Dirty Girl 2011

I had my doubts about the possibility of even being outside on September 24 in Calhan, CO.  I half expected a blizzard. But it turned out to be a gorgeous day. 

Some girlfriends and I participated in the Dirty Girl Mud Race out in Calhan. 

Yes, that meant we parked in a pasture and most of the girls there dodged the cow pies as they approached the start line.  I was proud of our “home grown” team—we were girls from the country and we rocked it!  Probably the only team who didn’t need the map to find Rocky Mountain Roosters, and definitely the only team who knew the sheriffs—ie security, crowd control, whatever you wanna call it—by name. 

A little pre-game action, complete with shirts, shorts, socks, earrings, tattoos and headbands.  We may have had more fun getting dressed up than we did during the race….well, maybe.  But I doubt it. 

I particularly loved when we started the morning off with a cool “shower”, if you will….

First obstacle:  haystack climb.  Every single one of us has actually stacked hay, so I'm half surpised we didn't twitch when they told us to climb up and over it!

So the 5K race consisted of 11 obstacles--most in the mud, and we didn’t hold back, either.  We paid for the mud, and we were fine with taking it home!  Please note the girl in front of us, barely splashing mud, while Em and I bail in, head first. 

Let's be honest--we were total girls, and stopped at each obstacle for a photo...those photos are coming. 



Up and over the cargo net--with a stop at the top of course...No wonder there was a 5 minute wait before you could start each obstacle...only in a race with all girls.

We all finished the race and we're on the list for next year!

Dirty girls!

And the girlfriends...

PS, it's the eastern plains...of course it's windy.  Hence the hair...

Grandpa's 90th Birthday Par-tay

Grandpa Dean turns 90 on December 4th.  90.  Now that's something to celebrate!  So we decided to have a big shindig for him in July. 

And a par-tay it was! 

Okay, so now for a bit of true confessions.  Even with my pages of notes and my endless lists, you can't get everything right, right?  I do realize he only turns 90 once, but I have an even longer list of "things we would have done differently".  So, not that you need to hear this list, but you'll understand why I'm telling you this one:  hire a photographer.  This is the ONLY photo we have from the party.  I'm not kidding you. 

Couple of things.  Grandpa knows quite a few people. Thanks to facebook, I know for sure a few hundred knew about the party.  Thanks to the Ranchland News, eastern Colorado knew about the party. Thanks to invites sent out to extended family, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas were all invited.  And I think everyone showed up.  At once. 

The par-tay was after church on Sunday in the afternoon, for two hours.  That way, people wouldn't have to RSVP and we wouldn't have to worry about having enough food.  Not to mention all the logistics of feeding people at this sort of thing, and let's face it...we had to avoid the fly situation.  I can't handle the flies in the summer on the food.  Gross. 

So it started and people started trickling in, and then pouring in, and then piling in (in the first 10 minutes) ....and then we were out of chairs, and the house was packed and we were all thirsty and it was hot.  Disaster averted.  We had 100 chairs in the back of the stock trailer which the grandkids had set up in 15 seconds flat.  And Deb grabbed a water pitcher and never put the thing down.  And Uncle Larry started passing out cake (thank goodness or we would have had all 5 cakes left over). And the whirlwind began, and it was awesome. 

Along with his nearest and dearest friends and family, he said one friend came from Texas who he hadn't seen since the 70's--and since then his friend had gotten married, so he got to meet his wife.  Grandpa was in the height of his glory.  He would have loved two hours with each guest at the party, so we might just have to do another one for him! 

We did have a tablecloth that guests signed--Grandma started that tradition, with embroidering each name of each guest to their home--I think she has three or four completely full.  So, now, Grandpa can have breakfast and read the names of all the special people who came out to celebrate his birthday. 

And, contrary to what he may think, he can't go home yet. 

After the party, the family had a barbeque.  Granted, this is less than half our family.  Way less....crazy, right?  And he needs to come to my wedding so he can't go home yet!!  So, besides the cake, these were the only photos we got of the day.  So, if you get an invited to his 91st, you 'll know it's just because we wanted some photos of you!!

 Grandpa with his kids

Grandpa with his kids and their spouses

Grandpa with his grandkids

Grandpa with his grandkids and their spouses

 Grandpa with his great-grandkids

It was so much fun, maybe we'll just celebrate again on his real birthday! 

Happy birthday to one of the most amazing men alive!

Rocky Mountain Showdown

Every year, CU plays CSU at Sports Authority Field.  Every year, I convince some poor ol' fool they should take me to the game.  The first two years, I went with CU fans, and thus own two CU Buffales shirts.  The third year, I thought I was going with CU fans, but when I arrived in my black and gold, I was surprised to see green and gold....everywhere. Yes, I was the only person in the middle of the CSU student section wearing my buffaloes t-shirt.  Awesome.  It doesn't really matter--I didn't attend either school, I'm not going to be a loud-mouth while I'm there, and usually, I'm representing the winning team, so I don't have to put up with much.   

So this year, even though we were sitting in the CU section, and the tickets were purchased by a CU alumni, and my friends' cousin dances for CU, I still managed somehow to show up to the game sandwiched between two CSU fans.  Which made for a totally interesting game, to say the least.

But so much fun.  I'll probably beg them to take me next year.  I might even buy a green shirt. 

Round 2

Keith Urban, Round 2.  Dallas Texas.  Whirlwind Weekend. 

The Three Amigos reunited. 

Next up:  Denver.  Bring it on. 

whirlwind trip to dallas

My youngest brother, Kyle

Last weekend I went to Dallas--the reason was twofold.  First, and most importantly, my brother Kyle lives there, and I haven't seen him since Christmas, so I was overdue for a visit.  Second, and perhaps the driving reason I made it out there:  yes, another Keith Urban concert. 

Now before you go judging me, Kim and I strategically plan the tour and pick places we know we want to visit and then go to those  concerts.  You'll rarely hear of me taking a trip and a concert not being involved...but I know that's the plan and it's just the way I roll.  So, if you're my friend and you haven't been visited, write the fan club :)

This was a whirlwind trip, to say the least.  Got home from the Colorado State Fair after seeing The Band Perry with a bestie, Emily, well after midnight. Was back up and to the airport by 6am--and even managed to squeeze a quick nap in there somewhere.  Kyle picked me up at the airport at 11am and had to be to work by 4pm.  I would be back to the airport by 9am the next morning...

So, we made the hours count.  We drove straight to In-N-Out, which I had trouble believing I'd ever eat outside of California....

And then, since it was one million (literally) degrees outside, we went to any store which had the AC cranked.  The thing you should know about me, and especially Kyle and me, is that we're wanderers.  Unless we have a plan, we can absolutely waste time like you wouldn't believe.  And when we're together, it's even worse.  So let's just say we know more about ocean kayaks and paddle boards than you do, thanks to an hour in the sports store in Dallas TX.

The next place you'd go when it's burning up outside:  the ice rink.  Of course.  This is where we ended up--sitting and talking in the cool, but let's be honest, laughing the whole time.  Because who can not sit and laugh while watching people ice skate.  We would have a had a much more productive conversation had we not been commentating and announcing the play by play of the skaters, but what fun would that be?  Let's waste time...

About 3, we had to head to meet up with Kim and Tammy.  Kyle was going to drop me off, we'd head to the concert, and he'd go to work.  (for those of you wondering, yes, the invitation for him to join us at the concert was extended to him)

Needless to say, Kyle, that wasn't enough time.  Your turn to visit me!  I miss you dearly...seriously...