Brubaker Bunch Colorado Adventure- Part 1

The Brubaker Bunch made their way out to Colorado Springs a couple weeks ago for an extended weekend!  I love having guests in our home especially of the niece and nephew variety!  We jammed packed our four days together and hit up all the tourist hot spots!  Here are the highlights of our time.

Day 1: Lorelai's Birthday Celebration

The day that the Brubaker's arrived we celebrated Lorelai's 7th birthday with a "Personal Pizza Palour Dinner".  As much as I LOVE baking my own bread, I had never tried homemade pizza crust.  For some reason homemade pizza crust intimidated me... but I am always up for trying my hand at new things.  And I glad I did because they were delicious!  Everyone got to make their own 9 inch personal pizza with all their favorite toppings.  We even had buffalo chicken and margherita- which is my personal fave!  I love to cook and bake so it is always an activity I like to do with the girls.

Putting all her favorite toppings on... she needed a little guidance with the banana peppers : )

The "I love pizza" face

After devouring our personal pizzas Lorelai opened her birthday presents.  Since she just got her ears pierced and was pretty pumped about it, Craig and I got her an earring holder and a gift certificate to Claire's.

I think the Hudson and Amelia were most excited about the big box and the bubble wrap.  What do you think?!

Who needs toys when a box and bubble wrap can provide so much fun... I think my Christmas shopping list just got shorter : )

Stay tuned for more Brubaker Bunch Colorado Adventure!

Fall Fun in Keystone

A couple weekends ago we joined some friends for some fall fun in Keystone.  Keystone is a great ski destination in the winter, but it the fall it is absolutely gorgeous.  All the aspen trees are changing and are radiating gold.  It is truly breathtaking!! 

We started our Saturday with a brisk hike to Lilypad Lake.  It was short and sweet.

On the trail...

Craig and George

Mandy

We passed over this peaceful flowing stream...

All of us... including the dogs

All the lilypads on Lilypad Lake were withering, but I thought that I should share the picture because I figured you would be wondering...

Not quite as picturesques as it is during the summer but the hike to it was beautiful!  And the dogs enjoyed swimming in it : ) 

Storm clouds are rolling in

And what's a blog post without a Coder Family Picture?!

We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend getaway to Keystone!  We have been working so much on the house that it was a welcomed break.  Stay tuned for a Coder Home Renovation post...

The Military Ball

Once a year Craig's National Guard Battalion hosts a Military Ball.  A time for the men to put on their Class A's and the women to get all dolled up for a night out.  This year we headed to the Denver Tech. Center to share a delicious meal, lots of toasts, a keynote speaker and some dancing!  I had a fabulous time getting to know some of Craig's infantry buddies and their wives. 

We didn't take very many pictures but here's some that captured our night:

1st Lieutenant Craig Coder , 1st Lieutenant Robert Rudich, and Commander Tom Sullivan

Tom & Sara, and Mandy & George Knapp

Thanks for a great night... see you all next year!