Snow Day!

We had a snow day today. No school! Woohoo!! Dan and Noah and I had to go shopping this morning before everything shut down and get Noah a new coat, snow pants, boots, hat, and gloves because everything from last year is too small. Then, while Dan and Noah napped, I went on an epic snowshoeing hike by myself up in the hills where the bike trails are. Totally beautiful! After that, it was snow angels in the backyard with Dan and Noah and Japhy and now Dan is making chili for dinner. After dinner, the Monsters Vs Aliens Halloween special is on, so we will sit by the fire and watch that with hot cocoa. Can't think of a better day!

Randi and Sophie's Visit

Last week, my friend Randi came to visit us from Phoenix with her daughter, Sophie. I am happy to say that Noah and Sophie totally hit it off. Randi is a friend from my wild days in college so it was really a trip to watch our kids playing together. And it was really cool.

They got in at 11:30 or something on Friday night. I was so excited to see her and Sophie that I really had no trouble staying awake. The next morning, we all slept in (as much as you can with 2 kids around) and then we went to the outlets so Randi could check out the Coach store. Neither one of us bought anything, but it was fun anyway.

That afternoon we went to Garden of the Gods down by Colorado Springs. Randi had never been to Colorado before and I think she was in awe of how green everything was. Here are some pics from the hike we took down there. It was a short one because of the rain that kept moving in and out, but that was probably the perfect length for Noah and Sophie anyway.

Sophie and Noah:Noah:Randi and I with the kids:Randi and I:
That night we went to the Rio for dinner (the Rio with the ridiculously strong "Limit 3" Margaritas). That was fun and Randi and I both got crocked.

On Sunday, we went to Idaho Springs and Mount Evans. We were planning on stopping at Red Rocks on the way back, but it was pouring rain. Here are some pictures from Mount Evans. We couldn't get all the way to the top because there was a massive snowstorm up there.

Noah hiking near the Mount Goliath Area: Dan and I: Randi and Sophie at nearly 13,000 feet in the snowstorm:

After our trip up Mount Evans, we had dinner at Tommyknocker Brewery. I love that place and I hadn't been there in a long time, so it was nice to have an excuse to go.

The next day was Memorial Day, and we went downtown to the Denver Fine Arts Festival. It was a great festival, but once again, it was pouring rain. We're in a drought and it has to rain constantly when Randi comes, right? Anyway, Randi said the rain was a nice change from hot, dry Phoenix. After a soggy attempt at the festival, we had brinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. I know, cliche, right? But Randi had never been to one.

All in all, it was a fun visit. I can't wait to take Noah and Dan to Phoenix to visit Randi. Not in the summer though. December would be a good time!

The Fates Are Conspiring Against My Long Run

I am supposed to do 8 miles this weekend. It usually do my long runs on Saturday morning so they are over and done with and I can enjoy the rest of the weekend with my family. It was a no go yesterday either outside or at the gym because of the insane snow. So, I show up at the gym at about 9:00 today (after barrelling over all the snow in our driveway with the jeep... god forbid we would actually shovel the driveway). When I got to the gym, there were fire trucks in the parking lot. Like a ding bat, I go in anyway and the firemen stop me (Castle Rock has really good looking firemen, by the way). There's a natural gas leak and the gym is closed.

Crap.

So, I get in the jeep and drive back home thinking, well, it's over 40 degrees now, so I'll just run outside. As I drove through the neighborhood though, I realized no sidewalks or bike paths are cleared yet. That means I get to run down the single lanes on the roads that are cleared. Sounds pretty safe.

So, as soon as I finish this cup of coffee, I will be on my way. I'm not totally sure I will get in the full 8, but I am going out to run something. Earlier, as I got grumpier and grumpier from 2 days of no running, Dan said, "You either need to start running or start drinking so you can calm down."

I'm thinking, cool, run first, then drink.