Fall Hike!

On October 4th, Ella and I went up to the mountains to catch the fall leaves before they disappear. We took a dirt road up to 9,000 ft and it was beautiful! It was the first time I have let Ella off the leash in an open space and she did amazing! She ran everywhere but still checked in on me. I guess she ain't as dumb as she looks!

Now the leaves are starting to change here in the Springs so I have my pumpkin candle burning and spent the day creating fall decorations for the house.

Here are some pictures from our hiking adventure:

Oh! And here is the spinach dip I made on Sunday for football. How 'bout them Broncos?

Deployment Days

Okay, Okay! The blog is coming back! Maybe it is the fall weather, or maybe I am being pressured into it (ahem, thank you Samples) but I will continue to update you all on our life and attempt to catch you up on the last few months!

Let's start off with the sad news first. As most of you know, Duke solved his last mystery in July. We will sure miss that stinky guy around here! Speaking of stinky guys, two days later, Taylor deployed. He has been wandering the sands of the middle east, playing on tanks while I have been holding the fort down here in Colorado.






Communication has been amazing (it is 2013 after all) and I feel like we haven't missed a beat. We have our weekly skype dates and laugh while sharing stories and future plans. We talk about traveling all over Europe when we get to Germany. We argue about Fantasy Football and Taylor whines about my awesome team. Everything has been completely normal, minus the fact we are 7000 miles apart.

I have been trying to keep myself busy while Taylor fiddles around in the sand. Thankfully I have the Ella monster for that. We like to take walks, go on runs, and just this week we did a sunrise hike at Garden of the Gods.

I have been expanding my recipe (and photography) horizons as well. I like to blast music, sip on some wine, and cook! For your viewing taste buds, here are a few things I have cooked during the deployment:

Salmon 

Sweet and Sour Chicken with fried rice

Garlic Chicken with Rosemary

Corn Chowder

I have done a few trips here and there including my Utah trip most recently! My 9 hour drive allowed me to take in deep breaths of the Steamboat Springs air, see the colors changing on the trees, and see the dinosaurs in Vernal, UT. I was able to celebrate my birthday with my best friends Danielle and Evan along with other good friends, good food, good beer, and good company. I enjoyed feeling the Ute Vibe as Utah beat BYU in football and I got my Costa Vida craving satisfied. Like usual, I had a great time visiting that Salty City.

I wish I could tell you exactly what Taylor has been up to but I am not completely sure. Let's just say it's a secret but he is fine and well and ready to come home! 

Now that it is October, the countdown begins!