Halloween... part 1?

I am calling this entry Halloween part 1 in hopes that I will have more to share after the actual holiday on Wednesday! But... we'll see.....

In the meantime... this year's Halloween involved a group costume. One that had been brainstormed last year and didn't work out... but was implemented this year at the insistence of all.  The girls and I decided to hit Halloween this year as ROLLER DERBY girls!!!! Heather, Anne, Brandy and I all got together one Sunday afternoon to pick out and put together our matching (mostly) team costumes. We came up with names, numbers, etc. We got our crafty on... and it turned out amazingly!

 

Anne aka Fast Lane!

Brandy aka Killer Bee

Me aka Em-inent Threat

 We were missing Miss Heather as she is celebrating Halloween Swedish style this year. But she is supposed to wear her costume there... so hopefully pictures will be forthcoming.

Jay, of course, had to be included in this group costume, but since he can't really be a Roller Derby girl... he stepped in as our always handsome, ever present Referee!

He looked hilariously amazing as always.  Our little team made sure to pose for pictures... and thanks to Sam, we even "won" the bout. ;)

 The party was awesome as usual. We got to celebrate MM's birthday and she and Same rocked it in style. The ominous Umbrella Corporation men were wandering around as well. And Jess and Ed captured everything... instagram style.

Until next year.... and believe me. Jay and I already have our costumes planned.

GABF - beer beer beer

This past weekend was the 2012 Great American Beer Festival. Held in our very own Denver, Colorado. And every year... this being our fourth time doing it, we have gone to pour and taste beer!
One of the best things about volunteering for GABF is getting to try new beers from around the country, but especially around Colorado. This year we poured for Copper Kettle Brewing Co. They are pretty new to the scene, but host some awesomely tasty beers and really great people!  I see Jay and I spending a lot of time in their taproom in the future.
Three years ago, Heather and I volunteered for the first time ever... and I had the luck to meet and get to know my love, Jay!  So, now we celebrate our anniversary in the same place every year, at GABF!  No better place to celebrate than with all that beer and with so many awesome people!

Sidney Oktoberfest

The first weekend of October always marks the weekend that the Denver and District Pipe Band heads to Sidney, Nebraska for their annual Oktoberfest. Strange, I know, heading to Nebraska for something like that? But, every year it turns out to be a ton of fun!!

This year... the weather had some tricks up its sleeve for us. Our first show, Friday night was pretty chilly, but we layered up, tossed back some beer and danced a lot. The beer tent was packed with people and that made everything warmer.

Saturday morning is usually our morning for a parade, a short break, practice, a dancers show, a break and then the night show. However, we woke up Saturday morning to this:


Not exactly weather conducive to having or marching or dancing in a parade!  Needless to say, the parade was cancelled. We were drafted into doing two different shows... one at a nearby Retirement home and one at the close Cabela's.

Doing the show at Cabela's was a riot! There were a ton of people there to watch us (plus the normal shoppers) and who doesn't want a backdrop of stuffed animals to dance to?
Our afternoon dancer's show was a little warmer, which was good since we couldn't fit nearly as many layers under those costumes as our normal pipe band outfits.

Saturday night's show was COLD. So COLD, that I didn't really take any pictures. The few I did take came out pretty blurry since I was shivering my socks off. All in all, it was a great weekend... looking forward to next year!

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! )