First Time Snowshoeing

In January, Chris' brother Nick sat us down with a calendar and said, "Pick a Saturday.  I'm watching the kids and you guys go snowshoeing."  So we did.  

Chris researched a bit and found what looked like a great place to snowshoe and we headed up into the mountains.  

There's a little back story to this story.  

7 years ago, Chris bought snowshoes for me (and himself) for Christmas.  This was when we lived in the foothills and figured we'd get some pretty good use out of them!  But that year we got almost no snow. And then we moved to Southern California.  Of course, as the story goes, we moved out to Colorado where there is plenty of opportunity to use snowshoes.  We were missing a key factor still; a babysitter or the extra funds to pay for one for almost an entire day.  And then along comes Nicholas, who is not only willing, but is determined to get us out there to finally do this thing!  

There was traffic on the way up to the mountains, so Chris took an alternate route.  It was very snowy and our car isn't actually the greatest in snow, so we drove quite slowly and saved no time at all.  Plus it was a little stressful on icier roads.  It was also breathtaking, so that's where I chose to put my focus and it was a really lovely and memorable ride up.  

And then Chris had to show me how to properly put on snowshoes (which I messed up several times), but finally we were off on our uphill adventure.  

Eventually we reached this lovely view.  

And this one.  

Selfie to prove it's really us.  Also because I love him. 

 

The snow is several feet high, which is difficult to tell except when you get to building and most of them are buried.  

 

It was a lovely hike and the trek back down was a breeze since it was all downhill.  

We stopped at Chris' favorite brewery on the way home and grabbed a few drinks to celebrate our achievement and his new job, a management position for a German based company that is just starting up a branch in Denver.  Cheers to you, Chris, for all the hard work and sacrifices you've made to get here.  We are so proud of you and thankful for you.  

10th Anniversary Trip- Cancun

In mid-November, we'd planned a (late) 10 year anniversary trip.  We'd planned it this way partially because that's when my parents could come watch the kids and partially because it's a lovely time of year down in Mexico where we were going.  

We got passports and planned and eventually it was November.  My parents arrived and so did a snowfall.  Chris and I were rather excited that it had snowed because it made the coming sunshine and warm temperatures of Mexico seem even more wondrous!

When we arrived in Mexico the weather was WARM and lovely (and humid).  The room at the resort was even lovelier.  

So many beautiful touches-chocolates and treats 

champagne and fruit

And this beautiful view of the Caribbean Sean from our balcony. 

I could feel the weight of the daily grind and work fall from my shoulders.  

Rest and Relaxation, here we come for a week!

And that's precisely what we did.  We laid out on the beach and read and read and slept and read.  

 

And when we didn't feel like reading or sleeping, we just sat and looked at the glorious creation of our good Father.  

We swam in the pools, we had fun tropical drinks, and we ate at the different restaurants on the resort.  This particular lunch had such a lovely view, situated as it was just off the beach.  

Each day there was a fun, new towel creature.  

Each evening we got to dress up a little and go out for a really nice date at one of the many resort restaurants which were ALL really good.  The French restaurant was our fav though. 

In the mornings, I enjoyed getting up and sitting out with my Bible on the balcony and taking in His Word and the beauty of the Sea. 

Chris ordered me this fun drink in a coconut when he saw someone else with one.  It was indeed yummy and lots of fun, served up that way.  

More fancy dinners

 

Gosh I love this man who loves so hard, works so hard, and is so dang handsome!

 

Standing in the Caribbean Sea was one of my favorite parts of the day.  I will never tire of standing on the sand near the water and letting the waves come and fine my feet.  The sound, the feel...it's a piece of heaven, I'm sure of it. 

 





             

the Sea behind me

This cutie beside me

This was my main read during the week.  I also listened to Anne of the Island on Hoopla at times and slowly worked through some chapters of a lovely do-it-yourself retreat with St. Therese. 

in the Caribbean

We asked this group of ladies if one would take our picture.  They were all work friends from New York taking a fun girls trip together.  This gal was a blast and photobombed one of the shots. After chatting with them awhile we headed back to the beach chairs for some more reading and rest. 

During the week we made friends with lots of the staff too.  These two brothers were so cool and helpful during our visit.  

And these wonderful friends made fantastic drinks and helped us practice our Spanish, and chatted about life and family too.  Really loved getting to know these wonderful people instead of just ordering a drink and completely doing our own thing.  

We tried for a selfie with that mustang in the background but it proved to be rather tough to do.  

One night they had a big Mexican fiesta.  Food, decor, cultural dances etc.  It was really fun to watch.  Growing up in central California, I am a girl who can absolutely appreciate a good Mariachi band and we did.  

 

 

It was so hard to say goodbye to a week of resting and relaxing and just hanging out the two of us again.  

But it wasn't hard to say hello to these sweet faces and smiles upon our return home.  When we walked in the door, they ran at us, shouted our names, hugged us, and told us about all the fun they'd had with their grandparents. 

 It was perfect.  

So grateful for our trip and so grateful to be back home.