Halloween 2013

Our little miss dressed up as Cinderella for Halloween this year. She has already planned ahead, and next year she will be Belle, the following year, Arielle, and in 2016 - Snow White. Do you think she's into princesses?!

Her preschool class had a party on the 30th, where they got to sing some very special Halloween songs to all the parents. It was adorable! They also got to trick or treat from all the parents. What fun!

Pure bliss!

She had a second party to attend on the 30th, at her dance class that afternoon. Halloween Heaven! She was one happy little Princess. 

On Halloween, we made the yearly trip to Grandma and Grandpa Judson's, where Taylee trick or treated a large selection of candy, and Kent and I were treated to grandma's cinnamon rolls. Yum!

My best effort at getting these three cute cousins to pose for a photo-op...



Nana and poppi met us at our house with some Costa Vida takeout, then it was off we went for trick or treating! Taylee ordered poppi to stay home and pass out candy, and my mom, Kent, and I took her door to door.  She was on a mission to make her way to Miss DeDe's (her dance teacher), for a treat.  I was surprised, but she was undeterred from her mission when we ran into her neighborhood friends. I thought she would definitely want to break off with them. But nope, she went solo the whole way. And, really, it's easier on us adults that way! She did make it to Miss DeDe's, and she did have a great time!!

Again, difficult to get the Princess to stay still!

 Another Happy Halloween is in the books!

Denver - Adult Style

We made our annual adults only trip to Denver in late October this year to celebrate the return of Shanahan to Denver, and of course, Mark's Birthday! This trip seems to be growing every year, and getting more and more fun each time we go! This year it was Kent, myself, Mark, Amber, Daniel, Denise, and Clare, who was in town for the weekend with a couple of her girlfriends.  As usual, we overindulged on spirits, barhopping all afternoon and evening after our arrival Saturday. I was even foolishly talked into an Irish Car Bomb, and found a new hit drink for myself...the Colorado Bulldog! (a white russian - my fav, with a splash of coke. Yum!)

After our arrival on Saturday afternoone, we had a late lunch and beverages at the Taphouse. We then moved to Lodo's rooftop patio (The site of the ill-fated Irish Car Bombs...), made a stop at the wine bar Cru, and finally a late dinner at Tamayo, which lasted waaaaay too long for our inebriated group. Yet, we still made it to bed by midnight! Well, to be clear, every one else was in bed by midnight, I suffered one of my recent bedtime panic attacks, and finally made it to sleep at 2 am.  I might blog more about this new fun problem of mine, or I might not...I was hoping that it would be such a small blip in my life it wouldn't be worth mentioning, but it's not looking that way... Bummer. 

Anyhow, we met up for Mark's birthday brunch at Marlowe's, and some of our rowdier members started the day with all-you-can-drink mimosas! Not me, of course. ;)  Instead I went shopping, where I acquired my fabulous new Broncos boa. I wore it proudly!

With a 2:00 kickoff, we were at the stadium by noon. After a little shopping and a little drinking, we made our way to our seats just in time for player introductions and finally KICKOFF!

The Broncos made sure it was exciting, letting the Redskins get ahead 21-7 for a little while. We made a quick comeback in the 3rd and 4th quarter and eventually won 45-21. NICE!
Dinner after the game was a subdued affair at Maggiano's, other than when Daniel choked Mark out with an intense headlock to cure his hiccups. It sure cured mine!
After dinner, Daniel and I made a pitiful attempt at feeding the homeless in downtown Denver with our Maggiano's take-home dinners. (They offer a free meal to take home when you order certain menu items.) Every homeless person we encountered seemed to have a bag of food from local restaurants. They sure know how to treat their homeless population! But, we did our best, then rejoined the group at the hotel.  After the early mimosa start and the overwhelming fun at the game, we were in our rooms at nine. Party animals! Can't wait for next year!

Love at Lodo's!

Brotherly Love

Lovely Ladies - Clare and Amber

Happy Birthday Mimosas

Clare's favorite meal in a glass. Bloody Mary's!

Pregame Party