an Escape to Estes

Two weekends ago was parents weekend! My family has started a tradition where instead of going to the football game, we go to Estes Park for the day. After spending the morning studying physiology, my mom, dad, and Brandon came up for a day of enjoying cooler mountain air and strolling Main Street. I called Grammy and Poppop and asked them to join us as well!

On our way to grab some lunch, we ran into some elk. One got rather close to dad and Brandon and a wildlife ranger came and told them to step away. I wish I would have gotten a picture of how close it was to them!

You can see some baby elk relaxing in the grass. Also, fun fact- I've hiked that mountain in the background!

A tiny bit of green summer leaves hanging on tight to their chlorophyll before relinquishing the power to the beautiful yellow and orange foliage.

My favorite stop of the day was an old time candy store. There was so many different kinds of candy, including my favorite Haribo peaches and grapefruit slices, and cherry sours. We all found fun treats, some new to us, like the Abba-Zaba. Honestly, I just got it because it said Abba, and we all know how much I adore ABBA.

I'm so glad that Grammy and Poppop were able to join us. I love getting to spend time with them.

Mom, Grammy, and I wandered around some stores while the guys sat and checked on football scores, eating their candy.

It was the perfect fall day, filled with late afternoon pumpkin spice lattes, shopping for new winter Patagonia fleeces, and dinner in Lyons. Grateful for each day I get to enjoy my family!

xo
Hannah

15th Grade

Late August is upon us and alas, school is back in action. I am in disbelief that I am a college junior and try not to think about it frequently. However, I have a unshakable feeling that this year is going to be the best yet and we are only three days deep.

Let's start with an end of summer recap. 

The last part of July, my family took a trip to Disneyland and it was magical in every which way. 

I took my Wyldlife gals to camp and had a blast with them, from horseback riding and canoeing to doing the high ropes, jumping in the lake, and dancing to taking on dares and swimming in the pool.

I wound up with a terrible case of pancreatitis after a GI surgery.

I moved into a new apartment with the best roommates ever!!

There was a zebra at church, which is very photoworthy. 

Mackenzie and I rocked it as Gloria and Ernie for the YoungLife College manhunt.

YoungLife College went to the Grizzly Rose and all us Longmont Wyldlife leaders went together and were looking mighty fine, if you ask me.

And now classes are in full swing. I am taking human physiology, organic chemistry + lab, an upper division narrative writing class, and abnormal psychology. So far, I love them all, even ochem!! Just give it a week and I will probably be feeling different lol. Coming back to school always brings some reluctance on my part, but now that I'm here, the rhythm is picking up and I am loving it. Maybe this year will finally be the year I get my blogging groove back, but let's not make any promises! Grateful for a great first week and the hope I have for a great year.

xo
Hannah