Happy New Year

Wishing you and yours the very best New Years Eve and a happy, healthy, prosperous 2014!!  I can't wait to continue to share our adventures with you and know 2014 will be the best year yet!!  Cheers!

Five on Friday- Christmas Edition

Christmas Edition of Five on Friday.  Linking up with up with these four lovely ladies April, Christina, Natasha and Darci . Also joining for the first time Lauren Elizabeth, Life Rearranged, The Diary of a Real House Wife for all their Friday link ups.

Snow started falling and it was cold

{One}
Estes Park, CO: Getting away and staying in a cabin {Sunny Side Knoll} for Christmas was so nice.  It for sure will become a new holiday tradition.  We were able to take the dogs up with us and just enjoy ourselves with out the hustle and bustle of going between families.  It was so nice to relax, hang out and celebrate our own little Christmas (I will post a separate post just about Christmas).

Marmot Ridge Right outside our Cabin

 {Two}

Canon Rebel t3i: I finally got my camera that I have had my eye on forever.  I was going to get it for my birthday back in March but there were no deals so I just saved up the money to get it on Black Friday.  I am so happy with the quality of the photos and the ease of taking the pictures. I took a ton of photos at Christmas that I can't wait to post.  I got a book on the camera as well so I will be reading up on how to make the picture quality even better.  I highly reccomend the camera to anyone in the market! 

{Three}
Snow Shoeing: Lets just say that you better be ready to get your tush in shape when you step out to snowshoe.  We had free snowshoe rentals from the cabin and decided to head up to Rocky Mountain National Park to take in the beautiful scenery.  We started our journey around Bear Lake.  This was a beginner level trail that was great to get used to the snowshoes as it does feel quite a bit different then just walking.  We continued on to Nymph Lake, this was defiantly more of a moderate trail and was mostly climbed uphill.  Once we got to Nymph Lake we were able to snowshoe out on the lake which was frozen ice.  We continued on from there to Dream Lake, this was more of a difficult climb with some very narrow trail areas with steep drops.  The scenery was absolutely gorgeous and the glacier at the lake was breath taking.  It was so cold when we got to the top that we took a few quick pictures and then headed back.  All in all we hiked about 4 miles and it took us about 3 hours!! Next time we would like to continue to the last lake, Emerald Lake. My body was so thankful for the hot tub when we got back to the cabin, soaking in it was well deserved.

Nymph Lake

Dream Lake looking at the Glacier

 {Four}
Red Hot Jello: My mom concocted this recipe up some time ago and it is defiantly one of my favorite treats. It is pretty healthy for the most part and oh so good!

Red Hot Jello:
2 Cups boiling water
1 Cup cold water
2 boxes Black Cherry Instant Jello
1 Cup cold Apple Sauce (Refrigerate first must be cold)
1/4 cup Red hot candies
1 small tub cool whip

Dissolve cinnamon candies in water in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix in gelatin and allow to dissolve; remove from heat and stir cold applesauce and cold water into mixture. Pour into a 9x13 glass serving dish  and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours. Add whipped topping prior to serving. ENJOY!!

Source Here

{Five}

Hunter Wellies: I have been wanting these babies forever and let me tell you the wait was SOO worth while.  I had a gift certificate I used bringing the total down allowing me to purchase some wellie socks as well.  I have worn them now for 2 straight days and they are so comfortable and fashionable.  They look cute with leggings, skinny jeans and I can't wait to try them with a skirt.  I wasn't adventurous enough to get a bright color but the black really does go with everything and make each outfit look so classy.  I KNOW I will for sure get my money out of these babies, bring on the rain.

Source {Here}

Socks that go with= AMAZING

Twas the Night before Chrsitmas

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.  Warm wishes to you and yours always!!

Weekend Recap

Twas the weekend before Christmas and the whole world is going crazy with getting their shopping done before the holiday.  I don't know about all of you but everywhere that we went this weekend was CRAZY and people were in full meltdown mood.  This includes the roads and Highways with tons of BAD drivers.  On the positive side we did get some beautiful snow to hopefully put an end to some of the Grinch esque behavior. 

Saturday was full of shopping, shopping and MORE SHOPPING!!  We were able to get all the last minute gifts and be done with everyone on our list (even my new Brother and Sister dog style, more to come on that soon).  After Brad and I went out most of the day my mom and I decided to tackle the mall once again as well.  We may have had a huge lapse in judgment but after getting an
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G deal at Nordstrom the mall visit was worth our time.  After driving home in the winter wonderland, I put on Christmas music and got all of our gifts wrapped and under the tree, big accomplishment.  Frankie is too smart for his own good and was dutifully watching the gifts as I was wrapping and totally knew the Petsmart purchases.  He was calmly obsessively laying next to them under the Christmas tree.

Impossible to get Frankie with out barking

He was watching his gifts in this one

Typical weenier dog stare off over toys

So tired, time to suckle

 Sunday was game day for our beloved Bronco's {PFM Post from yesterday}and I was a nervous wreck all morning.  This was a must win and lets face it going on the road and not having the best defense made me ubber nervous.  In normal tradition John and Maggie came over to enjoy tolerate our cheers, boos, yells, screams, etc. while the game unfolded.  They grilled a fabulous steak lunch with Cesar Salad and Asparagus, yummy!  The first three quarters were not the best but the Bronco's pulled off a record breaking win (PFM most touch downs ever) and have a chance at full home filed advantage for the post season.  We exchanged gifts with one another and had a wonderful time.

Shocker Bronco's gifts

Shock over my new Shirpani bag

John and his 'Merica shirt

Maggie opening her gifts

The whole crew

High Five after the record touch down

All in all the weekend was not too stressful and I feel like I was able to accomplish(could this have to do with my 3 Starbucks treats) a lot.  I am looking forward to one short day of work and then a full week of Christmas celebrations. 

Peyton Freaking Manning AKA PFM

Dear Peyton,
I am so glad you decided to join the Denver Broncos two years ago. It all started with Brad (we call him PFM obsessive lover) calling screaming the news that you were the newest member of the Denver Bronco's. We have had our highs (mostly) and our lows (double over time loss to the Ravens) but through it all I appreciate you and your dedication to the Denver Bronco's organization.  You always speak so eloquently about your time as a football player and your appreciation to succeed at what you do.  You make me laugh (I'll admit sometime shed a tear) but you make it fun each and every Sunday in the Sill house hold.  We yell (Brad is our Ramsey), we shoot, we high-five and through it all you are there to win as a Bronco. Thank you Peyton for making my husband C-R-A-Z-Y for a team that we call the DENVER BRONCOS. 

Love Always,
Alisha (aka cra-cra Bronco's lover)

To celebrate PFM today here is a look at some of his achievements and some of the autographs that Brad and I have from one of the best all time quarterbacks ever!!

Back to Back to Back (Yeah that's right Kansas City)

Tennessee Helmet that I got signed

Peyton Signing our ball

Peyton Manning and John Fox

'Merica

And to top off the greatness... click {HERE}

Five on Friday





Happy Friday!!!  Christmas is just around the corner and we have had a lucky week in the Sill family, keep the streak coming!!  I am linking up with April, Christina, Natasha and Darci for their fabulous,famous Five on Friday.

{One}
Money on the ground: While I was in a shopping craze on Sunday night after I had a melt down calmly decided I needed to get my shopping done I found $20 laying in the street outside of Ross.  Let me tell you I needed that $20 pick me up after leaving Ross it was a mad house and the whole store looked like 2 year olds had been dropped off to DISTROY. The $20 blowing in the wind when I spotted it, you would have thought I was Usain Bolt when I made eye contact.  I plan to buy $20 in scratch and wins to hand out to everyone at Christmas, maybe the luck will continue and someone (hopefully me) will win big!!

{Two}
Back Patio: Thank you little baby Jesus (Tallahassee nights reference) that this project is done.  The husband is happy, the dogs are happy and thus this wife/dog mommy is happy.  The patio looks amazing {See Post} and turned out so much better then I had in my mind.  I can't wait for entertaining to begin come spring, I see a patio party in the near future! 



{Three}
Birch Box: I always get excited this time of month waiting close to the mailbox for my box to arrive.  This months box came in a decorative fun holiday box with lots of goodies.  I especially loved the chocolate treat that popped in your mouth like pop-corn, it was a fun little surprise.  Every month the box is always filled with some many great goodies, things I wouldn't normally try on my own or by at the store.  This is such a great gift for any of the gals in your life or for yourself. 

Don't mind the blurr!



{Four}

Discount Flowers at Kingsoopers: This is my first stop when I go grocery shopping.  The flowers in the discount bin are in great shape and I will get two of three bouquets for under $10. I love arranging the flowers and mixing them in different vases and mason jars to put around the house.  They usually last at least a week and in some cases up to three weeks.  I will never buy full price flowers again.   

{Five}
Football Pool: Brad and I have been participating in a football pool for a couple of years now.  Each of us have won the pot once in years past.  Usually the pot is between $100-$120, you have to pick which team will win and your confidence level in the win.  We hadn't played all year as we usually are quite bad at guessing, however Brad's best friend John kept winning so Brad wanted to give him a run for his money.  The sole reason we entered into the pool was to make sure John didn't win (all in good fun), and guess what... BRAD WON.  I couldn't believe we had to route for Baltimore for the win but when $110 was on the line we caved.  Brad hasn't declared what he will do with the money but I am hoping I get a fun date night out of it (hint, hint Brad if you are reading)

There you have it, my current list of favorites.  I am excited to report this weekend we are taking it easy and finishing up some last minute Christmas shopping.  Have a great weekend.

Backyard Patio

Owning a house defiantly has it's highs and lows.  While you want to do things to make the house yours, the projects seem to be never ending.  No one gives you the advise to put away millions thousands of dollars to cover house projects.  After just going through a microburst (basically a mini tornado) in August and dealing with a insurance claim that we replaced the Roof, A/C, Landscaping and other small miscellaneous items it was time to do a "fun" project. 

We have a very nice large backyard that it absolutely great for entertaining.  The original owner Ray LOVED (much to our dismay in some cases) a good ol' DIY project. While most things are very nice from a distance like all things in life when you get up close and personal they may not be as nice or holding up as well. Most things he did we are very grateful for as they are considered to be LARGE upgrades. On the bad side the case at point with the back deck.  I am sure at one time when it was first done it was truly one of the highlights of the backyard.  It was installed DIY style by Ray with large pieces of flagstone.  The flagstone was very pretty but the grout starting cracking and just making a hot mess everywhere.  Above the patio is a large pergola with "award winning" (many have proclaimed) wisteria bush that blooms the most gorgeous purple wisteria for a short month in May/June. (Side Note: thank you Ray for the Wisteria I could have never imagined such a beautiful flower)  The wisteria while absolutely gorgeous goes through many cycles of dropping different parts including flowers, leaves, pods, seeds and finally foliage/sticks.  It was an absolute monster to clean up the hot mess droppings with cracking grout and sand exposed almost every other day for 8+ months. 

Circa 2012 the photo that was taken for the house brochure

Wisteria in full bloom for Reference

Enough was enough and we made the plunge commitment to getting a new concrete stamped patio.  Since we spend 80% of our life outside in the summer it made since to have a beautiful patio to enjoy.  While it may have been crazy to decide to get this project done in the winter with two spoiled dachshund's that couldn't use the back yard for the almost a week, IT WAS SO WORTH IT.  The end product is just gorgeous and makes such a big difference in our yard.  The contractor we used did such a great job and really took time for detail to truly make the patio be a decorative piece.  I can't wait for the Summer to have more house parties and enjoy the space to its fullest, I am just tickled pink about it!!! 

Day 1and 2: Rip out and mass distruction

Day 3 The stamped concrete before it was the final coat

Day 4: Final coat of polyurethane was applied, patio is done (excuse Brad's shadow)

Side View

Steps from the house looking out

Final product (we will place patio furniture back this weekend)

Brad's 31st Birthday {November 24th}

Well folks it is official Brad is older then me and will be for the next 4 months.  What can a say I like my man older!!  Some years we get to celebrate his birthday on Thanksgiving or the day before or after but this year it was nice that it fell the weekend before.  We kicked off the weekend festivities at Brad's all time favorite restaurant the "OG" for those of you that don't know that stands for the Olive Garden.  He absolutely is obsessed loves this restaurant, he even had to get his picture taken in front of the one in NYC when we were there as he got giddy by the flashiness on Times Square.  Anyways I digress about the love affair that he has with the OG, moving on!  My mom and I celebrated and gave him his gifts and made it a fun night.

NYC May 2013, notice the "OG" in the back

OG Brad opening gifts

 

The next day we left for Black Hawk to stay with friends at Ameristar.  Ya'll this is the BEST place to gamble and have a weekend get away in Colorado.  We usually go up for all of our birthdays and to just relax and have fun.  They have excellent rooms with fabulous views, and amazing pool and roof top hot tub, awesome spa, bar and a great buffet.  It is only about 1 hour from our house and honestly the nicest quick weekend get away.  We met our friends John and Maggie and Michelle and Alex for the weekend of festivities.  In true Black Hawk fashion we had an awesome time hopping between the casinos, eating WAY too much food, drinking lots of bubbly and hot tubing, LIFE IS GOOD!! We were able to gamble on Sunday and enjoy the Champagne brunch. They had so many new fun machines including Wizard of Oz, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sex in the City and Princess Bride.  I get so wrapped up on the music and "ding" noise it just makes me smile.  Unfortunately we didn't win BIG but we had an awesome time and got to celebrate an awesome birthday.  

 

My big win of $40

The one and only... Ameristar Blackhawk

Weekend Recap

I seriously can't believe Christmas is next week, where in the heck did December go?!  This weekend was packed as usual with fun activities with family and friends.  We are having our back deck done which is leading to lots of stress with the dachshunds so Saturday started which getting them out of the house for their little doggie "cabin fever" with a long walk at the park.  After that we had some Christmas errands to run before our fun night out.  We went to the Buell Theater to see Cirque Dreams Holidaze which is put on by Cirque du Soleil traveling group. We started the night off right with a fabulous dinner at La Loma's.  This is one of Brad and I's favorite Mexican restaurants in the area, the food is always SOO good and consistent.

Tortilla's being made

The show was great show with lots of AMAZING acrobatics and stunts.  There were so many times that I literally could not watch.  My favorite while mind you not the most extreme was the couple that did a change of clothes with a wave of their wand and glitter, I think they may have even been on America's Got Talent, there were amazing and the dresses were gorgeous.  I would highly recommend any of the Cirque du Soleil shows, take it from a girl that hates the circus (I get to sad for the animals).

Sunday we went out with my mom and our best friends (John and Maggie) and John's mom (Sue) to Cracker Barrel and the movies.  Seriously where has Crackle Barrel been my whole life and why have I not been there more often?  Not only is it inexpensive but the food is "finger lickn' good"!  I love the general store where you get to wonder/shop while you wait for you table, they seriously have some awesome gifts.  We then went to go see Last Vegas.  I will admit I was not dying to see this movie but let me tell you it was one of the funniest movies that I have seen in a long time.  The cast was awesome and I spend most of the movie just cracking up.  I especially loved Morgan Freeman's character.  All 6 of us had a great time laughing afterwards about all the funny scenes.

We finished off the weekend with getting the house fully decorated (FINALLY) and finishing some shopping.  I am so happy with the way the house looks, I will get pictures up soon!! 

Five on Friday

 

Happy Friday Y'all!!!  I can't believe we are one week closer to Christmas, I am getting so excited for the holidays.  Today is my first time joining April, Christina, Natasha and Darci for their famous Five on Friday.  I had some ideas last night of what I was going to post if the Bronco's won but that ship sailed in the 2nd quarter!!!  Here is my revised list.

{One}

Riding Boots: I can't tell you how long I have been in the market for a pair of these Babies.  For some reason my calf seems to be on the "large" side and every boot that I try to wear just doesn't fit.  Also one of my calves is bigger then the other which makes it that much harder.  After much advise I decided to try Nordstrom's as they have an excellent return policy.  Got my first pair... you guessed it they didn't fit, shook off my frustration and decide to try one more time... Vola the boots arrived yesterday and I love them and they fit {HERE}!!!  Moral of the story, even after having trying on 100 10+ boots and going through multiple mini melt downs that my husband witnessed, there is a pair of riding boots out there for all.

 

{Two}

Starbucks: I just love all the holiday drinks and the cute little red cups that they come in.  Nothing screams "Holiday" to me then a warm lovely Starbucks in my hand.  My personal new favorite is...

"A skinny Chai Tea Latte with 2 squirts pumpkin or peppermint" this all depends on the mood I am in. They are fabulous and about half the calories of the other holiday drinks.

 

{Three}

New Jackets: I am a lucky girl and got two very nice early Christmas gifts from my awesome hubby.  I am a self proclaimed jacket connoisseur however I was in desperate need of a nice career jacket and a long, puffy, warm jacket. The career jack came from my favorite shop Ann Taylor Loft {HERE} and the puffy loveliness came from Eddie Bauer {HERE}.  I highly recommend both, I get compliments almost each day on both of them and a bonus is that they are very warm.

 

 

 

{Four}

Paperwhites: Most people say "what the heck are those?" My response... "my favorite holiday flower, duh!!" Not sure how I ever became obsessed with this holiday flower but I am sure my mom had something to do with it.  Every year I pick up my bulbs at a local florist and then drop them in water and watch them grow into the beautiful delicate flowers.  They make a great gift to give in a vase and they smell so good.  No Christmas is complete with out at least 4 sets of Paperwhites around my house.

 

Source

{Five}

Snow on the Flatirons: This is one of those things that I try my hardest not to take advantage of everyday as I truly am blessed to live in a beautiful state.  Every day on my way to work in Boulder, CO I have the most wonderful view.  When it gets cold and snowy that view becomes magical. 

 

 

 Source: Jack Sasson

There you have it my first time with this fun link up and my brain is running for future Five on Friday Posts.  Happy Friday!!