"Yeah. We're In The Rockies!"

*This post is full of made-up words. So, for your convenience I have provided a “key” of sorts at the bottom of the post.

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Colorado with my parents for one of Dad’s many fabulous business trips…well, fabulous if you’re not stuck in meetings and such… So, basically Madre¹ and I had a blast!

We went with Dad on the same trip a year ago, so we were looking forward to revisiting some of our favorite places, as well as discovering some new ones.

Goodbye, my beautiful mountains! I heart you!

HEL-LO, Rockies (and mucho² dirty airplane window)!

I love the patchwork-quiltiness³ of aerial views. It’s like a toy car mat!

Ok, I seriously love this area of the Denver International Airport. I’m a “natural light” person and I mucho² love this vaulted-ceiling-tent thing they've got goin’ on.

Behold, the inside of our rental car: GMC Yukon aka Dad’s new dream car. He was on Cloud 9 at the wheel of that beast. That nifty little GPS stuck to the windshield is who (not what) we like to call Dorothy…haha, get it?

Madre Vanna-ing⁴ The Beast. (P.S. How cool do you have to be to have your name turned into a verb?)

First stop, Downtown Denver. We didn’t have a chance to go here last year so we were quickly coined as the wide-eyed tourists with my SLR clicking a mile a minute. Too bad I forgot my Hawaiian shirt and socks-with-sandals combo…Bummer!

I don’t know which cities to compare Denver too. It’s Salt Lakesque⁵ in size, but culturally very different. I guess you could say it’s a city all its own.

I love the subtle artistic touches. We should all incorporate a little more Renoir into our daily lives. That’s what I always say…ok, not really, but I do love art!

And, of course, the best part was the uniquely painted pianos dotting the sidewalks of the 16^th Street Mall. Genius idea!

And here we have the Denver Capitol Building.

I thought these buildings were perdy⁶ cool…and suddenly I was craving waffles... ;)

TAH-DAH! Guess what we found on 16^th Street? Mad Greens! We fell in love with this place on our last visit, so the first thing I did off the plane was Google-text the closest location. YUM!

On the road to Boulder.

Whoever designed the lobby of our hotel is brilliant. It was very inviting, cozily-lit, and contemporary.

Here’s a view from our mini-balcony.

After we got settled in, we decided to go see a movie. I know, right? Nothing says, “Welcome to this new and exciting city!” like sitting in a dark room with your eyes glued to a big screen.

Madre wanted to see Toy Story 3…so we did. Then Dad wanted to see Prince of Persia…so…we got ourselves the world’s most succulent subway sandwiches from Firehouse Subs and snuck them into Dad’s movie! I recommend the Chicken Salad Sub with the works. YUM!

Both movies were fabulous! I absolutely recommend Prince of Persia. The storyline was mysterious, intriguing, and action-packed…not to mention, Jake Gyllenhaal’s arms were, in fact, massive! And then, there’s the ever-lovable Toy Story 3. How many times can I recommend this epic movie on my blog? At least one more! Go see it!

The next morning, I slept in. (Hallelujah Chorus) And Madre, being the loving person that she is, volunteered to go down to the lobby and bring back some breakfast for us. I had to take a picture, cause…well…that’s what I do with my food. Plus, it was delicious.

Then, we went out exploring and found this beautiful view of Boulder's epic Flatiron Moutains. Aren't they cool?!

I had a strange desire to walk around the Colorado University campus. I kind of have a fascination with seeing what “the college experience” is like for people in various places.

Go Buffalo!

This is what I would look like as an art student at the U of C. Isn’t their Art Building beautiful? I love the architecture.

The thing that I thought was awesome about the U of C campus is that ALL of the buildings were made of the same brick. How smart! I love the way they all matched each other. It was very unifying.

It wouldn’t be a "Lindsay Kay Vacation" without my signature photo of a squirrel!

I think this li'l fella was plum tuckered.

The entrance to the campus library.

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling inspired to learn!

My drawing class days have given me an appreciation for perspective shots.

After we walked our feet off, Madre and I were pretty hungry, so again we ventured to Mad Greens. This time I got the Marilyn Monroe Panini: sun roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, smoked turkey and pesto sauce. Uh, can you say “Holy brilliant combo, Batman!”?

Then, after walking around a bit more we decided to Google-text the nearest Frozen Yogurt: Boulder Chill! Cake Batter and Chocolate-somethin’ with a side of coconut. Madre got something fruity, as usual, like Strawberry with a side of raspberries.

And, just because there was a Great Harvest nextdoor, we got a free slice of freshly-made deliciousity⁷!

Finally, we had a little time to relax so we pulled out our books and basked in the warmth of the lobby while waiting for our room to finish being cleaned.

I’m (still) reading Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian. In fact, my nephew has given me a two-week deadline to finish so he can borrow it and read it again. Haha! How generous. I better get crackin’.

We checked to see if our room was finished being cleaned, but it wasn’t, so we waited on the stairs for a few more minutes. Then, we crashed for a couple of hours.

YAY! Time to pick up Dad from meetings.

We made our way to Boulder Creek. This is the place where we saw three or four couples walking their horse-dogs⁸! I guess Boulderians⁹ have a thing for massive pooches.

This quote was engraved on a memorial bench along the creek.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

We saw people rope-swinging and several others tubing and kayaking down the creek. It looks like a river to me, but whatever. Next time I’m bringing a tube…

...then again, this is where we saw the nude hobo…so, maybe I’ll just stick to the hotel pool.

Then, we made our merry way to the Twenty Ninth Street outdoor mall for, again, FIREHOUSE SUBS!

I got the same thing cause I’m adventurous like that.

Someone was even nice enough to park my Mini Cooper in the covered-lot for me.

How sweet ;)

This is basically where the trip ends (mwer mwer mwawr¹⁰). For the rest of the evening the parentals¹¹ made flight and travel preparations and we took off bright and early the next morning.

Check out that Boulderian⁹ sunset!

The sunrise the next morning at like…5:30AM!

Back at the Tipiesque¹² Denver Airport.

AH! Clouds. My heart. These airplane guys seriously need to consider cleaning their windows.

Back home again…if that statement makes you as bummed as it does me, then you’ll be happy to know that the San Diego business trip is two weeks away! WAHOO!

¹ Madre – a reader asked me recently why I call my mom “Madre.” It is, afterall, the Spanish word for “mother.” However, other than that, I’m just known for having an abundance of strange nicknames for my close relations.

² mucho – here I go using Spanish words again. “Mucho” is the Spanish word for “much” and I guess that I’ve just made a habit of speaking Spanglish on a regular basis to mix things up a bit.

³ pathchwork-quiltiness – having the look or feel of a patchwork quilt.

⁴ Vannaing – referring the displaying-gesture made by Vanna White, assistant to Pat Sajak on The Wheel of Fortune game show.

⁵ Salt Lakesque – having the look or feel of Salt Lake, the capitol city of Utah.

⁶ perdy – an unusual way to say the word “pretty.”

⁷ deliciosity – having an abundance of deliciousness.

⁸ horse-dogs – referring to dogs that are as big as horses

⁹ Boulderians – a person, place or thing from Boulder, Colorado

¹⁰ mwer mwer mwawr – depicting the sound a trumpet makes when something disappointing happens. Most often heard in cartoons.

¹¹ parentals – an unusual way to say “parents.” Originally coined by my friend Lindsey.

¹² Tipiesque – having the look or feel of a Native American tipi dwelling.

Wow, suddenly lunch is soundin' real good. Have a perdy⁶ day, folks!

My 3rd Eye - Day 40: Hometown Heroes

This morning Madre, Dad and I went to our neighbor’s annual flag raising ceremony. I’ve never taken the opportunity to go before, but I’m glad that I did.

Truly, The Independence Days of years past haven’t been much more to me than a chance to watch parades and fireworks, listen to John Phillip Sousa, eat hotdogs, attend carnivals, and occasionally put my hand over my heart. Unfortunately, until now I’ve missed out on the true unity, honor, patriotic-pride and sacredness of the birthday of our beloved country.

Several weeks ago, I sat in the passenger seat of my friend Devin’s car as we drove to get ice cream and talk, just like the good ol’ days. The following Sunday, Devin would be deployed to Iraq to serve our country.

“Are you scared?” I asked him quietly. “Honestly? I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t nervous.”

For as long as I’ve known Devin he has been enraptured with an ambition to serve his country in the armed forces. He has the ability to see the good in everything and everyone and reminds me of my own each time I begin to doubt it. It is for these reasons among many that he is absolutely my hero and one of my very best friends.

In our high school history class we were assigned to present on The Bill of Rights and the first amendment of the Constitution. I remember how inadequate I felt during that presentation. I’ve never been very good at regurgitating historical facts. Devin was the opposite and, unknowingly, opened my eyes to the truly miraculous freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.

I am grateful for the divine inspiration given to our devoted forefathers, as they laid the foundations of this free land. I am grateful for the courageous men and women who have heroically given themselves to the cause of liberty, justice and independence, both today and in years past.

Today as the boy scouts carefully unfurled the banner of our freedom and raised its stars and stripes up the flagpole while Jack Tueller, a pilot of WWII, played those well-rehearsed taps on his old trumpet, my heart burned with pride for the unity and freedom we enjoy in this land each and every day.

May we, as citizens of the United States of America, continually strive to strengthen and maintain that unity each day of our lives and pray for the safety of our beloved soldiers.

God Bless America.

My 3rd Eye - Day 39: Tell Me The Stories of Jesus

T

This photo reminded me of one of my favorite talks from this past General Conference.

Read it here

My 3rd Eye - Day 38: Banner of the Brave

My invincible friend and hero, since the first day of sophomore year math class, was deployed to Iraq two weeks ago and suddenly this holiday has taken on a whole new emotion for me. God bless the brave men and women who fight each day to keep our freedoms and secure our safety.

To all of you who are family or friends to a soldier, my heart and prayers go out to you and your loved one faithfully serving this free land. Thank you!

My 3rd Eye - Day 37: Backyard Movie

On Friday night I hostessed a backyard BBQ/Movie Date Night. It was a blast, I tell you! I will post more pictures from this and other fabulous 4^th of July weekend celebrations soon.

First I have to update you about Wyoming and Colorado and the last shoots of the late Lindsay Kay Photography. So much catching up to do, so little time. I’ll do my best!

20 points if you can name the movie we're watching!

My 3rd Eye - Day 36: Birthday Wish

We celebrated my brother-in-law, Joseph's birthday this past week...and yes, the cake is as amazing as it looks. He and my sister sure know how to bake. YUM!

Happy Birthday, Broseph!

Smiling.O.L.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

The most pungent of household cleaners,

infused with all of the world's most soapy chemicals ever concocted,

applied to the most bristly of scrubby Scotch sponges

used by the strongest of men with an over-abundance of serious elbow grease

could never wipe this smile off of my face!

Sweet dreams, everyone!

Life is fabulous!

P.S. Yes. I did just check my own "Smiling.O.L." box!

My 3rd Eye - Day 34: Cherry-O

Um.

I don't like them maraschino'd or pie-filling'd (aka disgustingly tainted), but I love fresh cherries with an unwavering passion I can hardly put into words. Mother Nature was indeed the first inventor of our beloved "candy."

Drool on, blog world.

Pristine Patio

Yesterday, Madre and I went cleaning crazy all over the not-so-pleasant patio. It was surprisingly exhilarating and we got SO MUCH done...not to mention, SO MANY allergies! Blah. It's still not “picture perfect,” but I think it's absolutely perfect for barbecuing and that's just what we did! I love eating outside during the summer!

YAY for BBQ SEASON!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Voilé

Random Thought-Provoking Questions

I read these today and had to share them with you. Enjoy!

Why is "abbreviation" such a long word?

If Pinocchio said, “My nose is about to grow,” what would happen?

If hamburgers are made of beef, what would you call a burger made of ham?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up, like, every two hours?

If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?

How many people thought of the Post-It note before it was invented but just didn't have anything to jot it down on?

Why does "dyslexia" have to be so hard to spell?

And why does "lisp" have to have an "s" in it?

Why do "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?

If a synchronized swimmer drowns, what does their partner do?

If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

If quitters never win, and winners never quit, where did the phrase "Quit while you're ahead" come from?

Why doesn't Superglue stick to the inside of the tube?

Why does your nose run and your feet smell?

If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

What level of importance must a person have, before they are considered "assassinated" instead of just "murdered"?

If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

Why are they called "marbles" if they're made of glass?

How come you play at a recital, but recite at a play?

If a fork were made of gold would it still be considered silverware?

If chocolate comes from a cocoa bean...is it a vegetable?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings, put money in binoculars and look at things on the ground?

Which way does a compass point in outer space?

If the plural of “tooth” is “teeth,” why isn't the plural of “booth” “beeth”?

Why is it that it’s good to score under par in golf but its bad to be "under par" in any thing else?

Why is "Charlie" short for "Charles" if they are both the same number of letters?

Why is it called a TV set when there is only one?

If our body temperature is normally 98.6 degrees, how come when it's 98 degrees outside, no one is comfortable?

questions via

(proof-read, edited and one or two added by me)