Friends, Family, and "Fourteen-ers"

R's birthday was about 2 weeks ago and that's when my last post was. Oopsie. Sorry, I just haven't really felt inspired lately to blog, but I will update you fully with this post. My last post was about R's special birthday dinner. That weekend was filled with lots more fun and friends (pictures to follow). We visited the Denver Oktoberfest which was complete with steins, beer, sausages, sauerkraut, keg bowling, wiener dog races, stein hoisting, and lederhosen. Our friend A joined us and we had a great time eating too much and trying not to use the questionable port-a-potties. We also succeeded in scoring a free stein since we really wanted a ceramic one, but received a glass one originally. A random employee was kind enough to just give us another one than trade!

 <Free stein!>

 <Keg bowling>

 <Appropriate serving sizes for rice krispie treats ;)>

 <Disclaimer: you are probably too weak to do this more than 30 seconds, myself included>

 <Celebrating the birthplace of Oktoberfest>

 <Turkey legs a la smoked>

<After dancing to the "Hokey Pokey" with A>

Since 2 weekends have passed from my previous blog, you'll get extra the pictures and updates! This past weekend was complete with reaching the summit of a 14,000 foot mountain called Pikes Peak and seeing my Uncle L and his new wife C! 

We rode the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak with beautiful views on the way up and down (unfortunately heavy snowfall and low visibility at the top). If you're ever in the Colorado/Manitou Springs area of CO, you should definitely consider doing this! We munched on goodies at a fondue restaurant and saw the sights with Uncle L and C. So glad to have family nearby to visit and meet new loved ones!

 <Waterfall on the way up>

 <The railway ahead of us>

 <Lonely house on the mountain>

 <10,000 feet>

 <View of the Springs>

 <Snow cap>

 <Lake made from a glacier>

 <Very windy>

 <14,000 feet!>

 <Brrr, 12 degrees and snowing at the top>

 <Train>

 <The original summit house constructed in 1873>

<Sun finally peeking out>

<On the way down>

 

 <It snowed in the 30 minutes we were at the top>

 <Aspens changing in the fall>

 <Do you fondue?>

 <Garden of the Gods>

 <Windy?>

 <Self explanatory>

 <Named "Kissing Camels" for the rock formation on the top>

 <Holding up the "Balancing Rock">

<Uncle L, C, and R>

<Parting shot-Pikes Peak from a distance>

 

I hope this satisfies your voracious appetite for all K and R travels! Our current adventure will soon be ending as my contract is up November 2. I'm negotiating for a new contract currently, so please keep us in your prayers. Hawaii is our first choice, but Texas or Wisconsin will suffice! ;) As always, thanks for supporting, loving, and caring.

With much love,

K