Mountain Hiking in February

We have been truly blessed with wonderful weather this winter. I know we'll end up paying for it with a dry summer unless we get a bunch of spring snow. I prefer spring snow anyway, so here's hoping that happens this year.

Angie planned a great day for us for the last day of February. We started the day by loading everyone up (dogs included) and dropping Sidney off at her dad's house. Angie and I then went for breakfast at Two Dog Diner on our way out for a day hike. We found a great dog friendly, not too difficult, trail which is only about 1.5 miles each way near Estes Park. It was a beautiful day for a mountain hike, which is rare in February. The boys LOVED it. They were so wore out they slept the entire way home.

After the hike we walked around downtown Estes Park. Many of the shops and restaurants were closed for the season. Estes Park is not a ski town so its season is more in the summer. We decided to stop off for lunch at the "world famous" Wheel Bar after looking at their menu outside. We went in, found a great table, ordered a beer, and asked for a menu. Apparently the kitchen was closed for the season too. Maybe someone should tell them to take their menu in from outside since I'm sure we're not the first ones to be lured in with it. Other than that the place was very cute and reminded Angie of bars back home.

After our drinks we decided to head back home, but stopped off at Baker Street Pub and Grill in Boulder for a late lunch/early dinner. We then made it the rest of the way home after a full day. The boys were glad to be home, ate their dinner, and crashed for the rest of the night while we watched TV.

Girls Day of Pampering

Aunt Biffie recently got engaged so of course that means all the ladies need a celebration day pampering. Biffie, Angie, Sidney, and her friend Allie all went out for manicures and pedicures. I'm sure I don't want to know what else went on, but the important thing is the women all had fun. We all know everyone is happier when the women are happiest.

Rats!

The time of year has come for the annual elementary school play. This yearm Sidney's class put on "Rats!". Sidney was a story teller in the play and from what Angie tells me, she did an amazing job. Unfortunately I was again out of town for work so I missed the gala event. I'm sure I was more disappointed than Sidney because of this. We did get to talk on the phone and Sid was quite pleased with her performance. Fortunately I remembered (more like Angie reminded me) to leave the camera behind so I got to see pictures from the play. Do you all see how tall Sidney is? I swear she is the tallest girl in her class. She may be the tallest of any kid in her class. We continually have to remind ourselves and her that she is still 10 years old.

Happy Birthday to Me

Sometimes we don't always get to spend special days with the ones we love and this was one of those years for my birthday. I have been spending the last couple weeks in Mexico City for work and my birthday happens to fall during this trip.

The day was pretty much like any other day, but several of the people I work with took me out for a birthday dinner to a great Mexican restaurant called La Bajia. Typically I link to a restaurants website, but I was unable to find one for here, so I guess it isn't important.

When I got back to the hotel I had this cake waiting for me sent up by the hotel staff. I guess signing up for the rewards programs not only earns me points, but let them know it was my birthday. In the end I got to have a nice birthday dinner with friends and even got birthday cake. It almost made up for being away from home. By far the best part of the day though was all the phone calls with birthday wishes.

Murder Mystery

Back in December Angie and I received an invitation for a murder mystery weekend from friends/neighbors of ours, Tom and Amy. I've known Tom for several years, serving on the HOA board together. He and Amy recently got married. Angie and I were very excited for the murder mystery weekend since neither one of us had ever done anything like this before. The mystery weekend was being held at Crags Lodge in Estes Park, so it also offered a romantic weekend getaway for us.

We received our parts in the mail a few weeks before the event and were informed it was a 1920's theme. Fortunately we had dressed up in similar parts for Halloween so we were all set for costumes.

The mystery plot surrounded a great dinner and mingling with several people to try to figure out who the murderer was. I think Angie and I spent most of the night confused as to what was going on, mainly due to the feeling that there was an inner circle in the game. Overall we had a great time and enjoyed a great weekend together before Angie dropped me off at the airport to head off for my trip.

Neal's Early 39th Birthday

Wow, I can't believe how much time has passed since my last update. I guess that is what happens when you spend most of the month in Mexico City working. Oh well, back to posting more regularly. I have quite a few to catch up on first.

Thursday night before I left for Mexico City, Angie planned a small early birthday party for me at McKinners Pizza Bar. Angie, Sidney, and I met Danielle, DJ, and Trent for dinner at this cool little specialty pizza bar in downtown Littleton. We really liked the place and it had some interesting types of pizza. As an example, DJ and I shared a Chili Dog pizza. It was actually pretty good. Not that I ever thought about making a pizza like this.

It was great to be able to get out and celebrate my birthday early considering I was going to be spending it alone in Mexico City. Thanks Angie for planning it and thanks to Danielle and DJ for sharing the "event" with us.

Another year closer to the big 40.

Sid's First Hockey Game

A person Angie works with (office supply vendor I think) was nice enough to give her a couple hockey tickets to the Avalanche vs. Flames game. Angie, knowing I love the Avs, gave them to Sidney and I. So I got to pick Sid up from her dad's house and take her to see her first hockey game. And what a game it was!

The Avs are not doing so great this year, but we were blessed with seeing not only a win, but a blowout win, and history. The Avs won the game 6-2, but it wasn't even that close in reality. The real treat was getting to see Milan Hejduk and Ryan Smyth each score their 300th career NHL goals in the same game, only the 2nd time it had been done by teammates in the same game. The other time this was accomplished was on February 26, 1983, by our nemesis and rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Now I know many of our readers or Red Wing fans, so I'll keep quiet, besides they are doing better than the Avs are this year.

All in all Sidney had a great time...and so did I. It was a treat to be able to take her to her first hockey experience. I apologize for the dark photo, but my phone camera doesn't have a flash.

And by request, here's a shout out to Aunt Cathy, a devoted reader. I hope I made you smile!