Brainard Lake

Saturday I decided we really needed to cook s'mores over a campfire before the summer was over. We drove up one of the many canyons and headed for Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The drive was really magnificent. The sun was low and made all the foilage a gorgeous emerald green. The mountain ranges here are crazy. They just keep going up and up and up. By the time we arrived we had climbed over a mile higher and had almost hit the tree line.

We (and by we, I mean Jeff) couldn't resist a little fishing after we set up our picnic area. Anna caught her first fish Grandpa J style: Jeff got the worm on, cast it strategically, set the hook, and then let Anna pull it in. This how I also caught my first fish at Lily Lake, except I was 23 rather than 2. Anna was super excited but a little freaked out to hold the thing. She told me after it was, "slippery and cold." That sounds about right. I don't love to hold them either.



After fishing we headed back to our picnic area for tin foil dinners and s'mores. Anna actually had a Lunchable, which she thought was about the best thing ever. We had issues with our fire and ended up eating warm tin foils and semi-roasted marshmallows. We're blaming the poor oxygen flow through the fire pit. :)


We also enjoyed playing hide and seek in the trees, jumping off rocks, looking at the stars, and snuggling in camp chairs.

35 Weeks

As per the request of a few, here is my swollen, pregnant body. Five more weeks, please pass quickly.

Bring on the Snow

With my nesting instinct in full swing, I have felt the need to make sure Anna is outfitted for fall and winter before I have the baby. Luckily, my irrational need to be prepared is coinciding perfectly with Labor Day sales including the SNIAGRAB sale at Sports Authority. (For those of you as dumb as me, Jeff has informed me that SNIAGRAB is BARGAINS backwards. Which is a blow to my intelligence as we've been attending this sale for years.) Anna was so excited about her new coat and snow pants that she had to try them on and wear them around the house for a while. I couldn't help but take a thousand pictures because she's just so flippin' cute.

A Recommendation.

For our anniversary, Jeff and I treated ourselves to what we love most to do: eat. Not only eat, but eat great food, with great service, in a great neighborhood, with great atmosphere. Jeff's boss recommended this "modern mexican" restaurant in downtown Denver so we decided to give it a go. I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again, I love the city. The restaurant we hit was in trendy Larimer Square and met all my requirements for a good dinner date. (See above.) Most important, the food didn't disappoint. I thouroghly enjoyed my Salmon and Tomatillo Enchiladas, and snitching tastes from Jeff's Grilled Siloin with Cactus Salad with Mole Sauce.

The point: If you're in Denver and you don't mind spending a few bones on a good meal, go to Tomayo.

Delicious

Anna's always had a knack for delicious food combos. (See Pickles and Pops here.) Right now she loves to dip everything in ketchup. Fruit and ketchup seem to be a particularly tasty pairing.

This one cracked me up. We popped some popcorn to watch a movie, and Anna decided her bowl needed a little addition. She loves olives and had some with her dinner, so she found the leftovers in the fridge and dumped them in with the popcorn. The most delicious part was the kernels that soaked up the olive juice. Mmmmmmm.

Highlights from Utah

I was lucky enough to be able to visit my family the first week of August. I'm a little slow on the follow up, and I didn't do the greatest job with pictures, but here are some of the highlights.

-First, and most important, Anna was able to spend time with her amazing grandparents and cousins on both sides. She loved every minute.


-We were able to attend the Sollis family reunion at Southwood park. Anna, Tanner, and Riser espcially loved their popsicles.







-Shopping and chatting with Michelle and Jacob was such a relaxing treat. I love to browse and Michelle is such good company. Stopping by See's Candies for truffles and indulging in yet another pair of flip-flops was delightful.








-Seeing Larry and Marlene's new addition, though not finished, was really exciting. I can't wait for family get-togethers and parties in the new space.


-Swimming with all the Black cousins (minus Amelia and Elsa) at Julie's was great. It definitely brought be me back to swimming at Grandma and Vine Street condo, complete with Mom watching from the sidelines. (Thanks again for lunch after, Julie.)


-Black Family Home Evening was started after we moved, so it was a treat to spend an evening with most of my siblings and their kids and enjoy a spiritual discussion. Anna especially loved the water balloon activity.





-Anna was able to spend some time with Grandma Marlene and Grandpa Larry first at the zoo, and then playing at Aunt Cynthia's house. She loved both and still talks about them.

-I spent a lovely afternoon with my dear friend Brooke in Tooele. Her girls were so good to Anna and it was so fun to see her.

-I also met up with Erin and Brooke and had some delicious conversation and in good tradition, laughed long and hard.

-We attended Ethan's birthday party at Backyard Adventures. She had so much fun even though she prefered to watch people bounce than do it herself for the most part. Such a cautious girl!








-The many conversations I had with my mom were renewing and relaxing. What a great friend I have in my mother.

-I was lucky to be able to attend Bradon's blessings and then hit Cynthia's for lunch after. (Thanks Cynth!)

-Anna loved seeing Yogi after swimming at Brandon's house.






-Visiting with my good friend Libbie at IHOP.

I'm sure I'm forgeting more great moments. It was such a full vacation. Too bad Jeff had to stay in CO. He would have loved it all.

DNC

As most of you probably know, the Democratic National Convention has decesended on Denver. With that has come tons of media, politicians, protesters, and crazies. We live about 15 min north of the metro area, so our DNC experience has been mostly via local news and the Denver Post. I've thouroghly enjoyed all the hoopla. It's been really fun to be so close to such a huge political party. YHere are some of what I consider high points (or low depending on how you look at it) to the convention thus far:

-Seeing the joy in many local artisans eyes as they are finally making some sales on their Western art including many moon howling wolves and jewlery that incorporates turqouise.

-Reading about Carmelo Anthony's (of the Denver Nuggets) local restaurant choice for visiting DNC tourists, P.F. Changs. Really, if you're going to visit Denver, you really shouldn't miss it, because who knows when you'll have another chance.

-Watching several democrats weeping after Hilary's speech.

-Watching a news cast with protester signs in the background. My favorites:

"Barak Obama is Muslim." Really? I'm pretty sure he cleared that one up. Besides, what difference would it make?

"I traveled a thousand miles and all I got was pepper spray."

And my personal favorite, "Bring back Crystal Pepsi."

You will also be interested in these random facts:





-There are is one law enforcement officer on the streets of Denver for every five delegates. There are also snipers locaded in several high rises around the Pepsi Center. A little creepy, says me.





-There are political parades and marches for various causes and groups everyday through the streets of Denver.





-The Denver Zoo is free to the public during the convention, which is code for "All homeless people, please relocate for the next five days."





-Rage Against the Machine reunited and is playing a free concert at Red Rocks. Tickets were handed out in a lottery style event. I'm still not sure if they are raging against the convention, or republicans, either way seems like sort of an oxymoron for them to perform.





-Visiting politicians are not allowed to accept gifts of over $50 and cannot attend any sit-down dinners. So there are A LOT of cocktail parties being hosted all over.





Can't wait for Obama's speech at Invesco Field (Bronco's stadium). The man gives a good speech. Hopefully I'll make it downtown at least once to experience some the event first hand. First, I'll have to gear up my hugely pregnant behind. It might prove to be too much work...

Someone please tell me where I can get this look!