3rd Annual Birthday Celebration at The Broadmoor

May 28, 2015 By

This was Hadley’s third birthday we’ve celebrated at The Broadmoor, which means it’s a tradition, right?  While my previous trip was a working vacation for my write-up about Broadmoor Outfitters, this one was all relaxation and play.

PLAY

We started with bowling and delicious food at their high-end alley PLAY. Something you should know about the boys: they’re sore losers and were grumpy that Hadley and I started out strong.  Of course, we didn’t rub that in one bit.

 

Everyone had a strike near the end of the game except for Bode. He grabbed Hadley’s jacket and bowling ball and, with it awkwardly tucked under his arm, he chucked the ball down the alley. We tried to stop him…until we realized he had just bowled his first strike. I’m not sure what to make of that other than maybe having her vicariously closer to him was like a security blanket?

Fly Fishing

Usually, we spend a good portion of our day lounging poolside but with Colorado’s rainy weather, we had to get creative. We played a lot of heated Checkers matches in the lobby and teamed up with Broadmoor Outfitters for a  fly fishing expedition at the Lake House. This Adirondack-style lodge is adjacent to a scenic lake stocked with carp, rainbow and brown trout on one of the resort’s famous golf courses.

We had only fly fished once before at The Broadmoor’s Ranch at Emerald Valley a couple of years ago so we welcomed our guide Tyler’s expertise. As he was just about to explain how to strip the line to reel in the fish, he got a bite and was able to not only explain but show us how to do it. The guides are just that good. And so are the views. Can you see the deer on the shore just behind Bode?

The fish must have received the memo it was Hadley’s birthday because she was reeling them in like crazy! Jamie and I had quick success as well but then there was poor Bode who couldn’t even get a nibble. We’d have him switch places to where Hadley was finding all the fish and he’d get nothing while Hadley would catch them in his previous spot. With rain clouds about to burst, he’d about reached his breaking point when I uttered my first fisherwoman’s prayer: “Dear Lord, if you’re listening and able, could you please help The Boy catch a fish?”

Within a minute, he caught one hook, line and sinker. Turns out fisherwoman’s prayers really work.

The Others

We were pleased that The Broadmoor opened a game room specifically for Memorial Day weekend and we had a fun playing ping pong, air hockey, bean bag toss and foosball. This photo was supposed to be representative of Hadley and Bode learning to play pool.

But really, it’s all about Jamie’s photobomb.

And even though the Memorial Day carnival was moved indoors due to the weather, the kids had a blast.

Who am I kidding? We all had a blast going down that slide and launching into the pit.

We had a brief window of sunshine on Saturday so we swam.

Or rather, the kids did. It was still a blustery 50 degrees so Jamie and I joined the other lame, fully-clothed parents on the chaises while a small a handful of hearty kids played.

Later that afternoon, we stopped at the resort’s eco-chic eatery Natural Epicurean that features organic food. How often do you have the chance to eat healthy desserts that look like this?

We were so nice that even though Jamie didn’t join us, we ordered an extra treat. P.S. Don’t tell him that.

Believe me, we weren’t lacking in food. One night, we ate at Ristorante Del Lago, the resort’s newish Italian restaurant inspired by a luxurious villa in Lake Como. It was there that I informed Bode “Did you know if you can tie that maraschino cherry stem with our tongue, that means you’ll be a good French kisser?”

He’ll never order a Shirley Temple again.

As we lounged fireside after dinner, the kids played tag with Jamie and roasted s’mores. I am 100 percent grateful every time we’re privy to The Good Life and observed, “I know we’ve had an amazing day but just remember that money doesn’t buy happiness.”  Hadley responded: “Could have fooled me.”


Note to self: Save life lessons for when they are not currently in the moment.

The Brunch

The Broadmoor’s brunch is, hands down, our favorite part of every trip with more than 150 enticing choices alongside sculpted ice and live piano music. Jamie ensured he was first in front of what he deemed “the gateway to heaven.”

Now I know what the pearly gates look like. At least there won’t be all the calories in heaven, RIGHT?

We all enjoy the brunch but Hadley LOVES it and eats more than any of us with favorites being the pastries, breads and bananas foster.

This picture is very telling of our brunch experience:

Hadley is in sheer bliss, Bode (my pleaser) is posing but really thinking “hurry up and take the picture so I can get some more food” while Jamie has a mouthful of it.

Hiking

I always wake up at dawn to hike North Cheyenne Cañon by myself and this time, I was so overwhelmed with its forested red-rock beauty (it’s one of my Top 10 Hikes Ever), I did a second trip with the family. The Broadmoor offers a free shuttle to the Starsmore Discovery Center at the mouth of the canyon.

If you’re going to build a nature center, I highly suggest you do it in this beautiful setting.

The Birthday Girl

Hadley’s birthday fell on Memorial Day so she requested a room service breakfast of Belgian waffles and we were happy to oblige.

For presents, we bought her some clothes, a weaving loom, the Maze Runner movie and book series, some drawing paper and sweet Bode gave her a purse he had woven in art class.

I’ve long wanted to climb the Manitou Incline a.k.a. The Holy Grail of Cardio, which gains almost 2,000 feet of elevation over less than 1 mile. Hadley agreed to do it with me and it was to be our day of triumph!!  Until it wasn’t. You see, the Incline is one of the most unique and challenging trails in the country, attracting runners, Olympic athletes and cyclists from around the world. By the time we arrived at 10 a.m., the base area was a madhouse. We circled around for 45 minutes trying to find parking before finally driving down the mountain and parking in town. The problem: what comes down must go back up so we had to trek about a mile to even get to the start of the Incline. By then, I could tell Hadley wasn’t doing very well, complaining that her throat hurt.

“Let’s just hike a little bit and see how you’re feeling.”

It was steeeeeeeeep. Could we have done it? Sure. Hadley is in great shape after training for a Pentathlon all year and while I’m not where I was physically at this time last year, I could have toughed it out. But after climbing 1/5 of the way up, she looked miserable. If it wasn’t her birthday, I would have pushed her farther but I’m glad I didn’t–she spent the next day in bed with a cold.

At that moment, I noticed the sun was shining for the first time. “Here’s a plan, Hadley. Why don’t we race back to The Broadmoor, hit the pool, order lunch and strawberry milkshakes before going home?”

If there’s a way to salvage a birthday, that is it.

 

 

Filed Under: birthday, Bode, Family, Family travel, Hadley, hiking, Humor, Jamie, outdoors, travel, Uncategorized

Adventuring with Broadmoor Outfitters

May 27, 2015 By

For the third year in a row, we were able to return to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs for Hadley’s birthday. As I was going through my pictures, I realized I never posted about our previous trip–waaaaaaay back in February when I was asked to write a story for their magazine about Broadmoor Outfitters, their onsite outdoor adventure company.

The funny thing is, we had better weather in February than we did over Memorial Day weekend. OK, it’s not that funny. We’ve had a month of non-stop rain, a real rarity in Denver. And though I’d much rather have inclement weather than 100-degree days, I’m ready for my trails to dry out.

During our visit a few months ago, we did it all:  Geocaching at The Broadmoor, a snowy hike and geocache up North Cheyenne Cañon, a mountain bike ride down Gold Camp Road, topped off by rock climbing Garden of the Gods.

Geocaching

It started with our leisurely treasure hunt around the grounds….


From there, we drove up North Cheyenne Cañon, grabbed our GPS units and hiked up Gold Camp Road, a former narrow gauged railroad bed that hauled ore from Cripple Creek to Colorado Springs. There were occasional patches of snow but when we crossed North Cheyenne Creek to start hiking the Seven Bridges Trail, I could have sworn we’d passed through an antique wardrobe into a frosty Narnia forest of ice demons, fairies and a snow queen.

We traversed a couple of the hike’s seven bridges before our GPS unit alerted us we were close to our cache…but then the arrow pointed us off-piste. And way up.

“Wait, we’re supposed to ditch the trail and hike straight up this steep slope?” I queried.

Audacious Hadley didn’t wait for the answer as she and our guide Kurt forged up the mountain in knee-deep snow. Bode and I (the more cautious ones) applauded their progress from the trail while Jamie (maybe the smartest of us all) rested on a boulder. 

And yep, that’s my kid in a T-shirt. She’s half-Canadian.

Mountain Biking

From there, we grabbed our mountain bikes. Though the pitch was moderate, the serpentine, mucky road’s precipitous cliffs and snowy patches still thrilled. I nervously barreled through pitch-black Tunnels 1 and 2 and I vowed to have my eyes checked after my blind foray with the dark side. 

At one point, Kurt pulled off the road, stashed his bike and beckoned us to follow him down the Columbine Trail, a route which leads all the way to the Starsmore Discovery Center at the base of North Cheyenne Cañon. We only hiked a couple of minutes but earned the view of a thousand hours of exertion. The canyon was a staggering cacophony of glimmering snow, velvet-green forests and Pikes Peak Granites’ milky and smoky quartz, pink feldspar and black mica.

From our perch, we could see where the mountains met the foothills and plains with The Broadmoor in the epicenter of it all.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is not my outdoor-loving family’s forté but I knew if we were to be successful, it would be with Broadmoor Outfitters.  We were given our choice of four main routes and I opted for the easiest with nothing to prove beyond having a positive experience and staying alive. Our guide climbed up and built an anchor off the bolts that are secured into the sandstone, gave us some final safety instructions and Hadley generously volunteered me as the guinea pig. Gingerly, I shouted “on belay” and started climbing.

Unlike North Cheyenne Cañon’s granite, Garden of the God’s blush-colored sandstone felt more forgiving with plenty of ledges to rest and “flakes” to grab onto. It didn’t take long before I summited and dizzy with excitement, I marveled at the expansive red-rock sea that had been created during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line millions of years ago.

The rappel down was my favorite part and I was greeted by a shocked Bode. “You didn’t think I could do it, did you?”

“I gave you about a 50-50 chance.” He looked ill with anxiety. Vertical rock climbing walls are the nemesis of a judicious kid.

Jamie at the summit

Jamie and Hadley easily reached the top but Hadley froze during the rappel and it took a while to coax her down. And then there was Bode. To combat his apprehension, he had been bouldering at the base envisioning himself as the first American Ninja Kid Warrior. When it was his turn, he tore up and down faster than anyone and was dumbfounded when his feet touched down.

I see a future for him on Mount Midoriyama.

Valentine’s Day Weekend

It was Valentine’s Day and after a full day playing in the outdoors, we were thrilled to have our first 5-star dining experience at The Broadmoor’s Penrose Room. The whole evening is a blur–from the moment we stepped off the elevator and Bode exclaimed, “this is faaaaaaancy,” to the Caesar salad they prepped right at our table to dancing to a live band with mortified Bode (Hadley was equally embarrassed to be swung around with her father) and being so proud of them for their good manners.

Of course, it helped that we had schooled them for a month about proper etiquette, threatening any lapse would be not “Penrose Worthy.”

I think it’s important to expose the kids to different beliefs so we opted to go to a non-denominational service at the Pauline Memorial Chapel located on property. The founder’s wife Julie Penrose oversaw its construction in 1919 and between the considerable collection of religious art and artifacts from Europe, dramatic bell tower and high high buttressed walls,  it reminded me of the early Christian basilicas. It was such a beautiful, moving experience!

The Broadmoor’s famous brunch wasn’t too bad, either. Unless you’ve spent the entire weekend stuffing your face with gourmet food.

At one point, Bode put down his fork, let out a big sigh and said, “I’m not full but my mouth is tired from having so much delicious food in it.”

First World Problems at The Broadmoor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: biking, Bode, Colorado, Family, Family travel, Hadley, hiking, Humor, outdoors

Happy 11th birthday letter to Hadley!

May 25, 2015 By

Dearest Hadley,

If I had two words to describe your 10th year of life, they would be GROWTH SPURT. You’ve always been tall but you hit puberty and shot up this year–you’re almost a full head taller than your friends and the second tallest kid in your class. I bought you size 5 running shoes several months ago and you complained they no longer fit. Assuming you were melodramatic, I procrastinated replacing them but imagine how badly I felt to learn you jumped up to a women’s size 8 shoe!

At Cinderella

You’ve had a wonderful, complicated year as a fifth grader and will sadly be leaving your beloved Waldorf school.

But it hasn’t been all bad. Having a teacher who can’t organize and manage your high-spirited class has perks like lack of accountability and non-stop chaos! The silver lining is the interventionist at your new school quickly determined you are a visual-spatial learner a.k.a. a “topsy-turvy kid” and it has opened up a new world of understanding and resources about how to help you succeed as a whimsical right-brained thinker among boring left-brained losers.

This also explains why you dominate me in every craft and art form known to (wo)man. You have a gift of making your surroundings beautiful. When I clipped some lilacs from our bush, I unceremoniously plopped them in a glass. You took the time to rifle through our China cabinet and find an ornate glass that doubled as a vase.

Before bedtime, you like to wind down at night by drawing magnificent landscapes and animals. One time, you were bored and didn’t know what to draw until you saw a cookbook Grandma B. had sent you so you spent the night etching mousse and seven-layer cakes. I hope your next endeavor will be cooking them and I’m happy you inherited another trait from your dad’s side of the family. I think it’s called a metabolism.

Thanks to your bestie London at school, you sang and danced in your first real play as Annette Funecillo in all her pink-eared Mousekeeteer glory. You also performed in your class play but had one of those blasted Sirens (mythological creatures that lured sailers to their death) lure you away and straight into a pole. You showed us that boring Greek Mythology is worthy of America’s Funniest Home Videos. 

You had a blast at overnight Camp Chief Ouray and are ecstatic to return to horseback ride for your third summer. You love volleyball, Fat Kitty, Clash of Clans, Harry Potter, carbs, swimming, your new queen-sized bed, leggings that double as pants (side note: they DON’T), The Broadmoor brrnch, pumpkin growing (within reason), travel, your church friends, wakeboarding and playing on our new trampoline even though gymnastics ain’t your forté. Congratulations on finally (kind of) mastering a somersault.

You thrive in the outdoors and though you complain when we drag you out, we can’t reel you back in to leave because you’re truly in your element. You’re in excellent shape after training for the multi-school Pentathlon the entire year and placed 1st in sprints, 2nd in the long-distance run and continue to dominate Bode daily in Greek Wrestling. It is your goal is to climb your first 14er (14,000-foot peak) this summer. There’s no question you’ll be ready but the bigger question is can your old, beleaguered parents keep up with you?

When I asked you the highlight of your year, you always turn to our travels and cited “Mexico,” followed by Canada, Utah and multiple ski trips that included Aspen, Crested Butte and Copper Mountain.

You love BYU TV’s sketch comedy troop Studio C and are developing a wicked sense of humor with impeccable timing–could improv be in your future?  Many of your friends and brother are tender, sensitive souls while you are a hilarious, bold, immutable spirit. You have no idea what you want to be when you grow up, but one thing I know for sure: you will be a force to be reckoned with.

You are a great skier…so  long as your parents aren’t around. When we were at Buttermilk, Dad and I were on the chairlift and saw you bombing down a black-diamond mogul run with your ski school chaps. As any good parents would do, we started cheering and catcalling, which caused you to lose focus and free-fall down the mountain before you finally regained your composure, thanked the heavens for your “wonderful” parents and kept skiing.

No matter where life leade you, we will always be your greatest cheerleaders–even during your worst wipe-outs–and particularly during the times when we’re the ones who cause them. Thanks for being patient with us.

Always remember that you are cherished, loved by your family, friends and most importantly, your Heavenly Father.

Love,

“Muz-eee-ar”

P.S. For a stroll down memory lane, read letters for your 11th birthday, 10th, 9th,  8th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd and your birth story.


Filed Under: birthday, Hadley

Yeah, what Bode said!

May 19, 2015 By

In our Sunday School class at church, our teacher shared a quote from Elder Marvin J. Ashton about the scribes and Pharisees who had brought before the Savior a woman taken in adultery. Their purpose was not to show love for either the woman or the Savior but to embarrass and trick Jesus…Jesus did not condone adultery but He chose to teach with love–to show the scribes and the Pharisees the need of serving the individual for her best good to show the destructive forces of trickery and embarrassment.

We were recently cleaning up from dinner and I asked Hadley to sweep the floor. She started complaining about one piece of cereal that was stuck to the floor–cereal that only Bode eats. “He’s soooooooo messy!!!” she complained.

My children are created equal as to their level of slobbery. Of course, both have varying degrees depending upon the situations but without fail, Hadley’s corner of the diner table is always the messiest.

I looked at her incredulously and quoted. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

They both stared at me, dumbfounded. Bode was the first to break the silence.

“I don’t know what that means but I’m going with Mom.”

 

Filed Under: Bode, Humor, LDS

The ultimate pampering…and dose of reality

May 18, 2015 By

I’m not in the practice of getting pampered so when I do, it is that much more special. And believe me when I tell you I received the ultimate services and treatments at Matthew Morris Salon and Skincare’s new RiNo “River North” location…which made my crash to reality that much greater.

But first, allow me to indulge you with the details of this 9-year-old salon’s second location in RiNo (River North). This area north of downtown defines “hip” with  creative businesses, funky art galleries and trendy restaurants housed in former warehouses tagged in “metropolitan art.” Just don’t call it graffiti because you’ll show you’ll show how unhip you are.

Enter: Little ‘ol unglamorous me. CLICK TO KEEP READING

 

Filed Under: Humor

Recital Stresses and Miracles

May 14, 2015 By

Last night the kiddos had their piano recital and we had a complete role reversal leading up to it. Normally, Bode is my go-getter and I can’t get him to stop practicing. However this time, one of his songs were really tough (Raider’s March from Raiders of the Lost Ark) and instead of delving in like he usually does, he avoided it whenever possible and really struggled as he tried to master it.

As of a week ago, he still couldn’t get through it without messing up and I started having Indy nightmares. And prayed. Big time. I scheduled an extra lesson with his piano teacher who offered to pull it from the program but I also felt strongly Bode should learn to work through it. A lot of things come easily for him and but I wanted him to work hard for something, struggle and overcome it.

Failure is not an option with that kid. He practiced right before we left for the recital and kept repeatedly messing up but when it came his turn to play, I saw him say a little prayer. He pulled it together and did a beautiful job.

I usually have to bribe Hadley because she doesn’t like piano and our deal is she can quit when she learns to play the church hymns. I’ve come so close to letting her quit many times because of the battles but last night made it all worth it. This past month, she caught fire and I haven’t been able to get her off the piano. Within the first week of receiving her songs, she almost had them memorized (Beethoven’s Fur Elise was her favorite) and her hard work payed off. Her teacher commented she had never seen her play so confidently and beautifully. There may be hope for her musical aspirations after all!

So many of our dearest church friends’ kids performed, which made the night even more special.

This is what happens when you  have them pose after the recital and not before: cookies busting out of their mouths.

Thankfully, they played better than they looked.

Filed Under: Bode, Hadley

Blood Sport a.k.a. Four Square

May 12, 2015 By

Bode has been begging me to have lunch with him in the cafeteria for a few weeks. I don’t care how busy you are, when your sweet third grader is is proud enough to share you with his buddies, you go.

I adore these friends of his. He’s been lucky enough to have three of his besties–Nicky, Kyler and Curtis–in his class. They practically fell over themselves trying to impress me and hung onto my every word as if I was the funniest woman on earth. Too bad they’re only a few decades too young; why couldn’t boys have been so enamored by me when I was their age? Oh yeah. It was because I was too busy showing them up.

All these boys are obsessed with Four Square. I don’t wanna brag but I was a pretty ferocious Four Squarer in my youth so after lunch, I followed them to the playground where the showdown began.

Competition isn’t the same as an adult. As a kid, it’s raw, pure and exhilaration in its purest form as you feel like you can conquer the world.

At a church activity a couple of weeks ago, I played volleyball with a group of kids and some killer Bolivians. We’d played wallyball a few weeks prior and had a blast! We were fierce but kept it fun for the kids so I chuckled when my friend Jenny came up to me the next day at church and said her husband had asked who I was, saying “She’s really competitive.” Little did he know I was placing nice.

There were no niceties on that playground for Four Square. Pretty much every single boy from third grade was in on the action and these kids were incredibly good. Bode was one of the best. With a July birthday, he’s one of the youngest and smallest but he’s smart and fast. Plus, he’s always practicing at home.

I fueled a childhood’s worth of adrenaline into that game and came out on top over and over again, reigning in the Head Square many rounds over. Just think: being beaten by not only a girl, but a MOM! My friend Julie later told me how good her son Nicky said I was and that she wanted to watch next time I played.  The other kids weren’t nearly as impressed. The next day when I dropped Bode off in his class, I smack-talked ‘em all. The smiles were gone.

Me thinks it will be a while before they invite me back.

 

Filed Under: Bode, Humor

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 10, 2015 By

I’ve been blessed with an amazing mom, mother-in-law and friends who are superb examples of what a noble and sacred calling motherhood really is. I absolutely love this quote:


“You will never be this loved again. So, on those days when you are feeling stressed out, touched out, and depleted, just remember that you will never be this loved again. One day you will long for their affection. So choose a soft voice, choose gentle hands, choose love.” -AK

I was recently talking to Bode about our summer plans and I told him that he and his sister were not going to wimp out at Elitch Gardens Theme Park. Last year, the park opened a new ride called the Brain Drain and they refused to go on this fun 7-story ride that does that sends riders forwards, backwards and head-over-heels in an adrenaline-packed 360° revolution. I’m a firm believer in pushing kids out of their comfort zones. However, I’m not out to traumatize them. At Disney, they go on rides far scarier and they drag me on Space Mountain (which I HATE).

A couple of years ago, my friend Tina made me ride the Mind Eraser at Elitch and it was 90 seconds of sheer hell. And swearing. Then repentance.  I’d never make them go on that.

But the Brain Drain is a nice, gentle introduction to Hades, without all the fire and brimstone. Bode doesn’t agree.

“Mom, I’m not going on the Brain Drain. You can’t force a child to do something.”

“I can and I will. It’s called motherhood.”

 

Filed Under: Bode, holidays, Humor

You make one little mistake and you get burned

May 7, 2015 By

I apparently made a cardinal sin last week: I accidentally woke up Hadley. On her day off.

In my defense, the kids have had lots of days and half-days off and it’s tough to keep track of their schedules, particularly because they go to different schools. And so yes, out of habit, I woke Hadley up.

I thought she’d gotten over it but apparently Bode hadn’t because I found this gem on his door on one of his vacation days:

No school. Don’t wake me up if you do you will be sorry. -Bode

 

The fire-breathing dragon was a nice touch.

Filed Under: Bode, Humor

Our busiest week of the year: survived!

May 5, 2015 By

We invited Jamie’s parents to fly to Denver from Utah on one of our busiest weeks of the year. And I guess that was the point because they saw our kids in action like never before–a play, Tech week, soccer, Pack meeting, carnival and so much. And, bless their hearts, they survived our week of insanity by being as gracious as ever.

It started with me putting Jamie’s mom Linda to work the first day she arrived by sewing on Bode’s Bobcat badge.
You know, the rank that he received a year ago. We’ll call that one a mom fail.

He was excited to have both of his grandparents in attendance to see him receive his Wolf rank.

Don’t worry, I had Linda sew that badge on before she left. :-)

For four months, Hadley has been rehearsing a play with Colorado Acts and she was thrilled to have Jamie’s family in attendance.

Lame little brother photobomb notwithstanding.

Not only did she learn to sing, dance and act but the kids helped to craft the script and costumes for their original production of “What’s so Fabulous About the ’50s?” Lead character Ms. Oswald taught her class how fabulous the 1950’s were while answering the burning questions: Why is Rizzo in such an awful mood? Will Penny ever find out how to help her friend? Will Johnny ever B. Goode?

Hadley played Annette Funicello.

If this acting thing doesn’t work out, she has a future as a Mouseketeer.

Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, Humor
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