Labor Day Weekend {In Pictures}

{teaching c to love my team}

 {making investments in the house}

 {hallway touch-ups}

 {impromptu saturday date night}

 {dessert to go}

 {sunset drinks}

 {snuggle buddies}

 {homemade margaritas}

 {sunday bbq'ing for labor day}

 {bbq chicken + shrimp salad}

{monday night blt}

I hope you had a great long weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Colorado {Big City Burrito & The Klosterman's}

Our last {and arguably most important} stop in Fort Collins was lunch at Big City Burrito.  We decided to split the infamous potato burrito since we knew dinner was not far off, but we couldn't leave town without this deliciousness.  After waiting in line and getting our order to go, we headed back to The Oval just like last year for a quick lunch on the grass.  It's one of my most favorite parts of campus and I love how quiet and serene it is on a Sunday afternoon.  After our burritos {just as good as I remembered!} we headed south for a quick meet up with The Klosterman's.  We were introduced to the newest member of their family, 4lb Charlotte, then headed out to Miner's, one of their favorite local pubs for an early dinner.  Even though it was brief, I love seeing those kiddos as much as possible and always wish we had more time.  Thanks for an awesome trip Dad - can't wait til next year!

 abby & charlotte

oh lord, he's almost as tall as me!

Until next time, Colorado :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Colorado {New Belgium Brewing}

Our first stop on Sunday morning before leaving Fort Collins was New Belgium Brewing.  Going to this spot is always my favorite and reminds me why I love Fort Collins {and the original craft beer}.  We got to the brewery right as they were opening and grabbed a few seats at the inside bar {it was getting into the 90's outside so we opted for the a/c}.  As it is with just about everyone that works for New Belgium, we were served by the nicest guy who was willing to recommend beers and chat with us about everything from football to fishing in the PNW.  When I was informed my favorite Sunshine Wheat was no longer being made all year round, I felt like crying but instead decided to expand my palate and filled up my tasting glasses with Fat Tire White, Tartastic, Trippel, and Voodoo Ranger 8 Hop Pale Ale.  I love sitting at the counter and tasting different beers that I normally wouldn't try, and our awesome bartender even gave me a few extra tastes just to compare.  Halfway through our tasting, either because he liked us or we looked bored, he brought us Close the Box, a kid's game that makes an excellent and easy bar game to pass the time {and though we never actually closed the box, Dad downloaded the app on his phone and has since won the game twice!  Beware - it's addictive}.  I can't travel to Fort Collins and miss out on a trip to New Belgium so I'm happy that even with our tight schedule we made time to relax and taste at my favorite brewery.  

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Colorado {Sonny Lubick Steakhouse}

Saturday after the game, we headed back to the hotel to cool down and freshen up before heading out to dinner at Sonny Lubick Steakhouse.  We were a bit early, so after wandering around Old Town for a bit, we decided to go to the bar at the restaurant to grab a drink before dinner.  As we walked into the place, I joked with Dad that Sonny might be there since he was at the game that day, and as we walked into the bar, we almost ran right into Sonny himself!  I've always been a fan of CSU's winningest football coach who was ending his career while I was in school, and as we ordered our drinks, I was completely awestruck being just a few feet away from him.  After half a martini and encouragement from Dad, I finally got the nerve to go up and talk to Sonny, who was the sweetest person imaginable.  I told Coach that I had been at CSU when he was coaching, to which he graciously replied "No way - you're way too young for that.  You look like you're in college now" {thanks Sonny}.  He obliged my request for a picture, then continued to ask questions about where we were from, whether or not we were Husky fans, and when I said of course not, proceeded to tell me his son was coaching at UW - whoops!.  It was such a dorky fan girl moment that I'm so happy I got to have - and since I was on cloud nine throughout the rest of our dinner, I'll let the pictures below show you the rest of our evening. Thanks again Sonny for being such a gentleman, and Go Rams tonight against the Buffs!

 pre dinner martini with sonny in the background

xoxo,
stephanie marie

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