watch the Eagles loose. Boo!

We had to head south after the game because we had an appointment in Castle-rock to pick up the cutest party favor EVER!

This is Trip! He's already settled right in to our little family!

Today, I am so thankful for my family. And the family I have joined.

My cousins are always inspiring me to be better. At everything, Kati and her family are settling into being a family of 4 and seem to be loving it. Her husband Chris is such a good dad, he even makes changing a dirty diaper into something so hilarious my sides started hurting. 

My grandparents try not to miss a beat in all of our lives, my papa had lots of questions about Jeb's job and how things were going. Both were so excited to hear about all the happenings with my sisters and I.

My mom made sure to send us on the road with some home-made goodies & I have never seen my dad so rested looking and at peace. I really think this fall has done him a lot of good.

My sisters are busy as always it was so good to spend some time with them. Jeb had a good time razzing them too!

Sam and Gail were so fun to talk with. Lots of laughter this weekend and I am so thankful I married into such a wonderful family.

Tyler and Robyn are as busy as my sisters are. It was really nice to see them for the game and evening.

Today, I can't help but want to move. Closer to all of our family. I know we are putting down roots here and the people we have met down here have really made this move easy. The time with our family is always so short lived, and that is why I think I always leave wanting more.

County Road 12 South

This

is our casa!

The place we reside

Where we call home

Our living room, if you look to the left when you come in our front door.

This is the entry way from the kitchen

Our living room

Sorry its such a bad picture.

Zee Kitchen

our dinning room, with our Fiesta ware (which we LOVE!)

Dinning room wall and hall way to the guest bathroom & 2 guest rooms

 

This bathroom might be my favorite room of the whole house, our land-lords told us we could re-paint if we hated the color but, I thought it was perfect for the shower curtain I got on CLEARANCE!!! at Target a year ago (just cuz I liked it so much!)

These are the two guest rooms, Jeb dubbed the smaller one on the west side of the house my "craft room" so it has all of my junk but needs a bed if anyone has one to get rid of!

This room gets so much sunlight & has a direct view to the best neighbors, (More on them later,) But ALSO needs a bed! (wink wink!)

Our bedroom is on the south side of the house, through the door next to the TV

We got to pick the colors for our room & I love it! Jeb does too, but I seriously love turning on the lamps by our bed every evening & really like how cozy if feels in there!

Our moms' found the comforter and pillow set on sale in PA last summer, & my dad made us the night stands as part of our wedding present! The dresser below was the third piece. Jeb started it in High School wood shop & my dad finished it for us!

our bathroom and WONDERFUL closet is on the south west side of the house

Our bathroom is the only room in the house that isn't remodeled, so we hope if we stay here long enough our land-lords will let us tackle the project!

AND the best biggest closet I have ever had! 

Now, meet our neighbors!

I refer to them as "the girls" 

These two are my favorite! They are so friendly.

One last thing, I need to introduce you to "the beast"!

This was our wedding gift from Jeb's parents and we LOVE it! Grilling is our favorite way to prepare meals!

Here are a few more pictures from our place

 

 And lastly, my favorite part of Jeb's job

Viva Las Vegas!

I just realized I never posted pictures from our honeymoon in Vegas!

Better late than never I guess.

We left Monday July 9^th in the afternoon.

My parents and sisters dropped us off at the airport.

The first night we walked down from our hotel to the Hard Rock Café where we watched local music acts & got to look at work from local artists.

      

We ventured into the casino, where I found the Johnny Cash “case” and Jeb tried his hand at the black jack table.

Tuesday we slept in, went to the pool & stupidly walked across the UNLV to In & Out Burger for lunch. (we’re talking like 2 bazillion miles in a record setting heat of 115 degrees.)

I slept for 3 hours before we headed out of the evening, our first night on the strip!

We ate dinner at Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill & walked about half of the strip.

Jeb gambled some more & I tried some slot machines, with no such luck.

Thursday, we headed to strip late afternoon where we had one of the BEST sundaes I have EVER had!

Wandered the strip some more, and found our favorite game, which was at New York, New York. 

It was called Casino War, & it was as easy as turning over a card! Perfect for me, I won $100.00 on $20. I was pretty impressed with myself but learned what a safe player I am, because every time I was about to spend my 2^nd to last $10.00 chip I would freak out a tiny bit, on the inside only! (I do have an OK poker face!)

One of the most comical & annoying part of the strip was, everyone trying to make a buck.

Some were pretty good, dressing up as Transformers, Iron Man, & other figures that are sure to catch the eye of a kiddo or movie fan.

Vegans Inhaling Porterhouse so funny!

Others… well were just really yucky & sad. My heart twinged every time someone tried to sell a CD or “the next best thing” to us. I was however grateful that most of the offers were directed to Jeb. And that every offer Jeb turned down he used the words “No thank you” and “sir or Maam”

Gahh! Whadda guy!

THEN others were almost offensive. “Your donation keeps me off probation!” umm, no.

The constant tick of the papers that had all the naked girls wasn’t to fun either.

BUT there was no way that we were going to let it ruin experiencing all we could.

We decided instead of a show, we got tickets to a “double feature” in the Luxor to see the Titanic Exhibit and Body Works.

I loved the Titanic Exhibit, it brought me right back to Elementary School, when I was OBSESSED with the Titanic and yes, Jack and Rose!  I was surprised how much the Body Works exhibit made my stomach turn.

 I liked it & would for sure see it again but was thankful when Jeb said we should go see the Aquarium at The Mandalay Bay before eating at a WAYYYY expensive buffet to get the “Vegas buffet” experience.

I was also happy Jeb picked that day to eat dinner at a buffet, so I didn’t waist a good meal on an upset stomach. I did feel a little guilty we paid as much for it as we did!

Friday, we went back to the strip for lunch at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and let me tell you! We FOR SURE saved the best for last!

If you go to Vegas, be sure to stop by for at least a Pink Cadillac Margarita if not for a burger and fries. So so good!

We went to the M&M store,

 

the Coca-Cola store, took a picture with our “Bride and Groom” hats on at the Bellagio,

 

ate dinner at the PBR Bar and Grill & hit Margaritaville one more time before we said goodbye to Vegas.

Our flight was at 8 the next morning.

Gail picked us up at the airport with flowers in hand. It was very nice to see a face we knew & get into a clean car.

She took us to the Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill in Denver for lunch, Jeb & I agreed that the one in Vegas blew the one in Denver out of the water. But we were thankful for a lower paced meal.

We spent the day spending our wedding gift cards & met my parents at Ikea to spend a little more wedding money!

We met our friend Ian for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and headed to Westcliffe for the night.

We moved to Alamosa the next day, but I will save that adventure for the next post!  

 I would like to thank Chris and Kati for the trip. It was so kind of you guys to give us your time share, we are still so thankful for what you two have done for us! We love you!