A Wedding, Reunions and lots and lots of friends

This past weekend, Jay and I traveled to D.C. We had a wedding to attend and lots of people to see. The weather was gorgeous the entire weekend, and we took full advantage of it!  We landed early (EARLY!) Friday morning and headed to our hotel. Luckily the room was ready for us, so we took the opportunity to wander around D.C. First stop was the International Spy Museum! We weren't allowed to take pictures inside... but here are a few from their website and one I forgot I had emailed to us after we randomly posed in the museum for it:

A replica of the tunnel under Berlin to spy and below an Ninja (an original spy)

Next up was a stop at the Smithsonian American History Museum. Much of the museum was under construction, but we made sure to see a couple key exhibits ;) Like some of the First Lady's (current and past) dresses.



Michelle Obama's dress



Nancy Reagan's dresses

Kermit!

Ruby Slippers

 After that we had plans to go back to our hotel and relax for a bit before a pre-weddng gathering. We were waylaid by the beautiful Sculpture Garden and its cool stone benches and plentiful shade.

As we headed back to the hotel, we were trying to cross Pennsylvania Ave. Turns out we were temporarily unable to because the PRESIDENT was driving towards it. No joke! I got to see the President of the United States in the back of his car. My timing was off on the picture taking, but here is party of the motorcade:

That evening we gathered with Leslie and Shawn's friends at a "beach" bar for an informal gathering before the wedding on Saturday. It was great to meet with some of their friends, and reunite with my own!

Eileen, Leslie and I

The three of us girls were all at DU together, but we also have major bonding time since we all studied in Scotland together as well. It was amazing to spend time with them both!

The next day was Leslie's wedding. It was simple, gorgeous, and a total tear jerker. Leslie and Shawn have so much love for each other and so many others that (not to sound too cheesy) the whole wedding was just filled with so much love.

Leslie heads down the aisle

Leslie and Shawn

A DU reunion

The wedding was lovely, the food was delicious and I got to catch up with people I hadn't seen in years!!

The next day, Jay and I headed out to Arlington National Cemetary with Eileen and her boyfriend Matt. It was a beautiful day!

Later that evening, we met up with my friend Jaime and her hubby Kurt, and had dinner at the super tasty Graffiato. Tiny plates, tasty food. After dinner we headed over to the WWII Memorial, reflecting pool and Lincoln Memorial. It is unique to see in the dark.

The four of us goofed off for a while, taking pics of our shadows and each other before parting ways. Jay and I took a stroll back to our hotel, but made sure to stop by the newly finished Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

The next day we prepped to head home. But one more visit with friends was in order. The newest DC residents, Shannon and Thomas.

By the time we got home, I was exhausted. But I couldn't have asked for a better trip, more wonderful friends, or an awesome travel companion in Jay. :) Many more adventures to come!

Dance Competition

So, this past weekend was also the Longs Peak Feis up in Estes Park.  It is usually one of my favorite competitions to be at, because there is so much other stuff going on.  This year was no different, although the feis itself was disappointing for me.  I have been stuggling with dance for the last couple months. And although it appears that we have a good teacher, for keeps, I don't think I had enough time and mental energy spent on preparing myself for the competition. Hopefully, next time is better. I did love spending time with my friends and dance family and my wonderful supporters!  One plus side of the competition day was placing in the special. When you compete with 13 year olds and older... you have to take pride in the fact that it was all ADULTS on the podium.

Beckee and I on the podium

 Also, I am super, super thankful I have such a wonderful boyfriend. He puts up with so much on competition days. I mean, his normally down-to-earth, low maintenance, chill girlfriend, turns into a made-up, hair done, freak out, nervous wreck. I love him!!

 I mentioned that it looks like we have a teacher for keeps now. Megan. She's awesome. In a few short weeks she helped as much as possible. I think that my dancing can only get better with her around. So hopefully... everything stays on the up and up!

Megan and I

 And last, but not least. My dancing BFF and wonderful friend, Stacey. She makes tough competitions fun and bearable. Not to mention she kicked some serious ass this weekend!!! Love you, Stace! (P.s. thanks for all the pics! )

wait, what, its September already?

This summer has gone by so fast. Too fast. But... as it is 50 degrees and raining outside right now... I am glad its gone. (Kinda) There will still be a few 80 and 90 degree days in our future. But, I am ready for the cooler temps. September!
A few things have happened so far this month, so let me fill you in:
First up, some friends of the family came in from out of town over Labor Day weekend. What did we do? Go whiskey tasting of course. Denver boasts its very own whiskey distillery just outside of downtown.

It was a little weird to be tasting whiskey at 10am. But... it was a lot of fun!!!

This past weekend, Jay and I headed up to Miller Farms. We went up there last year, because its a great way to pick fresh veggies to take home. We brought home 8 bags of veggies this year. 8 bags! Sweet corn, green beans, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, onions and pie pumpkins. Yum! IWe'll be eating a lot of veggies over the next few weeks.

The summer adventures continue

Its been hot here this summer. Like, really, really hot. I know its been hot everywhere this year... but jeez, am I looking forward to some cooler temperatures.  In order to escape a little bit of the city heat, Jay and I headed up to Mt. Evans a couple weekends ago. We packed a picnic lunch, grabbed the camera and headed up, up, up!

The drive up to Mt. Evans is gorgeous...as long as you're not afraid of heights. Some of those roads seem a bit precarious! Luckily, Mr. Jay is an excellent driver and I had no worries except for taking pictures. Which I did. A lot of.

 First, we came around a corner and saw these two little guys pop up on the road. Mountain goats! Jay was able to get closer as the scrambled up the rocks on the other side...

 We kept heading up the mountain and saw a HUGE group of Mountain Goats hanging out by the side of the road.  They did not seem to care that there were cars and humans and everything else. So of course I had to take advantage of how close they were.

 There were a ton of little baby goats too, this one kept trying to hide behind the adult... but I managed to catch him a few times.

When we had left Denver, the temperature was 88 degrees. Pretty warm. By the time we reached the top of Mt. Evans, the temperature was 55 degrees. It was WONDERFUL.

The road actually stops a bit down from the peak of Mt. Evans. Where it stops is an old building and the DU observatory. Jay and I wanted to be at the very, very top of the mountain. So up we climbed. Its not too bad of a climb, but as we passed a lot of wheezing, slow-moving people, I was glad for all the boot camp and dance I have been doing.

 We made it to the top! And... of course I had to take a jumping picture. Jay managed to catch me at the perfect time! I knew I kept him around for something ;)

We enjoyed the view from the top for a while and then headed down to feed our hungry stomachs. A short drive later and Jay and snuggled into the back of his truck with a giant blanket and some yummy food.

View from our lunch spot

The clouds had started rolling in and it looked like rain, so Jay and I headed down the mountain after that. Back to the hot, hot weather. But, it was so nice to escape for a little while!

Cross Training and my pinterest obsession

While I struggle with my current dance situation, I have found myself more and more determined to get into better shape.  For dance. For life. For me!

So how am I working on my health? Boot camp classes at Fitness in the City (I've mentioned these before) have definitely added to my overall cross training.  I love that not only does it push my already formed "dance" muscles... but it pushes muscles I've never used, under-used, and didn't know I had!  And its AWESOME. After each class, I find myself sweaty, hot and tired. But it also gives me this high, that I just accomplished something I've never tried before! Like... pulling another human being in a tire across the floor. Or... executing pull-ups from a prone position on the floor. Or... crossing the span of the room while doing push-ups. Stuff that doesn't benefit my everyday life, but it benefits my health.  And my friendships! This past Saturday, Mary, Julie, Stacey and I attended one of the biggest fitness gatherings around. Fitness on the Rocks!! What is that? It was an all day, fitness event with classes in Kickboxing, Zumba, Yoga and of course, Boot Camp (called Total Body). It couldn't have been in a more beautiful setting. Red Rocks! The day was warm and sunny, but we all worked our booties off!

love my fitness buddies!

Gorgeous day, gorgeous venue

So... how does all of this have anything to do with my Pinterest obsession? Have you been on Pinterest? If not, do so. Immediately. Or don't, because you'll invariably get sucked in. For example, since I have been more body and health conscious, I find things like this to add fuel to my fitness fire:

Are they necessarily the best ideas ever? No... but there are so many easy things I can do at home. Introduce new foods into our diet (although for the most part Jay and I eat pretty healthy). Try new recipes. And attempt to do some of these "easy, at home" exercises.  I am working on being more consistent with that. But hey, I am trying, right?

Here is to more cross-training, more healthy eating, and an all around better lifestyle!

Tripping over my tangled laces

Why am I tripping over my laces? Because, I am still dancing, but right now, my heart is not in it.
Why?
To answer, I first have to explain that my passion and love for dancing hasn't changed. I love dancing. I look forward to working myself until my legs are shaking and my feet are aching. But... I am not loving the school I am right now.
Remember my Post St. Pats post? I mentioned that I was struggling with the change in new teachers at our school. Well....3 1/2 months later, I am still struggling. Except now its because I feel like I am an afterthought.  Oh, you're an adult dancer thats not a champ? That's too bad.
Wait, what??!? I work just as hard, if not harder, than some of the kids in my class. So...why do I not get any feedback? Any suggestions? Any support? Hmmm.....
I mean, I know I am "old" for a dancer. I started late. 23. I am 28 now. I get it. I struggle with steps and moves. But, you know what? I WILL get them. Because I want to. I am not there because my mom and dad make me. I am there because I WANT to be.

I think its time I start looking for a different school to dance with.