visitors visitors visitors

I had visitors this past weekend!!!!!!! My lovely older sister Jamie and crazy cousin Jenna came out to visit me for a few days :) They flew out here last Thursday and left about an hour ago to head back to Michigan. We had a packed weekend full of amazing adventures that quite possibly might be the highlight of my summer! 

Last Friday we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in the afternoon. I have this un-explainable obsession with going to the zoo, it just never ceases to fascinate me. My favorite exhibit had to be the giraffes. Those creatures... when you stand and watch them for a while they really get you thinking. Especially this one... he smiled too :) 

After the zoo, we ventured to the Broadmoor, which is a beautiful hotel here in the Springs. We really had no idea what we were going to do once we got there, but were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful flowers and landscape that we found. They have a pond and fountains out back of the hotel which are absolutely breathtaking with the mountains in the back ground. We browsed through the inexpensive (HA) shops for a bit then headed to downtown CSprings to grab dinner and walk around some more. The zoo has by far been my favorite thing that I have done here thus far! 

On Saturday, we woke up early to have a nice breakfast of quiche that I made for us before heading out through the mountains to the resort town of BRECKENRIDGE. It was quite an exciting drive; there were a few points where we were afraid the car wouldn't even make it. But nonetheless, we arrived there around noon on a beautiful day. We laced up our hiking shoes, and headed for the base of Peak 8. Much to my excitement, we came across SNOW! Which is what I had been talking about all morning, how I wanted to hike up to the snow on the peak. Yes, I am easily amused. We had some fun making snowballs and sliding on our butts down the hills, then walked down to the gondola that would take us back to town. It was such a fun hike! Even though we had to stop every few minutes to accustom the rookies to the altitude changes :) Love you both. We got back into town, shopped around a little, had lunch at the local brewery, then continued to shop of course. I had some great finds in this little town! After driving home through the rain in the mountains and seeing a rainbow, I can say that it was a successful day to say the least. Breckenridge has officially made its way to my list of all-time favorite cities, seriously. Loved it. 

Sunday was a chill day, which we needed after a busy Friday and Saturday. I took the girls to Woodman Valley Chapel for church, then we relaxed by the pool for a few hours. What was supposed to be rainy, turned out to be a beautiful day! I made dinner for us, then we headed to the hotel to hang out and I spent the night there with them. Today, they came to Focus and I gave them a small tour of all the places I spend my time at. It's great now that they will be able to put an actual picture with the places I'm talking about :) I loved more than anything having them out here. It was tough saying goodbye, but I know that Jamie and the fam will be back out here in two short weeks, and I'll be home in three. 

I'm starting to get very drained from everything. From class, to homework, to reading, to internship... My body is slowing down. Prayers for strength and endurance to finish out these last two weeks of class would be appreciated :) As much as I want to be home, I'm trying my hardest to stay in the moment and enjoy my time here yet. Praying for my eyes to be opened in the final two weeks, just to see atleast an inkling of the reasoning behind why I'm here...