Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Parents Week
Good morning!
Man, my 5:15a alarm came way too quickly this morning. Then again, I’m not sure when a 5:15 alarm doesn’t come way too quickly. I’m feeling a bit of the blues today, since my parents are heading back to Illinois this morning. I have enjoyed their company so much this week. I’m really sad to see them go!
The picture above is from the other day when we went hiking at Chautauqua. The weather was absolutely perfect. It reached 77 degrees! Naturally, it was an ideal day for a hike. So when my parents got back from Estes Park, we all picked up and headed over the the Flat Irons.
I wasn’t too sure about the initial climb. My parents hadn’t adjusted to the altitude quite yet, and, well, it’s a little tough for someone visiting, who might not hike that often. Alas, my dad toughed it out, just stopping every now and then when the heart rate got a little too high.
And it was SO worth it. We hiked around for about 1.5 hours, and saw some great sights, including a gorgeous sun dog in the sky.
A sun dog is a rainbow formed when there’s ice crystals in the clouds when the sun hits it in the perfect light…or something like that. Whatever it is, it’s gorgeous – I’d never seen one before.
And it’s not a sun dong, which I thought it was, and kept repeating it, embarrassingly so – LOL
We also had to get pretty creative when we looped around and went down – there was still snow and ice in the shadier spots, which made it super tricky! I think going up is more of a physical workout, and going down is more of a mental workout.
So pretty.
After our hike, we headed to Pearl Street to shop, where I visited my very first Athleta store (and am now in LOVE,) replenish and watch the freaks people watch.
And by replenish, I mean in the form of cocktails 
This was tequila, some ginger/pear flavor thingy, and club soda. And delicious. Actually, this entire week has been delicious – like one 8 day weekend.
We’ve had lots of beverages…
Drinks after shopping
Drinks after hiking
Drinks after dinner – playing euchre
Drinks after church
Drinks after drinks. Lots of drinks.
and LOTS of good food:
burger and fries from Oskar Blues
spicy buffalo tacos from Ed’s Cantina
sausage omelet, potatoes, and GF toast from Two Dog Diner
carry out pizza (gluten free crust)
chicken, shrimp, and sausage jambalaya with dirty rice from Oskar Blues (in Lyons)
And last night we all had ribs, pork barbeque, and corn bread, finished off with a big ol’ slice of chocolate pie.
Um, seriously.
Typically, I eat like this (let loose, eat whatever, don’t cook, etc.) on the weekends – Friday and Saturday. Then Sunday – Thursday I make my own breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So basically, I ate (and drank) like it was the weekend all week long. No big deal – I’m just more than ready to eat the next few meals from my own kitchen 
On that note, if 5:15 came quickly, so did 5:45 – time to teach BLAST interval class!
Tell me: Do your eating patterns change much when you’re on vacation or entertaining guests?
What was the most fun thing you did this weekend?
I need to catch up with ya’ll!
LOVE Colorado hiking…nothing like it
***SQUINTS and is distracted by the fact shes pretty much your parent’s ages***
🙂
Miz recently posted…In a food fantasy what would YOU eat?
Aw… I love visits from the ‘rents! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed themselves!
And yes… I definitely eat differently when others are visiting. It’s almost a nice sigh of relief to get back to routine after everything is said and done…
Amy B @ Second City Randomness recently posted…New Year, New Chapter
I love vacation time but something about getting back to normal meals, schedule, and my own kitchen always feels amazing! Have fun teaching!
Danielle (@CleanFoodCreativeFitness) recently posted…I’m back and some changes…
I’m always happy when my parents come to visit! (even though they’re only about an hour away…). My eating definitely changes on vacation or when entertaining…definitely more desserts and alcohol involved.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Italian, Thai and Irish.
It looks like you had a blast! What great weather for their visit. I hope we can hang out this weekend!!
I love family time! I am fortunate enough to live 5 mins from my parents so i cannot complain but it was my favorite when they came to visit me in college to go out for good meals and drinks! I want to come visit you and do all that fun stuff! I am jealous of all the hiking that you get to do!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots recently posted…Marvelous Monday
I totally know the feeling, after any vacation/friends in town type of week/weekend, it always feels good to get back to your normal eating habits! My stomach usually thanks me too haha
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted…Blogger Fail
Ohhhhh I hope to see this sun dog when I visit Colorado next month! It looks beautiful.
Ashley @ Life and Fitness recently posted…Stumpy McTavern
Nothing wrong with all the drinks and yummy food! Your parents were in town; gotta do it on special occasions :p
Hahaha. I’ve never heard of or seen a sun dog, I love that you thought it was sun dong;)
Your weekend sounds like my thing, drinks galore. Sounds like it was a lot of fun, it’s definitely tough when you have your family around and then they have to leave. Family is just so comforting.
At least you have lots of memories to cherish until the next time you see them!
Lisa recently posted…Lately…
Oh yes, the weekends and vacation are kind of a free for all with me. Maybe not every weekend, but most of them. Life’s too short not to, right? All of this looks great! And I would have believed you if you’d said it was a Sun Dong 😉
Kacy recently posted…Eatin’ & Drinkin’ – Leek Bistro (etc.)
You got up at 5.15 to blog?! That’s dedication!!
We really do eat like twins – on the weekends I never cook a single meal. So sorry, so lazy!
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…A little Monday motivation
SO fun! Glad you enjoyed your time with your parents. Looks like perfect hiking weather. I want those fries
Tell me: Do your eating patterns change much when you’re on vacation or entertaining guests? Somewhat. I try to stick to my usual schedule with a couple extra treats 😉
What was the most fun thing you did this weekend? Took Kay to the park
Erica recently posted…TV Debut & Weekend
I always get the Athleta catalog and their stuff looks LEGIT GOOD. Some day I’ll have to find an actual store and check out their gear – their sweatshirts look so delicious! Glad you had a fun weekend with the rentals! Cheer up buttercup! xox
julie recently posted…13.2 and some eats!
So funny about all the drinks 😀 Looks like such a fun time. Family time is so great for the soul.
Sun dong!!! LOL!!!!
I hiked at Chautauqua in November when I was there and the trail I was on was SUPER snowy and slick. I bought spikes to put on my shoes, which were great to have! I LOVE it there.
And I love your style- drinks after….
People (freak) watching at Pearl Street is one of my favorite things to do EVER. And Oskar Blues!! Isn’t the restaurant SO cool?? I can’t wait to go back there!
I eat like a pig on vacation. So that means, after we move, I’ll really have to watch it- because living in CO is like being on vacation all the time, right? 😉
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning recently posted…5×5 For Friday: Edibles, Cool Stuff and DOGS