Labor Day Weekend (Taste of Colorado)

Monday, Labor Day, Jake needed to finish up some homework after taking time off on Friday afternoon for shopping and Saturday for Mount Evans. So while he was working, Ellie and I went to a little fair that Denver holds called the Taste of Colorado. I think they have this to compensate for the fact that the Colorado State Fair is held in Pueblo, Colorado (about 2 hours south of Denver). We had plans to go to the state fair until we found out it was that far away.

I love the Utah State Fair. My family has gone for years. When I was little my mom, her sisters, and her parents (my grandparents) worked in the information booths so my sister Annie and I spent quite a bit of time wandering the park. Now as we are older, we love to go for the Dairy Farmers of Utah event; an All you can eat Ice Cream tent.

Anyway, Ellie and I drove to downtown Denver to see what this Taste of Colorado was all about. Basically it was a mini state fair in my mind. They blocked off all the streets in front of the Capital Building and the Civic Park to set up the fair. There was a section for all the fair rides and the rest of the area was for vendors and 4 stages. The idea is an area where people can go an taste a wide variety of foods from around Colorado, costing anywhere from around $2 to $10 for the food. The restaurants present are both local and national places, offering food choices from donuts to ice cream to wines and beer to ribs and turkey legs.

Of course, I loved to because it allowed me to see the kind of people that wander the streets of Denver. Here are a few of my notes -

• There are quite a large number of older middle aged people who dress like how any teenage kids imagines their parents dress when on vacation or when trying to embarrass them; weird length shorts, socks, sandals, and bright colored shirts.
• People with colored skin out number white skinned people slightly.
• Almost everyone there had at least one tattoo that was visible to the public.
• I felt a large number of people were large people.
• About 3 guys (mid twenties) had their hair sticking straight up. Not spiked but like they had grown it out 4-5 inches and turned their heads upside down and sprayed with 2 cans of Aqua Net hairspray straight up.
• At least 10 girls (early teens to early twenties) had peacock fans for hair. Imagine the 80's 4 inch bangs flipped to the back of their head spread out in a fan.

The two most important things I learned; first, Ellie is too cute for her own good. People stopped to say how cute she was then smile and wave at her. Over course she would cheese it up, smile and wave back. Second, there was NOT a single person, I repeat that, NOT a single person that I saw wearing those ugly, low rider skinny jeans with EMO sweep haircuts in their face. I was shocked because I felt half the teenagers in Utah do that "trying to be original" or "trying to express themselves".
Overall, I really enjoyed a nice walk around the crowds while people watching.

Labor Day Weekend (Mount Evans)

We didn't have any plans for Labor Day weekend which I thought was a little odd since we didn't have to worry about school or work, although there was some homework. Friday we had to do a little shopping because as part of our agreement to lease we needed to show we were taking precautions to block Ellie from the stairs. We drove to the Babies R Us to buy some safety gates and then decided to stop at the Park Meadows Mall. This mall looks fairly new and is very up to date. The inside is designed to fit a mountain/cabin type feel and most of the stores are high end shopping; Armani Exchange, Crate & Barrel, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, etc. But Ellie's favorite store, Pedigree Pet shop. It was full of dogs and she loved every minute of it. Her favorite part, when the sales person let Jake hold the Saint Bernard puppy and Ellie got to pet it.

Saturday we decided to take a trip to Mount Evans (warning, this part was posted by my nerdy side and contains nerdy facts). Unfortunately I didn't pay that much attention while doing my research so we left the house after Ellie ate lunch and we were dressed for valley temps, about 90 degrees.

Mount Evans is one of Colorado's Fourteeners (mount peaks that are higher than 14,000 feet above sea level) at 14, 264 above sea level. The real drive behind this adventure was the drive. Mount Evans has a paved road that goes to 14,130 feet above sea level, almost to the top. The road was started as a Peak to Peak Highway (from Longs Peak to Pikes Peak) that was never finished and after driving the road, its easy to see why. The Mount Evans road was opened in 1931.

As you drive up this road, you eventually drive above the tree line and enter what is considered Alpine Tundra.

Only specially adapted animals, like the Mountain Goats, live up in these areas.

At the top, to the West is the Continental Divide (as seen vaguely behind Ellie and I to the left).







To the East are a few small mountains, Denver, and then the plains. I couldn't find any information on how far across the plains you could see. This is seen behind us in the picture.

As you can probably see from the pictures, it was quite windy and when the sun wasn't peaking through the clouds, very cold.

The car registered around 50 degrees. Some information I have says the average temp is about 42 degrees up top and it can snow on any day during the summer.

Although I didn't snap a picture, there is an observatory used by the University of Denver, but even more interesting there are old ruins of the Crest House restaurant and souvenir shop. The building burnt down in 1979. The observatory is the highest in North America. From the parking lot, there is a short hike to the very tip top of the mountain.

Here is Jake and Ellie on the very top of Mount Evans looking down on Summit Lake. The environment around and above the lake is extremely harsh and although located in the alpine, it mirrors the arctic. The ground is permafrost and there are rare plants here that are normally found only above the Arctic Circle.

The tree Jake and I are standing next to is a Bristlecone tree, which grows twisted to have a stronger foundation in extreme environments. This tree is generally the last tree growing before you travel above the tree line.

I found this plant very interesting. I don't know what it is called

but it looks similar to Thistle but has more thin hairy spines in addition to the thicker thistle spines. As you were driving, they actually look like hairy, spiny eye balls.

Hopefully I can take my nerdy side back up to this area and spend more time enjoying it, but we took the trip when we did because the top 5 miles of the road close after Labor day (hence the rush and lack of preparedness for the weather conditions). Luckily we had the blanket in the car and I did pack a jacket for Ellie.

I may not be able to care for myself or my husband, but I will always make sure my child is cared for.

If you ever make it to Denver during the summer, I highly recommend this as a sight seeing location, even if you don't have a nerdy side to indulge.

Ellie

Okay, I will keep this one short because I have gotten way carried away with the past few blogs. Its about time I share more of Ellie. Enjoy.





Help! I'm stuck. (Back when I only crawled backwards.)














I am the great adventurer. Now how do I get out of here.












I love bath time. Especially all the foam toys that I can eat.











I miss the puppies. Luckily Grandma Connie gave me this doggie to play with. I love my doogie.











My very funny copy cat impression. Mommy or daddy would spit so I would do the same.

Our new place

Can I just share that it is always an adventure to move to a new city and into a new place that you have never been to or seen? Well, I previously had a lay-over at Denver Airport but most people say that it really isn't part of Denver because it's so far out there. But you know me, I love adventures. We live in the city of Denver and if you know the area, we are just south of Cherry Creek, a few miles away from the University of Denver (where Jake goes to school).

We have saved a ton of money in gas because there isn't much of a commute anymore. I only drive to the stores in the immediate area (so far) and the school is about 5 miles away. This is a huge difference compared to my previous 15 mile drive one way for work and Jake's previous commutes to wherever he was working (the last job was in Park City).

Anyway, so my first impressions of our new townhouse were quite good. Although the buildings are fairly old, the outsides have been taken care of very well and I am sure semi-recently updated. Inside is about the same; new carpet (so new that Jake was the first person to vacuum them and I have still managed to vacuum 10 vacuum containers and a new filter's worth of carpet fuzzies), new kitchen cabinets, and I am sure a recent paint job.

The layout is simple. The main floor is the living room/dining room with attached kitchen at the back. There is a half bath and wash/dryer area also. I say "area" because they are shoved in a back corner of what could have been a closet only they can blocked off by some white leveler blinds. Upstairs is 2 bedrooms (master and secondary) with 2 full bathrooms (master and extra). My favorite part is the upstairs where there is (get this) WOOD PANELING on some of the walls, one of which is in the master bedroom. Also there are these great old double doors to the master bedroom. Here are some pics.

Downstairs living area (yes, I know it messy). To the right is a hallway that leads down to the bathroom and back around to the washer/dryer and a way into the kitchen. Even with the bad lighting, you can see a little of the kitchen table in the back left. Behind that is a counter that separates the kitchen.

If you look, you can see Ellie's play pen (see the Tupperware box and chair blocking off the living room.

The doors to the master bedroom. If you look above them you can see a little of the wood paneling. The next 2 pictures are close ups of the doors "knobs".

Next is the picture of the master bedroom. Again notice the wood paneling but I love the side column things. There is almost a small side (about 10 feet) room set in the master. The doors are to the left. In the master and to the back right is the bathroom. I love it.

This is the master bathroom. Notice you can see the door frame. It is so tight that if the shower door is closed then the bathroom door doesn't close because of the towel bar. There is a sink and cabinets to the right.
Even with all this, there is a pretty big closet. I actually have gotten used to the place. The goods definitely out way the bads. Now if I could say the same for the HOA and the landlord. But that's another story.

The big move

I hate moving. Actually it isn't the moving part that I hate, so much as it is the packing part I hate. Certain things can be packed together (kitchen stuff, linen closet, etc) but towards the end I always seem to end up with random junk boxes full of things that I need but they didn't fit in the box with the other stuff or I guess I might need it but it never really had a set place. Luckily for Jake, he wasn't around during the packing stage of the move. Then again, he was only here for half of the moving part also.

Before you react too harsh towards Jake, he and his brothers did start planning this Alaska fishing trip about 2 years ago. It just happened to fall the week before law school started.

We started moving a portion of our stuff to Jake's parents' house for storage; items we could survive without for the next little bit. If you ever try this, it really is amazing how much stuff you find out you can live without. We moved this stuff on Friday August 6th and then Jake flew out to Alaska the next day.

Luckily with the help of my family and Connie, we managed to pack a good majority of our stuff. Jake flew in Sunday the 15th in the morning with enough time to take a nap, grab a few items, and drive to Denver. The next day was moving day for me (in Sandy) and the start of classes for Jake (in Denver). With even more help from family, all of our stuff was packed into the truck and by 4:00 pm, my mom and dad, Jeff, Ellie and I were on the road.

The drive to Denver isn't that bad. My dad and Jeff drove the moving truck while towing the car and my mom, Ellie and I drive in my parents' Expedition. The drive took a little longer than we thought, I'm sure because of dinner, diaper change, gas stops, etc. We did stop in Cheyenne for the night and rolled into Denver about 11:00 on Tuesday. We unpacked the entire truck and my family was back on the road again (so they could hurry home to help my sister Annie move) by about 3:00.

Most of the boxes have been emptied. There are the last random stuff boxes and decor boxes that remain, but the end is in sight. YA!!

Catching up!

I can't believe what a slacker I am. Actually I can. Time just passes so quickly and I hate being on the computer after work because I spend all day on the computer. So here are some things that have happened since last post (be aware we have been busy).

Teeth - I don't have a good picture but Ellie has gotten teeth. The 2 bottom middle ones and 2 on top. Oddly enough, they aren't the middle ones on the top. They are the side ones. She has looked like a little vampire for about a month now. Finally the 2 top middle ones are starting to come in. What a trooper!

Memorial Day weekend - We didn't do anything special for Memorial Day. We did visit Grandpa Watterson, Grandpa Bob, Chelsea, Grandma Lue and Grandpa Lee. Also, my sister camped at the old Memorial day spot, Wasatch Mountain State Park. My mom stayed with her over the weekend so we went up for an evening. This was Ellie's first experience "camping". I think she enjoyed it. There was dirt, her cousins, marshmallows, chocolate, and all that fun stuff. I'm sure she wished she could walk. I am glad she couldn't, especially after seeing all the dirt and trouble Braden got into.

Highland Games, June 11th - We went to the Highland games with Ellie's Uncle Marc, Aunt Cassie, and cousin Becca. It would have been more fun had it not been raining so hard. It was fun/funny to see so many men in skirts, I mean Kilts. :) Luckily we were able to be there for the opening of the Tatoo. No not tatoo's on your body, but the bagpipe contest. It was amazing to hear 4 groups of bagpipers march in playing songs to start off the competition. Ellie was so shocked.

Aunt Calee's Wedding - My sister Calee got married on June 24th to Devin DeMann. It was such a beautiful wedding, but how could it not be with how good looking my family is. It was a little hot outside but we managed to survive. Ellie was a doll. She loved it.

The wedding was at Millenial Falls in Draper. They have a gorgeous garden and waterfall in the back of the reception center. It was fun to be all dressed up. A family friend was nice enough to snag some family photos for us all prettied up.

Of course we had to find food to eat between the ceremony, pictures and the reception.

Jake didn't seem to mind being dressed up all that much.

Calee looked gorgeous and seemed to enjoy it. I thought it was a great wedding.

The next day after Calee's wedding, we left for Idaho for the Watterson Family Reunion. This isn't a small, close family thing. This is the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc from Jake's Great-Grandpa. I believe it is the familys of Grandpa Woodrow's siblings. I think we have been all but one time since we have been married and oddly enough I don't think I have ever seen one of Jake's cousins there.

We did spend some time talking with family, rock climbing, and even swimming. Swimming wasn't that enjoyable. We thought the water would feel good after a hot day full of rock climbing. Unfortunately because the pool is close to a hot springs, they let to pool heat naturally. I think it was about 60 degrees, but Ellie stayed and played in the water until I took her out because of purple lips and shivering.

Oakley Rodeo, July 3rd - We went to the Oakley rodeo with Jake's family. It was so much fun. I haven't been to the Oakley rodeo in years. Things have changed quite a bit. Ellie also loved it. She thought the horses were great although the fireworks at the end startled her a bit.

July 7th - the 9th Jake went rock climbing with some of his brothers to the City of Rocks in Idaho so Ellie and I spent some girl time with my mom and sisters. On Wednesday we went boating. I was so excited because it has been almost 2 years since I had been waterskiing. Calee and I got one ski in each and noticed the fuel was low. So unfortunately I have only skiied once this year.

The next day we went to Gardner Village to the petting zoo and to do some shopping. We had a good time. After doing a little shopping, we ate dinner at Archibald's.

Jake and I played on 2 co-ed softball teams this year. One on Tuesday night and one on Thursday. We loved playing and Ellie loved cheering us on. She was such a trooper to come hang out at our games. We were league champions for both teams and Jake was the number 1 batter for both leagues. We had the best teammates as well. I can't wait until we can play again.

Denver, here we come.

I know I am terrible at keeping this updated. I have just been so busy lately. Our big news that I thought should be announced. Jake has been accepted to University of Denver's Strum College of Law. We will be moving within the month. It has been a crazy road that has led up to this moment, most of it a little nerve racking.

First, he was accepted to Creighton's Law school (in Omaha, NE) so we started playing for there. Shortly after Denver sent notification of their acceptance and since it is closer to home and a better ranked school, we choose to head to Denver instead.

I will try to keep an update of the process but so far we are still waiting to hear back about student loans and we are close to finding a place to live. School starts on August 16th and yes, that is one day after Jake returns from his trip to Alaska with his brothers.

I guess it's time to start packing.