I love Denver in the Spring Time..

The title is in honor of the song Katie sings about Denver, I love Denver in the spring time, I love Denver in the fall, But the only time I visit is the Summer, your in Broncos Country! Katie flew in on Friday morning for a visit with her brother...and me too of course ;-)

Friday we had nothing to do so we decided that we would go tour the Coors Brewery and get our free beer. There were carnations all over and I quickly had Katie fooled that they were my favorite flower! We then went to the Wash Park Grill to enjoy the sun on the patio. Friday night Mike's friend Anna joined us and we headed to Dinner at Forest Room Five. I am obsessed with the Fillet De Brie that they serve there and now Katie and Anna are too. Forest room five quickly turned into a cab ride to Appaloosa Grill, the Samba Room, and then we finished the night at the Candlelight.

Saturday we got up and Anna and walked to the bank and to a little farmers market. When we got back we figured we should grab some lunch and went to Gov's Park. All of us ended up getting a little too much sun! Then we were off to the Twins game. This was the first game that Mike and I have switched from cheering for the Rockies to the Twins! After the game we took Anna and Katie to Carmine's on Penn for dinner. There was a lot food and crayons to draw with, a perfect place for dinner after a baseball game! Katie then kidnapped Mike and I and took us to Ogden Street South. This is usually a pretty fun Karaoke bar on a Saturday night. With the exception of the three of us keeping each other company the bar was a bust. The highlights of the night were: Katie duck walking under the table to avoid singing, China Chip #4, and our crayon breaking contest!

Sunday we grabbed some lunch at Bene's before we headed to roast in the sun at the Twins game.

I wonder...

What the UPS man thinks when he delivers this much mail to one Mike Laschen at our front doorstep?!

Birthday Party and Mother's Day

Last week Mike again was traveling for work. It was a big week for us, there has been talk floating around that there maybe additional positions made in Mike's company. The upside is that it will be great for his career, the downside is it won't be in Colorado. We have been doing a lot of talking and "future planning." We should know more in the next few months, so keep your fingers crossed that the Big Guy has a plan!
Friday night we had a patio dinner with Allison and Tim. We grilled had some drinks and shared a lot of laughs. Saturday morning was a lazy morning. We decided to go to the nursery to get some plants. We ended up coming home with tomatoes, peas, and beans.

Saturday night we went out to celebrate our friend Candy's 30th birthday. It was a fun night and I wasn't nearly as camera happy as I should have been. I ended up grabbing one picture at the end of the night of Mike and I. He was sporting his plaid sports coat...and was so excited.

Sunday Mike went fishing and I stayed here to run the fort. I got a lot accomplished and think that I am going to try to enforce a Sunday Fishing Rule...you must go for at least 3 hours! Mike didn't seem to complain about that either.

Then we made dinner at on our patio and watched the Survivor Finale! Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms, expecially ours!

Derby Party 2008

Friday Mike and I had to go put grab some last minute things for Saturday's Derby Party. Then we went and met my girlfriend Lauren at Brix for dinner.
Saturday the insanity started. We headed over to our pre-party at 11:30. Then we headed to the Derby Party at the Botanical Gardens. The day was filled with fun and friends. We all placed friendly bets on our horses and enjoyed the sun while we waited for the horses to race. After the race and another hour of hanging out we decided to head to Reiver's Bar. Our group of about 10 then decided to make our way to Max Grill and eventually to the Rock Bar to finish the night. We ended up staying out 4 hours after our predicted 8 o'clock curfew!

Sunday we headed out to lunch and then to see Jeff, Tiffany, and Ben who had a layover in Denver. It was great to catch up and see some friends who live far away.

Avalanche Game

Last night Mike and I went to the Avalanche game. It didn't end the way we wanted it and the Avs lost 4 to 3 to the Red Wings. The best part of the game was the mini donuts :0
We also have been working really hard at getting our back yard in spring conditions. Tonight we got the patio cleaned up, moved the grill, and planted our herbs. Pictures of both to follow!

Chillaxin

Not a whole lot to report. Mike and I went to Dinner on Friday night at the Barolo Grill. It was a great dinner and I really stepped out of my comfort zone in clothing and sported a dress with my cowboy boots. (Anna you would have been so proud!) Saturday I went and met a friend for brunch and Mike went to a fly fishing class with some buddies. After some downtime at home we went shopping and grabbed dinner at Sabor Latino. Sunday we went to get some new flowers for the front of our house at the nursery and got stuff done around home. We are apparently in for some more snow...so stay tuned.

Wednesday Randomness

Mike got some tickets from his buddy for the Rockies vs. Cubs game. We decided that it might be fun to go.

At the game we went up into the Coke suite and were talking with

some of Mike's coworkers who were telling us about a concert. We ended up watching the Rockies game until the 8th inning and then heading over to the concert. It was a random night of fun!

A Change In Seasons...

So by now I am sure most of you are sick of hearing about ski weekends...well relief is in sight....we are changing seasons! Saturday marked our last ski day of the season and the beginning of summer for us. We spent it skiing at A-basin and then grilling on "the beach" with a bunch of others who were celebrating spring skiing as well. One of Mike's buddies dad's has an annual party at the beach, where he gets up to the mountain at 5 am just to secure the spot for all of us who slept in until 7. After taking three runs, eating, then taking another 3 runs we headed back to Denver.

After some much needed chillaxin we got ready to head to the Avalanche vs. Wild hockey game. Both Mike and I were cheering not for the Wild but for the Avs to advance to the second round of playoffs. It was a great game and the Avs pulled it off...maybe you Wild fans will cheer for the Avs for the rest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?! Playoffs also means that we cannot avoid trying to get tickets. My brother gave me a card at Christmas that said that he would fund one Avs Game. Needless to say, Mike and I saved it for yesterdays game....thanks brother! The rest we will have to work for ourselves.
Sunday was a good day mostly around home. We got up early and headed out on our bikes to Dino's Soda Shop for breakfast. After that I went to my dance class and Mike went to help a buddy with a bit of yard work. We both met back here to make lunch and then I embarked on laundry. The cats love laundry day...apparently they didn't get the notice about not sleeping on clean clothes! Mike ran with a buddy to finish getting all his fly fishing gear. Now is all he needs is the water and he will be ready to catch some fish. I teased him when he got home by pretending I was a metronome, like in the movie a River Runs Through It. In the movie they learn to cast to the ticking of the metronome, I got some laughs. We finished off our Sunday by having our first "summer dinner," steaks and corn on the cob. The only exception was that it wasn't on the patio...night is still a bit too chilly for that. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Frozen Four Weekend

Wednesday night Mike's parents and his brother and brother's girlfriend flew into Denver for the Frozen Four. On Wednesday night we went to dinner at Elway's and caught up and watched the Avalanche play the Wild. Thursday the hockey started. The Sioux Alumni were hosting an event at Brooklyn's bar so we all headed down there at 1. It was also a "special occasion" and Mike and I sported matching t-shirts...awwww! There were so many Sioux fans having a good time awaiting the game. Early into the first period we could tell that game was not going as planned! The Sioux ended up loosing in an awful game 6-1. The second game that night was a well played game where Notre Dame defeated Michigan. Friday we headed to breakfast and then went to do some shopping. Mike and I went with his parents and they treated him with some fly fishing gear. Mike has gone the last couple of years and just borrowed some buddies things when he went. He really enjoys it and has decided to take up the sport and now with his new gear he is on his well on his way! The Bass Pro Shop also added a friendly competition between Mike and his dad in shooting. There was also a great photo opportunity with Mike's Mom and the Bear! Then we split up. Mike's mom and I went and walked around the shops in Cherry Creek, while the guys went to their store, Filson and Orvis. We went and grabbed lunch at the Cherry Creek Grill and then headed home to get ready for Mike's Championship game. We headed down to the Ice Ranch and watched Mike's team win the "first championship game." It is double elimination tournament-the guys lost their game tonight and now they will have to play one more, winner takes all! Mike wasn't able to play in the game today as he is in Texas this week for work, so depending on the next game he may or may not be able to play. After the game we ate at the Ice Ranch's bar and then headed to the Cherry Cricket with the gang. Saturday started with lunch at the Hornet and then heading to the NCAA Championship game between Boston College and Notre Dame. After the game we went to try out a new steakhouse Prime 121, and then headed to the Candlelight to hang out with the group again. Today everyone flew away, Mike's parents back to Minnesota, Pat and Kim to Chicago, and Mike to Texas. It was a crazy busy couple of days but so much fun and many memories were made.

What can you say but that a year ago today Heaven became a more special place...we all miss you very much Josie.