Turkey Day!

The Group in our Hats (Minus four)

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I hope everyone had a marvelous Thanksgiving filled with your lovies, good food, and endless conversation. I personally know that is how my Thanksgiving went this year.  I celebrated my favorite Holiday with 13 of my nearest and dearest.  I could not of been more excited to host Thanksgiving because I just love this holiday.  To me it is about gathering with your favorites, eating yummy food, laughing until you cry, and sharing stories of the past.

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I would be lying if I said I did not think of my MI and Dominican family (truly my PCVers who I spent the Holidays with) but it was amazing to provide a 'home' for these 13 people who do not have roots in CO a place to eat Thanksgiving Dinner! I love hosting parties and it went soo well! I did not want it to be stressful or the vibe to be rough, rather I just wanted people to enjoy and that is what we did!

RALPH!

I made my first Turkey, Ralph! It was a teamwork effort for sure and he turned out pretty well. THANK YOU to Aunt Sue for walking me through how to clean Ralph and laughing with me as I totally grossed out! :)  I did not have any but my guest said it turned out very well.  One of them said it was a little dry so I told him to put some gravy on it! :) I do remember a moment right as we were about to eat and the whole group came together! There was a group of people in the living setting up the tables and a group in the kitchen making the stuffing, rolls, and craving the Turkey! I found myself with not a lot to do but just take a moment to be Thankful I have these amazing individuals in my life! 


This day will always hold a special place in my heart and I am excited for next year when we can do it all over again! :)

Family!

My Host Mom

My Volleyball Girls

FAMILY, it is such a strong word with an enormous amount of meaning and emotion.  But really what does Family mean, who is the one that defines it, who was the one who put such a powerful word in such a small box.  That 'who' is society that told told all us who we should and should not define as Family.  I am about to break the intense word out of its box and define 'Family' in my own terms.

My Denver Family

I am beyond blessed with the amount of family I have.  Now, I am not talking just about my blood family who I love to death and am continually amazed by the support and joy they bring me on every day.  I have family in two different countries, a handful of States, and a few cities in Michigan.  

My Rocks in Denver

PC Lovie

How does this all work, I will tell you how I define family! It is simple! Family to me is a place or group of people I can surrounded myself by and feel love/support, share a meal, and have a place to sleep! Basically, my basic needs will be met when I am with them.  I know it sounds simply and I may be selling myself short but I find I am doing the complete opposite. I am enriching my life with individuals I CHOSE to be around, who always have my best interest in mind, give me an ear to listen, and joy to share. 

That is my family, near and far I will always have family close!

Lions Game!

The Stadium during the open ceremony 

Aaron and in front of the Stadium

One of the Fans! 

Last Sunday I watched the Lions beat down on the Broncos! It was an amazing game and I was able to go with a follow Michigander! I am blessed and grateful beyond expression of the family who is continually showing selfless acts of kindness and gave up their seats so I could watch my lions! 

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

I hope you are all had a GREAT day and was able to eat a little candy today with no guilt!!

Who said you are too old to dress up! 

Pushing!

Plan of Attack!! 

MY LOVES that sit on my desk and smile at me while I am working

Well World!

These Sweet Things are my desktop!
They remind me where I have come from and the joy of the simple things!

I am in Graduate School! It is lovely most days but always toward the end it gets a little rough around the edges! This quarter is no different! I felt a little lost with my assignments and when they were due.  For those who know me well you know I have no sense of time, dates, directions, etc so I need a visual! That is what I did! 

I am pushing until November 21st when I will be HALF done with my GRADUATE DEGREE! Whoo-Rah! 

Snow!

Ooo Yes, you read that correct it says SNOW!! 

Outside my bedroom window

 This morning (even though I knew it was coming) I woke up to SNOW everywhere and continuing to fall from the sky! Since this morning it has not stopped and will not stop until this evening.  By the end of this all about 4-6inchs have fallen from the sky to the ground! Since it is not too too cold it is not sticking to the sidewalks just to the grass! This is why I love CO.  Tomorrow it will be in the mid-40 and Friday the 60s so by Friday the Snow will be gone! :)

Outside of my Kitchen Window

Marvelous!

Look back on the weekend it has been pretty amazing beside ALL Michigan Teams losing but I still have love for all of them! What made it so amazing you ask, well let me tell you!

- Homemade Squash Soup in the Crock-Pot (THANK YOU Jennifer!)
- Homemade Bread
- Farmers Markets with my favorite Popsicles
- Hiking 
- Winning my volleyball game
- Sitting by the river down town
- Family Dinner
- Great evening with wonderful friends
- Playing with a Wii

It made sound simply but those are the moments that make my soul smile!