Tequila shots with ma and pa

I thought the title would catch your attention...and yes, that did happen!

But first I wanted to post some pictures from my little gathering on Friday night. I had a few girlfriends over to decorate caramel apples, drink wine, and just relax. My friend's husbands had a difficult time believing their wives were going to decorate apples. They swore it was code for something else...but alas, we really did decorate apples! Take a look at our creations!


Saturday night Amy's parents (my aunt Penny and Uncle Dave) paid a visit to CO, so we all met up with my parents and sister to go downtown. I discovered a new restaurant that had fantastic margaritas, chips and salsa, and fun food (and complimentary tequila shots)! We toured around the downtown, met a crazy guy on the bus, and had coffee at The Market. It was a great Saturday night and so fun to show the family some new hot spots!

My new roommate

Friday is finally here! I feel like it's taken forever to arrive! But alas it is here...now if only it was 5pm!


Last night Shiloh, Sonya and I went to the Grizzly Rose for our fill of two-stepping and line dancing. We had such a blast, but had to drag ourselves out at 11:30 knowing we had to work the next day! We danced our little hearts out to the cha-cha, swinging, and other kicks and turns. Um, I definitely got my toes stepped on a few times by sharp cowboy boots. Seriously, I need to buy a pair myself with steel toes for protection. No bull rides this time...but perhaps another night!


So now I sit at my desk a tad tired today thanks to my late night. But I'm excited because by the time I get off work today my cousin Amy and her husband Adam will be arriving at my apartment. Amy is in med school at the University of Minnesota and she was accepted to the Denver Children's Hospital to do a four week rotation. We're hoping this opens doors for her to be accepted to do her residency here. So Amy and I will be roommates for four weeks and I couldn't be more excited. Adam is flying home Monday, but will be back in four weeks to make the drive home with her. I haven't had a roommate in three years, so I'm welcoming the company and having an excuse to cook real food for dinner (no more cereal or random grazing). Not to mention Amy and I have always wanted to live together, but it never worked out, so this will be a good fit for both of us. And I don't think Adam wants to give her up for any longer than four weeks.


I definitley plan to take them downtown tomorrow night for some local Denver fun. And we'll get some hiking in Sunday as we venture to my parents house for a visit. I'm trying my best to sell them both on this great city...so now we just pray the hospital loves Amy and they pick her as their number choice!


Well...check out my blog Monday as I post the highlights of the weekend with my cousin and her husband. Check out the cute couple below!

Baby Announcement

My cousin Jon and his wife Emily gave birth to twins back in May and here is their announcment. The babies look so wonderful, and big compared to when I saw them in July! What beautiful little blessings!

Happy July 4th

I hope everyone had a happy 4th of July!

Mine was quite low key, but very nice. Thursday night I met up with Matt, Gretch, the girls, and a handful of other good friends to celebrate at the park by our house. They put on an awesome show complete with a live band, food, and a great fireworks show. I'll have to post pictures later once they email me them (hint, hint...haha!)

Friday morning I picked up my mom to cruise up to Dillon to bike up there. Since I've caught the biking bug, I'm insistant that everyone else try it. Mom was such a trooper! We caught the free shuttle from Dillon and took it up to Copper Mountain so we could enjoy a leisurely 16 mile ride down hill back to Dillon. It was so beautiful! Here are some highlights from the day:
Lake Dillon...gorgeous lake with a great mountain back drop.

Father's Day adventures

Today I drove up the mountain to spend the day with my family for Father's Day. We all went to church together and then grilled out before going on a great hike! It was so much fun! Happy Father's Day Dad - We love you!

Mom and Dad sporting their new hydration packs!

We are family!

Family Pictures at Evergreen Lake. God's country!!





I promise I'm normal.

Chi-town weekend

Saturday afternoon I arrived in the Windy City for a quick weekend in Chicago. My cousin Erik found "his person" and I was excited to be there and witness this special occasion. Saturday night was the rehearsal dinner in which we managed to all stuff our faces. It was at Luigi's House in Aurora. Great Italian restaurant! Highly recommend it if you're in the far west suburbs! The food was fabulous and atmosphere was adorable. Our whole family reunited for this occasion including: one grandma, 4 aunts, 4 uncles, 8 cousins, 3 cousin spouses, and 2 little cousins. It was so special to all be together and enjoy the time.

Sunday was an adventure at the oh so wonderful Red Robin. We even had the whole staff sing happy birthday to my super cool 24 year old cousin Landan. But he was a good sport and clapped along with the singing wait staff. Amy and her husband Adam are below...one year of marriage under their belts. And of course, what's a trip to Chicago without the statue of liberty at Red Robin?

Landan, Amy, Amanda, me, Adam

The wedding was Sunday night, so after a fun filled experience at Red Robin, we headed off to the church with our cute dresses. The ceremony was lovely and the reception was quite romantic. Lots of low lights, classy music, and good food. There was even a singing quartet that went table to table to sing. They serenaded the three of us women!

My parents

Kari with the handsome groom Erik

Cara and Erik

Cousins Chris, Landan and Andrew + Adam! Aren't they cute??

After all the wedding festivities we headed downtown on Monday for some quick site seeing. Check out Chi-Town!
Millennium Park:

Shrader Family at The Bean


Michigan Avenue:

Chicago River

Lunch on the 95th Floor of the John Hancock building:

Don't look down!!