Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts

Monday, November 3, 2014

1st Girls Trip Flight Since 1997

After 23 1/2 years, the time has come for Momma's 1st "real" Girls Trip.
Granted, it was only 48 hours long. :-)
(please excuse the poor quality pics - all iPhone shots)
Last time I had visited my good friend Becky, a.k.a. "Spot" was May '93, 
the end of my Freshman year in college. 
Her parents flew me up to Loyola to help her move out and drive all her stuff home to Tulsa.
When we arrived to her apartment complex from the Denver airport, I knew all was good when I spotted a *Coldstone Creamery just a short walk away! Yummm
Our first stop was R.E.I., an amazingly ginormous Colorado sports store to seek out the world's warmest socks for the upcoming winter. Found a super cute pair of Smartfeet for a mere $27. Yeah, sounds crazy...but worth every single penny...promise!
This is the darling Starbucks tucked into this killer building...an old train depot transformed into the R.E.I. store. 
We enjoyed an afternoon snack outside, soaking up the beyond gorgeous day and view.
Back to Becky's pad to freshen up for our evening. We exchanged 40th b'day gifts out on her patio with a glass of wine. Spot looooved her custom made card I made her - here's a shot of the front of it.
DINNER @ SUSHI DEN!
I've heard about this place for many a year now...my time had finally come to experience it for myself!! 
Becky said we must sit at the bar for many a reason. One, the service. Two, the free appetizer and orange finisher, and three...we get to watch these sushi masters at work!
I partook of my first glass of Sake. Not my fave, but definitely interesting. 
Words simply canNOT express how absolute INCREDIBLE the food was. It literally caused me to hum. Their fish was so fresh and so delicious...it felt like it melted in my mouth. 
 Friday, October 24th ~ Lunch @ Racine's
Best Burger and Sweet Potato Fries...hit the spot!
Pitstop @ the one and only Coldstone Creamery!
Cake batter with brownie...oh yessss
Onward to one of Becky's favorite spots... 
RED ROCKS
This place was the COOLEST!
The SPOTS take on RED ROCKS!
there's a gi-normous amphitheater there where tons of famous bands perform concerts 
(Becky, of course has been to upwards of 100 there!)
my fave pic...God's Magnificent Creation
Next Stop...University of Colorado
(on the search for Will a CU tee)
When we parked for our evening out in Boulder, guess who we parked right next to?!
Hozier's Tour Bus!!!!
After changing at a local Boulder Starbucks, we headed to one of Becky's beloved Mexican joints...Mamacita's
Chips and homemade salsa, enchiladas and margarita's ensued...
 And...the time arrived for our loooong awaited concert to commence!
 Hozier, our supa talented Irish Boy musician was going to be rocking it out at the one and only Fox Theater (small, cozy - yet super cool venue)
even the Mayor of Denver showed up! 
(he's right behind me in the vest)
 Bad picture, but trust me...it was IN-CREDIBLE!! That boy has mad skills!
Saturday, October 25th
 This is the view Becky has when she takes a left out of her apartments...for realz?!
Last, but not least, a stop at a Denver Home Goods...one of Momma's favorite stores!
After a two hour delayed flight, I finally made it back to home sweet home.
Will sporting his new CU tee...lookin' good!
I was soooo super nervous about leaving my family for this weekend away. I felt immense guilt about missing a multitude of events (pom competition, Ella's cheer game, Owen's soccer game, etc). However, I have to say...this was well worth all the heartache of leaving home. I invested in a precious friendship, I took time to experience God's beautiful nature, and I learned how to travel without my hubby doing everything for me. I am so grateful for this Denver getaway. Thanks goes to my beloved for encouraging me to head to the Rockies as well as filling in the gap while I was away! xoxo

Monday, September 1, 2014

Fun with Forever Friends

Labor Day Weekend Fun with some of our Dearest Friends
Abby and Lauragale have been friends since they were 18 months old!
We met at our beloved Asbury.
These two beauties have gone from outgoing lil' toddlers to teenage Beauties!!
They both look so much like their Daddies! 
(Abby's built like Momma, but her face screams Ruley genes!)
 The Dudes
 The Chicka's
The Love Birds
 Since the Ralstons have moved to Fort Smith, we don't get the chance to do this very often...spending time with these peeps is priceless! A beautiful August night, fajitas, and scrumptious chocolate ganache cake made for a treasured time. If only we could do this every weekend... 

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Goodbye Summer * Hello School Party

Ella asked before 4th grade even ended, if she could have a Swim party with her friends over the summer
So...after a very busy summer...a *Back to School* Swim Party it was! 
We literally held it 36 hours before 5th grade started. :-)
Every friend Ella invited was able to come...which was such a blessing!
We had Riley, Kate, Caroline, Talya & Reese ~ all such precious girls!

The cheesy side of me came out a bit in the snacks we served...
and the S'mores Brownies that she's been asking for...
and man, they were scrumptious!
The girls had a blast going back and forth between the pool and the trampoline
We also pulled out the Glow Sticks for some night time fun!
and of course some party favors at the end...
"5th Grade is Going to Rule
when it comes to friends, thanks for always measuring up"

Saturday, May 24, 2014

End of Elementary for My Ella

My Ella Bella is graduating from 4th Grade...
typically this isn't a big deal, but when you go to Jenks, it is!
5th Grade at Jenks is a whole new school, another mile away, and it merges with Jenks East - which is over twice the size of Jenks Southeast!
"Ella Ruley"
Mrs. Roberts 4th Grade Class 
mine's the sweet one in the middle ;-)
And now it's time for the entire school to "Clap them into 5th Grade"
They paraded through the entire school while parents and all other students whooped & hollered, gave hi fives and clapped & cheered. It was super cute!
Our newest friend this year...Talya :-)
Why was Ella put in Mrs. Roberts class this year? Because of this lady right here...there is no doubt in my mind that we had a divine appointment to meet. And, if it weren't for our our girls being in class together, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have happened. (Ella loooves lil' Lennox)
Top 10 Cool Things About 4th Grade:
3 of Ella's other closest friends from her class...Brianna, Riley & Jordan
Love this Lady! She was a great fit for my creative cat!
Thank you to Mrs. Roberts and all the other teachers who poured into my Ella's life these past 3 years. What a tremendous blessing it was to be able to be a part of this amazing school!