Colorado {CSU Football}

Saturday was the main event - the very first ever game at the new on-campus Colorado State Stadium!  The game was sold out and you could feel the excitement in the air as everyone got there early to tour the grounds and take pictures.  The stadium is beautiful {for $220 million, I would hope so} and there's a fun energy knowing that you're right on campus with all the students and fans.  Our seats were pretty high up and when there was no cloud cover it was about 100 degrees in the bright Colorado sunshine {needless to say, we were sweaty}.  For the first ever game, they asked the fans to "stripe the stadium", wearing either green or white depending on the section you were sitting in, and it made for a fun look when checking out your surroundings.  It was also military appreciation day at the field, and at the end of the National Anthem there was a big flyover of military planes along with a very cool military helicopter.  About halfway thru the 2nd half, Dad and I needed a respite from the heat {and were starving} so we ventured over to the other side to wait in a 40 minute line for a cheeseburger and Old Aggie - the new lager from New Belgium specifically celebrating CSU.  While the line was long, it was nice to get out of the sun for a bit :)  We braved the heat until the very end of the game to watch CSU beat Oregon State 58-27, an impressive win over a Pac-12 team in the first game of the football season.  Whether it was the adrenaline of a sold out crowd or just an awesome football team, it was so fun to watch the boys in green looking so dominant out on the field.  Going to this game is something I'll remember forever, and I'm so glad I got to witness it with my dad :)

 in front of the rocky mountain rumble statue

 the gorgeous on campus stadium

 crowds as far as the eye can see

 flyovers for military appreciation day

 csu marching band

 naming the field for sonny

 first touchdown!

 a glass of old aggie to try to cool down

 rams win!

 the team and the band singing the fight song

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Colorado {Pregame}

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early in Fort Collins, Colorado to be part of CSU history - the first game in the brand new on-campus stadium.  We arrived at my alma mater pretty early and proceeded to walk around campus taking in all the memories.  We started out at Lory Student Center for a quick trip through the bookstore, then headed outside where we ran right into the CSU marching band and flag holders performing right in front of us.  We then headed over to the stadium area which now houses the Iris & Michael Smith Alumni Center.  We walked into the air conditioned building which was having it's own mini tailgate for alumni and friends - how cool that this is right at the stadium?!?  Afterwards we wandered around the stadium where we ran smack into one of the biggest CSU legends - Cam the Ram!  Hardly anyone else was around and though I've tried for years before, I finally was able to get a picture with the mascot himself.  It was a highlight for sure :)  It was a great morning hanging out with my dad getting ready for the main event - the game!

 the coolest bike path labels

 witnessing the first fans going into the new stadium!

 playing around on the practice field

so so happy - cam the ram!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Colorado {Old Town}

 

Friday morning Dad & I got up bright and early to catch our flight to Denver for another Father/Daughter football trip {and we were rockin' our Seahawks gear for Blue Friday, of course}.  By the time we finally got up to Fort Collins in the afternoon, we checked into our hotel then headed to my favorite part of town, Old Town.  We wandered through the new bookstore to pick out our shirts for Saturday's game, then headed down to Austin's, one of my favorite restaurants from college.  We grabbed a beer {Easy Street Wheat with an orange slice - perfection} and a lot of food {we hadn't eaten since the airport early in the morning} and lingered at our table outside for as long as possible.  Afterwards, we wandered around the square before finding an outdoor bar playing the Seahawks game.  It was a great first night in one of my favorite cities :)

 awesome sidewalk art in old town

 one of my all time favorite beers

 austin's!

 dinner salad

 grilled bison meatloaf

 hawks + old aggie lager

these kiddos were having the best time at this splashpad

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Go Rams!

For the second year in a row, Dad and I are headed off to Fort Collins for a Father-Daughter bonding trip filled with football, breweries, reminiscing - and if we're lucky, matching shirts :)  I can't wait to see the Rams new on-campus stadium and cheer them on to victory!  Have a great weekend, and Go Rams!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roofin'

Last week after work I came home to the best birthday present ever - Dad & Randy putting a new roof on my shed!  This has been a long time coming - the old roof was covered in a huge climbing rose bush and full of holes {most likely attracting critters hoping to get away from the rain} so when asked what I wanted for my birthday this year, I didn't even have to think about it before responding with "a new roof for the shed".  Dad and Randy probably were not super pumped that they volunteered to do this while I was away at work, and though it took the better part of the day and a lot of sweat and sore muscles, I can honestly say it looks perfect and professional.  Maybe a new career is in their future? :)  They worked so hard that I treated them to dinner and beers afterwards at the Fisherman's Terminal, and though I could never fully repay them for all their hard work, I absolutely love the new roof and am so thankful to have the best family and friends to help a girl out on this crazy experience of being a single homeowner.  Thanks guys - it looks beautiful!!

 a trailer full of old roof and rose bushes

 putting on the final touches!

xoxo,
stephanie marie