{DREAM Marriage}

Our second day-trip was a snoweshoe outing in RMNP. We decided to try a popular trail from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake. This place is packed in the summer, but I was a little surprised at the number of cars as we entered the parking area.

The clouds were heavy and snow flurries were a steady stream as we headed up the trail.

The hike is not very long at 3.5 miles round trip, however, the majority is on an uphill climb.

On our way we passed by Nymph Lake. We stopped for a short break while we adjusted to the altitude.

We climbed on to Dream Lake where the snow was blowing so much that the visibility was a challenge. It certainly looked prettier than it felt. Facing the direction of the wind was BRUTAL!

We stopped for a snack at the base of our final ascent to Emerald Lake and discovered stepping off the trail was risky when Mark found himself sunk in several feet of powdery snow.  We also decided at this point that the visibility wasn't going to improve and the view we were hoping to get at Emerald Lake was not happening. Dream Lake was our turning point.

Heading back down the trail

We had lunch in Estes Park at a little diner called You Need Pie. Believe it or not, we did not order any pie .. ...
guess we didn't need it!

 We did pick up a yummy Caramel Apple and walked around town a bit where we saw this awesome window display at the Candy Store.

 It was one of the best days and I LOVED spending it with my favorite guy!

Celebrating 22

Mark and I celebrated 22 years of marriage this past week. Originally we toyed with the idea of going overnight somewhere and leaving Bay in charge. Ultimately we ended up making some day trips instead. We trust Bailee completely, but the hint of uneasiness helped us decide to put that idea on hold for now. 

Our Anniversary started off with Mark surprising me by taking the day off. He was playing it all cool .. .. took the girls to the bus stop and "left for work". I decided to treat myself to an unusually relaxing morning .... take a soak in the tub and watch a cheesy Nicholas Sparks movie. Suddenly I heard footsteps ... first faintly across the kitchen floor and then up the stairs. I became a bit panicked and began eyeing the bathroom for what I could use to defend myself when the door flung open and there stands Mark with a Diet Pepsi in hand. Oh man! I am seriously trying to control my addiction, but how sweet he knows it's like my morning coffee;) We made plans to take a drive to Red Feather Lakes and have lunch together. We decided to stop in and check out the new little Bakery that is just getting started in our town.

 It was a beautiful drive through the mountains and so fun to check out the Red Feather area.  We spent lots of time thinking back on our 22 years and comparing what we remembered about our wedding day. Neither of us could recall too many details .... we were sooo young and must have been too anxious to really take it all in. If only I blogged then!

 We drove by the Shambhala Mountain Center and decided to get out and walk around. The acres of serene mountain and forest provides a peaceful retreat. 

It is also home to the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. 

 Standing 108 feet tall, it is one of the most significant examples of sacred Buddhist architecture in North America. Stupas promote harmony, health, prosperity, peace and freedom. 

 

 We even took our shoes off and went inside. I'll admit it felt a little strange to me and some of their rituals seem odd, but honestly doesn't every religion have practices that are a bit odd?

 

 You can't argue with their message and it's fun to experience something new, especially with someone you are growing old with:)

Bailee made us Chicken Taquitos for dinner and we spent the evening with our girlies enjoying Malted Moo Shake ice cream ... so so good!

Denver Nuggets Game

One of the gifts Kars received for Christmas was 2 tickets to see the Nuggets play. Sunday night she and Mark headed to the Pepsi Center for the game. 

On their way they stopped for Burgers and Shakes at MOOYAH

 We haven't eaten there before, but Kars said it was a winner!

 

It was a good game with a final score of  Nuggets 95 and Hornets 92. So much more fun to watch a close game than a complete walloping (not that I feel bad for any of those guys).

 

These 2 had a  super fun night together. Despite neither of them being big Nuggets fans, Kars loved getting to attend an NBA game. I loved that they took some pics for me;)

In the thick of it

Bailee's life has been pretty hectic lately. She is in the thick of swim season along with Yearbook, College level classes, Choir rehearsals and church obligations. We haven't been able to see her swim much this season. The majority of the meets have been in the Denver or Greeley area and with schedules and weather, we haven't been able to travel for those. She had a meet late Friday night and another one early Saturday both near Denver (crazy scheduling if you ask me). We wanted to do a little something to cheer her on, so her sisters spent some time Saturday afternoon decorating her room .. . .

New Do

Over the break, Emmrey got a haircut. I had mentioned it in passing before, but we never did more than a trim. This time she was serious. I cut a good 6 inches off. I actually love her long wild mane, but it is so thick it gets hard to manage sometimes. 

 It took her some time to decide if she liked it or not (she hasn't had short hair in a while). She's now decided she really likes it and as long as it grows back in time for her to put a bun in it for her Spring recital, she's fine with it;) Cute new do for the new year!

"YOU SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY"

Yesterday we woke Mark up to a little Beatles Birthday song. I'm not so sure blaring music is the nicest way to wake up a person for breakfast, but he was a great sport about it. We served him an Omelette with his Coke zero. He had a big budget meeting, Karsyn had basketball and Bailee had a swim meet in Broomfield so there wasn't a whole lot of celebrating until later in the evening. Emmrey and I spent the afternoon getting things ready for Mark to come home .. .. ..

Mark had free choice of anywhere for dinner and he chose PANDA ...not sure what that says about him;)

 Then we went and killed some time at REI and Barnes & Noble while we waited to pick up Bailee.

 The girls love spending time at the bookstore just like their dad

 Kars really enjoys any gadget she can get her hands on:)

 We picked up Bailee and went home for Banana Splits. Poor Emm had a loose tooth that was bothering her and she just couldn't hold it together anymore!

 Mark opened cards from both parents

 My mom and dad sent him a check in this pinball machine. You have to get the balls in just right in order to get the check out. It was super hard to figure out and called for some reinforcement!
Leave it to my mom to find something like this;)

 Emmrey made Mark a party hat that was filled with caramels. When she put it on him, the candy fell all over. It was pretty cute. We also got him a new Kindle since his old one bit the dust and a handy veggie chopper like the one he used at my parents. Now he is all set to make Pico.

Mark isn't much for celebrating himself and therefore likes to keep his birthday on the "low down". The rest of us like having a day really devoted to a guy that does so much for all of us. I certainly think his 43 years of life deserve some celebrating.
I would be so lost without him!

Cub Lake

Yesterday we went to RMNP for some time in the mountains before everyone is back to school/work. We stopped in Estes for lunch at a Mexican Grill.

Not the best food I've had, but a fun little diner in a great little town.

 Then we headed into the park with plans to snowshoe.

 At the Cub Lake Trailhead. The start of our 5 mile excursion.

 It was an absolutely beautiful winter day with the sun shining through the trees

The snow was so packed on the trail, there was really no need for the snowshoes so Mark ended up being a bit of a pack mule:(

 

On a little potty detour Mark and I got this view from above.

Look at those tiny girls of ours!

 The hike was moderate, but the more we climbed we hit that point where some are beginning to moan. 

At least they all put a good smile on:))

 

We made it to the lake and stopped to refuel.

 We didn't stay around too long. The lake was shady and we were all so sweaty we needed to keep moving so we didn't get too chilled. We did stand on the frozen lake for a picture.

 

I found this picture and thought it was neat to compare this nearly exact spot we were standing to the summer view.

pretty sure that big rock is where we snacked

On our way back down we saw some Elk grazing

 We made it to the car in one piece. Well almost .. .. one of my lenses popped out and Mark thought it was photo worthy.  

Good look don't ya think?

It was a pretty remarkable day!