Weekend Adventures

This was our last weekend to do whatever we wanted in Denver. 

I can't believe it has gone by so quickly! I am anxious to get back to New York, and get back into our groove. It is going to be a lot different than last year. Amelia and I have been spoiled here in Denver, and I am afraid we will get bored in Ithaca. I guess it is time to try out the ol' Science Center. 

Anyways... This weekend we tried to do things we have been wanting to do.

We ate at Rio Grande. 

We are REALLY going to miss Mexican food.

We played at the Soda Lakes. We drove past this place a lot as we went to the Outlet Mall or to some friends' houses and thought it looked so fun. I looked like the sand was really soft from the freeway.

It wasn't. 

It was super rocky, and we only last about an hour and half, but it was still fun. 

I am a complete and utter SUCKER for carnivals and fairs. 

My family has a tradition of going to Summerfest in Orem, UT every year. We can walk to it from my grandma's, so it has become a staple for my summers.

Greenwood Village had a fair this weekend and you can bet your bottom dollar I dragged my family there!

Everything was Free.

Food. 

Rides.

Crafts.

Games.

FREE.

I guess that is what happens when you live in a wealthy community.. and they get stuck with us who don't pay taxes... oh well.

Amelia wasn't too fond of the carousel, but loved the train ride. I obviously had to ride the train with her, and it was TINY. 

And we had some fun and relaxing time at home.

My mom gets here on Thursday and I am so excited to show her around. 

I will leave with her back to Utah on Sunday, and then Anthony will come the following Saturday after he finishes his last week of work.

His internship is going very well. He is flying to New Jersey to present the product he developed to a hospital there to hopefully have them buy it. It seems crazy to me that he doing "real business" in the "real world" already. He's pretty legit. haha. 

Jessica and Justin's Wedding

My friend Jessica got married this past weekend. I have to say it was the mot beautiful wedding I have been to and I am so grateful we were in Denver this summer to be apart of it. She got married in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and her ceremony was overlooking a beautiful view.
We have been celebrating her this whole month. She had such a fun Bachelorette Party and Bridal Shower. We have had Spa Days, Girls Nights, and we went dancing all night downtown. I haven't been dancing since before I was 21, so it didn't really count before, but it was a blast.

We had to drive 3 hours to get to the mountain, and then we almost missed the ceremony because we didn't know we had to ride the lift up the mountain. I thought it was just the coolest. Riding a lift to the top of the mountain for a beautiful view of the mountains. It was perfect.

All of her bridesmaids. I am so glad I could be there with my friends. 

The beautiful couple. And THE Vera Wang. 

That is what I called her dress all night.

I had never seen somebody actually wear one. haha.

The View.

I love them both so much, and their little boy, Koen, and I am so glad that we just happened to be here for the summer.

We leave in 10 days! WOMP.

I love it here, and I hope we get a few offers from fellowships here. I mean if a better one comes along, we will take it, but I seriously love this area. So much.

Independence Weekend 2013

We had such a fun holiday weekend. Our awesome friends, Kehly and Jeff, flew to Denver to spend the week with us. It was so nice having them here with us and Amelia loved having people to entertain her besides her boring mom and dad.

July 3

They flew in on the 3rd, and we went straight to Civic Park which is right in the heart of downtown Denver. It was a blast. There was a huge crowd, but we actually found a good spot despite getting there 15 minutes to start time. The fireworks were lit off to the beat of the Denver symphony. 

Amelia was leading the music

July 4

On the 4th, we headed up to Nederland. Its about 30 minutes up the canyon past Boulder. It is a TINY town, but my family has a cabin up there and they have a fantastic firework show. Unfortunately the fireworks were postponed due the to the wild fires. So we went and saw the tiniest, weirdest parade we have every seen. We saw about 20 firetrucks and band that played on grills. It was very interesting.

Kehly and Jeff

The grill masters

People were coming up to us and taking pictures of this cute girl.

After Nederland we headed to Boulder. I love Boulder. It's so laid back and Pearl Street is just the cutest. We had some delicious Mexican food and Amelia seemed to enjoy it as well.

After Boulder, we headed to my friend Jessica's house in Parker. they just built a gorgeous new home and it was perfect for a BBQ. Plus, Koen and Amelia love each other.

Since fireworks were banned, they had an awesome laser show. Before the show started they had a band, bounce houses, fair festivities, and food. Can't go to a fair without getting kettlecorn.

Waiting for the lasers to start. Amelia was much more interested in people watching anyways.

July 5

The next day, we headed over to the Red Rock Amphitheater. It's beautiful, but I don't know why people rave about it if they aren't going to a concert there. It is cool, but its really small and not much to see if you aren't seeing a band. Have they been to Moab or Arches? We went to a Denver visitor center and they told us this is the number one place to go. We had been here before, but though Kehly and Jeff would like it, too. They agreed with my Moab comparison.

We also went and visited my dear friend, Buffalo Bill. I was not happy about this. I didn't think it would be fun, and I was a poor sport. But it was actually pretty cool. I mean, if we weren't right by it, I wouldn't go, but I am glad we made the stop before our next destination.

His grave site looks over the denver valley. I wish I would have gotten a picture of the view, but just know it was beautiful.

After Buffalo Bill, we went to the Colorado Mills Mall. I love this mall. REAL SHOPPING.

For those of you that live in Ithaca, you know what I mean.

We also stopped by the Denver Temple. 

July 6

Sadly, this was their last day with us.

We went downtown again, and went to the Denver Art Museum.  It was a great museum. I don't last too long in art museums, but it was pretty fun.

We walked over to 16th street, and ate at The Yard House. It was delicious.

We also stopped by Big Blue Bear

And we found the rhino that Jeff's brother helped design.

It was very fun weekend. I am so glad Kehly and Jeff came for a visit. It made the weekend.