2.21.2012

Happy Fat Tuesday

Today is Fat Tuesday the pre-celebration before the grand finale of Mardi Gras.  I was never a girl who was into the whole Mardi Gras scene or even for that matter understood what it really was.  That all changed last year when Brad and I went to New Orleans for the Bass Master Classic. It was such an amazing experience so close to Marti Gras and we couldn't believe how much fun we had.
Wish I could remember all the details.. but all in all you can see we were enjoying our Hurricanes in a premiere location
We some how after bar hopping was able to get on the roof top of a bar and were even provides with free beads to throw into the crowd.  Brad and I still wonder how we got up there but after some lots of Hurricanes who knows how we made it to the premiere party location.

Unfortunately right now we were supposed to be heading to Shreveport to enjoy another year in Louisiana and to watch the Bass Master Classic.  Since our closing happened to fall during the same time we had to cancel our trip.  Both Brad and I are sad we wont  be celebrating Mardi Gras in one of the most fun, diverse cities.  Instead we may have to mix up a Hurricane and remember one of the best nights and trips that we have shared together.  HAPPY FAT TUESDAY AND MARDI GRAS!!!

Trying on colorful masks in down town New Orleans
Not sure why Brad chose the Pink and red out of all the options, hmm maybe because he is color blind :)
Here is the recipe if you want to join in the celebration...

Hurricane
1 oz vodka
1/4 oz grenadine syrup
1 oz gin
1 oz light rum
1/2 oz Bacardi® 151 rum
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1 oz triple sec
grapefruit juice
pineapple juice

Pour all but the juices, in order listed, into a hurricane glass three-quarters filled with ice. Fill with equal parts of grapefruit and pineapple juice, and serve.


Serve in: Hurricane Glass



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2.20.2012

BIG NEWS... the Sill's are buying a NEW HOUSE

Brad and I are so excited that we are closing on our dream house next Monday and will be moving there next week.  We have been looking for a house for a LOOONG time and just couldn't find anything that meet all of our needs.  We thought we would be in our rental house forever at the pace we were moving.  Finally after 2.5 years we found the house that met all of our needs and would be big enough to grow into as well.  You would think that...
1. after going through the buying process once (our condo we own and rent out)
2. Me being a Realtor and walking people through this process all  the time
...we would be feel confident with the process but let me tell you buying a house these days is no joke, they rake you over the coals and then still want to roast you.  It is so hard to go through all the details but after 1 long month we finally got the words we had been waiting to hear..."you are clear to close".

We will still be in Erie which we are so happy about as it truly is a great town to live and have a family in.  The new house is closer by about 10 minutes to Boulder making our commute to work a little faster.  We are still close enough to the highway where we can get to Denver, Longmont, Loveland and Boulder all in about 20-30 minutes.  The new house is in a more established neighborhood that was built in 1997.  Brad and I went back and forth on the pros and cons of brand new vs. established houses.  I am so glad we settled on something that was newer but not brand new.  The sellers are the original owners and have done so many nice upgrades and things to the house that we are so grateful for. They have taken excellent care of the house and designed the most beautiful garden that I could ask for.  I am a little nervous about keeping the garden "perfect" but have a feeling it will be my new favorite hobby. The house is a large ranch home which is more and more tricky to find in Colorado but what Brad and I have always wanted.  The basement is partially finished with a bedroom and a bath and eventually we will finish off the rest to be a big entertainment room. Once we stepped into the back yard and saw the beautiful landscaping and the POND it sealed the deal it was the house for us.  Brad has been dreaming of a pond forever so he can house little bass in it to practice all of his fishing techniques. 

The neighborhood is great, it is not a large community but has lots of open space and big house lots.  All the houses are much more spread out then all of the new developments.  We are 2 steps away from the large park that has picnic tables, BBQ's, soccer field, baseball diamond and lots of grass.  The park also has amazing mountain views that will be great for summer parities.  Also each Friday night in the summer the whole neighborhood gets together for happy hour in the park, it sounds like so much fun!!!

There are some items we will be doing to the house right away just to customize it to our liking, but over all most of the things will just be for fun.  I can't wait to post before and after photos of each room as I have so many decorating ideas from Pinterest.  So with out further ado here is a sneak peak at our new house...

Front of the house (has a 3 car garage which is great for Brad's boat)
Front yard shot in the summer time there are lots of great Aspen Trees
Formal Living Room
Formal Dining Room
Kitchen (We will be getting all new appliances)
Kitchen nook area for a breakfast table
Living/Family Room
Laundry Room
Back patio with trellis that has wisteria that blooms all over it in the summer
Blooming Wisteria
Backyard Pond view with water fall
Pond Close up
Side Yard with the putting Green
Butterfly garden (can't wait to see the flowers in the summer time)
Side yard facing the pond, future site of Hottub

For some reason I have no pictures of the Master bedroom, other bedrooms or basement.  I will post before and after photos throughout the year so everyone can follow along with the work that we do.  Also I have a feeling there will be lots of garden  blogs about all the adventures Brad and I will  be up to with the pond and flowers.  It will sure be fun to take care of such a beautiful space.  We can't wait to start entertaining on the patio, the sellers installed speakers throughout the house so when you are on the patio you can listen to music, it is so nice.

All and all we are beyond excited to start a new chapter in our lives at our new house, we can't wait for all of you to come over and we can entertain you.

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2.19.2012

Date Night

Brad and I decided to have a date day/night and pretend we were dating again, not the old married couple we are!! It was so much fun to make a whole day to just spend time with one another and have a great time.  We went to go see The Vow at the movies.
It was a great movie, I really enjoy the whole story line.  I was a little disappointed with the ending as I wish they would have finished a little better but over all it was great.  I also got so excited as they showed previews that Titanic will be coming back for the 100 year anniversary of the ship sinking on the big screen in 3-D.  This is my second all time watched movie in the theaters so I was about to jump out of my seat watching the previews.  Brad kept having to "hush" me as I was so excited. Back to The Vow I would highly recommend seeing it and plan on seeing it with someone you love.

We then went to Olive Garden, one of Brad and I's favorite restaurants.  I just love the food there and it is always good and a great atmosphere.  I love the Moscato wine and great all you can eat soup and salad.  The food was excellent as always and it was nice to have some one on one time with my honey.  What a great way to end a busy week/weekend and a great way to celebrate the CHANGE as mentioned on the blog.  I promise the next blog will be about the CHANGE in our lives.
Lovely wine, I was a happy girl



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2.14.2012

Happy Red, White and Pink Day

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.  We hope you all have a wonderful day full of caring and loving.  Brad is my one one and only Valentine and I am so happy to share this day and everyday next to my best friend!!!

{Due to a limited pictures to work with at the office so I decided to use one of my favorites from when we were on Bald Head Island in South Carolina a couple of years ago.  Here is to wishing for another beach vacation soon!}




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2.12.2012

Valentine's Day


In the spirit of Valentines Day I found this fun link up where you can talk about you and your honey for Valentines Day. I am linking up with From Mrs. to Mamma's Blog and sharing our love facts for this Valentines Day. 

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

Brad and I started dating originally when we were in 6th grade.  We started dating again May 18, 2001 and got married May 24, 2003.  We have known each other for 18 years and been married for 8.5 years.  Here is the story of us.
The two of us back in 6th grade looking cool!!

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

As mentioned above Brad and I meet in 6th grade.  We rode the same bus into school everyday and after eying his cuteness not he bus for a couple of weeks I finally got the nerve to tell Brad , have a friend tell Brad that I thought he was cute. We had lots of little innocent dates in 6th grade and officially broke up and became friends about 6 month later.  We re-connected again in high school right before prom and after that it was history we will officially be together for ever now!!
May 18, 2001 Prom our first big date after re-connecting
3. If married, how long have you been married? 

It is so hard to believe that we have been married for 8.5 years.  Wow time seems to just fly by when you are with the love of your life. On May 24th of this year we will be celebrating 9 years, I better come up with something special for 10 years!! 
May 24, 2003
4. Where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  

We got married at the Hover House Mansion in Longmont, CO.  It was a beautiful venue in a historic home.  We decided to get have the ceremony under the big oak tree in the back yard and had the reception in back of the house on the veranda/porch area.  The day was beautiful dispute some ominous rain clouds in the sky but we go lucky with only thunder no rain.  The garden was in full bloom with big bright peonies and and other beautiful spring flowers.  We had about 150 guest which was the capacity for the venue, it was a great size as we were able to socialize with most of our guests and have a great day.  
Front view of the Mansion
Us in front of a model A car we rode away in. It looked so neat in front of the house, it was like stepping back in time
5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

We have lots of little names we call one another.  I call Brad "love bug", "Buggie", "Bradey" and "honey".  He calls me "lisha", "honey" and "baby", I guess really nothing out of the ordinary.  When I am tired or sick I whine his pet names to get him to do stuff for me :) (Works like a charm)

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
There are some many things that Brad is or does that make be a better person everyday.  If I have to pick three I would say...
  • Unconditional Love: I am a realist and I know that I sometimes can be hard to live with as I have lots of UCD behavior and little things that I obsessive over.  Brad always listens to be when I go off on my tangents and sets be straight that things will always be ok. 
  • Calm: Brad is always very calm and just lets things ride right off his back.  I tend to be a worry wort and obsess think hard about lots of things.  Brad always can put each and every situation in perspective and make me feel better. 
  • Adventurous: Brad and I are always creating memories and adventures with one another.  He always has great ideas of places for us to travel and he always has a good time no matter what we are doing.  
7. Tell us how he proposed?
Brad and I had a special tree in the woods/open space between the two of our houses when we grew up that we would always meet at.  It was out place we would hang out in middle and high school and talk or lets get real make out.  Anyways it was very special to the both of us.  Brad proposed to me the summer after graduating from High School before we left for college in Montana.  He blind-folded me and led me to the tree.  When he took off the blind fold he had carved in the tree "will you merry me?" It was such a great way to propose and of coarse I said yes. To this day the tree is still standing behind the Rec. Center in Lafayette, CO. 

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberrieschampagne, and rose petals?

Neither really.  Usually we just spend time with one another for Valentines day but don't do anything too crazy.  He usually actually sends me a fruit bouquet as I think they are much more practical then flowers.  

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

I wish I could be a sunset on the beach kind of girl but since we live in Colorado and there is no beach I guess I would have to classify myself as a movie and relax kind of girl. 

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

Brad and I have always wanted to travel to all the 50 United States together (Only 14 more to go) and travel all around the world.  We have even talked about getting a RV when we retire and visiting all of the National Parks together.  My dream location is a Mediterranean cruise or Paris. 

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

This year we will be hanging low as our BIG change is coming up soon.  Hopefully we will watch a movie and get to relax with one another. 

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

No not this year, just quality time with my hubby.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

My best advise would be to always believe in one another and to help one another live out all of your dreams. Always stay connected and in love and you can conquer the world together.  

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.




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Change

I feel like I have been out of the Blogging loop now for weeks.  There is so much that I had hoped to post in the last month but time has just not allowed me to sit down and Blog.  Brad and I are excited for a new BIG change in our lives.  We have been anxiously awaiting to get the final word on the new change and then I will feel more comfortable about talking about it to the Blot world.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that are BIG change will all come together very soon!!!

In other news I have been really sick and haven't really been able to get better as I have a lot going on a work.  It seems as if all of my days are jammed packed and then I am busy the second I get home as well. I am in need of a very BIG, long vacation which I don't see coming very soon.  We had to cancel our trip to the Bass Master Classic this year as our BIG change means we can't travel during those times.  Hopefully very soon though we will be able to get out of town and do something very fun as we really need a little R and R time.

More to come on the BIG change soon, as many of you know I HATE CHANGE so needless to say I have been a nervous reck for weeks now, thus getting sick on top of it :)

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2.01.2012

iPhone Rewind {January}

This month has flown by and now we are officially in full swing of 2012. Brad and I haven't done too much this month but I was still able to capture some photos.
Sun set from the roof top at my work




Tim Tebow as a super hero




Brad at Rockies fan fair




Brad and I standing in the Rockies dugout




Brad pretending he is Jim Tracy




Decided to redecorate my office desk area. Brad painted the pictures and helped me decorate.













My car finally getting washed at the Puddle



Hopefully I will have more to share for February, I will try to take more phone pictures :)



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