on the road again

 Now that it's snowing I feel that it might be a good time to finally recap our summer vacation road trip...It was a jam packed, amazingly organized trip but most importantly we hit 9 National Parks/monuments. And just in case you decide after reading this that you must head to that part of the world, I will share with you some details of our travels.

Day 1: Our first day was mostly driving. On the way to Jackson Hole we stopped by Granite Hot Springs to rest our tired bodies. After dinner we tried to catch a nice sunset against the Tetons. OH MY GOSH. Is this view being serious? It was incredible.

Day 2: Hike to amphitheater lake (10 miles round trip). We then checked into an awesome half cabin-half tent situation in which we stayed in for 2 more nights. In the evening we again went to see the sunset atop Signal Mountain (Where we saw a black bear!).

Day 3: Canoeing on Jackson Lake. BEST THING EVER. Please do not go to Grand Teton National Park without doing this! But maybe don't canoe for 9 miles. I totally over estimated my arm strenght..by mile 5 I was crying.

Day 4: We so sadly left the above wonderfulness and carried on through Yellowstone NP, Cody, WY and camped out at Devil's Tower National Monument. The stars were amazing this night.

Day 5: We took a candle light tour through wind cave (highly recommend!!), drove through the needles highway (again recommend), ate some ice cream at Mount Rushmore and then spent the night in Rapid City in a hotel! The hotel was the cheapest one we could find but after 3 nights of camping it felt so glamorous.

Day 6: Started heading home but not without driving through Badlands National Park and a few other monuments in Nebraska.

 The end.

hallowiener

Have you ever read the book 'The Hallo-wiener" by Dav Pilkey. It's amazing. This was one of my favorite books growing up and had always wanted to dress up my future dog as a wiener. I've started a little sewing so I thought that this goal was in reach but alas my eyes and mind have a bigger appetite for crafts than my actual hands. So instead we stuck Sean's gross high school cross country shirt on him and he was a homeless dog. We had such a fun halloween at the Babbs household! Carved pumpkins, passed out candy to the neighborhood kids while huddled around a fire with cheese, crackers and spiced apple cider. Couldn't have asked for a better night. 

...And now it's November, it's nice and warm today but there is a forecast of snow in the near future. Yay yay yay!!!

This week's synopsis: episode 4

1. Ah-mazing fall foliage in the neighborhood.
2. This sweet little napping puppy. He's been so good lately.
3. Roasted fall veggies for dinner!
4. Went to a hip restaurant in downtown Denver with a friend, also in the same afternoon rode uber for the first time and survived.
5. GOATS!
6. So much knitting has been happening.
7. Starting/finished my fen dress!
8. And how could I let October slide without the annual pumpkin patch pictures. I need to do a whole post on this pumpkin patch because it's so wonderful.
9. Hugs and kisses.

Happy week!

This week's synopsis: episode 3

1. Did I ever tell you how much I love knitting? For your viewing pleasure: my first sock!
2. We went on the most beautiful fall drive.
3. Mt. Bierstadt
4. A view from our evening walk. The moon this week was so beautiful.
5. Took an embroidery class in Denver with my friend meg and this is the feather we made.
6. Blurry selfie with the pup.
7. BABY!! My friend Jess is visiting from PA and we were able to go to our favorite breakfast place and I was able to cuddle with her sweet little boy.
8. Wonderland open space in the fall.
9. They recently had chalk artists decorate the side walks in our neighborhood and this one is my favorite.

Happy week!

yellow

We just came back from the most beautiful fall foliage drive...

This week's synopsis: episode 2

1. Sometimes an afternoon coffee is a necessity
2. I'm taking an online class at the local university and it's been amazing! Learning feels so good (nerd alert) I've also been catching up on a lot of knitting whilst listening to lectures...can't decide if this is good or bad.
3. Since I have been busier with school Louie has been semi forgotten. He just sits in that spot and plots my demise as I study. I'm slightly afraid.
4. Breakfast has been ON POINT these days. I mean come on! Baked egg with proscuttio?! Get real. And let's not forget avocado.
5. I also went and shopped around for a wedding dress. (Insert my mothers extreme excitement here, my $30 ASOS find was apparently insufficient)
6. Oh Louie. He just can't seem to muster up the courage to open his eyes when the car is going fast.
7. I've gotten up before sunrise every morning this week and it's been so nice to begin my day on the porch with my morning cup.
8. Played put put with the family for s's dads birthday. Note worth mentioning: I got a hole in one.
9. View from our morning walks

Happy week!

July 27th

Sean and I have been together for a solid 5 years and pretty much since the day we started dating I forced him to talk about marriage. I was literally under the impression back in 2010 that I would be married by the summer of 2011...HA! Idiot. Anyway 5 years later, after very carefully analyzing and choosing the ring together, it came in the mail. I wasn't really into the whole proposal thing, but Sean insisted that he do the traditional asking.

We then went on a vacation and I was certain that he was going to ask that week but he didn't.

We came back to our normal work week.... I needed another little getaway before reality so I called Sean to see if he would want to go on a hike .

We drove up to Indian Peaks, found a trail we didn't know about and started off. We walked around and the trail took us to the top of a ridge that overlooks a few peaks. It was the most beautiful view.


Every time I go on a hike, I'm always so impressed by my body, and overwhelmed with the beauty of the mountains. I so easily forget when I'm not in that place of mind that I do love myself and that I live in an amazing place full of amazing people. This is why I love hikes. I looked over at Sean and told him that I love him. I'm so grateful that we can do these things together. I love going on adventures with him. He is always so good to me.


He then said that he loved me too, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

Of course Louie was with us and promptly attacked us as we hugged.  He is so weird about humans hugging. Thanks dude. You really know how to read the vibe.

It was magical. After the all the hating I did on any marriage related traditions, I will say this was a nice one. Thanks S (heart heart kiss)