that one day I realized I am completely unprepared for this cold weather a.k.a. the first snow hike

So my friend Mark asks us (myself, Courtney and Rachel) if we want to go hiking this weekend. As new CO transplants excited about outdoor adventures, of course we all said YES!! As we are driving up into the mountains and the temperature continues to drop (I think the lowest it got was 14 degrees), I started to think maybe I don't have the correct outdoor clothing for these sort of adventures.

on our snow hike on Echo Mountain (photo courtesy Rachel Stevenson)

I don't. I definitely don't. Next on my purchase list: snow boots (preferably Sorels), snow/ski jacket, a beanie, ear warmers, face mask (I think my nose almost got frostbite), thicker gloves, more thermal clothings, snow pants, and the list goes. Dear REI: please have a sale soon.

Rachel, Mark, Courtney and I found a gazebo on our hike!!

Regardless of my lack of proper clothing, we had a blast! We started hiking up near Echo Mountain (about an hour from Denver) to a fire lookout tower and never actually made it to the tower but had fun hiking through the beautiful and isolated winter wonderland. To warm up, we stopped at the Little Bear Bar in Evergreen - a little bar with a lot of character. I love that there are so many fun outdoor activities just minutes from Denver! Can't wait for the next snowy adventure!!

The fam bam visits Denver!!

the fam bam visiting Denver!!

jumping pic at Coors Field...standard

my amazing mom!!!!

two of my wonderful other "moms"

Last weekend my wonderful family came to visit!! Nantie had a conference in Denver so Mom and Jeannie decided to come visit along with Meggie and her kids. We had a absolute blast playing around the mile high city - from ice skating in downtown Denver (and having a dance party with Coco on the ice) to the Parade of Lights to the Christmas market in Georgetown (cute little mountain town) to the closing ceremonies for the NLC conference and just all spending time together :-) We grew up going to Nantie's conferences so it was such a treat to have it be in Denver this year!     Thanks for spending time in Colorado family!! LOVE YOU!!

   

Pretending that we can actually ice skate :-)