August 30, 2015

Nice Day For a Great Wedding

On Saturday we were fortunate to attend a special wedding. Alex's best friend Derrek married Sarahlinna in a beautiful wedding on a rooftop patio on the CU campus in Boulder. It was a very warm day but I think our perspiration had a little to do with the Ostwalds (who bleed green and gold) being in Buffalo territory! Alex was an exceptional Best Man with a wonderful toast to the bride and groom. The reception was a terrific party and included a hilarious groom/groomsmen YMCA dance for the bride in short shorts and suspenders....some things you just can't unsee but I have blackmail video that should have some powerful leverage with Alex for awhile! A beautiful day with a beautiful family!

The bride and groom

Mother of the groom and the ring bearer Crosby

The Hole in the Wall Gang and parents of the three best friends- Alex is the only single one left!

Derrek's beautiful sister Katelyn and the Folsom Field wedding cake

Fun Family time!

August 26, 2015

Happy National Dog Day!

If you read this blog, you know how much I love dogs. Our dogs have always been part of our family and our children truly believe the two we have now have a higher spot in the sibling hierarchy than they do! Dogs have always been a part of my life and always will be so it is with great pleasure that I participate in celebrating National Dog Day! 

Maggie and Max we ❤️ you!

August 25, 2015

Touring With the Italians

Last weekend I had the pleasure of a visit from my nephew Francesco and his girlfriend Daniela. They live in Italy and were on an American tour to see all our great attractions from San Francisco to Denver. They brought my mom along on their trip to Denver so she could see the mountains. If she had it her way, she would be living in a cabin in the forest...I told her if she didn't behave her wish might come true! 

Now, I am not the best navigator or tour guide for that matter, but did manage to get us to Estes Park and a little visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a beautiful day, although a bit hazy from the Oregon fires, but the scenery was still remarkable. I learned from the trip that you should always let an Italian drive because Francesco made an impossible lane change happen...twice! 

Fantastico!

August 18, 2015

Dear Family

Dear Family, 

Due to Alex's recent discovery of a serpent of massive proportions, in the backyard today, I will not be able to attend any events in this area. This decision was made due to the fact that I am extremely averse to reptiles of this length, am not fluent in Parseltounge, and have a strong will to live. Someone else will need to oversee all dog "go potty" activities, weeding and fish feeding. 

However, if this situation is rectified by Ringling Brothers, the Denver Zoo, or any maniac from the Animal Planet by removing the offending snake, I may reconsider my decision. Until then, "may the odds be ever in your favor." 

Love, Mom

August 14, 2015

Orange You Glad It's Friday?

It has been a very busy week so it was nice to drift in and out of consciousness while watching the Broncos begin their preseason. Max and Maggie competed in their own "skins" vs. "jerseys" game. I'm not sure who won but it was entertaining! 

Max attempting a turnover

Halftime

August 11, 2015

If only....

Today was my 5th day back at work, second day with teachers. I was crazy busy helping the teachers get their classroom technology up and running. The students don't come back until Monday but there are a lot of preparations that lead up to that day. We also have professional development meetings every day which we all roll our eyes at but actually are usually beneficial and a good way to keep us focused on our purpose and what is best practice. To lighten things up a bit, our principal shared this hilarious video. It makes me wish that our society had these priorities in place. Many of you have probably seen it  but it puts a big smile on my face every time!

July 30- Aug 4, 2015

Off the Grid

Yes, I have been lazy this summer as you have noticed by my sporadic Blog posts. Now that I'm back at work, I probably will be more organized. It seems the busier I am, the more productive I am. 

Anyhoo, before I get back on track, I wanted to share our annual camping adventure in Wyoming. We camp every year in the middle of the Snowy Range mountains where there are few people, no cell towers, no internet, and the dogs run free. This was our 19th year enjoying the great outdoors with our good friends, the Kinnes family. We were also joined by Don's parents, Alex, and our friend's brother and son. Paige and boyfriend Jarod joined us for the weekend along with a day visit by more friends of the family. At one point we had 15 people and 7 dogs! This all equates to lots of fun and great food. Isn't it interesting that the food others bring is always better than what you brought (school cafeteria flashback!) The fishermen and woman (Paige) successfully provided the main course for the Saturday night fish fry so all was right in the world.

Max is still missing all his girlfriends. He was the only male dog so he loved his harem! He also proved trustworthy off the leash and ran with the "big dogs". After all, he was named after the boy in Where the Wild Things Are! 

 It was really hard to come back to reality and the first day of work!

Don taught Jarod how to fly fish with success!

The wild thing!

Max with his harem and Karen and Morgan

Our backyard for a week

Don looks forward to celebrating his birthday every year in his favorite place! Happy 54!

Gregg's brother Mark serenaded is at the campfire

The Blue Moon rose above Karen and Gregg

August 8, 2015

Wine and Jazz

Saturday night found us at the Balistreri Vineyards for the KUVO Live at the Vineyards event. Our friends Debbie and Ken joined us to enjoy wine, jazz and food....lots of food! There were 30 restaurants there serving a sample of their finest gourmet dishes - an upscale version of Costco snack ladies. We did our best to try them all but started to feel some pain near the finish! Along our journey were  a collection of Balistreri wine and plenty of sangria. The event was delayed a tiny bit at the beginning due to a short but intense storm that descended upon us just as we were getting started on our food fest. Table cloths and umbrellas flew, rain poured down and vendors scrambled to protect their goodies. Fortunately, the storm passed as quickly as it came, everything was righted and the festivities resumed. 

The H2 Big Band entertained us until the headliner, Dianne Reeves took the stage. What a voice! Unfortunately, she didn't go on until 10pm which doesn't sound too late unless you have been eating and imbibing since 6pm (see above) so we didn't see her whole show. Our coach awaited to take us home, driven by my angelic son who agreed to be our chauffeur for the night. A great night with all my favorite things and people!

August 7, 2015

Play Ball and Other Geriatric Activities 

Paige has been having fun this summer filling in when needed on her friend's adult rec softball team. Tonight was her last games so Don and I and the dogs decided to go watch - just like old times. We were on the road just a few minutes and Paige called,  "Mom, turn around and get your tennies we're short one female player." What?! I can't remember the last time I played softball....maybe at a family picnic when I was a teenager? But, what the hec I was up for the challenge. 

 I thought I was off the hook when I arrived at the field but after two swigs into my Mike's Lemonade I heard Paige shout, "mom you're up!" Just like many things I get myself into - it seemed like a great idea until  I was in the moment. I didn't take into consideration that there would be bright lights and everyone would be staring at me thinking, "how old is she?" I channeled every Rockies, Little League, and Girl's Softball game I had ever been to so I wouldn't look like a geriatric idiot. I must say proudly that I did make contact with the ball every time I was at bat and almost got on first base once. For defense, they put me in right field since it had the least activity which was fine by me but it is farthest from the dugout. So much running!

 It was a very fun time and we played two games. Very abbreviated games since the mercy rule took effect both times - our team was kind of the Bad News Bears. I think our team's biggest problem was we didn't have matching shirts....there is power in apparel! 

Hey batter, batter- not dressed for softball but had matching jewelry!

Trying to pay attention in the outfield

Lefty Paige at bat..she did score a run!