the good stuff

The past week has presented some pretty rough challenges for me.  However, I refuse to dwell on them and I will not let those things take away from the good stuff thats been happening!  The good stuff meaning....
Stacey came for a visit! She flew in on Thursday and stays until next week. Jay picked her up at the airport and stayed with us the first night. And so... I surprised her with a visit from Julie and baby Nora! (Ok, Nora is not so baby anymore, she'll be one soon!) Jay left us girls to play pool for the night... and it was amazing.  Julie, Stacey and I used to spend a lot of time together.  Having them over for dinner and time to catch up was - PERFECTION. I've missed us all together and hearing them laugh and share stories and the comfort we all have around each other was just soothing to me.
Nora, of course, entertained us with her antics.  She's grown so much! I can't believe it was a year ago that I went to visit her and Julie in the hospital.  The nurse then thought Julie and I were sisters, so Julie calls me Aunt Em to Nora. And thats how it will stay!

Nora and I took selfies - she's blowing a kiss to the camera!

Nora was not having any of this, but I love it! 

Over the weekend, Jay and I headed up to Fort Collins to visit his step-brother Ezra and his girlfriend Ewa. Ezra usually lives in Germany, but has a place up in Ft. Collins.  It was great to spend so much quality time with him! And Ewa is amazing, she and I hit it off right away!  Also, I love seeing Jay spend time with family - its too bad Ezra lives so far away.

Good things happening to help stay positive! And there is so much more to look forward to! I have more time planned with Stacey, an upcoming zoo trip with Julie and Nora and possibly another dinner out with Ezra and Ewa.  Can't wait!

The mountains called to us

A couple weekends ago, Jay and I headed up for some camping.  We went to the same area that we went our first weekend camping... but actually made it to the Lost Park campground!  And wow... I am so glad we did. That campsite was beautiful.  Waaaay off the beaten path and quiet.

Our view from the campsite was spectacular...see?

 

There is something so refreshing about being outside with the fire and absolutely no modern noises.

We slept in a bit the next day and made breakfast.  The campsite is at a starting point for some great backpacking trails (who knew!) and so we decided to head out for a hike in the late morning.  Jay and I hike with the idea of time... hike out for so many hours, hike back for the same.  Weather depending, of course.  So off we went!! 4 1/2 hours later we made it back to camp.  We had hiked 11 miles. ELEVEN! Which made sense why my feet were sore and I made Jay stop so I could soak my feet.
Some pictures from the hike:

soaking the tired feets

Sunday morning came leisurely for us as well.  We slept in, made breakfast and ended up sitting around reading for a few hours.  It was incredibly difficult to pack up and leave the site.  We eventually did and made it home in the early afternoon. We will definitely going back!!

All about the COLOR!

For the 3rd year in a row, I've spent a Saturday morning getting totally messy. Yep, messy. And I loved it!!!  This past Saturday was the Color Run!  Which means a bunch of people (lots and lots) get together and run a 5k and in the process try to get blasted with as much color as possible. This year there was the added bonus of getting a dose of shine! SHINE! Like glitter, but more minerally. And it was awesome!!!  Glitter is often referred to as the herpes of craft supplies. And that is totally true.  Even after washing myself and my clothes, the "shine" is all over the inside of the car and places in the house. FUN! Hahaha!

Julie took Jay's place this year (he had to be out of town for work) but Brandy, Charlie and mom all joined again this year. Running with these ladies makes 3.2 miles go so quickly!   Mom pushed Julie's daughter the whole race, which she loved, but meant she didn't get as messy as last year.  Julie and I made sure to give her lots of hugs to get her covered!

we started so clean!

love these ladies!

 Most people start the run in as much white as possible - the better to see the color with my dear!

post race!

obviously!

 When you finish the race, they give each runner a few more packets of color (in case you didn't get enough) this means getting the chance to dump it on your dearest, closest friends.

shine bombed!

jump shot!

Until next year!!