Responsibility......What's that?
January 30-Feb 2

My first concert was when I was 14 and it was MXPX. My first experience with an old venue, sweaty people, smoke clouds, mosh pits and a range of language I wasn't used to, though I had a blast. In fact, I got into a fight with a girl who probably woulda killed me but I was there with my brothers so they were able to save me, while still allowing me to feel tough with at least one punch to the girl.

I went to a few more MXPX concerts which I loved and was sad when I heard they weren't going to play anymore. So I was so excited when my cousin Tyler said they were doing a reunion tour and were stopping in Colorado. Well I'm not a groupie but any reason to travel is good for me! So Mike, Michelle and I flew out to visit Tyler and see Denver Colorado. Sadly Dan couldn't go, he had to study hard for his CPA exams and his test was right around the corner.

We flew in on Thursday night, ate at a local Mexican dive and headed to the concert. It started out slow and I wondered if I was too old for this stuff but once they played and we hit the mosh pit I had a blast, though my body feels it a lot more than when I was 14.

Us with the lead singer of the band (Mike)

 

Michelle's first MXPX concert!

The next day we drove through the Rocky Mountains exploring, seeing wildlife and stopping at the famous Stanley Hotel. It is where Steven King got his inspiration for the Shining and also where Dumb and Dumber was filmed.  It's old and a little creepy but has always been on my bucket list, now to only stay the night!

Cool ice sculpture from our drive!

 

The Shining Hotel!

  

 

It was fun to see all the wildlife  

 

 

It was supposed to be an amazing view but there was crazy fog....still looked cool though

 

Saturday we went to a natural history museum which was actually a lot of fun and it was so cool to explore. We spent a few hours there then headed to see the Denver Avalanche Hockey team, part of the NHL. After that we walked all around Denver taking it all in. Sadly we had to leave on Sunday but it was an awesome weekend getaway to see our cousin...and act like a 14 year old again.

Thanks for a great weekend Tyler!

Having fun at the Museum of Nature and Science 

Tyler the only one successful at docking the space shuttle

 

Mike and Michelle

 

Michelle and LJ

Pepsi Center NHL game:

Denver Avalanche vs Buffalo Sabres

Birthday Extravaganza
January 19, 2014

Lucky for us, Dan's birthday always falls on the long weekend in January. This time the whole family was able to make it up to the cabin to celebrate. It was the perfect way to start out the New Year and for Dan to make his big 2-9 debut! That's right...Dan is officially an old man at 29, one more year left and I might have to start looking for a younger model ;), kidding of course ha ha.

We had so much fun with everyone there, the weather was beautiful and perfect and I felt as if no time was wasted. We made an awesome sledding hill with a jump at the bottom that made more than one person cry. Dan also made a really cool ice igloo. I started to help but gave up and watched from the hot tub. We even made it snowmobiling. Except for the part where our little niece decided to try swinging from the kids rope with her teeth (she lost two of them), it was an amazing weekend and a perfect way to celebrate Dan's birthday. Love that guy!

Cute Olivia ready to play in the snow!

 

Taislee is so adorable!

 

Our sweet jump we made! 

 

 

Noah fell asleep while everyone went snow mobiling

Dan cooking up some Carne Asada

 

The kids loved the play room

 

Ciana decided to use her teeth to swing from the rope.....she didn't like it

 

Noah is getting so big!

 

La Familia de Flores

Happy Birthday Ciana and Dan!

 

Mexican tradition to smash their face into the cake

 

Jamee, McCoy, Rique, Taislee and Enrique...such a cute family! 

 

Viejo y su mujer ;)