What to See?

Rocky Mountain NP

Some of my family is coming to visit in 2 weeks and they haven't been out to Denver before (other than DIA possibly) and I'm pondering what activities to do, restaurants to visit, etc. The good news is that there is plenty to see and do no matter the weather. It's hard sometimes to see your "hometown" (at least for the past 4 years) the way a visitor might,

but I am up to the challenge!

In the things, new category for the past week or so: Benny's Mexican Restaurant (chambord margaritas, anyone?), Sunflower Market, an 'intermediate' level Spanish class, my madlib was posted on One Big Yodel and my first night of youth group at church.

Ode to the Flipflops

Two days ago, I had a Jimmy Buffet-esqe moment when I literally blew out my flip flop. Aside from my having to walk barefoot back to my car, I was struck with a sense of loss. When I told my friend I had gotten the flops right before I went to Africa, he asked me how many continents had my shoes had traveled to?

They had traveled to Southern Africa, Australia/New Zealand, Mexico (twice), the Caribbean, and Thailand. 4 Continents.
I am sorry to see them go and I don't think there is any hope for repairs. Four years is a good run for a pair that was comfortable and cute.I may have to go to Margaritaville to console myself!

(featured parrot outside Margaritaville - Key West)

Joining

They say that life is what happens while you're making plans....maybe that explains my drought in posting on my blog recently. But one of those things was perhaps the creation of a new camping dessert....calling it a "S'nore" is an oxymoron, but smores made with fun size snickers instead of plain chocolate are amazing!

Today was Jubilee Sunday (aka the fall kickoff). Just as schools are getting their full schedule started, so is the church. Service was packed, Sunday School kicked off, and finally, after almost 4 years of attending, I officially joined the church.

Yesterday was my first time going to an Illini Alumni Gamewatch, which was also fun (I was impressed with my ability to sit down with complete strangers and say hi).

Also on the things new front (I'm not sure my exact number, will have to reference previous posts), I went to a baby shower with 1) a delicious app of blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped in bacon (amazing!) and 2) live music.

Youth kickoff was tonight complete with dunk tank, water balloons, baked potato and salad bar (a great idea for an outdoor event), vespers and more. My friend Gregorio told the youth that I'm the one who will have the excess energy on the off chance that he runs out.

Who knows what additional fun I can get myself into?