Family Christmas 2019 – Planning and Executing

Family Christmas 2019 – Planning and Executing

Comments 0 Comment

When planning for this Christmas, I wanted to make sure that good times were had by all. In my opinion, the experience during a holiday will always trump the material things received, and I wanted to make this a memorable event for all. The planner in me wanted to have everything laid out with an itinerary that kept everyone entertained, not bored, but also not stressed. Over-scheduling is always exhausting and not scheduling enough will always have bored guests. We…

Read More Read More

Hosting the perfect family Christmas

Hosting the perfect family Christmas

Comments 0 Comment

I am usually one of those people who has to have everything happen on a schedule, in a very specific manner, and I feel like I should do everything in order to maintain the level of control needed to ensure perfection. Needless to say, that can become very stressful and exhausting when hosting enough people. And on top of all that, I have found in the past, that I miss out on everything since I am so busy making sure…

Read More Read More

zhoughtelin
Biking @ the Grand Canyon

Biking @ the Grand Canyon

Comments 0 Comment

This weekend, we decided to brave the cold temperatures (low 14/ high 42) and head up to the Grand Canyon for some camping and adventuring. We found some dispersed camping in Tusayan off of Forest Service Rd 302. The camping here is PERFECT! Each site has a fire ring ready for an awesome camp fire, snow covered space and pine trees galore. This area is impeccably serene, inspiring and invigorating. We sat around the fire for a couple hours, eating…

Read More Read More

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 7

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 7

Comments 0 Comment

RETURN HOME ON AMTRAK Day 7!! WOOHOO!!! We took yesterday off to explore Dana Point and spend time with friends. Today, we head home. Thank you California for a wonderful trip!! Would we do this again? ABSOLUTELY!! We are already planning our next trip! I think we might do some small day trips in the next few weeks. We’ll keep y’all posted!! Keep on Adventuring! <3

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 5

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 5

Comments 0 Comment

Long Beach to Dana Point Distance – 38.25 Miles Elevation Gain – 1193 ft Average Speed – 9.3 mph Duration – 4:07:31 Day 5 was another successful endeavor! We began our day at another bike shop, for equipment solutions, and a park! Max had a blast enjoying yet another playground while we were at the bike shop. We had some serious ground to cover today, as well as our highest elevation climb of the trip. We made a couple of…

Read More Read More

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 4

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 4

Comments 0 Comment

Venice Beach to Long Beach Distance – 35.23 Miles Elevation Gain – 750ft Average Speed – 9.1 mph Duration – 3:52:01 Day 4 we had a super late start due to equipment failure. We had to swing through a couple different bike shops to remedy the situation before the day’s ride. We stopped at a playground to start the day off correctly and began our trek. We were able to experience Venice Beach, Redondo Beach and Shoreline Village in Long…

Read More Read More

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 3

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 3

Comments 0 Comment

Thornhill Broome State Beach Campground to Venice Beach Distance – 36.59 Miles Elevation Gain – 884ft Average Speed – 8.7 mph Duration – 4:48:50 Day 3 winds were rough again, but we were able to enjoy the scenery of Malibu, Santa Monica and Oxnard before arriving at Venice Beach. Climbing those hills against the wind has to be one of the most challenging things we have done together. It was an amazing experience to add to our family timeline. <3…

Read More Read More

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 2

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 2

Comments 0 Comment

Carpenteria State Beach to Thornhill Broome State Beach Campground Distance – 43.95 Miles Elevation Gain – 920ft Average Speed – 8.7 mph Duration – 5:04:16 Day 2 was challenging as well as rewarding. Upon waking up, we packed up quickly, utilized the showers at Carpenteria State Park (coin operated and SUPER convenient), and set out to conquer the next section of our ride. Our goal for the day, was to make it to Point Mugu State Park for the night….

Read More Read More

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 1

Pacific Coast Highway Bike Trip – Day 1

Comments 0 Comment

Santa Barbara to Carpenteria State Beach Distance – 12.31 Miles Elevation Gain – 314ft Average Speed – 9.0 mph Duration – 1:20:33 For our first day, we decided to keep it simple and only ride to the first camp ground we could find hiker/biker camping. We left Santa Barbara, embarked on our first family bike tour with our two year old, and rode south to Carpenteria State Park. There, we were able to secure a hiker/biker camp site for only…

Read More Read More

zhoughtelin zahirahoughtelin
Greeley Annual Tradition

Greeley Annual Tradition

Comments 0 Comment

Friday, we got to participate in Downtown Greeley’s annual tradition of Greeley Lights the Night. Greeley Lights the Night is a time honored tradition that dates back 21 years to 1995. The 21st Annual Greeley Lights the Night Parade took place on November 26th from 5:30 – 7:00PM. The parade began at 9th Avenue and 15th Street and ended at Lincoln Park with a lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa Claus. Over 60 lighted entries highlighted the parade, which was presented…

Read More Read More

zhoughtelin z houghtelin zahirahoughtelin
Fresh Air is a Fundamental Right

Fresh Air is a Fundamental Right

Comments 0 Comment

WARNING: RANT AHEAD~ When I step outside, the LAST thing I want to smell is the smoke coming out of somebody’s cigarette. Everywhere you look, buildings have signs asking patrons to kindly PLEASE refrain from smoking within a 15 ft radius of the front door… there is very sound and logical reasoning behind this! By refusing to adhere to these standards and smoking right next to the front door, you are essentially saying, “FUCK YOU” to anybody who doesn’t want…

Read More Read More

zhoughtelin zahirahoughtelin
Camping & Presidential Rally

Camping & Presidential Rally

Comments 0 Comment

This past weekend was nice and action-packed, lol. We started the weekend off with Camping at Jack’s Gulch, in Poudre Canyon, with Uncle Scott and Aunt April. It was the last weekend that this campground was open for the season. They will reopen next year on May 26th. “Jacks Gulch Campground is located adjacent to the Pingree Park Road (CR63E) and the Old Flowers Road. It is situated in a ponderosa pine forest setting with scattered clones of aspen. It is…

Read More Read More

zhoughtelin zahirahoughtelin
Blue Agave – 16th Street Mall

Blue Agave – 16th Street Mall

Comments 0 Comment

Friday, Josh and I went with some friends and family to the soft opening for the Blue Agave in Downtown Denver on 16th street. It is located next to the Cheesecake Factory at the 16th Street Mall in LoDo. The Blue Agave is a contemporary southwestern grill that operates out of a scratch kitchen. They currently have two locations: one in Fort Collins  and another in Downtown Denver. Josh and I have been to the location in Fort Collins, and LOVED it,…

Read More Read More

zhoughtelin
Oh, To Feel Like A Kid Again <3

Oh, To Feel Like A Kid Again <3

Comments 0 Comment

Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens and Zombie Crawl Downtown Denver? Yes, Please! This past weekend, Josh and I had some friends over from out of state. We decided to hit up Elitch Gardens on Friday night and then The Zombie Crawl in Downtown Denver on Saturday. We were going to kick it like we were teenagers again. We started off our Friday at the Tilted Kilt in Greeley from some drinks, appetizers and some games. Zech, Josh and I played a couple…

Read More Read More

Moving In

Moving In

Comments 0 Comment

Earlier this month, Josh and I moved into our new apartment in Greeley, CO. We actively made the decision to travel, explore and experience as many places as we can while we try to start a family. Greeley is the first of many since we have already lived in Colorado Springs, Aurora, Littleton and Wellington, among some other places outside of Colorado. After Greeley, we are definitely trying out some new states and maybe some new countries. 🙂 The apartment…

Read More Read More